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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to ERAFOA1@hq.doe.gov."]
[2,"All questions pertaining to OCED Exchange should be emailed to OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov. Include FOA number and title in subject line."]
[3,"All questions and answers pertaining to this FOA will be posted on OCED Exchange within this spreadsheet."]
[4,"DOE will attempt to respond to a question within 3 business days, unless a similar question and answer have already been posted in this spreadsheet. "]
[5,"All questions should be submitted no 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 FOA Content Questions tab of this spreadhseet by selecting the drop-down box arrows 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-0002970 - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2023-03-01","Foreign Entities/ Work","I’m working with a Canadian Utility Company to prove out our efficient power generation system for rural communities.  We have delivered a demo unit to their lab near Montreal.\nIs it possible to obtain a waiver to partner with a Canadian province and utility company for this FOA?\nYour expedited assistance and answer will be greatly appreciated.","Please refer to FOA Appendix B for information on the Foreign Work Waiver process. A Canadian utility company could serve as sub-recipient with an approved Foreign Work Waiver."]
[2,"2023-03-02","Eligibility","In reviewing the documents related to the Energy Improvements in Rural and Remote Areas and wanted to clarify eligibility. In the overview on the website it lists utilities as potential recipients, however the FOA does not list a utilities as an eligible recipient or subrecipient. Can you please clarify whether utilities, and specifically rural electric cooperatives or public power entities, are able to be a recipient or subrecipient – in many rural communities, rural cooperatives are central to energy solutions. In some cases, these types of entities could identify as non-profit or state/local government entities, respectively. However, there are a variety of structures for these types of utilities, including some cooperatives being corporations that operate without posting any profit, and clarity on whether they can participate in this program would be very helpful.","Yes, reference FOA Section 4.1.1 under Eligible Entities, indicate where your utility falls under 1-7. "]
[3,"2023-03-02","Other","I just wanted to let the Office know that the FOA files for the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program are damaged and will not open when opening them through Adobe Acrobat. The file for the Community Benefits Plan (thank you for that information) is the only file working.","OCED will upload new PDF versions of the files on OCED Exchange. In addition, OCED  has uploaded read-only Word versions of these PDF files. Word versions of the FOA, Community Benefits Plan Guidance, and ERA FOA Guidance, also now are available on OCED Exchange."]
[4,"2023-03-02","Application Content/ Format","The Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas FOA lists the maximum page amount for Technical Volume Topic Area 1 to be 25 pages in a table however, later in the document mentions that the maximum page length to be 20 pages. Which of these is the correct maximum length for the technical volume length? ","The Technical Volume for Topic Area 1 has a maximum page limit of 20 pages. We will issue a FOA modification in the future to correct this page limit inconsistency."]
[5,"2023-03-03","Eligibility","You define the population as 10,000 or less. If a county is proposing a project to serve the county, and the county population is 40,000, but the project is intended for the unincorporated parts which totals less than 10,000, is this an eligible project?\n","Per FOA Section 4.0, since the unincorporated parts of the county that the project will benefit from does not meet part (a) of this requirement, is not a city, town or other unincorporated municipality, part (b) of this requirement applies.\n\nPer part (b), the applicant would need to identify the Census Designated Place (CDP), or places, or similarly discreet and identifiable community(ies) that is(are) not located within an incorporated municipality, in the unincorporated area that would benefit from the project in its proposal."]
[6,"2023-03-03","Budget/ Costs","Does all match need to be secured for all phases before applying (by the letter of intent/concept paper) or do we secure match by phase since subsequent phases are not guaranteed to be funded? Or is there some other time period where match needs to be confirmed?","All the non-federal cost share (aka recipient cost share) for the whole project (all phases), at the minimum required percent amount of 20%, or 50%, needs to be identified and proposed in the Financial Plan submitted with the application."]
[7,"2023-03-03","Application Content/ Format","Can someone send us a sample concept paper or one from a previously funded application?","Unfortunately, OCED cannot provide a sample concept paper."]
[8,"2023-03-06","Eligibility","We are a non-profit (501-c-12) electric cooperative looking to apply for this FOA. Are we eligible as a non-profit?","Per FOA Section 4.1.1, non-profit entities as defined in the Applicant Eligibility Guidance section (see subsection 2.2.2) of the Guidance Document for the ERA FOA, are eligible for this FOA."]
[9,"2023-03-06","Other","Section 2.2.3 details “Regions of Interest” – will the # of awards be evenly divided between these regions? ","OCED will select projects considering both technical merit and regional impact.  We will pursue geographic diversity but cannot guarantee that awards will be evenly divided among regions."]
[10,"2023-03-03","Budget/ Costs","Are costs for drilling geothermal wells an allowable cost under this funding opportunity?","All costs must be necessary for the project, must benefit the rural or remote area(s) as defined by FOA Section 4.0 identified in the proposal, and meet the FOA requirements to be considered allowable.\n\nDOE cannot authorize the expenditure of project funds until the NEPA review is complete. The NEPA review must be complete and the DOE Grants and Agreements Officer must provide written approval prior to commencing the activity. See the Guidance Document for the ERA FOA for the definition and additional information on allowable cost."]
[11,"2023-03-07","Cost Sharing","It seems that there is a 20% cost share required for the ERA program if the applicant is a domestic non-profit entity (or local government, if we can obtain a partnership with the local government). The [Institute] is a non-profit entity. So would they be eligible for the reduced cost share? And if so, are there any other conditions under which the cost share might be waved given the fact that it would be located in a low-income, energy and Justice 40 community?","Per FOA Section 4.2, cost sharing is reduced to 20% where the prime recipient is a domestic institution of higher education; domestic nonprofit entity; or U.S. state, local, or tribal government entity (including Alaska Native Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations). Cost share will not be reduced from 20% under this FOA."]
[12,"2023-03-07","Other","What is the expected timeline for guidance to be published for projects seeking less than $5 million in federal funding? Should potential applicants for that expect the same application requirements as exist for topics 1 and 2 under the current guidance? And will there be a cost share requirement for that smaller program?","Per FOA Section 2.4, more information will be available this spring on separate programming for projects valued less than $5 million. Please monitor the OCED Exchange website."]
[13,"2023-03-07","Eligibility","[We] are helping a community explore funding options for solar and energy efficiency investments on the [Community Land], including acres of strip-mined land. The [Community] is interested in energy efficiency improvements to the low-income housing on the property as well as the community center, expanding their solar-powered hydroponics project (which serves as a workforce training effort), and potentially developing a 1-5 megawatt solar system to sell solar energy to the local utility. The site qualifies as low-income, an energy community and as a Justice 40 area. Would you expect a project as I've described to be a good fit for the smaller ERA project category?","Eligible clean energy demonstration projects must satisfy at least one of the objectives listed in FOA Section 2.2.1.1.  Efficiency upgrades to housing would not fall under this program.  Also, clean energy demonstration projects specifically located on mine lands will be funded through another OCED program. Please monitor the OCED Exchange website."]
[14,"2023-03-07","Eligibility","Can a single entity (non-profit or quasi-municipal) make one application on behalf of multiple municipalities for varied projects including but not limited to community solar, distribution system hardening, voltage efficiency, substation rebuild, and conductor replacement?","Per FOA Section 2.2.2, single entities, including \"aggregators,\" may conduct projects at multiple locations."]
[15,"2023-03-07","Eligibility","Example project lists noted within this FOA do not include natural gas solutions such as fuel cells. Are these technologies permitted under the FOA? Must they be powered by renewable natural gas to qualify? Would technologies that use natural gas as a stock fuel to create hydrogen to produce electricity qualify?","Project proposals are not limited to potential examples provided in FOA Section 2.2.3."]
[16,"2023-03-08","Eligibility","Would the National Park Service be eligible? ","Unfortunately, per FOA Section 4.1.1, Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are not eligible to participate in projects funded under this FOA under any capacity. "]
[17,"2023-03-08","Cost Sharing","What cost share would be applicable to NPS?","Unfortunately, per FOA Section 4.1.1, Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are not eligible to participate in projects funded under this FOA under any capacity. "]
[18,"2023-03-09","Other","What is the date and time of the next DE-FOA-0002970: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas?","Per FOA Section 2.1, depending on response, OCED may open up additional Funding Opportunity Announcements in the future. "]
[19,"2023-03-09","Other","I did not see any questions or reference to whether this FOA is subject to Executive Order 12372.  Please let me know whether it is or is not subject to this.","This FOA is not subject to Executive Order 12372."]
[20,"2023-03-09","Application Content/ Format","In presenting a project, should energy measurement metrics such as kilowatt hours be used to project energy savings numerically? Is this the type of unit measurement the agency would like to see in project breakdowns/justifications?","Kilowatt-hour can be used as a unit for the applicable metric. Use U.S. customary units for all values. \n\nThe proposal must include the metrics applicable to your proposed project (see FOA Section 2.2.1.2) and the applicable metrics required for the proposal's content (see FOA Section 5.6)."]
[21,"2023-03-10","Other","Where can I find information to sign up or attend the March 29th informational webinar?","Registration and information on the Informational Webinar for this FOA is available at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b45300ee-bd3a-472c-b053-0d9f5c277f55@4ee48f43-e15d-4f4a-ad55-d0990aac660e.\nThis link and information will also be added to Exchange.                 UPDATE:  The webinar recording is located at         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUtRm2oZytA "]
[22,"2023-03-07","Eligibility","At the point of concept paper submission, would the applicant entity need to have all projects identified?  The goal of this concept is to advance a statewide approach to achieving resilient clean energy objectives.","Yes, per FOA Section 5.6.1, the concept paper should describe the proposed project, including the technology and/or systems to be developed, construction activities, and infrastructure development to the greatest extent known at the time of submission. "]
[23,"2023-03-09","Budget/ Costs","Can you confirm that DOE will reimburse awardees for their full federally negotiated indirect cost rates? It’s a little unclear after reviewing 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E since it indicates that agencies will include this information in funding solicitations regardless of whether or not their policy deviates from accepting full rates.","All proposed costs, including both federal share and recipient cost share as well as direct and indirect costs, must be necessary, reasonable, allocable, and allowable, per the Recipient entity type's applicable cost principles, to be reimbursable. Applicants with a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) should include their full rate and full Indirect costs in the Budget Justification submitted with the application. See FOA Section 5.6.2.7 for information on the Budget and Budget Justification application requirement.\n\nIf selected for award negotiations, DOE will review all the proposed costs for the allowability factors noted above. DOE does not have a policy that deviates from accepting full rates approved in a NICRA."]
[24,"2023-03-09","Eligibility","Are the following energy improvements to school buildings within a district viable as potential projects?\na. Replace all non-LED/Incandescent lights with LED lights (improve energy efficiency and thus decrease CO2 Emissions)\nb. Update to newer HVAC systems (improve energy efficiency and thus decrease CO2 Emissions)\nc. Automation systems upgrade (automate energy saving actions for the overall controls system)\nd. Replace heat exchangers to more energy efficient ones (improve energy efficiency and thus decrease CO2 Emissions)\ne. Install zone averaging thermostats in each classroom (allows for more energy efficient temperature targeting within rooms)","Eligible clean energy demonstration projects must satisfy at least one of the objectives listed in FOA Section 2.2.1.1."]
[25,"2023-03-12","Application Content/ Format","Would a solar project, under A PSA (purchase sale agreement) be viewed as unfavorable – hence reducing likelihood of an ‘encourage’ outcome?  In this instance – the utility has an agreement with the developer, to purchase the solar farm upon completion AND has regulatory approval to move forward by the commission.  The recipient (our client) of this grant would be the utility (Investor owned utility).","All applicants, subrecipients, and proposals must meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the FOA.\n- Proposals must benefit rural or remote area(s), see FOA Section 4.0.\n- Applicants and subrecipients must meet FOA Section 4.1.1 requirements.\n- Proposals must be responsive to this FOA as noted on FOA Section 4.3."]
[26,"2023-03-14","Cost Sharing","Please confirm if an eligible entity may utilize a loan from LPO and award from ERA to fund a project?","Per FOA Section 4.2, \"Federal financing, such as DOE Loan Guarantees, cannot be leveraged by applicants to provide the required cost share or otherwise cover the same scope that is proposed in the application.\""]
[27,"2023-03-14","Eligibility","The city in question has a population of around 15,000, but relevant utility interested in applying serves only 8,200. Is this utility eligible/does this count as an “area” under the FOA?","As described, a project benefiting an area within a city with a population greater than 10,000 is not eligible for this FOA. "]
[28,"2023-03-14","Eligibility","Unfortunately, our 2020 population is 10,079. Given how close we are to the \"10k\" mark, could we qualify?","No, as mentioned on FOA Section 4.0, per the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Section 40103(c) definition of \"rural or remote area\", eligibility is limited to rural and remote areas of no more than 10,000 inhabitants."]
[29,"2023-03-15","Budget/ Costs","How will funding be issued through this grant? Will the awardee be paid in installments or is it reimbursement based?","Funding will be issued via electronic funds transfer. Specific payment procedures, conditions, and required supporting documentation will be determined for each Recipient.  Typically, For-Profit entities are provided funds on a reimbursement basis, within 30 days of actual cash disbursements. For other entity types, subject to certain conditions, funds are typically provided on an advance basis, with the timing and amount of advance payments being as close as practical to the actual disbursements. For more information, please see 200 CFR § 200.305 Federal payment and § 910.354 Payment. "]
[30,"2023-03-15","Other","“OCED anticipates notifying applicants selected for negotiation of award and negotiating awards by the dates provided on the cover page of this FOA.” However, the cover page does not seem to indicate an award notification date","The anticipated timeframe to notify applicants selected for negotiation of award is late Fall 2023. DOE will clarify this point in a modification to the FOA which will be posted soon."]
[31,"2023-03-15","Application Content/ Format","We completed the Concept document and submitted it, but it was very light.  Should we incorporate some or all of our studies, plans, financials, proformas, etc.?  If so, how? Will there be a more detailed phase where we supply all of these planning documents? Is there a master \"rules\" document that details these issues? ","The requirements for the concept paper are outlined in FOA Section 5.6.1.  Each applicant should include what is requested in FOA Section 5.6.1 and adhere to the page limits. In reference to the question on a 'more detailed phase:' a) please note that all statements of expertise provided will need to be substantiated in the Application submission, see FOA Section 5.6.2, and b) ERA FOA Guidance Document Section 4 outlines the Project Management Structure section with 4 project phases, post award, each requiring specific project/planning documents.  "]
[32,"2023-03-15","Eligibility","The project is in an area designated as 100% rural by the USDA.  Does that equal 'eligible' for this FOA.","Per FOA Section 4.0, per the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Section 40103(c) definition of \"rural or remote area\", eligibility is limited to rural and remote areas of no more than 10,000 inhabitants, based on the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data. "]
[33,"2023-03-16","Application Content/ Format","1. How fully fleshed out does the project have to be when the concept paper is due? E.g., do we need to have completed the engineering design, done the EPC, environmental studies, etc. just trying to understand how advanced the project should be at that stage. Can it be purely conceptual at this point?\n2. How about during the application stage? How advanced does the project have to be? Do we need to have secured the land, do we need to have completed all permitting, and do we need to have selected EPCs, for example?\n3. How long after the application submission (not concept paper) will the DOE make a decision, assuming the concept paper is accepted?\n4. Let's say the DOE accepts the application and selects a project as a winner, is there a timeline upon which the project has to be built? E.g., \"if we select you in January, you need to start construction before EOY\"","The requirements for the application and submission information are outlined in FOA Section 5.0 and the content required for both concept and full application is provided in FOA Section 5.6. FOA Section 2.3 outlines the four-phased project management structure. Also, see the OCED ERA Project Management Structure Section 5.0, in the Guidance Document available on OCED eXCHANGE. The graphic in Section 5.0 provides an overview of when engineering, site control and permitting must be achieved; however, exact requirements for each phase will be tailored during award and phase negotiations to the size and complexity of the proposed project."]
[34,"2023-03-17","Eligibility","If one were to apply for funding under this program, would the entity’s entire administrative population, just the population of the area where the project is proposed (e.g. Census tract, block, or other political subdivision), or just the population that would benefit from the program have to fall within the 10,000 people threshold?","Per FOA Section 4.0, Eligibility, 'Applications must identify at least one area in the United States (including U.S. territories) with a population of not more than 10,000 (using the 2020 Census Bureau figures) that will benefit from the proposal.' Also, see Sections 2.4-2.6 in the Guidance Document available on OCED eXCHANGE for additional detail. "]
[35,"2023-03-16","Eligibility","We do not qualify as a rural area because the population is greater than 10,000, but what is the definition of 'remote?'  We are considered 'remote' by other federal agencies.  ","For purposes of this program, 'rural or remote area' is a single phrase with a single definition. As defined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Section 40103(c), ‘rural or remote area' means a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants. There must be a defined benefit to a 'rural or remote area' to be eligible for any ERA Program funding."]
[36,"2023-03-20","Application Content/ Format","I attempted to submit a Concept Paper on the FOA website, but it would not allow me to upload the file. Can you help me to get the PDF uploaded?  ","Thank you for identifying this error. We have corrected the issue on eXCHANGE and the file upload should work now.  Please try the upload again and if you have any trouble with uploading files, please notify oced-exchangesupport@hq.doe.gov."]
[37,"2023-03-20","Eligibility","Would a geothermal exploration and test well drilling be eligible for DE-FOA-0002970 for a site where previous Phase I exploration studies have been carried out?  ","DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which Applications to this FOA must be submitted. You may reference FOA Section 2.2 for information on Topic Areas and Regional Areas of Interest.  Also, Section 5 of the FOA Guidance Document (available on OCED eXCHANGE) provides potential project activities during the four-phased Project Management Structure.  "]
[38,"2023-03-20","Application Content/ Format","How does the agency determine who is encouraged to apply for the full grant versus who is discouraged? Is there a scoring matrix that has been published?  We are trying to determine if we should spend the time on a concept paper.   ","The decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant. Application submission information may be reviewed in FOA Section 5.0, and FOA Section 5.6 specifies Concept Paper and Application content.  Information on how a proposal is reviewed and scored is detailed in FOA Section 6.0."]
[39,"2023-03-21","Other","Who is eligible for technical assistance and how can we apply for it?","Technical assistance provided by DOE's national labs is available for these types of U.S. domestic entities: state and local governments, tribes, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, consortia, and academic institutions.\n\nTechnical assistance has no cost to Applicants. Information about Technical Assistance, including how to apply for it, is available at: https://www.nrel.gov/state-local-tribal/era-technical-assistance.html."]
[40,"2023-03-21","Application Content/ Format","Is biodiesel considered as a type of clean energy and of interest to DOE under this FOA? ","DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which Applications to this FOA must be submitted. Topic areas are technology neutral, and you may review FOA Section 2.2 for information on Topic Areas and Regional Areas of Interest.\n\nAlso, note per FOA Section 6.1.2 (Criterion 1),  DOE will evaluate the \"degree to which the proposed project reduces the emissions of greenhouse gas and criteria pollutants across the full life cycle that result from the generation, transmission, and/or distribution [...] as compared to today’s baseline.\""]
[41,"2023-03-22","Eligibility","If a location meets the requirement as a “rural or remote area”, is it also a requirement to be designated as a disadvantaged community (DAC) by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) to meet the Justice40 requirements in the Community Benefits Plan (CBP)?","No, it is not a requirement to be designated as a disadvantaged community by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Please refer to FOA Section 4.0 for Eligibility Information.  To be eligible, applications must identify at least one area in the United States (including U.S. territories) with a population of not more than 10,000 (using the 2020 Census Bureau figures) that will benefit from the proposal. Separately, Community Benefits must be quantified in the Concept Paper and subsequent application as described in FOA Section 5.6, Proposal Content, and this content will be evaluated as specified in FOA Section 6.0."]
[42,"2023-03-17","Eligibility","1) If the prime recipient of funding is a member-owned non for profit utility, would they be eligible for the reduced cost share of 20%. \n2) If the prime recipient of funding is a k-12 school under a local county school system would they be eligible for the reduced cost share of 20%, as they exist as part of a \"local government\"  \n3) If the prime recipient is eligible for the reduced cost share of 20%, then the DoE funding will = 80% of the total project cost? Formula: Total Project Cost ($) minus Federal Share ($) = Non-Federal Share ($).","Per FOA Section 4.2, Cost Sharing, the recipient cost share requirement for the non-federal share of projects is reduced from 50% to 20% where the prime recipient is a domestic institution of higher education; domestic non-profit entity; or U.S. state, local, or tribal government entity (including Alaska Native Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations).  "]
[43,"2023-03-21","Other","The lien and reversionary interest of the government called for in 2 C.F.R. § 910.360 will prevent grant recipients from obtaining private sector senior secured financing and is likely to interfere with the goal of enabling widespread, non-federally funded follow-on investments.  Would DOE consider (whether for this specific FOA or on a class-basis with other grants implementing the BIL and the IRA) guidelines on when liens in favor of private sector lenders would be allowed and whether the lien in favor of the DOE could be shared with, or contractually subordinated to, private sector lenders, providing follow-on capital or funding cost shares?","During the award period of performance, recipients may request Contracting Officer approval to encumber real property and/or equipment acquired in whole or in part with project funds. DOE may, in its discretion, approve an encumbrance of such property and/or equipment if DOE has a first priority pari passu position with senior lenders to the recipient including in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency proceeding, or liquidation of project assets."]
[44,"2023-03-23","Eligibility","Is there a database where I can search to determine if a town or area is considered rural?","See Section 2.4 of the Guidance Document for this FOA for information on how to verify the 2020 U.S. Census population of an area. See FOA Section 4.0 for the FOA's eligibility requirement."]
[45,"2023-03-23","Application Content/ Format","Can projects pursue Topic Area 1: Community-scale Demo ($5-10M) but do it thru Area of Interest 1: Aggregation? As laid out Aggregation is option for Topic Area 2: Large-scale Demo.  We envision replicable projects in a couple of areas but likely totally less than $10M. ","Per FOA Section 4.0, \"DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which Applications to this FOA must be submitted\", however, Topic Area 1 does not exclude replication and projects in the $5-10M category are not restricted to a single geographic location.  "]
[46,"2023-03-23","Eligibility","I am writing for clarification on the requirements for DOE's Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas FOA. According to the FOA, a \"rural or remote area\" is defined as \"areas of less than 10,000 people.\" What is the definition of an \"area\" in this sense? Does this term refer to a census tract or to another geographical term?","For purposes of this program, 'rural or remote area' is a single phrase with a single definition. As defined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Section 40103(c), and on FOA Section 4.0, ‘rural or remote area' means a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants. There must be a defined benefit to a 'rural or remote area' to be eligible for any ERA Program funding.\n\n\"Area\" as used in the FOA does not refer to Census tracts. See FOA Section 4.0 for the complete FOA eligibility requirement and see Section 2.4 of the Guidance Document for this FOA for information on how to verify the 2020 U.S. Census population of an area."]
[47,"2023-03-24","Eligibility","We are helping a K12 public school district in a rural designated region with students from across several municipalities. None of the towns that encompass our district represent more than 10,000 inhabitants. However, our district represents a community of approximately 11,580 residents across several towns collectively. Is our school district eligible for this FOA, including our high school and middle school that represent communities that collectively total more than 10,000 inhabitants? What about our elementary schools that represent communities that total less than 10,000? ","Per FOA Section 4.0, the benefited area with not more than 10,000 inhabitants must meet either requirement of this section;  part (a) \"a city, town or other unincorporated municipality\" or part (b) \"a Census Designated Place (CDP) or similarly discreet and identifiable community that is not located within an incorporated municipality.\" A CDP or \"similarly discreet and identifiable community\" may be different from a \"district\". See Section 2.4 of the Guidance Document for this FOA for information on how to verify the 2020 U.S. Census population of an area. As stated on FOA Sections 2.2.2.1 and 2.2.2.2, a single proposal may benefit more than one rural or remote area.\n\nFurthermore, \"DOE 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.\""]
[48,"2023-03-24","Other","When is OCED is planning to announce a simplified approach for those applicants with qualifying projects seeking less than $5 million in federal funding? Will a concept paper be required, and also due April 14th?","Per FOA Section 2.1, OCED is planning to announce a simplified approach, distinct from this FOA, for those applicants with qualifying projects seeking less than $5 million in federal funding. We anticipated releasing this announcement in the next 60 days. It is anticipated that this announcement will be published in the next 60 days.  "]
[49,"2023-03-25","Other","1. What area or region are associated with black dots on DOE’s EJ DAC mapping tool?\n2. Should we use that tool or the ERA Program geospatial map?","1. Questions answered through this mailbox, ERAFOA1@hq.doe.gov, are questions specific to the ERA FOA. OCED cannot answer questions about the DOE's EJ DAC Mapping Tool. OCED can only suggest to contact the tool's contact noted on their website to submit this question. The DOE's EJ DAC Mapping Tool webpage, https://energyjustice.egs.anl.gov/, lists energyjustice@hq.doe.gov as its contact email.\n\n2. If this question is asking which tool should be used to identify disadvantaged communities (DACs), FOA Section 5.6.2.3 (footnote 3 on pg. 38) states that \"DOE has developed a definition and tools to locate and identify disadvantaged communities. These resources can be located [on DOE's EJ DAC Mapping Tool] at https://energyjustice.egs.anl.gov/. DOE will also recognize disadvantaged communities as defined and identified by the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), which can be located at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/.\""]
[50,"2023-03-25","Application Content/ Format","Is a Form SF-424C or SF 424A required for application? Guidance document §2.4.1 mentions these forms but the FOA does not. Only the OCED Budget Justification Workbook is provided on the OCED website. ","The OCED eXCHANGE page (for this FOA) has a section called \"APPLICATION FORMS AND TEMPLATES.\"  Here, you are able to download the budget justification workbook file. The SF-242A is part of the budget justification workbook, thus a SF-424A is included in FOA Section 5.6.2.7 requirements. "]
[51,"2023-03-25","Application Content/ Format","Please confirm that an Environmental Information Volume is not required with the application. (Guidance §2.12)","As detailed in FOA Guidance Document, Section 2.1.3, The award recipient will be required to complete an Environmental Information Volume during Phase 1 of the project. However, the applicant should note that information on environmental permitting, NEPA compliance and associated topics are requested in FOA Section 5.6.2. "]
[52,"2023-03-25","Application Content/ Format","Do target community populations need to be listed on the cover page of the concept paper, or only in the concept paper body? The FOA concept paper cover page section states “The applicant must clearly identify the location and population of the communities identified for energy improvements (as defined by the Census Bureau or other legal boundary). Any submission that cannot be easily verified by the definitions set forth by law will not be considered eligible.”","The requirements for the cover page of the Concept Paper are detailed in FOA Section 5.6.1. This cover page does require the applicant to identify \"the rural or remote area(s) that will be receiving technical or community benefits through the proposed project\", eligibility and community benefits, among other items."]
[53,"2023-03-25","Application Content/ Format","Is a Fedconnect Account required? For what?","There are several application submission requirements detailed in FOA Section 5.2. Review them all prior to submission to ensure all requirements are met. For FedConnect requirements, review FOA Section 5.2.3."]
[54,"2023-03-25","Cost Sharing","How will a company claiming an investment tax credit (ITC) affect cost share? For example, if company expected a 30% energy storage ITC on $100m of project work, would the total project amount then be $70m, and then a 50% cost share of that amount would be required for 35%? How will tax credits be factored into project costs?","DOE does not provide tax advice and cannot comment on whether a particular project will qualify for tax credits. If an applicant receives a tax credit it may use those proceeds as a cash contribution toward their non-federal cost share. However, DOE will not factor that tax credit into its cost share calculations."]
[55,"2023-03-25","Application Content/ Format","Does it matter if an energy developer or a rural electric cooperative is the prime applicant? Both are eligible applicants. ","The U.S. domestic entity type listed under FOA Section 4.1.1 can apply to the FOA as the applicant (prime recipient) or as subrecipient(s). Please refer to this FOA's Guidance Document Section 2.0 for the descriptions on the types of entities listed on FOA Section 4.1.1."]
[56,"2023-03-25","Eligibility","Some of our project site locations do not show up as census designated places because they are too small, while the county shows up as having a population exceeding 10,000. How do we refer to such a place which is clearly rural but not captured by census data?","Per FOA Section 4.0, the benefited area with not more than 10,000 inhabitants must meet either requirement of this section;  part (a) \"a city, town or other unincorporated municipality\" or part (b) \"a Census Designated Place (CDP) or similarly discreet and identifiable community that is not located within an incorporated municipality.\"\n\nAs stated above on part (b), if an area \"is not located within an incorporated municipality\" the applicant can identify a \"similarly discreet and identifiable community\" in lieu of a CDP. If you haven't already done so, see this FOA's Guidance Document Section 2.4 for information on how to verify the 2020 U.S. Census population of an area.\n\nFurthermore, \"DOE 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.\""]
[57,"2023-03-25","Budget/ Costs","Should the cost of the project be included in the concept paper? In what section? Project cost is mentioned in the concept paper scoring criteria, but not specifically requested by application content. ","Include the estimated Total Project Cost (TPC) in the \"Mission & Objective\" section of the Concept Paper. A FOA modification will be issued in the future to state that the proposed project description must includes the estimated TPC."]
[58,"2023-03-21","Eligibility","I am seeking clarification on whether the following location is eligible to apply for ERA funding. The location in question is the [a University's campus]. When I enter [the University Campus's] address into the Rural or Remote Area Geospatial Dashboard and click on the campus, the Block Group 2020 population is 1,391, which is clearly less than 10,000; however, the campus is designated as an urban area. Does this mean that the campus is ineligible to apply for ERA funding because it is in a designated urban area?","Per FOA Section 4.0, the benefited area with not more than 10,000 inhabitants must meet either requirement of this section;  part (a) \"a city, town or other unincorporated municipality\" or part (b) \"a Census Designated Place (CDP) or similarly discreet and identifiable community that is not located within an incorporated municipality.\" A CDP or \"similarly discreet and identifiable community\" may be different from a \"Block Group\". See Section 2.4 of the Guidance Document for this FOA for information on how verify the 2020 U.S. Census population of an area.\n\nFurthermore, \"DOE 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.\""]
[59,"2023-03-27","Budget/ Costs","Did not find a direct reference to the administrative cost allowances for this ERA program. It is usually 5%. Can you confirm?","DOE does not have \"administrative cost allowances\". Please review 2 CFR 200 Subpart E- Cost Principles for allowable costs.  "]
[60,"2023-03-27","Budget/ Costs","If we submit an application under one IIJA grant (that has not been awarded) and then submit another application under a different IIJA grant (ERA) that has some overlap in work and funding allocation, at what point would we need to notify the DOE of this potentially duplicative funding?","See FOA Section 5.6.2.11 for information and the procedure on how and when to notify the DOE Contracting Officer of the potential of duplication of federal funding."]
[61,"2023-03-27","Application Content/ Format","The FOA lists a page limit for the technical volume for both topic areas but no limit is listed for the Community Benefits Plan for the full application. Is there a page limit for the Community Benefits Plan for the full application and is it different for each topic area?","The Application's Community Benefits Plan (CBP), on FOA Section 5.6.2.3, has a 10-page limit for Topic Area 1 and a 12-page limit for Topic Area 2. OCED will issue a FOA modification in the future to include the Application's CBP page limits."]
[62,"2023-03-27","Other","We are a local government agency that provides water to about a few small communities in southern California, and we have a unique opportunity to implement a small-scale hydropower project that would considerably reduce energy demand on the regional power grid. Do you know who I can talk to about how a project like this might fit into a DOE funding program?","OCED cannot discuss open funding opportunities. Information about open OCED FOAs is available on OCED Exchange.\n\nAs stated on FOA Section 4.0, \"DOE 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\nDOE has several offices with different missions and objectives. Information about DOE's offices is available at www.energy.gov. OCED can only share that there is a Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) but cannot provide specific information about this office and funding program(s) if any. Public information about WPTO is available at www.energy.gov/eere/water/water-power-technologies-office."]
[63,"2023-03-27","Application Content/ Format","Could you tell me what the “Concept Paper” entails, and how we submit it? I have been looking all over the OCED webpage and can’t find a link to detailed instruction on what the concept paper must include.","The FOA is available on OCED Exchange at https://oced-exchange.energy.gov. FOA Section 5.6.1 covers the Concept Paper requirements (content), and FOA Section 2.2 covers the Application submission through OCED Exchange. The Concept Paper must be submitted through OCED Exchange (in a similar manner as the Application submission).\n\nOCED will issue a FOA modification in the future to state that the Concept Paper submission is through OCED Exchange."]
[64,"2023-03-27","Application Content/ Format","For the concept paper for topic 2, there is a 12 page limit, as well as guidelines on the number of pages for each section. Is there flexibility on the number of pages in each section? ","The table on FOA Section 5.6.1 includes the page limit per section of the Concept Paper for each Topic Area; in addition to the page limit for the whole Concept Paper."]
[65,"2023-03-22","Cost Sharing","We are a K12 public school district pursuing a comprehensive energy savings project including demand load reduction, renewable energy supply via solar photovoltaic and a battery energy storage system. Can the solar savings procured through a 20 year power purchase agreement, in which the school district receives the monetary savings for the life of the financing term upfront to be used to help pay for the project within an energy performance contract satisfy the 20% cost share requirements, since we are only requesting federal funding to help pay for the energy storage system?","Please review Section 4.0 Eligibility Information, Subsection 4.2 Cost Share, which states in part: Cost share may be provided in the form of cash or cash equivalents, or in-kind contributions.  Please note: cost share must come from non federal sources.  "]
[66,"2023-03-22","Eligibility","We are a K12 public school district in a rural designated region with approximately 3,400 students from across several municipalities. None of the towns that encompass our district represent more than 10,000 inhabitants. However, our district represents a community of over 10,000 residents across several towns collectively. Is our school district eligible for this FOA, including our high school and middle school that represent communities that collectively total more than 10,000 inhabitants? What about our elementary schools that represent communities that total less than 10,000? ","See FOA Section 4.0 for the FOA's eligibility requirement, the proposals must benefit at least one rural or remote area as outlined in the FOA. See Section 2.4 of the Guidance Document for this FOA for information on how to verify the 2020 U.S. Census population of an area."]
[67,"2023-03-22","Other","Would it be possible to have a quick call with someone in your department before the webinar so we can make sure our projects are a good fit before the webinar? This way we can make sure we are taking the appropriate steps in the meantime to make sure we make the deadline for our concept outline. ","No, per FOA Section 4.0, \"DOE 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.\""]
[68,"2023-03-24","Cost Sharing","The FOA specifies that the 20% cost share requirement could come from third party financing. Can you provide an example or additional information relevant to energy performance contracting? Can the 20% cost share come from the leveraging factor that a school district achieves when utilizing federal funding (in combination with energy savings and state rebates and incentives) within a traditional lease purchase agreement or bonding financing vehicle with a 15-20 year term.","Please review Section 4.0 Eligibility Information, Subsection 4.2 Cost Share, which states in part: “Cost share may be provided in the form of cash or cash equivalents, or in-kind contributions. Cost share must come from non-federal sources (unless otherwise allowed by law) such as project participants, state or local governments, or third-party financing. Federal financing, such as DOE Loan Guarantees, cannot be leveraged by applicants to provide the required cost share or otherwise cover the same scope that is proposed in the application.”  Please note that all cost share contributions must be verifiable and in compliance with standard accounting practices. Please review 2 CFR 200.306 for additional information regarding cost share."]
[69,"2024-03-27","Cost Sharing","Can you clarify how Section 48 investment tax credits for certain clean energy technologies are considered with respect to the cost share requirements of the Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas eligibility requirements?  Would a federal investment tax credit be considered federal funds or non-federal funds?  Alternatively, perhaps any grant funding awarded would reduce the basis for which an investment tax credit would apply?","Please see the answer to Question 54."]
[70,"2023-03-28","Other","Multiple Applications (Single Site) or Aggregation: We are developing four projects, one Photovoltaic and Energy Storage (100MW/55MWh), and three Stand-Alone Energy Storage (1x 100MW/400MWh, 2x25MW/100MWh) in four distinct locations in [the U.S. territory]. By virtue of the fact that these projects connect to the electrical grid (115kV & 38kV) there are benefits to both the immediate area (i.e. census tract) as well as the [the U.S. territory] writ large. Given these facts we were unsure how to structure our Application(s). The three options we believe we have are listed below, any guidance you could provide on which path is most appropriate would be greatly appreciated.\na. One application for All Projects (Aggregation): While this approach is the most concentrated our concern is that it may fail to recognize the unique benefits associated with Photovoltaic and Energy Storage vs Stand Alone Storage. \nb. One Application for Solar and Energy Storage (Single Project) and One Application For Storage Projects (Aggregation): This approach would bifurcate the applications based on technology and is our intended approach.\nc. One application per project.","Per FOA Section 2.2.2, \"Applicants should consider each Topic Area and use the guidelines [in this Section] to determine which Topic Area is the optimal fit for their application.\" Per FOA Section 2.2.2.2, under Area of Interest 1 - Aggregation, applicants can propose to \"conducting “similar” projects at multiple locations in a manner that leads to a demonstratable benefit relative to conducting that project at only one location.\" OCED cannot provide additional guidance to applicants on which Topic Area to select for their application beyond what is stipulated in the FOA.\n\nAs mentioned on FOA Section 2.4, OCED is providing pre-award Technical Assistance to applications to discuss their concept with experts from DOE's national laboratories. See Question & Answer No. 39 of this log for more information about Technical Assistance."]
[71,"2023-03-28","Eligibility","I wanted to find out if there are any grants available for a private for-profit business in the EV charging business/Renewable Energy Engineering, and Renewable Energy Assembly in [County Name].","OCED's Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) are available on OCED Exchange at https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/. Future applicants can review the FOAs which include their eligibility, application, cost share and other requirements.\n\nFor this FOA, the ERA FOA, as mentioned on the FOA's Section 4.0,  \"the decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.\""]
[72,"2023-03-28","Other","How do we get information on the information webinar scheduled tomorrow? ","The informational webinar for this FOA that was presented live on March 29, 2023 and it was recorded. The recording and the presentation (slides) will be made available through OCED Exchange under this FOA's post."]
[73,"2023-03-29","Other","Is there an expected/recommended, minimum, or maximum timeline/budget periods/months for the proposed projects related to this FOA?","As stated in FOA Section 3.0, \"the maximum [award] project period is 7 years, and the scope of the proposed project would determine that specific project period within the maximum project period.\"\n\nPlease refer to FOA Section 2.3 and FOA Guidance Document Section 4 for information about the Project Management Structure (PMS) and its phases. The PMS' phases requirements will factor in on the length of award project period, and as stated on FOA Section 2.3, the PMS \"will be tailored during award and phase negotiations to the size and complexity of the proposed project\"."]
[74,"2023-03-29","Tech Topics","The FOA states, \"Large-scale demonstrations should benefit multiple communities, either through a single installation that benefits multiple rural or remote communities, or through a series of installations with similar or complementary characteristics across multiple communities. For multiple site proposals, the applicant must explain metrics to assess direct benefit to multiple communities.\"  Could Topic 2 be applied for with multiple communities with the similar characteristic of meeting Environmental Justice/J40 threshold?","Large-scale demonstrations benefiting multiple communities can benefit multiple communities identified as disadvantaged (per DOE’s Disadvantaged Communities Reporter and/or CEJST). FOA Section 5.6.2.3 indicates that the Community Benefits Plan (CBP) requirements should be fulfilled for every impacted community, which means having implementation plans, milestones, timelines, and metrics tailored to each community. Even though the impacted communities might be similarly identified as disadvantaged, the applicant should treat the communities as places with specific and distinct social characteristics and dynamics, engagement needs and priorities, and potential impacts."]
[75,"2023-03-29","Teaming Partner List","Could you add [Organization Name] to the list and send me a copy?","See FOA Section A.9 for information about the Teaming Partner List, including how to add your organization's information to this list. The Teaming Partner List will be available on OCED Exchange, under this FOA's post."]
[76,"2023-03-29","Budget/ Costs","The FOA identifies the need for the applicant to submit a completed Budget and Budget Justification (p. 40). It also states a Subrecipient Budget and Budget Justification may be needed (page 40 identifies this as \"if applicable\").  Can you explain when it is required for a subrecipient to complete a Budget and Budget Justification and if required where this second Excel document would be placed within the OCED eXCHANGE application portal? ","The Budget and Budget Justification workbook form available on OCED Exchange is for both the prime and subrecipient(s), cell I5 on the \"Instructions and Summary\" tab reads \"(Prime Recipient or Subrecipient name here)\" to indicate this form is valid for either one. Please read the instructions on this form for information about subrecipient costs required on this form.\n\nFOA Section 5.6.2.7 under the \"File Naming Convention\" provides the file naming convention for the subrecipient's Budget and Budget Justification workbook form; this is to imply that a separate file needs to be filled for each subrecipient and uploaded with their application. The Applicant needs to provide this filled-out form for each subrecipient they anticipate having for their project; if there's a subrecipient, this form is required for each subrecipient."]
[77,"2023-03-29","Application Content/ Format","Do all 5 parts of Section 5.2 of FOA need to be completed before submitting the concept paper?  ","Yes, Section 5.2 describes the registration process required to register potential applicants to the several systems / websites that handle Applicants' information and registration. These registrations are required in order to submit a concept paper and for your concept paper and applicant's information to be reviewed."]
[78,"2023-03-29","Eligibility","I have a question regarding eligibility […]. [The webinar] did not expressly state whether “Urban Alaska Native Corporations” are eligible.","Yes, all Alaska Native Corporations (and Village Corporations) are eligible to apply if the proposed project benefits an area with not more than 10,000 inhabitants.  Please refer to FOA Section 4.0 for more detail on this topic."]
[79,"2023-03-29","Other","What value is there in having a log-on to each of the following web sites, and how do I register for / engage those values?\n• FedConnect\n• Grants.gov\n• OCED eXCHANGE","Section 5.2 describes the registration process required to register potential applicants to the several systems / websites that handle Applicants' registration and information, and proposals submissions. Applicants must register to these websites in order to submit proposals in response to this FOA and for the proposal and applicant's information to be reviewed."]
[80,"2023-03-30","OCED Exchange","Is the control number required for submission of the Concept Paper?  If so, what is the process to obtain this number prior to the application submission?","FOA Section 5.6.1 provides all the information required in the Concept Paper.  In this section, the required file naming convention is provided.  The control number is required as part of the required file naming convention.  FOA Section 5.1 provides additional information on required naming convention for all materials submitted and use of the control number in eXCHANGE.  "]
[81,"2023-03-30","Other","The most current version that I could find of the form Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 has an expiration date of 12/31/2022. Is there a more current version that is not past its expiration date?","FOA Section 5.6.2.1 a link to grants.gov where the most current 424 may be downloaded. Here is that web address, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html."]
[82,"2023-03-30","Application Content/ Format","In the FOA, section 5.6.2.2.d is used twice in Topic Area 2.","Thank you for pointing out this inconsistency. OCED will issue a FOA modification in the future to revise \"Safety and Occupational Health, Cybersecurity, Permitting and Regulatory Requirements\" to be e) instead of d) to resolve this duplication under this FOA Section for the Technical Volume for Topic Area 2."]
[83,"2023-03-30","Eligibility","Can a census tract number and its population meet the requirement of identifying a location or less that 10,000 people?","No, 'area' as used in the FOA does not refer to Census tracts.                              Per FOA Section 4.0, Eligibility, 'Applications must identify at least one area in the United States (including U.S. territories) with a population of not more than 10,000 (using the 2020 Census Bureau figures) that will benefit from the proposal.' Also, Section 2.4 of the Guidance Document for this FOA offers additional information on how to verify the 2020 U.S. Census population of an area."]
[84,"2023-03-31","Cost Sharing","A REAP grant from USDA could NOT serve as cost match funds? ","Federal financial assistance, such as a grant from another federal agency, may not be used to finance a recipient's required non-federal cost share unless the laws governing the other agency's federal assistance program specify otherwise. Exceptions to this general rule are uncommon. To determine whether any particular non-DOE program is covered by such a legal exception, we recommend you contact the federal agency running the other assistance program."]
[85,"2023-03-31","Subrecipients","For projects that are selected for funding, what is the bidding process?\nA. Is a public bidding process required?\nB. Are funded projects required to accept low bid?","When procuring property and services under a Federal award (i.e. bidding contractors/vendors), recipients must follow the procurement standards, 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327. The method of procurement depends on the value of the procurement, as detailed in 2 CFR 200.320. These regulations are available at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200."]
[86,"2023-03-31","Eligibility","As I’m sure you know, our state was precluded from responding to the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (CEML) program calls that are focused on the adaptive reuse of abandoned mine lands for energy development.\n\nWe could not propose a local demonstration project because of the use of the 1872 mining law to define eligible project sites. This law excluded mine lands in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and other eastern and midwestern states (excepting surface coal mines, covered by other definitions and laws). Our research team joined with another group to develop a proposal in the [U.S.].\n\nAs [the ERA] FOA includes energy storage technologies, but makes no mention of the two mine laws referenced in the CEML program.\n\nWould a project centered around the repurposing of an abandoned hardrock underground mine in [a rural area] be eligible under the ERA FOA?","This FOA does not limit projects (construction) based on a particular current or former land use. The proposal must be responsive to the FOA. See FOA Section 4.3 for the responsiveness criteria the proposal must meet. See FOA Section 2.2 for the Topic Areas. See FOA Section 4.0 for the eligibility information. As stated in this section, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Section 40103(c) which funds the ERA Program, requires that proposals must improve (benefit, as stated in the FOA) \"rural or remote area(s)\". BIL Section 40103(c) defines \"rural or remote area\" as a \"city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants\", based on the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data.\n\nDOE will not make eligibility determinations of applications prior to the date when applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant."]
[87,"2023-03-31","Other","We spoke with the technical assistance team who told us about another round of ERA coming up in for projects costing less than $5 million. Can you tell us if we will be able to aggregate multiple projects in this upcoming round? ","Please see Q&A #12 above."]
[88,"2023-04-03","Other","Reading the Q&A for the ERA Program, staff just gave guidance (Question #13, posted 3/7/23) that projects in rural and remote communities that will be sited on abandoned mine land are not eligible under ERA, and those projects should apply for funds using the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (CEML).\n\nThat decision means we cannot seek funds under this program for a demonstration project, as we are located in a region of the country where mine lands are not governed by the 1972 Mine Law or the 1977 Surface Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act.\n\nI hope you can clarify our eligibility for the Rural Energy Prize. We would like to enter this program, creating student teams to help post-mining communities in rural and remote areas navigate the energy transition, using their abandoned mines as assets during the change to solar, wind, and geothermal infrastructure.\n\nWould we be eligible? Or does the definition of mine land govern every funded action from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment Act?","Q&A No. 13 of this log does not state whether or not a specific current or former land use (in this question current and former mine lands) is a criteria for responsiveness to this FOA. Q&A No. 13 only informs the reader that another program, the CEML program, exists.\n\nThe ERA program cannot speak on behalf of another program. Please contact the CEML program directly for questions related to the CEML program and their funding.\n\nFor this FOA, for the ERA FOA (FOA # noted on the title of this log), proposal must be responsive to the FOA. See FOA Section 4.3 for the responsiveness criteria the proposal for this FOA must meet.\n\nThis Q&A log is only pertinent to the FOA number listed on this log's title. The FOA number listed on the title of this log is not the \"Energizing Rural Communities Prize\"; this Q&A log is not for the prize. For information and questions about the \"Energizing Rural Communities Prize\" please visit https://www.herox.com/rural-energy.\n\nThe eligibility information is in the FOA under FOA Section 4.0. OCED cannot provide additional guidance to applicants beyond what is stipulated in the FOA. DOE nor OCED cannot determine whether a specific proposal is responsive to this FOA or whether an applicant is eligible for this FOA prior to the date when applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.\n\n"]
[89,"2023-04-04","Other","Under section 2.4, on page 16, the FOA states: \"By mid-2023, regional technical assistance also will be available through a partnership with the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Community Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTAC).\" \na) Is this partnership currently in place? \nb) If yes, where can we find information about and identify a local EJ TCTAC?\nc) If no, will this partnership be in place before the submission deadline of 06/28/2023?","Information about EPA's EJ TCTAC is available at https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-thriving-communities-technical-assistance-centers.\n\nOCED is collaborating with EPA, who manages the centers.  More information will be available through the EPA website."]
[90,"2023-04-04","Eligibility","On page 10 of the FOA it states for TA1 \"Applicants to Topic Area 1 must propose to only use commercially available technologies. Proposals must demonstrate the technology is commercially available and identify a plan to procure the proposed technology.”\n\nCan you please define what is meant by “commercially available technologies”?\n\nSpecifically, if we by commercial-off-the-shelf components and assemble them into the system that we will use for a community scale demonstration, will that be considered using commercially available technologies?","For the purposes of this FOA, commercially available technology is defined as a product that has been offered for sale, lease, or license to the public. This could be done by showing the product can be warrantied, can be purchased from a commercial vendor for the intended purpose or some other justification of the applicant’s choosing, and the technologies must be considered Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9, as defined by DOE, before the initiation of Construction. See FOA Guidance Document Section 2.33 for the definition of TRL and levels.\n\nThank you for pointing out that this definition is missing. OCED will issue a FOA modification in the future to include the definition of “commercially available technologies”."]
[91,"2023-04-04","Application Content/ Format","If we submit a Concept Paper for Topic Area 1, would it be possible to submit an Application for Topic Area 2 (or vice versa)? Is it possible to change budget amounts, PI, project partners, project demonstration locations, scope of work, etc. in the Application from what was originally written in the Concept Paper? What can't we change from Concept Paper to Application?","Per FOA Section 4.4, each Concept Paper and subsequent Application must describes a unique, distinct concept. Both the Concept Paper, and its corresponding Application must have the same general concept. OCED understands that at the Application stage, the concept may be further developed than when it was presented on the Concept Paper.\n\nIf between the Concept Paper and Application submission, the Applicant decides to switch the Topic Area and/or Area of Interest, this decision solely lies on the Applicant. As stated on FOA Section 2.2.2, \"Applicants should consider each Topic Area and use the guidelines below to determine which Topic Area is the optimal fit for their application.\" OCED cannot provide additional guidance to Applicants beyond what is stipulated in the FOA on which Topic Area, or Area of Interest (for Topic Area 2 only), to select for their proposal(s).\n\nOCED understands that project specific items, such as the ones listed in the question, may vary on the Application from what it was presented in the Concept Paper as the proposal is further developed. "]
[92,"2023-03-29","Other","The Concept Paper is due 4/14/23. The Application is due 6/28/23. When can we expect to receive the encourage/discourage email?","Concept Paper notifications (encourage or discourage notifications) will be sent out this spring. See FOA Section 7.1.1 for more information about Concept Paper notifications."]
[93,"2023-03-30","Application Content/ Format","There is an inconsistency in the way upload file naming conventions are presented regarding whether “File Naming Convention” is called out, and whether the “.pdf” extension is called out. For example\n• Section 5.6.2.9 “File Naming Convention: ControlNumber_Special_Cost_Share_Eligibility”\n• Section 5.6.2.10 “File Naming Convention: ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_TransparencyFC.pdf”\n• Section 5.6.2.11 “ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_PDFN.pdf”","Thank you for pointing out this inconsistency. File names must include the file extension corresponding to the file format noted to the left of the file's naming convention on FOA Section 5.6.2."]
[94,"2023-03-30","Eligibility","We have a highly replicable project that promotes jobs and creates markets for cover crops in a rural community by producing renewable natural gas which is used for vehicle fuel for farmers' own pickups, distributed through an existing fueling station. Will this fall within your area of interest even though the fossil fuel replacement is not used for power generation but rather for vehicle fuel?","OCED cannot provide additional guidance to applicants beyond what is stipulated in the FOA.  See Section 4.3 for the evaluation criteria that will be used. "]
[95,"2023-03-30","Eligibility","Can Party A submit a Concept Paper for a project - we can call it Project 1 - on behalf of a group of beneficiaries (Party A, Party B, Party C, Party D) and then Party B submits the Application for Project 1 as the Grantee?","If there is a change to the lead organization listed on the Concept Paper, the Application must include documentation from both the transferor and the transferee that shows they both voluntarily agree to transfer the OCED Exchange control number and the concept paper. This documentation must be included as an Appendix to the Technical Volume.\n\nNote: The OCED Exchange account associated with the Concept Paper control number does not need to be transferred to the new lead organization. Within Exchange, Applicants may share their submissions with other team members / Exchange users using the Share Submission feature. Sharing a submission with another user will give that user access to edit, view submission decisions, and view reviewer comments for all stages of a FOA (Concept Paper and Application). See the OCED eXCHANGE Applicant Guide located at https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx for instructions."]
[96,"2023-03-30","Application Content/ Format","For Topic Area 2 - Area of Interest 1: Aggregators, how is an applicant expected to incorporate each planning element (business plan, management plan, timeline, etc.) within a project that is an aggregation with a variety of individual sites serving different communities on differing development timelines? Would the initial site serve as a demonstration to be replicated and adapted for each following community?","OCED cannot provide additional guidance to applicants beyond what is stipulated in the FOA on how to prepare their proposals; in this case how to deploy  projects.\n\nAs mentioned on FOA Section 2.4, OCED is providing pre-award Technical Assistance to applications to discuss their concept with experts from DOE's national laboratories. See Question & Answer No. 39 of this log for more information about Technical Assistance."]
[97,"2023-04-04","Other","I would like to obtain a transcript of the informational webinar that was held on March 29. Would you be able to provide me a copy of the transcript of the informational webinar?","The video will have an option to turn on closed captions. The video may be viewed at                                                                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUtRm2oZytA   "]
[98,"2023-04-04","Other","The FOA indicates on p.2 that for this funding opportunity, up to $300 million is available and that there is $1 million available over 5 years. In Section 3.0, on page 17, it says that “DOE will initially fund Phase 1. Subsequent funding for Phase 2–4 is dependent on Go/No-Go determinations and recipient performance.” Is the $300 million for the total of all phases for this FOA, or is it only for Phase 1 with additional funding available for Phases 2 and 3 up to the $1 million limit?","As stated on FOA Section 3.0, the $300M is the \"anticipated funding amount\" for this FOA. The \"anticipated funding amount\", or \"total anticipated Fed share\" as its called on Table 1 in Section 2.2.1, is the maximum amount for all the awards under this FOA.\n\nThe maximum award amounts (maximum Federal share per proposal / project) per Topic Area are noted on Table 1;  the maximum Federal share per award for Topic Area 1 is $10M, and for Topic Area 2 is $100M.\n\nA portion of the total award amount will be provided to fund Phase 1, and the remainder for other phases will be provided if and when Go/No-Go's are met. The funding amounts per phase will be determined during the award negotiation.\n\nFor information about the Project Management Structure (the four-phased approach), see FOA Section 2.3 and FOA Guidance Document Section 4.0. Also see FOA Guidance Document Section 2.36 for information about the Go/No-Go Review process."]
[99,"2023-04-05","Application Content/ Format","For the CPs, does an applicant need to have all members of the consortium in place? (e.g., signed letters of support, signed consortium agreement).","At the concept paper stage, it is not necessary to list all team members. Per FOA Section 5.6.2.5, It is required in the application to identify all senior and key personnel and submit their resumes.\n\nFor the concept paper, if it is anticipated that the team member list may change, we suggest stating as much in the concept paper."]
[100,"2023-04-05","Application Content/ Format","As we prepare our concept and application for this [FOA], several of the partners we would like to work with, and to whom we would offer a portion of our budget, also plan to apply for funds as well either as prime or a subcontractor on other project proposals. The scope and work would be substantially different (i.e. capital infrastructure projects vs. our best practice guide); the entities the same.","See FOA Section 5.6.2.11."]
[101,"2023-04-05","Other","I need some help finding the information on “geographical priorities” [mentioned on] your website.","See FOA Section 2.2.3 for the nine \"Regions of Interest\" specific to this FOA. Table 2 in this section contains the \"Potential Regional Energy Challenges and Technologies\" for these nine regions. Note that this table provides examples but is not an exhaustive list of regional energy challenges and technologies."]
[102,"2023-04-05","Application Content/ Format","Do you have any guidance, examples, or templates for the concept paper due on 4/14?","Please see Q&A #7 above."]
[103,"2023-04-06","Application Content/ Format","For Topic Area 1, are projects with energy storage included going to be given preference over a solar-only project? ","Per FOA Section 2.2.2, Topic Areas are technology neutral. "]
[104,"2023-04-06","Application Content/ Format","For Topic Area 1, is there preference given to microgrids (solar+energy storage), over a solar-only project?","Per FOA Section 2.2.2, Topic Areas are technology neutral. "]
[105,"2023-04-06","Budget/ Costs","Can you confirm if a budget justification workbook is required to be submitted with the concept paper?","The requirements for the concept paper are outlined in FOA Section 5.6.1. Each applicant should include what is requested in FOA Section 5.6.1 and adhere to the page limits."]
[106,"2023-04-07","Eligibility","I understand that census tracts are not eligible as “rural or remote areas,” however I work with a wholesale power provider interested in applying as a project aggregator for the member systems we serve. We are defining community as the member system’s consumers. Our coop, member systems serve rural areas, typically unincorporated areas of the county or very small municipalities. We do not have population data for the consumers that these coops serve, we have meter data, which is a poor proxy for population size. To use Census county data would be to overestimate the size of the population in these service areas while meter data would be an underestimate. Do you have any advice for defining a rural electricity coop’s population?","See FOA Section 4.0 for the FOA's eligibility requirement, and how this provision defines rural or remote areas.  Also, we have provided a FOA Guidance document, and Sections 2.4 - 2.6 of the Guidance document provides additional detail on how the U.S. Census Bureau records the population of incorporated and unincorporated communities."]
[107,"2023-04-07","Other","I was wondering if there will be another round of this funding opportunity in the future? Or once the funds have been expended that is it ?","Per FOA Section 2.1, OCED is planning to announce a simplified approach, distinct from this FOA, for those applicants with qualifying projects seeking less than $5 million in federal funding.  As of this reply, we have not published a date for additional FOAs from ERA."]
[108,"2023-04-07","Application Content/ Format","Can you tell me the CBP page limit and provide a working link to FAQs for this FOA?","The requirements and page limits for the Concept Paper are listed in FOA Section 5.6.1.  The FAQs are posted under the 'documents' section of DE-FOA-2970, in OCED eXCHANGE."]
[109,"2023-04-09","Application Content/ Format","Is it allowable to slightly adjust these (Concept Paper) page limits, i.e., the Demonstration Plan section says “3 Pages” and the Mission and Objective section says “1 Page”. Is it allowable if our Concept Paper’s Mission and Objective section is approximately 10 lines more than 1 page and the Demonstration Plan section is approximately 10 lines less than 3 pages? We will stay within the allocated 8 pages overall.","Yes, the maximum page limit (in your question, 8 pages) is the limit for submission.  Individual sections may be slightly greater or less than the suggested limits.  However, we stongly encourage applicants to fully address all content that is requested for each section."]
[110,"2023-04-10","Eligibility","I have several questions and wanted to know if I could schedule a phone call with someone to walk through them. I also wanted to know if you have a list of areas that you label as rural. For example, (am I) in a rural area? ","As part of our efforts to be fair and open to all applicants, we do not hold (FOA specific) phone calls with individual applicants, for individual questions.  Instead, we encourage all inquiries to be submitted here, so all potential applicants may review the Q&As.  Review FOA Section 4.0 for the definition of rural or remote as it applies to this provision.  DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which Applications to this FOA must be submitted. "]
[111,"2023-04-10","Application Content/ Format","Can you explain when it is required for a subrecipient to complete a Budget and Budget Justification and if required where this second Excel document would be placed within the OCED eXCHANGE application portal? ","Please review FOA Section 5.0 for directions on application submissions and information.  The requied content for the Concept Paper is detailed in FOA Section 5.6.1.  The required content for the full Application is detailed in FOA Section 5.6.2.  The Budget Justification is part of the full application as described in FOA Section 5.0."]
[112,"2023-04-10","Application Content/ Format","I don’t think we can create the needed documents for the Concept Paper by this Friday April 14th.  With the unprecedented level of funding coming into play with the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill (and IRA), when do you anticipate that next round is likely to begin?  (Alternatively, if we submit some minimal paperwork for the Concept Paper by Friday COB, and it is incomplete, will we receive a “not recommended to proceed with the full application” notice and still have the opportunity to submit a full application by 6/28?","The requirements for the Concept Paper are detailed in FOA Section 5.6.1.  The closing date is 04/14/2023, 5 p.m. ET.  Please review all the application and submission information in FOA Section 5.0.  FOA Section 6.0 provides detail on how the Concept Papers will be evaluated.  Notifications to applicants will occur as outlined in FOA Section 7.1.  The program does not have a projected date to re-post this FOA, however FOA Section 2.1 speaks to a potential future opportunity for projects less than $5million.  An applicant that submits an eligible Concept Paper by the posted deadline may submit a Full Application regardless of whether the Concept Paper was encouraged or discouraged."]
[113,"2023-04-10","Eligibility","Are electric vehicle costs allowable under this FOA? (We are considering including some EVs in our proposal because increased access to clean transportation could be a benefit of local renewable energy generation from a demonstration project.)","DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which Applications to this FOA must be submitted. Each applicant must read the FOA and determine if your proposal is commensurate to the funding opportunity.  "]
[114,"2023-04-11","Eligibility","could you advise if the [Pacific] Islands an insular Freely associate state FAS with the USA (through the Compact of Free association) is eligible to apply.  ","No, this funding opportunity is limited to rural or remote areas in the United States (including U.S. territories) with a population of not more than 10,000."]
[115,"2023-04-11","Other","Can the Lead Organization/Prime Recipient be changed between concept paper and full application?  And between the full application and award?","See #95."]
[116,"2023-04-11","Other","when does OCED expect to release the FOA for the \"simplified approach, distinct from this FOA, for those applicants with qualifying projects seeking less than $5 million in federal funding” that is mentioned on page 6 of DE-FOA-0002970","See #12 above"]
[117,"2023-04-12","Application Content/ Format","Is a “prime recipient” the same as an “applicant”? In our case, (ABC) Company will be the applicant, but the prime recipient will be a County of less than 10,000 people. They  County doesn't have the capacity or the expertise to apply for or manage a large federal grant. That responsibility will fall on us. Is that okay?","The Concept Paper requires a technical and business points of contact for the project.  If a project is selected, these two individuals are responsible for conducting negotiations, setting project objectives and milestones, project and financial management, and communicating with DOE.  If the Company in this question provides the technical and business contacts and is responsible for project and fiscal management, they are the prime.  In this question, the County is the 'community or communities receiving the benefits.' Per FOA Section 5.6.1, the Concept Paper requires detailed information for all entities discussed in this answer.   "]
[118,"2023-04-12","Application Content/ Format","I realize the deadline to submit Concept Papers is this Friday (4/14) at 5pm EST. Has this deadline by any chance been extended? Can it be extended upon request? If not, is there any information as to when the next FOA will be issued for this topic?","Concept Papers for are due April 14, 2023, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. There is no option for an applicant to request an extension.  We do expect another funding opportunity announcement for projects under $5 million this spring.  DOE has not established a timeframe to re-issue a FOA similar to DE-FOA-0002970."]
[119,"2023-04-12","Eligibility","Could you please confirm whether EV charging infrastructure, electric vehicles (for vehicle-to-load resiliency), and/or methane digesters are eligible technologies for OCED ERA funding?","See #113"]
[120,"2023-04-06","Cost Sharing","[The FOA] specifically states that investment and production tax credits are not considered federal funding and can be used as part of the cost share. If the primary applicant is a tribal nation, direct payment of tax credits would be available to them. There is no similar language in [the FOA]. Will it be possible to utilize direct payment of tax credits to meet cost share requirements for this opportunity as well?","DOE does not provide tax advice and cannot comment on whether a particular project will qualify for tax credits. If an applicant has received tax credits or direct payments in lieu of tax credits, they may use those proceeds as a cash contribution toward their non-federal cost share. However, DOE will not factor the tax credits or direct payments that have not yet been realized into its cost share calculations."]
[121,"2023-04-13","Budget/ Costs","Our project may fall short of the $5,0000,000 threshold – is there another grant opportunity coming soon?","DOE posted another ERA funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for projects under $5 million on May 11, 2023. This FOA, identified with FOA No. DE-FOA-0003045, is posted on OCED eXCHANGE at https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaId25339769-c6de-4818-9cb2-63c31cc79623."]
[122,"2023-04-13","Eligibility","Do we qualify for this grant opportunity as a rural community – the zip code is XXXXX?","See #113"]
[123,"2023-04-12","Teaming Partner List","Are there eligibility requirements in order to be listed [in the Teaming Partner List for this FOA], and what is the process?","Applicants and recipients considering to add their information to the Teaming Partner List shall review FOA Section 4.1.1 to determine independently whether they are eligible to be a receipient (including a subrecipient) of this FOA. The decision whether to be added to the Teaming Partner List in response to FOA Section A.9 lies solely with the individual and organization."]
[124,"2023-04-10","Application Content/ Format","What is the maximum number of pages allowed for Community Partnership Documentation and is there also a maximum number of pages per letter for this section?","There is no page limit on Community Partnership Documentation but the Applicant shall only include revelant information and keep the page limit to a minimum, the documentaion shall only include information necessary for the application review process."]
[125,"2023-04-10","Application Content/ Format","What is the maximum number of slides allowed for the Summary Slide?","As stated on FOA Section 5.6.2.8, the Summary Slide shall be a single slide (1 slide max)."]
[126,"2023-04-18","Eligibility","Is an applicant required to have submitted a concept paper by 4/14/23 in order to be eligible to apply by 6/28/23 with the  application?","Yes, a Concept Paper must have been submitted by 4/14/23 5pm ET through OCED Exchange in order to be eligible to submit an application for this FOA by the application deadline noted on the FOA cover page."]
[127,"2023-04-25","Cost Sharing","What qualifies as a \"domestic nonprofit entity\" for the 15% cost share?  Is it any 501(c) organization or is it more limited or broader than that?  I need no clarification on the \"domestic institution of higher education\" and \"U.S. state, local, or tribal government entity\" - only clarification on the qualifications for a \"domestic nonprofit entity\".","A nonprofit organization (or entity) is \"any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including IHEs, that: (1) Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; (2) Is not organized primarily for profit; and (3) Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization.\" See 2 CFR 200.1. As noted in FOA Section 4.2, \"Applicants who believe their project qualifies for the reduced recipient cost share must be able to provide verification\" that they meet the requirements."]
[128,"2023-04-26","Other","The linked Build America Buy America guidance in the FOA to the DOE’s BABA website (https://www.energy.gov/management/build-america-buy-america) states “For-Profit Entities are not included in the definition of Non-Federal Entity when applying the statutory Buy America Requirement to prime recipients of Federal awards.”\nCan you confirm that for-profit companies do not need to follow Buy American requirements to receive funding under this FOA? \n","In accordance with guidance provided by OMB in Memorandum M-22-11, the Buy America Requirement is applicable to Non-Federal Entity prime recipients that are States, Local Governments, Indian Tribes, Territories, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and Non-Profit Organizations.  For-Profit Entities are not included in the definition of Non-Federal Entity when applying the statutory Buy America Requirement to prime recipients of Federal awards.  Also, Tribal Consultation is required prior to applying the Buy America Requirement to Indian Tribe prime recipients. \n\nHowever, the Buy America Requirement is applicable to a For-Profit Entity if: (1) it is a sub-recipient or sub-awardee under an award that contains the Buy America Requirement term and condition, or (2) it is the prime recipient that voluntarily chooses to use domestically sourced iron, steel, manufactured products, and constructions materials by stating so in its proposed application containing an infrastructure project.  If the For-Profit Entity specifically states that it will comply with the Buy America Requirement in its application and it is selected for award, its award will contain a Buy America Requirement term and condition.  \n\nThe prime recipient is responsible for flowing the Buy America Requirement down to all sub-awards, all contracts, subcontracts, and purchase orders for work performed under the proposed infrastructure project, including to For-Profit Entities when the For-Profit Entity is a sub-recipient or sub-awardee."]
[129,"2023-04-26","Application Content/ Format","Is the OCED Budget Justification Template the same as the SF-424C referenced in guidance document 2.4.1? Can you confirm that no separate SF-424C is required. ","The Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF-424A) form and the OCED Budget Justification Template, are both required at the time of application submission and are used as the final approved cost expenditure plan (which includes both the OCED contribution and the recipient cost share). The SF-424C displays the total project costs (TPCs) broken down by cost category (e.g., administrative and legal expenses, land, architectural and engineering fees, demolition and construction costs which include personnel, supplies, equipment, etc., permit and inspection fees, contingency, etc.). Form SF-424C and the form instructions are available at GRANTS.GOV’s SF-424 Family webpage.\n\nThe OCED Budget Justification Template, which is also required at the time of application submission, provides the budget details and the narrative that justifies the costs. More detailed budget documents may be required in the form of a Work Breakdown Structure. The OCED Budget Justification Template is available on OCED eXCHANGE under the FOA’s posting."]
[130,"2023-04-26","Application Content/ Format","Where should applicants get an SF 424 form? Can you provide a link? Can you confirm the SF 424 form used does not need to be a workspace form tied to the application as in Grants.gov, but that any PDF SF 424 will work? ","Form SF-424 and the form instructions are available at GRANTS.GOV’s SF-424 Family webpage. This form should be submitted as a separate PDF."]
[131,"2023-05-15","Other","When will the encourage/discourage notices be provided by DOE?","DOE is currently reviewing Concept Papers and expects to send out Concept Paper encourage/discourage notices in early June. Given the delays sending out the Concept Paper Encourage/Discourage notices DOE will be revising the Full Application deadline. Please continue to check OCED Exchange for changes to the deadlines. "]
[132,"2023-04-11","Cost Sharing","The (FOA) guidance document, on page 34 of 51 states that “in general deferred or avoided costs such as tax credits may not be used as cost share”. Does that include the direct pay clean energy investment tax credits instituted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act ? Please clarify whether direct pay investment tax credits specifically are disallowed as cost share.","A Recipient may not use Federally sourced funds to meet its cost sharing obligations, unless otherwise allowed by Federal law. Applicants should consult with their legal counsel on cost share source and any exceptions allowed by law."]
[133,"2023-04-11","Cost Sharing","The (FOA) guidance document states that “non-federal cost share can include Tennessee Valley Authority power sales revenue, which is specifically allowed under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. See 42 U.S.C § 16352(c) (Section 988 of Energy Policy Act of 2005) and 2 CFR 910.130(d)(2)(v)”.  How would an applicant pledge their power sales revenue as cost share? Is there some special encumbrance that DOE would apply to their power sales revenue?","All sources of cost share will be treated as any other costs included in the budget and will be subject to the same requirements, including allowability, allocability, and reasonableness requirements per the entity's cost principles. 48 CFR 31.2 for For-Profit entities and 2 CFR 200 Subpart E for all other entity types."]
[134,"2023-04-12","Budget/ Costs","Page 17 of the FOA it states that “DOE will initially fund Phase 1. Subsequent funding for Phase 2-4 is dependent on Go/No-Go determinations and recipient performance.”  At what point in the planning process would this money be awarded? Would it be right away for the initial planning costs? When would the money be awarded for all phases? \n\nIf you could give me an estimate as to when funding would be awarded for each step in the process (assuming someone is awarded), it would be a great help. ","See Q&A #29."]
[135,"2023-04-12","Cost Sharing","FOA Guidance Document states on page 36, “Cost share contributions must be specified in the project budget, verifiable from the prime recipient’s records, and necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of the project” Does this mean that the cost share funds must currently be in possession of the applicant? For example, the company is planning to raise its next round of venture capital in the next few months, which would provide non-federal matching funds. However, as the funds are not yet secured, would this disqualify us from offering them as match?","It is the responsibility of the Recipient to meet its cost share obligations under an Award. It is also the responsibility of the Recipient to manage funds according to its policies and procedures. If the Recipient fails to meet cost sharing obligations, OCED will recover some or all of the financial assistance provided under the award. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the recipient to manage funds responsibly and provide an adequate amount of funds, from non-federal sources, to meet the cost share obligation."]
[136,"2017-05-16","Application Content/ Format","Sections 5.6.2.10 - Transparency of Foreign Connections, and Section 5.6.2.11 - Potentially Duplicative Federal Funding, do not provide page limits. Are there any page limits for either of these sections?","There are no page limits for Sections 5.6.2.10 - Transparency of Foreign Connections and Section 5.6.2.11 - Potentially Duplicative Federal Funding."]
[137,"2023-05-16","Technical Assistance","I would like to see if there are funding opportunities to provide technical assistance through the DOE. I am aware of the current Rural Energy Challenge, but I wanted to see if there were additional opportunities. \n\nI run a technology commercialization program out of the [SBDC] and [University]. We serve both university and community teams.","The ERA program can only provide information specific to the ERA program and not for all of DOE. For the ERA program, technical assistance is being provided by approved Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and supported through Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) (tentatively available sometime next month). Additional local technical assistance may be arranged later, for project selectees. Please see FOA Section 4.1.1 and FOA Guidance Document Section 2.0 for information on entities eligible to participate in projects funded under this FOA and in what capacity. Other funding opportunities may be available.  Please check OCED Exchange and/or www.Grants.gov for other listings that may be of interest."]
[138,"2023-06-05","Other","Can we schedule a call with DOE program representatives to go over our concept paper and explore options?","Unfortunately, DOE will not provide further debriefs on Concept Paper decisions."]
[139,"2023-06-02","Other","When will the encourage/discourage notices be provided by DOE?","OCED published Concept Paper Encourage and Discourage decisions on 6/2/2023."]
[140,"2023-06-02","Other","When are Applications due?","OCED posted a Funding Opportunity Announcement modification on OCED Exchange to change the Application deadline from 6/28/2023 to 8/2/2023. "]
[141,"2023-05-22","Eligibility","What source should we use to verify whether the community we serve is indeed a \"rural or remote area with 10,000 or fewer inhabitants\"?","See Section 4.0 Eligibility Information in the FOA. "]
[142,"2023-05-24","Application Content/ Format","The beginning of FOA page 26 indicates “The maximum page length for the Technical Volume is 25 pages for Topic Area 1”. The count of the “approximate length” of Topic Area 1 is 18, and the \"Total Technical Volume Maximum Page Limit (TA1 only)” indicates 20.","The FOA was modified to correct the maximum pages limits for the Technical Volume. The maximum page limit for Topic Area 1 is 20 pages and 50 pages for Topic Area 2. Please see the FOA Modification No. 000001 in the Announcement Documents section for full details."]
[143,"2023-05-18","OCED Exchange","Can you identify where in the OCED application portal one would submit the sub-recipient budgets? Or do we not submit them as their numbers roll up to the primary applicant's budget, which we are submitting in the portal.","Applicants can submit multiple subrecipient budgets under the Full Application Submission Files section in OCED Exchange. "]
[144,"2023-05-24","Budget/ Costs","The Budget Justification Workbook template includes a column A for “SOPO Task #.”  A SOPO is not required per for the ERA FOA. Can we assume we can leave this SOPO Task # column blank when we complete the Budget Justification Workbook?","The SOPO Task # can be left blank since a SOPO is not required per the FOA. "]
[145,"2023-06-02","Other","If the project is discouraged, can we find out the reason? Also, why is the full submission link active in my account?","OCED may provide common issues observed in your Concept Paper, but specific feedback will not be provided. Receiving a \"discourage\" response on a Concept Paper does not prohibit you from submitting a Full Application."]
[146,"2023-06-02","Other","Our Concept Paper was discouraged for the “Energy for Remote and Rural Areas” funding program. Why was it discouraged? What was wrong with it?","OCED provided common issues observed in your Concept Paper in the \"discourage\" response released in Exchange on 6/2/23. More specific feedback will not be provided."]
[147,"2023-06-02","Other","The message went to say that “Individual applicants may receive specified feedback in OCED Exchange drawn from the common themes and points of feedback listed above (1-6).” How do we access that specific feedback?","See Q&A #146."]
[148,"2023-05-25","Budget/ Costs","Can an applicant include the interest on their credit line as an expense for reimbursement from DOE/OCED under the ERA grant program? There will be a gap between the time of our expenditure and the reimbursement, which will require the use of a credit line - thus our request to see if we can place our estimated interest expense as a line item for reimbursement in the grant budget.","Applicants cannot request reimbursement from DOE for interest incurred on a credit line. Costs incurred for interest on borrowed capital, temporary use of endowment funds, or the use of the non-Federal entity's own funds, however represented, are unallowable. Please see 2 CFR 200.449, Interest, for more information."]
[149,"2023-05-26","Tech Topics","In the recent FOAs for Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land (CEML) and ERA, OCED outlines a TRL level of 7 is required. However, in the ERA FOA, OCED specifies that TRL 7 only needs to be met prior to construction, while the CEML FOA does not specify when TRL 7 should be achieved. In both cases we are concerned that advanced nuclear will be undervalued during the evaluation period despite the enormous opportunity these technologies present to these communities. Can OCED please clarify how advanced nuclear will be treated under the FOAs? In addition, can OCED please clarify that the TRL requirement under the CEML FOA applies at construction, as opposed to at application?","The ERA program can only provide information for the ERA FOA, not the CEML FOA. Please submit questions related to the CEML FOA, to the CEML FOA email noted on the cover page of the CEML FOA.\n\nFor the ERA FOA, the ERA program cannot comment on a specific technology (e.g.: if a particular technology is desirable or not for the ERA FOA). The ERA program cannot provide additional guidance to applicants beyond what is stipulated in the FOA on this matter. As stated on FOA Section 4.0, the decision whether to apply in response to this FOA lies solely with the Applicant."]
[150,"2023-05-12","Other","In the Q&A on DE-FOA-0002970, I had understood that there might be additional rounds of funding for medium-to-large scale projects under a re-issued FOA. Can I please confirm if this is accurate and any expected timeline? ","At this time, OCED has not decided whether to re-issue this FOA. Please continue to check OCED Exchange for funding opportunities. "]
[151,"2023-05-15","Eligibility","I have a Large Operation business idea that I believe could help with economic development in multiple rural areas throughout many different states including portions of Canada that includes lowering environmental harm. However, I noticed I missed the Concept Paper Submission Deadline date of 04/14/2023. Is there any chance you would be willing to accept a late Concept Paper? So I can still submit an application on your Deadline of 06/28/2023.","Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper prior to the deadline will be eligible to submit an Application. See Section 5.6.2. of the FOA. "]
[153,"2023-05-24","Application Content/ Format","1) Do we need to provide Letters of Commitment from any/all community organizations that we are engaging with?\n2) Are the Letters of Commitment and Community Partnership Documentation separate or is there is an overlap?","1) As stated on FOA Section 5.6.2.6, Letters of Commitment are required for all subrecipients and all third parties that will provide cost share. This could include community organizations.\n2) There is no overlap between Letters of Commitment and Community Partnership Documentation – these are separate requirements / documents that are meant for separate entities filling different roles. The Letters of Commitment are for subrecipients (entities receiving a portion of the award) and cost share providers. If you are engaging with community organizations but they are not subrecipients and are not cost share providers, you do not need to provide Letters of Commitment from these groups. Applicants may submit Community Partnership Documentation (including letters, Memoranda of Understanding, or other agreements) from community entities, Tribes, and/or labor unions with which the project team will partner that describe the nature of the existing or planned partnerships (see FOA Section 5.6.2.4)."]
[154,"2023-05-24","Application Content/ Format","Under the \"EPC and O&M\", \"Performance Projection\" section of the Technical Volume, can you clarify the intent behind the following statement: \"These performance projections correspond to the technical, risk and cost data, information, and assumptions. Applications must include information about project output performance projections (i.e., power generation) and supporting information.\"? Should the focus be on estimated energy and performance projection or on financial and technical performance projection? If it's the latter, can you please specify what is required?","This question references FOA Section 5.6.2.2, specifically the application content requirements for Topic Area 2 (TA2).  Performance projections refer to the nameplate capacity of the technology and operating conditions of the proposal.  Here are a few examples of capacity: power generation (kW or MW), energy stored or energy saved (kWh or MWh) or distance (in miles) and voltage (in kV) of transmission and or distribution. An application should include support, technical specifications or other, to justify performance projections. A TA2 applicant must also provide other (business, operational, cost) plans outlined in FOA Section 5.6.2.2. The performance projections should agree with, or correspond, to all other components of the application"]
[155,"2023-05-24","Application Content/ Format","Under the \"EPC and O&M\", \"Cost Estimates\" section, by meeting AACEI standards do you mean meeting the AACEI cost estimation classification system?","Yes, a cost estimating standard that could be used is AACEI's Cost Estimate Classification system. As stated on FOA Section 5.6.2.2 d) for Topic Area 2, \"while DOE is not requiring its use, applicants are encouraged to review DOE’s Cost Estimating Guide which provides examples of industry standard cost estimating approaches and use cases.\" DOE’s Cost Estimating Guide is available at www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0413.3-EGuide-21A."]
[156,"2023-06-02","Application Content/ Format","I primarily wanted to obtain any clarification possible about #5: Electric Grid Connection. Could you please provide clarification from the FOA that states this was desired for the Concept Paper? I have seen some language for the Technical Volume that requests this type of information, but not for the Concept Paper. I assume our Concept Paper was docked points based on the description in the feedback given. ","Interconnection was noted as a common issue for any projects going forward, but concept papers were not rated based on grid connection information.  We appreciate applicants' interest, but cannot provide additional feedback on specific concept papers."]
[157,"2023-06-02","Other","I am writing to seek clarity on the decision notice BHER received for the concept paper it submitted to the ERA program. In the notice it states “DOE will not provide further debriefs on Concept Papers. However, individual applicants may receive specific feedback in OCED Exchange drawn from the common themes and points of feedback listed above (1-6).”","OCED provided common issues observed in the Concept Papers, but specific feedback will not be provided. The common issues, if observed, will be included as part of the Overall Summary in OCED Exchange. "]
[158,"2023-06-02","Application Content/ Format","What is the length expected for the Community Benefits Agreement?","Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are one type of Workforce and Community Agreements (WCAs), WCAs are not expected to be submitted as part of the Application but Applicants are encouraged to develop them as part of the Application's Community Benefits Plan (CBP). The Application's CBP, as stated on FOA Section 5.6.2.3 (current version), has a page limit of 10 pages for Topic Area 1 and a 12-page limit for Topic Area 2. There is no individual page limit for WCAs, but the CBP as a whole (WCA(s) and other parts of the CBP) must meet the stated page limit. To learn more about these agreements, see “What is a Community Benefits Agreement?” on DOE’s About Community Benefits Plans webpage at www.energy.gov/infrastructure/about-community-benefits-plans."]
[159,"2023-06-06","Application Content/ Format","Is a concept paper a pre-requisite for full application submission?","Yes, per FOA Section 5.6.2 \"only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit an Application.\""]
[160,"2023-06-06","Application Content/ Format","My question pertains to the ability to stack any of the investment tax credits from the IRA for ERA program/funding? If this is allowed, how are the calculations done? My assumption is if they are allowed the ITC would go towards the cost share portion we are required to provide. Any clarification on this would be greatly appreciated! ","See Q&A #120."]
[161,"2023-06-05","Other","Our project was encouraged and we would like to inquire if the reviewers have any comments or areas that require more focus.  ","See Q&A #157."]
[162,"2023-06-06","Other","The message went to say that “Individual applicants may receive specified feedback in OCED Exchange drawn from the common themes and points of feedback listed above (1-6).” How do we access that specific feedback?","See Q&A #157."]
[163,"2023-06-06","Other","We have received our decision, which is discouraged. Could we set up a time with you to receive feedback on our concept and application? Your perspective will be invaluable as we pursue alternative funding opportunities.","See Q&A #138."]
[164,"2023-06-06","Other","Will the Concept Paper Feedback webinar be recorded and posted? ","The ERA Program Concept Paper Feedback webinar presentation and audio recording will be posted on OCED Exchange under the DE-FOA-0002970."]
[165,"2023-06-06","Application Content/ Format","The new FOA released on 6/2/23 identifies the maximum number of pages allowed for the Community Benefits Plan for Topic 1 as 12 and for Topic 2 as 10. This is different from the identification made in the FAQs, dated.  It is possible the maximum number of pages were inadvertently switched between the two topics? Can you confirm the maximum page count for the Community Benefits Plan for Topic 2 as 12? ","The correct Community Benefits Plan (CBP) page limit for the Application is the one stated on Q&A #61; the Application's CBP page limit is 10 pages for Topic Area 1 and 12 pages for Topic Area 2. Thank you for pointing out this inconsistency, a revised FOA with the correct page limits has been uploaded to Exchange."]
[166,"2023-06-06","OCED Exchange","In the OCED portal, the application screens are now in place and there is only the ability to upload one subrecipient budget and justification. What if a project has multiple subrecipients who are indicated to receive more than $250,000 per period, thus requiring their own subrecipient budget and justification? Where would we place the second and third subrecipient budget and justification forms?","See Q&A #143."]
[167,"2023-06-06","OCED Exchange","If we submit our application, can we later modify it and resubmit it or is this a one-time submission capability  only? ","Applications can be revised or modified up until the FOA submission deadline, which is 8/2/2023 5:00 p.m. EST. "]
[168,"2023-06-06","Other","One of our partners is a community heritage organization that manages a closed copper mine. The partner is offering their site as a location for our pumped hydro storage facility, should design processes work out. We applied for the ERA program because we qualified as both rural and remote under the FOA. We are aware that the DOE has a separate office that funds projects on abandoned mine lands (CEML). The legal definitions of “mine land” used by that program exclude all of the hardrock mines in upper Michigan, indeed the entire Lake Superior district. (These lands were excluded from regulation under the General Mining Act and the Surface Mining Act). We reasoned that if our proposed site is not legally defined as mine land, served by the CEML program, we should therefore be eligible as a rural and remote area, as if we were proposing to use an existing natural cavern to site our energy storage project. Can you say if the reviewers’ or staff evaluations deemed our project inappropriate for the ERA FOA because of the use of mine land? Or does the discouragement result from other shortcomings in our proposal (of which there are plenty, I am sure). I’m sure you understand why we need to know. Many of our shortcomings could be addressed and improved in the full application. But the legal status of abandoned mine land is not “fixable” in this sense. If the use of mine land was a significant issue, we will have to wait and hope for changes in future rounds of the CEML program. If not, we may move forward with a full application, despite the low possibility for success.","See Q&A #86."]
[169,"2023-06-06","Eligibility","I am inquiring to see if we are still able to apply to the Bipartisan Inf Law (BIL) Energy Improvement in Rural and Remote Areas (ERA) fixed award grant program (FOA No. DE-FOA-0003045) without having sent in a concept paper by April 14th, 2023. We would like to apply by August 2nd if still possible. Please advise.","See Q&A #151."]
[170,"2023-06-06","Budget/ Costs","If a project is looking to work with a contractor for EPC activities, does the applicant have to bid out to multiple EPCs and present quotes, or is it sufficient to provide one EPC quote as part of the estimated budget?","When procuring goods and services, including contracting for EPC activities, the non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement policies and procedures.  These procurement policies and procedures must conform to the Procurement Standards identified in 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327.  The written procedures and documentation of their use  in selecting vendors/contractors may be requested for review as supporting documentation during award negotiations, if selected, but do not need to be submitted with the application."]
[171,"2023-06-08","Foreign Entities/ Work","We are asking a non-domestic entity with offices in the US to provide engineering and consulting services based on their experience with our specific type of project. They will be paid as an expense in the overall project budget. I wanted to verify that they are not considered a subrecipient, but instead fall under the category of vendors/contractors. In that case, is it true that if the work they do for us is in the US, then we do not need any foreign entity-related waivers?","A Waiver for Performance of Work in the United States (Foreign Work Waiver) is required for work performed outside of the United States. See Appendix B – Waiver Requests For Foreign Entity Participation and Foreign Work in the FOA for more details."]
[172,"2023-04-11","Cost Sharing","Can we use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the cost-share portion of their proposed project. ","A Recipient may not use Federally sourced funds to meet its cost sharing obligations, unless otherwise allowed by Federal law. Applicants should consult with their legal counsel on cost share source and any exceptions allowed by law."]
[173,"2023-05-23","Application Content/ Format","On Page 40 of the FOA, under section 5.6.2.6 \"Letters of Commitment\" it reads \"The applicant must also provide letters of commitment or similar from the rural or remote area(s) identified.\" This is under the heading \"For Energy Partnerships and Offtake Arrangements.\" Does that mean that only for Energy Partnerships and Offtake Arrangements an application must provide \"letters of commitment or similar from the rural or remote area(s) identified.\" Or does the statement \"The applicant must also provide letters of commitment or similar from the rural or remote area(s) identified. apply to all ERA applicants?","Letters of commitment must be provided by the applicant for projects that have energy partnerships and/or offtake arrangements. Applicants should provide the following, as applicable:\n• Evidence of commitment from the utility, or other offtaker, that clearly indicates knowledge and capacity of the proposed project, and the intent to allow project connection to the grid.\n• Any required offtake agreements (draft or final), and the details governing any contract, such as power purchase agreements, net-metering agreements, storage capacity payments, or other agreement between the project and the electric utility or offtaker."]
[174,"2023-05-24","Application Content/ Format","Are Letters of Commitment mandatory, even if there is no sub-recipient/cost sharing party?","Letters of commitment for funding are required to be submitted by 3rd parties that will be contributing cost share towards the project. Please also see Q&A #173 for other letters of commitment requirements."]
[175,"2023-06-08","Other","We read the FOA, and attended the webinars, including the one this week explaining the 6 qualifications. Our understanding is that we qualify on all accounts and are struggling with where we failed to meet the requirements. We would like to speak to someone about the Concept Paper for direct guidance on improvements, both in project planning and paper writing. What can we do about getting better direction to move forward, either for this project or in general for the next project/FOA?  ","See Q&A #157."]
[176,"2023-06-08","Cost Sharing","Is it acceptable for a recipient to seek a loan through the USDA PACE program for the cost share portion? The FOA (pgs. 18-19) states “cost share must come from non-federal sources (unless otherwise allowed by law). PACE states “The Agency (USDA) will generally allow the Awardee to combine the incentives contained in this notice with other governmental benefits, provided such combinations are otherwise permitted by law or regulation.” If an applicant were to be awarded a grant under ERA for 50% of their TPC, could the remaining 50% (or a portion of) be part of the PACE loan program through the USDA?","Per Section 4.0 Eligibility Information, Subsection 4.2 Cost Share  which states in part: \"Federal financing, such as DOE Loan Guarantees, cannot be leveraged by applicants to provide the required cost share or otherwise cover the same scope that is proposed in the application.\" The USDA loan cannot be used as cost share."]
[177,"2023-06-08","Eligibility","If, as we develop our detailed budget, we find that we will be able to serve all of our communities with the same scope of work identified in our Concept Paper - but more efficiently, so our Project Costs falls a bit below $ 10 million:  what should be do?","Applications that have federal funding requests below the Topic Area amounts specified in Table 1 in FOA Section 2.2 will be determined ineligible to receive an award under this FOA. Applicants with proposals below the Topic Area award sizes are encouraged to review additional opportunities under the ERA program. For clean energy demonstration projects requiring less than $5 million in federal cost share, see OCED Exchange DE-FOA-0003045."]
[178,"2023-06-08","Other","The Energy Improvement in Rural/Remote Areas Grant was recently shared with us. It looks like we may have missed a proposal deadline for this cycle. I am trying to get information on the next cycle, when we may be able to get a proposal together. ","At this time, OCED has not decided whether to re-issue this FOA. On May 11th, DOE announced $50 million in Federal grant funding and is designed to support small community-driven clean energy projects requiring $500,000 to $5 million in Federal funding. See OCED Exchange DE-FOA-0003045 for more details about the funding opportunity. "]
[179,"2023-06-11","Other","Last week, we received notification we were discouraged from submitting a full application. I am reaching out and requesting more information regarding our submission. Would you be able to provide additional information and detail as to why we are being discouraged from proceeding with the full application? Any information would be helpful as we continue to pursue opportunities to support DOE.","See Q&A #157."]
[180,"2023-06-12","Other","Feedback is needed for the Concept Paper submitted as Control #2970-1700. Why was it discouraged? Please share notes, problems, and criticisms of this Concept Paper.","See Q&A #157."]
[181,"2023-06-12","Application Content/ Format","We are working on the Technical Volume for the full application, and the project we are proposing (a renewable energy facility with battery storage and a microgrid) requires a fair amount of design work to properly estimate. However, given this early stage in the process (the full application phase) we are wondering if it is acceptable to the DOE and OCED for us to indicate in our proposal that the first step would be the detailed design including study work necessary to properly establish the optimal size, characteristics and location of the facility.","All elements of the Technical Volume must be addressed; however, it is expected the applicant will tailor the information provided in the Technical Volume to the size and complexity of the proposed project. The Technical Volume should address Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Operations (EPC&O) elements of the project to include high-level engineering, which includes design. \n"]
[182,"2023-06-12","Eligibility","Can an applicant apply to both the regular ERA (DE-FOA-0002970) ppl and the fixed award ERA program with the same or similar project, provided that the individual requirements of each FOA are met? ","DOE 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\nIf a recipient or project team member receives any other award of federal funds for activities that potentially overlap with the activities funded under the DOE award, the recipient must promptly notify DOE in writing of the potential overlap and state whether project funds from any of those other federal awards have been, are being, or are to be used (in whole or in part) for one or more of the identical cost items under the DOE award. If there are identical cost items, the recipient must promptly notify the DOE Contracting Officer in writing of the potential duplication and eliminate any inappropriate duplication of funding. See Section A.3.2.1 Requirement to Report Potentially Duplicative Funding. "]
[183,"2023-06-07","Eligibility","We are interested in submitting a concept paper and application for FOA-0002970. We are registered on OCED Exchange and I see the \"Apply\" button for DE-FOA-0003045 and room for an Abstract of up to 4,000 characters; is that where/how we submit a concept paper?  ","See Q&A #159."]
[184,"2023-06-13","Eligibility","We didn't submit a concept paper, and noted that in the instructions it said the concept paper is a prerequisite to the application. However, elsewhere it seemed like you could apply without the concept paper. I just wanted to confirm - is the application closed to us?","See Q&A #159."]
[185,"2023-06-14","Other","Would you be able to provide specific feedback on this concept paper and why it was discouraged?","See Q&A #157."]
[186,"2023-06-12","Budget/Costs","Is a 3rd party cost estimate from a professional cost estimator preferred?","Quotes may be provided by 3rd party vendors. "]
[187,"2023-06-12","Budget/Costs","Are quotes from a vendor(s) sufficiently accurate to serve as a basis of cost? ","A quote from a vendor may be used when entering a basis of cost. "]
[188,"2023-06-12","Budget/Costs","If an applicant chooses to use a cost estimating method not identified in the AACE International standards or different from DOE's Cost Estimating Guide, will this result in an automatic rejection of the proposal? ","Applicants may use other methods for cost estimating that are not identified in the AACE International standards. "]
[189,"3/24/2023","Cost Sharing","Our non-profit enterprise has applied for a USDA Rural Energy Savings Program loan in which we have included battery storage. Section 4.2 Cost Sharing states “Cost share must come from non-federal sources (unless otherwise allowed by law) such as project participants, state or local governments, or third-party financing.”\na. What is “otherwise allowed by law”?\nb. May we leverage the USDA RESP loan funds as part of the funding match? I.e., we are seeking to fund solar and storage and would leverage the loan funds for the storage portion.","See Q&A #176."]
[190,"2023-06-12","Budget/Costs","Total project costs requirements include 3-5 years of operations - can revenues earned from the resulting project provide for a portion or all of the operating costs? If so, can these estimated revenues be considered matching funds? ","All cost share budgeted must be verifiable. Projected/anticipated revenues cannot be included as cost share in the proposed budget.  "]
[191,"2023-06-12","Budget/Costs","If revenues cannot be considered match, are revenues not to be considered when analyzing the 3-5 years of operations costs that are included in the TPC. ","Anticipated revenues should be included in the budget as program income."]
[192,"2023-06-14","Application Content/ Format","Our organization has over 24,000 faculty and staff, over 200 academic programs, submits approximately 3,000 proposals each year with even more active awarded projects at any given time, and conducts an astronomical number of financial contracts and transactions.  May we narrow the scope of point 5.6.2.10 to define “recipient” more narrowly, to seek only information for the personnel who will be working on the project, or to limit the request to some other smaller subset of personnel or offices? ","Applicants must identify the listed elements as they relate to the proposed recipient and subrecipients as stated in Section 5.6.2.10. DOE reserves the right to request additional or clarifying information based on the information submitted."]
[193,"2023-06-14","Eligibility","In reviewing this grant announcement, I would like to know if it covers street lights in county rural areas such as in “Colonias”. Colonias are very low-income substandard subdivisions that do not have street lights as well as other infrastructure.","Projects funded in either Topic Area must satisfy at least one of the objectives listed in BIL Section 40103(c)(3). These \"resilient clean energy objectives” are:\nA. Improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems.\nB. Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines.\nC. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas.\nD. Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities.\nE. Developing microgrids.\nF. Increasing energy efficiency."]
[194,"2023-06-15","Cost Sharing","Can the value of land where a project will be sited be used as cost share?","The lease value of land or the depreication value of donated land can be proposed as cost share. Authorization of such will be determined during award negotiations, if selected, per federal regulations including the cost principles and 2 CFR 200.306."]
[195,"2023-06-15","Cost Sharing","A large portion of our project site is on US Forest Service lands that were originally traditional Tribal lands. Because of this previous ownership of the project site, the USFS is waving some construction fees including the cost of trees removed for construction and construction bonding requirements. Can the waived fees be used as cost share?","Cost share must come from non-federal sources (unless otherwise allowed by law) such as project participants, state or local governments, or third-party financing. Federal financing, such as DOE Loan Guarantees, cannot be leveraged by applicants to provide the required cost share or otherwise cover the same scope that is proposed in the application. A contingency reserve will also be required for all Phase 3 and 4 activities."]
[196,"2023-06-15","Eligibility","We would like to inquire whether eligibility for this program requires only one community with a population of 10,000 or less to be part of the consortia. For example, if Community A had 10,000 people and Community B had 12,000 people, and they formed a consortium for this program. Would their project be applicable? Or do all communities involved have to be 10,000 or less?","Per FOA Section 4.0, \"Applications must identify at least one area in the United States (including U.S. territories) with a population of not more than 10,000\". The proposed community aggregation woul be eligible per this statement as it contains at least one community with 10,000 inhabitants or less.\n\nPlease also refer to FOA Section 4.1.1 for eligible applicants and subrecipients entity types. "]
[197,"2023-06-15","Budget/Costs","Can local federal/state tax credit counted towards cost share?","All budgeted cost share must be verifiable. Anticipated tax credits cannot be proposed as cost share."]
[198,"2023-06-15","Budget/Costs","Is land acquisition (either purchased or leased) required at the submission?","If land acquisition through purchase or lease is needed to carry out the proposed project, it does not need to be acquired by the time of the application submission. "]
[199,"6/16/203","Other","How can applicants that were discouraged from submitting a full application receive more feedback on their concept? Historically, beyond a list, the DOE has shared which specific elements were missing from a concept paper.","OCED may provide common issues observed in your Concept Paper, but specific feedback will not be provided. The common issues, if observed, will be included as part of the Overall Summary in OCED Exchange."]
[200,"6/16/203","Budget/ Costs","Will all subrecipients be required to complete a budget justification workbook regardless of scope value? ","Sub-recipients (partners, sub-awardees): Subrecipients shall submit a Budget Justification describing all project costs and calculations when their total proposed budget exceeds either (1) $250,000 or (2) 25% of total award costs. These sub-recipient forms may be completed by either the sub-recipients themselves or by the preparer of this form.  The budget totals on the sub-recipient's forms must match the sub-recipient entries below. A subrecipient is a legal entity to which a subaward is made, who has performance measured against whether the objectives of the Federal program are met, is responsible for programmatic decision making, must adhere to applicable Federal program compliance requirements, and uses the Federal funds to carry out a program of the organization. All characteristics may not be present and judgment must be used to determine subrecipient vs. vendor status. "]
[201,"2023-06-16","Budget/ Costs","Our project involves the purchase of solar panels from a company based in the US but the manufacturing typically happens outside the country. Is any foreign work waiver request/declaration required for this as part of the application?","See section A.2.3 Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects of the FOA. "]
[202,"2023-06-16","Other","We received OCED’s discouragement email, but were wondering whether agency staff would be available for a debrief regarding the particular around why the proposal was not encouraged.  ","OCED may provide common issues observed in your Concept Paper, but specific feedback will not be provided. The common issues, if observed, will be included as part of the Overall Summary in OCED Exchange. Unfortunately, DOE will not provide further debriefs on Concept Paper decisions."]
[203,"2023-06-21","Application Content/ Format","After watching the OCED 101 Webinar, we cannot find the CBP template that is supposed to be here under templates, as only the budget workbook is listed.  Can someone please update the website or send us the template?","Currently, there is not a Community Benefits Plan template available for use as part of an application submission."]
[204,"2023-06-21","Application Content/ Format","If there is no technical volume appendix, is there a way for applicants to provide supplemental materials that do not clearly fall under any of the FOA’s existing upload requirements (i.e. Community Partnership Documentation, Letters of Commitment, Budget and Budget Justification, etc.)? Is the “Additional Files” under our full application OCED Exchange portal the appropriate place to include such materials? Will any of these materials impact other page limit requirements?","Applications must conform to the content and form requirements and must not exceed the stated page limits. Each submission must not exceed the specified maximum page limit, including cover page, charts, graphs, maps, and photographs when printed using the formatting requirements set forth and single spaced. If applicants exceed the maximum page lengths indicated, DOE will review only the authorized number of pages and disregard any additional pages."]
[205,"2023-06-21","Application Content/ Format","If there is no way to provide supplemental materials, how should my organization handle documents that we need to reference to justify our project but that are otherwise unpublished/unavailable to DOE (e.g. third part feasibility studies, project modeling reports, environmental surveys, tech. assessments)? Is a simple footnote sufficient? Is the assumption that DOE will request such documents during the review process if they wish to reference them?","Applications must conform to the content and form requirements and must not exceed the stated page limits. Each submission must not exceed the specified maximum page limit, including cover page, charts, graphs, maps, and photographs when printed using the formatting requirements set forth and single spaced. If applicants exceed the maximum page lengths indicated, DOE will review only the authorized number of pages and disregard any additional pages.\n\nPer the Appendix A - Additional Information Section A.3.1 Post Submission Materials and Just-In-Time Documents\nSome materials will be required as post submission materials that are due after the merit review is complete. The applicant will be notified on what documents and materials to submit, the format required and where and when to submit."]
[206,"2023-06-23","Other","Can we get review/feedback/or comments specific to out concept paper? This will help us submit a better full application. ","OCED provided common issues observed in the Concept Paper, but specific feedback will not be provided. The common issues, if observed, will be included as part of the Overall Summary in OCED Exchange. "]
[207,"2023-06-23","Application Content/ Format","I am attempting to access the full application or pre-application for DE-FOA-0002970 (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas). \n\nWhereas other FOAs on the OCED Exchange contain links to the application forms, it appears to be missing for FAO-0002970. There is the option to \"View Application Forms and Templates\" but the only available document is a Budget Justification Workbook. \n\nI would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide in accessing the application for DE-FOA-0002970.","Currently, the Budget Justification Workbook is the only form available for DE-FOA-0002970 on OCED Exchange and may be used as part of an application submission. "]
[208,"2023-06-23","Application Content/ Format","Our organization, submitted an application for funding under GRIP Topic 1 (DE-FOA-0002740) in April 2023. Is this FOA related to that FOA? Is it allowable to submit the same application to FOA-0002970 that was previously submitted to FOA-0002740? ","DOE 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\nIf a recipient or project team member receives any other award of federal funds for activities that potentially overlap with the activities funded under the DOE award, the recipient must promptly notify DOE in writing of the potential overlap and state whether project funds from any of those other federal awards have been, are being, or are to be used (in whole or in part) for one or more of the identical cost items under the DOE award. If there are identical cost items, the recipient must promptly notify the DOE Contracting Officer in writing of the potential duplication and eliminate any inappropriate duplication of funding. See Section A.3.2.1 Requirement to Report Potentially Duplicative Funding. "]
[209,"2023-06-26","Application Content/ Format","Would a privately-owned community health center, such as a Federally Qualified Health Center, installing a relatively small behind-the-meter solar and energy storage system be subject to the “Buy America Requirement for Infrastructure Projects” requirements?","See section A.2.3 Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects of the FOA. "]
[210,"2023-06-26","Tech Topics","I’m reaching out to understand the Project Management Schedule for the OCED Energy Improvements in Rural and Remote Areas grant. I am helping a client with an application for aggregated deployments. Would it be permissible to group the deployments in different phases? Or do all deployments need to follow one schedule for each phase.","Aggregation deployments do not have to follow one schedule; however, the maximum project period is 7 years, and the scope of the proposed project should determine that specific project period within the maximum project period."]
[211,"2023-06-26","Subrecipients","The State has submitted a concept paper with subapplicants that was encouraged to apply for our full application. Since this time, one subapplicant has decided to drop our application.  Is there any restriction against our application bringing in an additional subapplicant, or would that specific project have to have been approved through the concept paper phase? ","There are no restrictions against changing subrecipients as part of a full application submission. "]
[212,"2023-06-26","Cost Sharing","If an applicant is awarded the grant, what is the estimated or approximate start date for when expenses can be incurred for reimbursement? What date can project costs start being incurred as match-share?","The expected timeframe for award negotiations is Spring 2024. The actual start date will vary depending on the finalization of award negotiations. "]
[213,"2023-06-27","Eligibility","Funding Opportunity Announcement Number: DE-FOA-0002970, I respectfully request a late submission of a concept paper to enable our company the ability to submit an application.  We were unaware of the funding opportunity until today (five minutes ago).  We have access to three new innovative technologies which absolutely will provide improvement in energy access and resiliency in rural and remote areas, as well as providing economic benefit and access to energy to low income individuals and families.  Application of the new technologies has the potential to reduce carbon-based fuel consumption on order of magnitude, reduce energy demands upon the grid, and enable low income and geographically remote individuals and families to have access to energy resources.","Full Applications are due August 2, 2023, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. There is no option for an applicant to request an extension. "]
[214,"2023-06-27","Eligibility","We have just become aware of the BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW: ENERGY IMPROVEMENT IN RURAL OR REMOTE AREAS grant, but have missed the deadline for concept paper submission. Are we still able to submit an application before August 2?","Per FOA Section 5.6.2 \"Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit an Application.\""]
[215,"2023-06-28","Application Content/ Format","We are a For Profit entity proposing to develop renewable energy generation projects that will be privately owned and benefit rural communities. While these projects could be considered \"public infrastructure\" in nature, our understanding is that the Buy America requirements do not apply to our proposal because we are For Profit (assuming we are the prime recipient and do not voluntarily elect to conform to the Buy America requirements). Can you confirm this is correct?","See section A.2.3 Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects of the FOA. \n\nThe Buy America Requirement is applicable to a For-Profit Entity if: (1) it is a sub-recipient or sub-awardee under an award that contains the Buy America Requirement term and condition, or (2) it is the prime recipient that voluntarily chooses to use domestically sourced iron, steel, manufactured products, and constructions materials by stating so in its proposed application containing an infrastructure project.  If the For-Profit Entity specifically states that it will comply with the Buy America Requirement in its application and it is selected for award, its award will contain a Buy America Requirement term and condition."]
[216,"2023-06-29","Other","I've read through the decision feedback and there wasn't any specific feedback related to my concept paper except for the discouraged notification.  In the bottom of the notice, it says the following. DOE plans to hold a webinar open to all Concept Paper submitters to discuss these points in greater detail, on June 6, 2023. Details will be announced before the webinar date.  Unfortunately, DOE will not provide further debriefs on Concept Papers.  However, individual applicants may receive specified feedback in OCED Exchange drawn from the common themes and points of feedback listed above (1-6). Would you be able to provide specific feedback on this concept paper and what it would have needed to be encouraged?","OCED may provide common issues observed in your Concept Paper, but specific feedback will not be provided. The common issues, if observed, will be included as part of the Overall Summary in OCED Exchange."]
[217,"2023-06-29","Other","I noticed that the DE-FOA-0002970 BIL ERA FOA Concept Paper due date passed in April 2023 and I was wondering if the FOA is likely to be reissued for the 2024 fiscal year. Any updates would be greatly appreciated as I have a client that would be a great fit for the program.","At this time, OCED has not decided whether to issue another iteration of this FOA. Please continue to check OCED Exchange for funding opportunities. "]
[218,"2023-06-29","Budget/ Costs","As we are preparing the details of our cost estimates;  actual costs are looking to be higher than we though when preparing our Concept Paper. \nWhen we submit our actual proposal, can we submit (ask) for a higher grant $ amount than in our encouraged to submit note?  (Understand cost share would change, accordingly.)","Concept Paper and Full Application budgets do not have to match; however, full application budget estimates are limited to the amounts noted on Table 1 in the FOA (See page 6). "]
[219,"2023-06-29","Eligibility","Please define “or remote area” and “rural or remote community”. I understand the population must be less than 10,000, but is there any minimum population number for a target not to be considered a community? For example, in a rural area with only a few homes separated by some distance, would that be considered “a community”?","See Section 4.0 Eligibility Information in the FOA. "]
[220,"2023-06-29","Eligibility","A concept paper needed to have been submitted on or before April 14 to submit an application, correct?  I had noticed that the deadline for the submission of applications had been extended.  I figured it was because not enough concept papers (or sufficiently good concept papers) had been received.  But I noticed that the updated announcement didn’t indicate that the requirement to submit a concept paper had been waived or that the deadline for a concept paper had been extended.  Just wanted to confirm that my client, who did NOT submit a concept paper, would be unable to submit an application.","Only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper prior to the deadline will be eligible to submit an Application. See Section 5.6.2. of the FOA. "]

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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"]