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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to oced.des.foa@hq.doe.gov."]
[2,"All questions pertaining to OCED Exchange should be emailed to OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov. Include FOA name and number in subject line."]
[3,"All questions and answers pertaining to this FOA will be posted on 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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["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"]

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["ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTION AND ANSWER LOG"]
["DE-FOA-0003139 - DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SYSTEMS DEMONSTRATIONS"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2023-09-26","Eligibility","I work for British Columbia, Canada here in the US and was wondering what current funding opportunities are open to international companies.","Please refer to Section 4.1 of the FOA which states  \"In limited circumstances, DOE may approve a waiver to allow a foreign entity to participate as a prime recipient or subrecipient. A foreign entity may submit an application to this FOA, but the application must be accompanied by an explicit written waiver request.\""]
[2,"2023-09-27","Eligibility","I was hoping that you could provide some clarity as to what having the DERs “in place/enrolled” means as it pertains to the program requirements. Would an executed purchase agreement with the DES manufacturers and a submitted interconnection agreement be sufficient to qualify for the 2/29/2024 date? ","Please refer to Table 1 in Section 1.0, Table 2 in Section 2.2, and Section 4.1.   "]
[3,"2023-09-28","Eligibility","I am specifically asking about this requirement in the funding opportunity announcement: “All projects must utilize distributed energy resources with an aggregated capacity of at least 25% of the grid system’s peak load.” My current understanding is that this is referring to a distribution grid. For example, many of our projects are contained under Southern California Edison. I am currently operating under the assumption that there are numerous distribution grids within SCE. I am currently struggling to find what these grids are called and what areas they encompass. It would be of a great help if you could assist me in both understanding what the aforementioned “grid system” is referring to, as well as how I can find this information.\n\n","Please refer to Table 1 in Section 1.0, Section 2.2, and Section 4.1.   "]
[4,"2023-10-06","Other","(We are) highly interested in partnering with prime applicants on this solicitation. Regarding, the Teaming Partner list, are we only allowed to have one general entry? Or can multiple (sub) research teams with different technical and support capabilities submit individual entries with their respective expertise? ","Multiple entries for individual team partners may be submitted to the Teaming Partner List.\nPlease refer to Appendix A.7 Teaming Partner List for more information and instructions on how to be added to the Teaming Partner list."]
[5,"2023-10-09","Other","Is there a current list available? All we find is the blank form.","Updates to the Teaming Partner List will be available on the OCED eXCHANGE website. The Teaming Partner List will be regularly updated to reflect new teaming partners who provide their organization's information.\nPlease refer to Appendix A.7 Teaming Partner List for more information and instructions on how to view the Teaming Partner list. "]
[6,"2023-10-10","Other","How do we view names in the current Teaming Partner List?","Please refer to Appendix A.7 Teaming Partner List for information and instructions on how to view the Teaming Partner list."]
[7,"2023-10-11","Other","Regarding OCED DE-FOA-0003139, the funding opportunity is not appearing on grants.gov. Our team tracks upcoming grants and this FOA has not appeared on the grants.gov portal or daily listserv. We heard about the opportunity through our government affairs liaisons. Please advise.","Thank you for bringing this to our attention.  The synopsis of the funding opportunity announcement can now be found on Grants.gov"]
[8,"2023-10-11","Eligibility","Is there a max or minimum size requirement for the Distributed Energy Resource Assets that compose the Virtual Power Plant?","Please see Table 2 for minimum system requirements for all projects. The target is provided and there is no specified maximum."]
[9,"2023-10-11","Eligibility","Is the project requirement 25% of the distribution grid system peak load, or is it based on size of the project being proposed? For example, if distribution grid system peak is 100MW then the proposed project’s distribution energy resources must be a minimum of 25MWs.","Please see Table 2 for minimum system requirements for all projects. The target is provided and there is no specified maximum."]
[10,"2023-10-12","Eligibility","In Section 2.2, Table 2 , the FOA references: “Distributed energy resource capacity, excluding distributed generation, as compared to peak load [%].” Can an applicant include customer owned (residential mostly) solar as a contribution to the Distributed Energy Resource capacity to meet the 25% minimum grid contribution? If not, what are the Distributed Energy Resources that can be included?\n ","Please see Table 3 for a description of  non-generation Distributed Energy Resources that may be used to meet the aggregated capacity requirements in Table 2. Distributed generation (including wind, solar, or others) may be used to improve the system value but should not be counted towards meeting the requirements included in Table 2. "]
[11,"2023-10-12","Eligibility","In the context of this FOA could you provide a definition of Distributed Generation. ","Please see Table 3 for examples of Distributed generation."]
[12,"2023-10-12","Eligibility","Table 3 seems to indicate that distributed photovoltaics and wind would be eligible since they are given as example of Distributed Energy System, but the requirements appear to exclude distributed photovoltaics and wind. Could you provide clarification on eligibility of distributed wind and photovoltaics? \n","Please see Table 3 for a description of Distributed generation and example Distributed Energy Resources that may be included."]
[13,"2023-10-16","Eligibility","Does '25% of the grid system peak load' requirement mean that distributed energy resources being used in the project must aggregate to 25% of the system peak load or does it mean that the distribution grid in which the project is operating in has DERs that can meet at minimum 25% of the grid's peak load?","Please see Table 2 for minimum grid system capacity and composition requirements. "]
[14,"2023-10-16","Other","Can you please provide examples of distribution grid operators? For example, can a Community Choice Aggregator be a distribution grid operator?","Please see Sections 1.0 and 4.1 Eligible Applicants for grid entities. "]
[15,"2023-10-16","Other","I see the FOA on grants.gov, but not the FOA pdf or any of the related documents on grants.gov. ","The posting on grants.gov is for informational purposes only and refers the reader to OCED eXCHANGE. All required documentation and information regarding this full opportunity is found on the OCED eXCHANGE website at:\n https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=350558."]
[16,"2023-10-18","Cost Sharing","If we submit a concept paper and win an award, are we then prohibited from receiving a loan from the US DOE for the remainder of our project costs ?...Will a Loan (not a grant) for additional funds toward the project disqualify us from this announcement due to the cost share restrictions? Or, because it would be a Federal loan not a grant are we still eligible for the award?  If we are disqualified from using a DOE loan, can we use a state loan?","There is no legal prohibition against a recipient of DOE financial assistance using federal loan proceeds to fund their non-federal cost share. Loan proceeds are categorized as the recipient’s own funds, not federal funds and maybe used to finance a recipient’s cost-share requirement, provided that such use is permissible under the laws governing the relevant federal loan program and the terms and conditions of the loan. Concept papers and applications contemplating the use of the proceeds of a federal loan to fund the non-federal cost share of a DOE federal financial assistance award will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis but please note that DOE is not required to allow financial assistance recipients to use proceeds of federal loans to finance their non-federal cost share. Certain federal loans issued by U.S. agencies including DOE's Loan Program Office include restrictions on the receipt of additional federal support. Parties with questions about restrictions on the use of proceeds should consult DOE’s Loan Programs Office or other applicable federal loan program offices. State loans are not considered federal funds and are allowable to satisfy a recipient’s non-federal cost-share requirement for federal financial assistance. Applicants are encouraged to consult the relevant state loan program or office about their policies."]
[17,"2023-10-18","Other","Under Grid System Requirements, Table 2: System Requirements for all Projects: The requirement #3 for Grid System Composition states: % of distributed energy resources in place at the application stage with confirmed willingness to participate. Can you please define “in place”? ...We want to understand if this is when all major agreements (e.g., supply contracts, offtake agreements) are in place, when components are onsite, whether it refers to substantial completion, or something else.\n","OCED defines \"in place\" as both having the components available onsite and associated major agreements in place at the time of application. \nFor purposes of this FOA, the terms “in place” and “enrolled” are used interchangeably (see Table 1) and are defined in Section 4.1. In addition, Sections 5.6.1 and 5.6.2, in the “Demonstration Plan” sub-section, also clarify what applicants need to demonstrate in order to satisfy the eligibility condition of “in place/enrolled.” "]
[18,"2023-10-20","Other","We're getting an error message opening the document Standard Form 424, stating the file is damaged and can not be repaired.","The document viewing requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher.  Please see the following link to install or configure Adobe Reader 8.\nhttp://www.adobe.com/go/pdf_forms_configure\n"]
[19,"2023-10-23","Other","Please define exactly how \"peak demand\" on the distribution grid section is defined.  Table 4 gives examples of 15 / 30 / 60 minutes -- which is it?","Table 4 provides non-exhaustive, non-prescriptive examples of specific services that proposals could demonstrate. Thus, the reference in Table 4 to peak demand, including the time values, are merely suggestive to illustrate examples of what an applicant could propose. Applicants, in the Concept Paper and Full Application, are encouraged to identify the value provided by their projects and set their appropriate and specific metrics for that approach."]
[20,"2023-10-23","Other","Please define how capacity of each Distributed Energy Resource in Table 3 should be calculated for the purpose of meeting the 25% goal.  Specifically, for loads listed in this table (\"Electric vehicles,\" \"Flexible Building Loads,\" and \"Industrial facility loads\"), is the capacity based on the maximum connected load of each DER, or on the achievable load reduction at time of local distribution peak, or something else?","The minimum requirements described in Table 2 are based on aggregated grid system capacity. Table 3 provides a non-exhaustive list of examples of technologies and systems that can be utilized in applicant’s projects to meet these minimums. Thus, the minimum requirements described in Table 2 remain the same regardless of technology or system type in Table 3. Applicants are encouraged to offer their grid system composition, so long as it satisfies the minimum requirements, and identify the technology/systems to be utilized in their proposals."]
[21,"2023-10-23","Cost Sharing","Please clarify if the caps on funding expenditures found on Pages 10 and 11 of the FOA apply to DOE funding, or DOE funding plus cost share.  For example, if a portion of cost share is provided as hardware and installation for energy storage systems, is that contribution limited by the cap on Page 10?","These approximate threshold values apply to total project costs."]
[22,"2023-10-24","Foreign Entities/Work","Can a company located in Canada participate in the DE-FOA-0003139 project as a sub-awardee, contractor, or consultant? ","Please see Section 4.1 and Appendix D for a description of  eligibility of foreign entities and information required for a foreign waiver request. "]
[23,"2023-10-24","Eligibility","How is #2 under Eligible Applicants (page 3) to be interpreted for a Distribution Service Provider (DSP), given FERC Order 2222 does not apply to the DSP? For example, are only participants/assets in scope of the DSP's Aggregate Distributed Energy Resource (ADER) Pilot Project in scope?","Applicants are encouraged to meet the objective to engage in providing grid services to Independent System Operators/Regional Transmission Organizations (ISO/RTO) through FERC Order 2222 but it is not a requirement."]
[24,"2023-10-24","Eligibility","How is the Requirement on page 4 (4th bullet) to be assessed with regard to portfolios within a certain distribution grid? For example, if we are the Prime and a specific Distribution Service Provider is a subrecipient, should the grid assessment be the subrecipient’s entire grid? Just the Prime's load/generation within that grid (i.e. a ‘virtual’ subset of load)? Or indeed could it be a physical subset of the subrecipient (e.g. total load at specific substations/areas?)","Please see page  12 of the FOA, \"Projects should clearly describe and define the distribution grid system that will be utilized for the demonstration. Participating energy assets should be located within the grid section of interest, and the grid utilized for the demonstration should be contiguous, with internal value accruing to all relevant parties and communities, including DACs, within the geographic region to the greatest extent practicable. Successful projects will consider a range of grid system configurations from a control and balancing perspective, including individual microgrids, networked microgrids, or other distribution grid topologies.\""]
[25,"2023-10-24","Eligibility","How is the Requirement on page 4 (2nd bullet) to be assessed? For example if the distribution grid operator peak load is 100MW (but FOA target is 50MW) then does requirement 2 minimum become 25% * 100MW? Or does the minimum always remain 25% * 20MW ?","Please see Table 2 for minimum grid system capacity and composition requirements. "]
[26,"2023-10-24","Eligibility","Regarding the Requirement on page 4 (3rd bullet), if assets are under construction at the application stage would this be acceptable (with a firm go-live date during Spring/Summer 2024, i.e. before/around date of selection, and well ahead of Phase 1).","Please see Section 4.1 for the description of eligibility at time of application. Additionally, Section 5.6.1 in the “Demonstration Plan” sub-section and Section 5.6.2, also clarify what applicants need to demonstrate in order to satisfy the eligibility condition."]
[27,"2023-10-24","Other","What would the applicant be responsible for throughout the 8-year project duration?","Please see Section 2.3 for a description of the four project phases that the applicant is responsible for."]
[28,"2023-10-25","Eligibility","Can people contributing to the project reside in countries outside the US and participate as a contractor or consultant?","Please see Section 4.1 and Appendix D for a description of  eligibility of foreign entities and information required for a foreign waiver request. "]
[29,"2023-10-25","Other","The information needed on the cover page will span multiple pages, is it ok to use the defined headings in paragraph form and not use the table?","Applicants are encouraged to use the example cover page format in Appendix E. "]
[30,"2023-10-30","Other","If a hydrogen fuel cell generator is used as a Distributed Energy Resource within the project Distributed Energy System, can hydrogen fuel produced by existing renewable resources be considered a ”distributed energy resource in place”?","There is no restriction on considering the use of hydrogen fuel as a Distributed Energy Resource in the FOA."]
[31,"2023-10-30","Other","Is there a restriction on the carbon intensity of the hydrogen fuel, or for the source of their fuel, when used to power a fuel cell generator as a Distributed Energy Resource within the project Distributed Energy System?","There is no restriction on considering the use of hydrogen fuel as a Distributed Energy Resource in the FOA."]
[32,"2023-11-01","Other","Regarding the Teaming Partner Area of Interest, would it be possible to provide context around what is required for this answer? ","Area of interest is considered to be the team partner's interest or need to partner with others in a specific area of interest. "]
[33,"2023-11-02","Other","Can an applicant use previously awarded federal funds as a portion of the match under this solicitation? Or use previously awarded federal funds during any part of the project duration?","Please see Question 16 for a response on how Federal funds can be used to satisfy the applicant’s non-Federal cost share. In addition, it is important to distinguish between Federal loans used as cost share and Federal financial assistance offered as cost share. The former is permissible subject to Question 16, but the latter is not permissible. Applicants may not use Federal financial assistance monies, whether from DOE or other Federal agencies, received subject to a cooperative agreement, grant award, fixed amount award, or other Federal award to satisfy the applicant’s non-Federal cost share as those monies are considered contributions paid for by the Federal government. "]
[34,"2023-11-02","Eligibility","I’m reaching out with a clarifying question in regards to one of the requirements included on page 4 of the updated FOA. Particularly, looking at bullet #2, “All projects must utilize distributed energy resources (excluding distributed generation) with an aggregated capacity of at least 25% of the grid system peak load” our team is confused by the ‘excluding distributed generation’ stipulation. Could you please clarify what this entails? Is this saying that the aggregated capacity cannot take into consideration PV, but can include DSM resources, VPPs, and microgrids? ","Please see Table 3 of the FOA. Distributed generation is a type of distributed energy resource but for the purpose of this FOA it may not be included in the Grid System Composition calculation noted in Table 2. All other distributed energy resources may be included in the Grid System Composition calculation."]
[35,"2023-11-03","Other","I am wondering whether there is a way to receive a notification whenever there is a FOA update.\nFor instance, I noted that FOA -0003139 was updated yesterday. \n","Please see Section 5.2.4 for instructions to register and subscribe to the FOA notifications via Grants.gov and obtain modifications posted to OCED eXCHANGE."]
[36,"2023-11-07","Eligibility","Can Port Authorities operating a distribution utility qualify as a prime applicant or subrecipient?","Please see Section 1 and Section 4.1 for  list of eligible prime applicants and subrecipients. As a non-profit or government authority Port Authorities are not eligible to be a prime applicant but are eligible to be a subrecipient."]
[37,"2023-11-07","Eligibility","Can an already-installed Distributed Energy Resource (like an existing Battery Energy Storage System owned by and already connected to the utility) be qualified as an in-kind contribution of the Prime recipient? where the Distributed Energy Resource will be used as a dispatchable asset for the Virtual Power Plant?  Or….. does the in kind asset contribution have to be planned, contracted for, or actively under installation?","See Section 4.2 of the FOA. In addition, applicants are encouraged to review the regulations found at 2 CFR 200.306 and 2 CFR 910.360 for information on how real property and equipment can be used for the applicant’s non-Federal cost share. "]
[38,"2023-11-08","Eligibility","I am a for profit LLC working in the area of process controls with a State procurement and also a Renewable energy installation and design company…I am wondering if I would be eligible to apply for this program since I was not a utility…I was trying to do a project to enter into the day ahead or real time market that was backed by combined heat and power and geothermal steam (along with net meter). ","Please see Section 1 and 4.1 under Eligible Applicants for the  types of entities eligible to participate as prime and subrecipients. "]
[39,"2023-11-08","Eligibility","Regarding the requirement that all projects must utilize distributed energy resources (excluding distributed generation) with an aggregated capacity of at least 25% of the grid system peak load. Does that mean 25% of the utility’s total system peak demand or just the load served from a specific substation (or substations) that the grant-funded project would be focused on?","Please see Table 2 for minimum system requirements for all projects funded under this FOA. "]
[40,"2023-11-08","Eligibility","Does the prime applicant need to be a distribution utility? Or would a not a for-profit entity registered as an electric service provider be eligible to prime as well?","Please see Section 1 and 4.1 under Eligible Applicants for the  types of entities eligible to participate as prime and subrecipients. "]
[41,"2023-11-14","OCED Exchange","I noticed that the link to the Teaming Partner List on the OCED Funding Opportunity eXCHANGE website directs to the Q&A document instead. Is there an alternative link to the Teaming Partner List available? ","Thanks for bringing this to our attention. The link to the Teaming Partner list has been updated and can be downloaded from the OCED eXCHANGE website. "]
[42,"2023-11-15","Eligibility","Regarding the requirement that all projects must utilize distributed energy resources (excluding distributed generation) with an aggregated capacity of at least 25% of the grid system peak load. \nDoes this apply to non-controllable Distributed Energy Resources or both?  As we can use distributed generation to provide grid services as well. For example reactive power, curtailment, soaking etc.\n","The FOA does not make a distinction between uncontrollable and non-controllable distributed energy resources. Please see Table 2 for minimum system requirements that apply to all projects funded under this FOA."]
[43,"2023-11-15","Eligibility","In terms of Distributed Energy Resources providing services listed on page 12, what controllable Distributed Energy Resources are you willing to consider, specifically regarding controllable distributed generation? Does the combined resources (i.e., photovoltaics and storage) megawatts in a microgrid qualify as contributing resources to the 25% aggregated capacity requirement?\n\n","The FOA does not make a distinction between uncontrollable and non-controllable distributed energy resources. Please see Table 3 for a non-exhaustive list of potential Distributed Energy Resources that may be included to meet the 25% aggregated capacity requirements. Distributed generation (including wind, solar, or others) may be used to improve the system value but should not be counted towards meeting the 25% aggregated capacity requirements in Table 2.   "]
[44,"2023-11-29","Other","I tried to open Standard Form 424 but have failed although I have the latest version of Adobe Reader on my computer.","Please download the SF-424 form from the OCED eXCHANGE website under the APPLICATION FORMS AND TEMPLATES section. "]
[45,"2023-11-30","Eligibility","In regards to the limited portions of expenditures bulleted in Section 2.2 (page 10): Do all three of these limits apply to total project costs or % of total DOE funding only? In particular, we would like to know whether the 15% capital acquisition cost limit is 15% of the total project or 15% of DOE funds requested from the applicant.","*This response has been updated*\nPlease see response to Question 21. The limitations apply to total project costs. "]
[46,"2023-12-01","Other","For opportunity 3139 I checked the OCED exchange and cannot find the format for Concept paper. What action generates the Control Number to be used when naming documents?","There is no form for the Concept Paper. See sections 5.1 and 5.6 of the FOA for the format requirements. \nPer Section 5.1, a control number will be issued when an applicant begins the OCED eXCHANGE application process."]
[47,"2023-12-04","Other","Can you send me a copy of the Concept DE-FOA-0003139 form","There is no form for the Concept Paper. See sections 5.1 and 5.6 of the FOA for the format requirements. "]
[48,"2023-12-27","Other","Is it still possible to submit a concept paper for Distributed Energy Systems Demonstrations and still be considered for the full application submission?","The concept paper deadline was no later than 5 p.m. on December 13, 2023. The applicant is required to submit both the concept paper and full application for consideration under this FOA. "]
[49,45316,"Other","I just found this funding opportunity and noticed the concept paper for this round of funding was due on 12/13/2023, and that a full application cannot be submit if the CP was not submitted and approved beforehand.\n\n1. Is this still the case? If we were to apply with a full application for this year, would we be immediately rejected, being that we hadn’t submitted a CP?\n\n2. Will the funding also be available next year, where Concept Papers will be due late 2024, and full applications due sometime in 2025 to be awarded in mid-late 2025?","Full Applications can only be submitted into OCED eXCHANGE if an applicant successfully submitted a compliant concept paper before the posted deadline. \n\nNo future funding opportunities related to this topic area are planned at this time but OCED encourages potential applicants to periodically check https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/ for available opportunities."]
[50,"2024-02-06","Other","We have missed the deadline to submit the Concept Paper. We were wondering that in order to submit a full application, can we do it without submitting a Concept Paper, or can we submit one (past the deadline) and still participate in the competition?","See responses to Questions 48 and 49, above. The concept paper deadline was no later than 5 p.m. on December 13, 2023. The applicant is required to submit both the concept paper and full application for consideration under this FOA. "]
[51,"2024-02-15","Other","Are concept admissions closed?","See responses to Questions 48 through 50. The concept paper deadline was no later than 5 p.m. on December 13, 2023. "]
[52,"2024-03-13","Other","My company and I are working on a technology we think would be a great fit for the OCED Distributed Energy Systems Demonstrations. I see that the concept paper submission deadline has passed, but the full application submission deadline has not. We believe we can prepare a complete and comprehensive application in the next month. I am wondering if it would be possible to submit our concept paper late, or to simply submit the full application on 4/14. We are really enthusiastic about this opportunity and would love to work with OCED.","See responses to Questions 48 through 51, above. The concept paper deadline was no later than 5 p.m. on December 13, 2023. The applicant is required to submit both the concept paper and full application for consideration under this FOA. "]
[53,"2024-03-13","Other","Wanted to verify that this solicitation is on the street? If so, is it too late to submit a proposal? ","See responses to Questions 48 through 52, above. The concept paper deadline was no later than 5 p.m. on December 13, 2023. The applicant is required to submit both the concept paper and full application for consideration under this FOA. "]
[54,"2024-03-14","Application Content/Format","We need some clarification on the Community Benefits Plan template provided by this link https://www.energy.gov/infrastructure/about-community-benefit-plans contained within the FOA.\nThe link routes to a 14-page CBP template.  But, DE-FOA-0003139: Distributed Energy Systems Demonstrations specifies that the CBP for this FOA has a 5-page maximum limit. Can you provide me with the appropriate template to use for this specific FOA?","The Community Benefits Plan (CBP) template is provided as an example only. The template format may be revised to address the FOA's CBP's 5 page limit as long as it describes how it will address the four objectives that comprise a CBP: Community and Labor Engagement, Investing in the American Workforce, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, and Justice40. "]
[55,"2024-03-18","Application Content/Format","Please let us know if there is a template for the Community Benefits Plan for this FOA – DE-FOA-0003139: Distributed Energy Systems Demonstrations. The link provided in the FOA seems to be a template for another FOA – DE-FOA-0003195: Grid Resilience and Innovative Partnerships (GRIP) Program. The GRIP template will not work for the Distributed Energy Systems Demonstration application because it is 14 pages long and the maximum page limit for the CBP for this FOA is 5 pages.","The Community Benefits Plan (CBP) template is provided as an example only. The template format may be revised to address the FOA's CBP's 5 page limit as long as it describes how it will address the four objectives that comprise a CBP: Community and Labor Engagement, Investing in the American Workforce, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, and Justice40. "]
[56,"2024-03-19","Application Content/Format","Since there is no form or format specified for Disclosures of Connections with Foreign Countries of Risk under 5.6.2.10, can we assume that a statement of no connections with Foreign Countries of Risk signed by a company officer as identified in Form 424 will suffice for this disclosure?  ","Section 5.6.2.10 of the FOA provides for applicants to upload a PDF file attachment, using the appropriate file naming convention, with a statement identifying the connections or a statement affirming that there are no connections for either the applicant and/or subrecipient. Section 5.6.2.10 of the FOA does not require a signature to be affixed to the statement."]
[57,"2024-04-02","Other","Is this program covered by E.O. 12372","E.O. 12372 falls outside the scope of the program as the program is authorized under the Department of Energy statues."]
[58,"2024-04-02","Budget/Costs","Can you please confirm that DOE FFRDCs subrecipients should follow the instructions as indicated on the budget justification template, tab f #4?","DOE FFRDC subrecipient budgets should be included  as part of the FFRDC entry in the DE-FOA-003139 Budget Justification Workbook under \"tab f. Contractual\"."]
[59,"2024-04-12","Budget/Costs","In the OCED exchange submission portal for DE-FOA-0003139 Distributed Energy Systems Demonstrations – in the Sub-recipient Budget Justification Line; it only allows for one file submission. For applications with multiple sub-recipients, what is the expectation for uploading budget files.","The issue has been resolved and the applicant may include multiple sub-recipient budgets in the DE-FOA-003139 Budget Justification Workbook under \"tab f. Contractual\". "]