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["ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTION AND ANSWER LOG"]
["LAB CALL DE-LC-000L003"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Relevent Lab Call Topic Area","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2024-03-29","All","It does not currently look like there is a way to apply to this opportunity in the OCED exchange. Will that be rolled out in the April 5th timeframe?","We are currently structured to accept concept papers. For any technical issues with OCED exchange, please reach out to OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov."]
[2,"2024-03-29","All","I am assuming the concept paper/slide deadlines are at 11:59 PM PT and not AM but would like to confirm, and clarify since the deadline listed in OCED exchange is 5:00 PM ET?","The concept paper and slide submission deadlines will be at 5:00 pm ET. Thank you for letting us know about this typo."]
[3,"2024-03-29","All","Can you please clarify what the structure of the April 22 feedback sessions will be?","The April 22 feedback sessions will have a standard webinar format. DOE will go through each subtopic and build in time for Q&A from the labs. For the April 22 feedback session, there is no need for the labs to come prepared with concept pitches. More details for the webinar will be released on April 5."]
[4,"2024-03-29","All","The concept slide guidance on p. 8 of the call specifies that labs may submit only one concept slide per subtopic/area of interest, but there is no limitation specified in the instructions on p. 7 for the concept paper. I just want to clarify whether or not there is a limitation to only one submission for each subtopic/AOI per lab?","Yes, each lab can submit only one concept paper per subtopic/AOI, which should be no more than 3 pages long. For each concept paper submission, labs should submit one concept slide."]
[5,"2024-04-03",5,"My research team is interested in the FY25 OCED Analysis Laboratory Call, particularly Subtopic 5.1:  Modeling and Simulation Capabilities.  The team traditionally applies state-of-the-art CFD tools and examines component level devices as part of optimization strategies or operating condition studies.  For example, rather than evaluate an entire process system, we examine a single part of that system in great detail, using multi-physics, reacting flow models.  Is this type of analysis within scope of the call?","Yes, that is within scope.  OCED is interested in small component modeling as part of targeted troubleshooting or optimization activities for complex problems that the market cannot help with.  This capability would ideally be part of a larger subset of tools that can model more complex systems, so collaboration may be advantageous, but a proposal on this topic will be considered.  "]
[{"$f":"A8+1","v":6},"2024-04-10","All","Can labs participate as a partner lab on multiple submissions for the same subtopic/area of interest?  ","Yes, if lead labs are different, then concept papers will be treated as fundamentally different. Thus, labs can participate as partner labs on multiple submissions for the same subtopic/area of interest."]
[{"$f":"A9+1","v":7},"2024-04-10","1, 2.1-2.4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8","If we are leading, can we have several submissions under the subtopic area as long as it’s a different area of interest? For example, can we participate in Areas of Interest 2.1.1 and 2.1.4?","For initial concept papers, Laboratories may apply to individual areas of interest directly under the same Topic / Subtopic Area. However, it is OCED’s vision that work will be performed at the Subtopic/Topic Area level, so meritorious concept papers will be asked to team across Areas of Interest within Subtopic/Topic Areas. E.g., at the end of the process, there will be one team selected for AOIs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4, or one team selected for 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3."]
[{"$f":"A10+1","v":8},"2024-04-10","All","Will the lab call info sessions be recorded?","Yes, the Laboratory Call feedback/webinar informational session on April 23 and April 24 will be recorded and posted to OCED Exchange."]
[9,"2024-04-12","All","Can you please let us know if a Government Owned, Government Operations lab allows to apply to this call ?","Yes, government owned labs are allowed to apply to this call whether they are operated by the government or by contractors. For example, both NETL and LLNL are allowed to apply to this call."]
[10,"2024-04-15",1,"H2Fast is an analysis tool that produces financial projections of a production asset and performs economic sensitivities based on technical and financial inputs. What capabilities is OCED looking to develop under AOI 1 that H2Fast does not currently offer?","For some AOIs there may be existing tools are sufficient to support OCED requirements. In these cases, support may largely come from direct analytical support as well as standards, data gap assessments, recommendations for data collection, storage, stewardship, and integration of real world data."]
[11,"2024-04-15","1, All","Labs likely have agreements with funding awardees to provide support for meeting OCED requirements throughout the project life (e.g., H2Hub V&V).  What COI/firewall requirements will OCED have for these labs if they wish to participate in AOI 1?","Generally, we would expect and require that personnel supporting OCED are not the same personnel as those supporting awardees. We expect that any personnel supporting OCED are firewalled from awarded projects within the same program/provision. For government-operated labs, employees would need to consult with counsel for further guidance on federal ethics requirements."]
["11 CONT.",null,null,null,"Amplification/clarification: OCED may determine that a given lab cannot review its own work products provided to an OCED awardee. This is one of the reasons why we are looking to build multi-lab teams."]
[12,"2024-04-15",1,"To conduct financial due diligence of funded demonstration projects, does OCED envision that either:\na. Awardees will provide OCED with project data alone, which OCED will use to model financial performance thereafter?\nb. Or, awardees will provide OCED with project data along with their own financial modeling results, which OCED will then validate from provided data?","OCED is in negotiations. However, it is broadly requiring financial modeling from selectees and awardees, which OCED will then diligence."]
[13,"2024-04-24","All","If we submit a CP that responds to multiple AOIs, does that CP count as the single submission to each AOI? Are LOCs not required from partner labs (lab call page 33)? Also do LOCs need to be on official letterhead?","Each area of interest is afforded 3 pages (e.g., a CP covering 3 AOIs can be 9 pages long, etc). LOCs are encouraged from partner labs but do not need to be on official letterhead. "]
[14,"2024-04-24","All","What is OCED’s appetite or preference to having multiple topic areas PI’d by the same person?","OCED prefers PIs be focused on topic areas within their areas of expertise. A PI could lead mutiple topic areas or areas of interest, if the time commitment is reasonable given the breadth of the work to be covered in multiple topic areas or areas of interest and considering the existing workload that PI might have committed to in other programs/projects."]
["14 CONT.",null,null,null,"Amplification/clarification: we will review proposals based on content and work with the lab team to ensure appropriate level of effort for individual PIs is balanced"]
[15,"2024-04-24","All","What reporting structure does OCED prefer? Do they want 1 POC per topic, multiple POCs, etc.?","For a consortium of several labs, it is preferable to limit it to one point of contact at one of the labs considered the \"lead\" or at the most, co-PIs with two labs reps that are considered the \"leads\". No more than 2 POC per topic. "]
["15 CONT.",null,null,null,"Amplification/clarification: For initial concept papers, it is prefereable to have 1 POC per lab and/or per topic."]
[16,"2024-04-24","All","How does OCED envision interaction with the laboratories to look going forward? How will requests for work be made? By whom? How often? We’re thinking through how we will rapidly respond to requests while balancing other research","This is a very broad question. Please refer the discussion from the feedback/information session."]
[17,"2024-04-24","All","What is OCED’s willingness to accept proposals for topic areas that may exceed the proposed budget/topical limits? We may consider combining numerous topics into a single topic given our (and our partners’) depth and breadth of expertise and capabilities","Yes. OCED will consider proposals that may exceed - within reason - the proposed budget for that topic, especially if numerous topics are being combined to pull together the breadth of expertise and capabilities at one or more labs."]
["17 CONT.",null,null,null,"Amplification/clarification: As previously answered in question 13, labs can combine areas of interest (e.g., 2.1.1 and 2.1.2) in a single concept paper. However, multiple topic areas (e.g., Topic Area 1 and Topic Area 2) should not be combined into a single concept paper. "]
[18,"2024-04-25","All","Are you able to expand upon the data sets that will be provided to Lab teams? Will they be site-based data sets?","Yes, some of the datasets provided to lab teams will include project-level data."]
[19,"2024-04-28"," 2.1, 3","Can we submit one Concept Paper that combined all subs topics 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4  all into one Sub-topic 2.1.?","Yes"]
[20,"2024-04-28","2.1, 3","Can our PI submit individual concept paper for each sub-task 2..1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3, and 2.1.4? from LLNL?","Yes"]
[21,"2024-04-25",9,"By organized power markets for the U.S. – who does this include? For forecasted pricing – to clarify what is included within this pricing category?","We consider the traditional RTOs (PJM, MISO, SPP, etc) in our minds regarding who is included in an organized power market, but we do also want regional analysis of regions not included in an RTO as well (western US, South East, Alaska and Hawaii)."]
[22,"2024-04-25",9,"For forecasted pricing – to clarify what is included within this pricing category?","Our intial thoughts were focused on traditional $/kWh price of electricity in the commercial and industrial sectors. We recognize, based on our conversations at the webinar, that this is not fully representative of the price due to the nature of negotiations between the purchaser and utility/generator, TOU and other special rates, and other variables such as congestion pricing. We are open to discussing how to properly model these various components, but recognize the difficulty in doing so"]
[23,"2024-04-30",2,"\"Tech support for assessing water use and water quality impacts (i.e., freshwater eutrophication, freshwater acidification, human toxicity, and ecotoxicity) on a project-by-project basis\" seems targeted at LCA ecosystem impact of a product life cycle using the ecosystem indices of the LCA methodology. It appears that these impacts may stem from various sources, including non-freshwater sources such as acid rain. It's understood that all ecosystem impacts, regardless of their origin, will be addressed under this section. can you confirm?","Section 2.3 seeks support for assessing water use and water impacts over the life cycle of OCED projects (i.e., using an LCA methodology). Not all ecosystem impacts should be addressed under section 2.3. Concept papers should instead focus on typical outputs of an LCA. "]
[24,"2024-04-30",2,"Sub section 2.3 \"Targeted assessments of opportunities to improve water quality, reduce water stress, and/or improve efficiency of water use\". \nClarification is needed whether this pertains to assessing processes within the demo projects (process level) or the broader environmental context surrounding the plant. Additional clarity on the definition of \"water quality\" and \"water stress\" would be beneficial.","Concept papers to Section 2.3 should focus assessments on process level impacts but may include some broader environmental context, as applicable (e.g., evaluating the water use of a process or project within the context of regional water supplies). Water stress means impacts to water quantity in the affected water body. Water quality means impacts that affect the biological, chemical, or physical characteristics of a water body. Assessments that estimate potential water quality and quantity impacts  and evaluate the actual outcomes from the life cycle of a project are sought for this subtopic"]
[25,"2024-04-30",2,"\"Identification and assessment of key gaps and uncertainties in existing LCA tools (GREET, OpenLCA) used to assess water impacts\".\nIt's important to ascertain whether there are limitations to exclusively using GREET or OpenLCA for assessing LCA water/eco impacts and if there are restrictions on identifying gaps and uncertainties solely within the two tools.","We encourage proposals that investigate gaps specifically in GREET and OpenLCA. Additional tools could potentially be included in a concept paper, but only if highly relevent to OCED's portfolio and LCA activities.  "]
[26,"2024-04-30",2,"We also noticed the language \" Specific lab activities include (but are not exclusive to)\" for the sub sections. \nIt indicates that the listed activities (2.31-2.34) are not exhaustive, and additional critical activities relevant to water resource impacts of demo projects can be included without penalty. This allows flexibility to incorporate other pertinent activities deemed essential to the project's goals, if we understood correctly.","The intent of this language is to indicate that labs may be expected to provide additional support or analysis outside of the bulleted list of priorities for subtopic 2.3. Additional criticial activities relevent to water impacts of OCED projects may be considered, but concept papers should make a strong case that such activities are highly relevent to OCED's portfolio. "]
[27,"2024-05-02","All","Will the lab call concept papers be reviewed internally at OCED or sent to external reviewers?","Lab concept papers will be reviewed internally by OCED. Input may also be provided by sister offices within DOE."]
[28,"2024-05-02",2,"In the case of Topic Area 2, where there is a subtopic (subtopic 2.1) with multiple AOIs, may a Lab submit a concept for more than one AOI within that subtopic, or are they limited to submitting only one concept for one of the AOIs within that subtopic?","Yes, a lab may submit a concept paper to more than one AOI within that topic area (e.g., a  lab may submit a concept paper covering both AOI 2.1.1 and 2.1.2, etc). Labs should not submit concept papers covering multiple areas of interest from different topic areas (e.g., a single concept paper should not combine AOI 2.1.1 with AOI 3.1, etc).  Concept papers are afforded 3 pages per AOI. "]
[29,"2024-05-02","All","Do LOCs need to be on official letterhead?","No."]
[30,"2024-05-02","All","Are LOCs required from partner labs?","LOCs are required for external collaborations as noted in page 8 of the lab call. LOCS are encouraged for partner labs submitting a joint concept paper, but are not required. "]
[31,"2024-05-02",1,"For AOI 1.4, are non-electrical LDES capabilities of interest (e.g., nuclear with thermal storage)?","For Topic Area 1, and AOI 1.4, Technologies of Interest are those that align foremost to OCED's portfolio. Several thermal storage projects under the Industrial Demonstrations Program have been selected, albeit none that are nuclear with thermal storage. "]
[32,"2024-05-03","All","Can you upload the transcript from the feedback session? ","Yes, links to access the recordings of the feedback sessions have been posted to OCED exchange and include searchable transcripts. "]
[33,"2024-05-03",5,"Should we highlight our expertise with “modeling and simulation at component and system levels, project options and trade-off analyses to support decision-making and prioritization, technology-specific subject matter expertise and associated performance, integration and scale-up risk identification, evaluation, and management” across the entire OCED program for Topic Area 5? Or should we narrow it down to a specific area to de-risk?","Recommend that labs focus on their area of expertise with emphasis on application to at least one of the OCED program areas.  Multiple program areas of expertise are desirable but not required, as it is expected that the tools and techniques used will be modifiable for future applications as needed.   "]
[34,"2024-05-03",2,"In terms of Topic 2.1.3, DOE HFTO recently announced a funded consortium (H2CIRC), led by AIChE for the total of $50M. How will this LCA in 2.1.3 be coordinated and not duplicated by H2CIRC.  Is this considered a different and separate call that should not involve the current partners in H2CIRC, but should be coordinated with H2CIRC?  Is it considered an advantage to include partners involved in H2CIRC?","AOI 2.1.3 is a different and seperate call from H2CIRC. AOI 2.1.3 involves project-level LCA support for OCED's hydrogen hubs which include hydrogen production, transport, storage, and end-use applications. National labs that are partners in H2CIRC are eligible to submit concept papers to AOI 2.1.3. Concept papers will be evaluated using the merit review criteria described on page 7 of the lab call."]
[35,"2024-05-03","4,5","To what extent will projects addressing risks with OCED nuclear energy projects be considered?  In the presentations, the emphasis seemed to be on hydrogen and DAC, with the suggestion that nuclear was much farther along in the risk/uncertainty understanding, so did not need investment. LANL can foresee areas in nuclear OCED projects where our expertise can directly help de-risk OCED nuclear projects.","Projects focusing effort on nuclear energy technologies within the OCED portfolio will be considered equally to any of the areas of program focus.  Examples given during the presentations were demonstrative examples only.  Proposing areas of risk that are you believe should be considered should be justified in the application. "]
[36,"2024-05-02","All","Does the one concept per lab constraint apply to a lab as lead and as sub? For example, if a Lab is included in a concept submitted by another lead lab, can that Lab also submit a concept where they lead?","Yes, but please limit submissions to one CP as a lead and one CP as a sub. See Q&A question number 6."]
[37,"2024-04-23","1, 2","In the OCED National Lab call, there are a number of topics that include needs for program R&D data management.  Would OCED be interested in an integrated approach to data management for the OCED portfolio and analysis therefrom, either through this Lab call (another Topic) or in a separate RFP?","Yes, OCED would welcome an integrated approach to data management for topics that include data needs. OCED is interested in proposals reflect the Labs' recommended approach to data. OCED may update the Lab Call document to incorporate an integrated data topic area. "]
[38,"2024-05-02",1,"On AOI 1.4: “TEA for Long Duration Energy Storage, Renewables and Nuclear,” does OCED seek proposals on nuclear energy as an independent topic or only in the context of coupling with/for LDES?","Labs can propose for a portion of the AOI. Proposals do not need to be integrated for Topic areas 1-5."]
[39,"2024-05-02","all","Can participants on active OCED projects (H2Hubs, ARDP)  lead a topic or AOI response under the OCED analysis lab call?","OCED may determine that a given Laboratory or personnel within a given Laboratory cannot review its own work products provided to an OCED awardee. However, a given Lab could still lead a Topic Area or AOI it has responded to and have a firewalled team or a different Lab review a given project. This is one of the reasons we are seeking to build multi-lab teams for Topic Areas 1-5. See Question 11 for further answer."]
[40,"2024-05-02","All","For initial concept papers, Laboratories may apply to individual areas of interest directly under the same Topic / Subtopic Area. However, it is OCED’s vision that work will be performed at the Subtopic/Topic Area level, so meritorious concept papers will be asked to team across Areas of Interest within Subtopic/Topic Areas. E.g., at the end of the process, there will be one team selected for AOIs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4, or one team selected for 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3.]\n\nDo you mean “there will be one team led by one lab selected for AOIs 2.1-2.4, or one team built by OCED composed of multiple lab lead for each subtopic area (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4) selected from all CP submissions from various labs for AOIs 2.1-2.4?","For Subtopic/Topic Areas 1-5: OCED will select a team of two or more labs to perform the work for subtopics 2.2-2.4. For the areas of interest under subtopic 2.1, OCED will award a multi-laboratory team. The intent is that the strongest concept papers be asked to work together in a consortium to make a proposal to support 2.1 based on provided feedback following concept paper submission. \n\nFor Topic Areas 6-9: OCED will select a consortium of two or more labs to perform the work for each Topic area and encourages teaming of mulitple labs within each Topic area in advance of submitting Concept papers."]
[41,"2024-05-03","All","Can you provide a template for the concept slides to help the labs understand what information is needed?","OCED is not providng a template. Please see page limit specifications and review guidance in the lab call document and further discussion in the feedback session recordings posted on Exchange."]
[42,"2024-05-07","All","We were informed that multiple areas of interest could be combined into a single proposal. Do those areas of interest need to be in a single topic area or could they cross topic areas (e.g., could a single proposal be submitted that addresses subtopic 2.4 and Area of Interest 3.2)?","Concept papers should be targeted at a single topic area and can address multiple areas of interest within that topic. A single proposal should not be submitted that addresses subtopic 2.4 and area of interest 3.2. Please see answer to question 28."]
[43,"2024-05-07","All","You stated that “we would expect and require that personnel supporting OCED are not the same personnel as those supporting awardees.” Does that mean that if staff are funded by this lab call, they are precluded from participating in any future OCED-funded projects?","No, national lab staff funded by this lab call will not be precluded from participating in any future OCED-funded projects. However, national lab staff are expected to be fire-walled from OCED projects for which they have a conflict of interest (e.g., national lab staff providing LCA support to external partners for an OCED-funded  project will not be the same staff reviewing that work as part of the activities  funded by this lab call). National lab staff are expected to identify any potential conflicts of interest."]
[44,"2024-05-08","All","Are letters of commitment for non lab partners required with the concept paper submittal?","Yes, letters of commitment are required for non lab partners with concept papers."]
[45,"2024-05-09","All","Will you please confirm the due date? FOA states concept papers are due June 10 and Exchange says June 13","Concept papers are due June 13, 2024. "]
[46,"2024-05-16","All","Question 15 of the Q&A mentions having 2 POCs at most per topic where there is a consortium of several labs.  Would this also mean that if 1 of the labs involved in the consortium of labs on a topic is leading a subtopic, and another lab is leading other subtopics, 1 concept paper involving all labs can be submitted, or do we need to submit 1 Concept paper per lead by subtopic area?  For example, lab A is the lead on topic x.1 and lab B is the lead on topic x.2 and x.3, but lab A will be heavily involved, does lab A need to submit for topic x.1 separately from lab B as the lead on topic x.1?","If you're submitting as an integrated team to one subtopic area or AOI, please submit just one concept paper."]
[47,"2024-05-16",4,"I understand that the proposal should seek to support existing projects in the OCED’s portfolio but I am having a hard time finding a manifest of these projects. Could you point me in the right direction regarding a list of existing projects seeking support under Topic 4?","Topic 4 seeks supports across all of OCED's portfolio. Information on OCED's programs and OCED's selected and awarded projects can be found here: https://www.energy.gov/oced/portfolio"]
[48,"2024-05-20","All","I am writing to inquire about the adequacy for a laboratory to participate in multiple multi-lab teams led by other NLs competing for an AOI where only one Concept Paper will be selected. How a lead lab can establish safeguards to prevent any potential conflicts of interest or unfair advantages when the same people from a member lab participates in multiple teams","If you're submitting as an integrated team to one subtopic area or AOI, please submit just one concept paper. Concept papers will be evaluated individualy and OCED may suggest new teaming."]
[49,"2024-05-18","all","I am still a bit unclear about the format and purpose of the concept slide decks. The Call talks about slide decks but then also mentions a single slide. So, are these meant to be only a single slide per AOI (perhaps like a quad chart format)? Or are these meant to be multi-slide presentations (with only a single (multi-)slide “deck” per AOI)? Either way, do you have any guidance what you’d like covered in them, and will the team be expected to present the slide or slide deck? And if it is the latter (multi-slide format), do you have any guidance on the length of the slide deck and/or presentation?","Concept slides should be submitted with concept papers and are limited to a single slide per AOI. The concept slide should summarize the proposed work and address the evaluation criteria described on page 7 of the lab call. OCED will host formal feedback sessions during the week of July 15, 2024 at which time labs will have the opportunity to briefly present their proposed work and response to feedback.  More information on the formal feedback sessions and presentation length are provided on page 8."]
[50,"2024-05-21","All","Can non-lab partners receive federal funding?","Non-lab entities are not eligible to submit concept papers for this lab call. However, non-lab partners may potentially receive funding as a subcontractor to an awarded lab. "]
[51,"2024-05-21","All","Would non-lab partners need to provide cost share?","There is no cost share requirement for this lab call."]
[52,"2024-05-21","All","Do we need to have a CRADA between the prime and the non-lab partners?","DOE will not require a CRADA between the prime and non-lab partners. National labs should defer to their own policies to govern cost associated with IP use  and generation. "]
[53,"2024-05-21","All","If multiple subtopics/areas of interest are combined into one submission, will they be reviewed together, or will each subtopic/area of interest be reviewed separately?","Each subtopic/area of interest will be reviewed seperately. "]
[54,"2024-05-21","All","Is there a required font/font size? ","All pages must be formatted to fit on 8.5 x 11-inch paper with margins not less than one inch on every side. Use Calibri typeface, a black font color, and a font size of 12 point or larger (except in figures or tables, which may be 10-point font). A symbol font may be used to insert Greek letters or special characters, but the font size requirement still applies. References must be included as footnotes or endnotes in a font size of 10 or larger. Footnotes and endnotes are counted toward the maximum page requirement."]
[{"$nulls":4},"AMPLIFICATION/CLARIFICATION: Footnotes and endnotes for references will not be counted toward the maximum page requirements."]
[55,"2024-05-27",1,"Is it acceptable and competitive to submit a Concept Paper that addresses all four Areas of Interest [for topic 1] and, if so, if such a Concept Paper would be limited to three pages or if, since there are four Areas of Interest, such a Concept Paper is limited to 4 x 3 = 12 pages","Yes, it is acceptable and competitive to submit a concept paper that addresses all four areas of interest for Topic 1. A concept paper covering four AOIs is limited to 12 pages. Please note that OCED will review applications by AOI i.e., it is possible that only part of a concept paper covering multiple AOIs would be funded should  a stronger concept paper be submitted for a specific AOI. For reviewing purposes, please make sure each AOI can be reviewed inidividually when writing your Concept papers. "]
[56,"2024-05-24","All","On page 8 of the lab call, in the note, it states:\n“As appropriate by topic and subtopic, Labs are expected in most cases to be able to leverage OCED data sets from projects in its portfolio and related market intelligence. Labs are expected to be able to install necessary firewalls and manage COIs/NDA to access these data sets.”\n\nIs it expected that there will be restrictions on foreign national access to the mentioned data sets?","Foreign nationals will need to go through additional approval processes to access data and participate in internal OCED meetings. After concept papers are awarded, labs will be expected to identify any team members who are foreign nationals and submit relevant paperwork to OCED personnel in a timely manner for approval."]
[57,"2024-05-28",10," I have a question about the new topic 10 estimated budget. On pg. 6 of the FOA, it says Up to $5M (funding to come from Topics 1-5) per year. However, on pg. 41 of the FOA, it states the estimated budget is up to $5M (funding to come from Topics 1-5). Is the up to $5M per year, or total?","The budget for Topic 10 is up to $5M per year."]
[58,"2024-05-28",6,"Since the Areas of Interest under Topic 6 depend on each other, would it be appropriate to write one project overview, project objectives, and technical description section for the 9-page concept submission, or do we need to make each area of interest a standalone document? Also, does each slide need to be able to stand alone for each area of interest? ","Each AOI does not need to be a standalone document, but concept papers covering multiple subtopics/AOIs should be written so that DOE can assess the proposed activities specific to each subtopic/AOIs individually. A combined slide is fine, but note that DOE will be evaluating AOIs individually. "]
[59,"2024-05-28","all","Can you clarify the answer to question #54 in the most recent Q&A? You stated “references must be included as footnotes or endnotes in a font size of 10 or larger. Footnotes and endnotes are counted toward the maximum page requirement.” However, on page 7 of the lab call, it states “Cover page, references, and letters of commitment/support do not count toward the page limit","Thank you for calling our attention to this error. Footnotes and endnotes containing references will not be counted towards to the maximum page requirement. We have corrected this point in question 54."]
[60,"2024-05-28",null,"You have made it clear in several answers that 2.1.1,  2.1.2, etc. (multiple AOIs within the same Subtopic Area) can be submitted as one concept paper and that each AOI can have 3 pages. But none of the questions exactly asked whether different subtopics can be combined. For example, we are interested in combining 5.1 and 5.2 into one concept paper. Would this be allowed? Additionally, would the 3 pages per subtopic need to be discrete for each subtopic (3 pages dedicated to 5.1 and 3 pages dedicated to 5.2) or can they be 6 pages dedicated to both subtopics mixed in together? And then each subtopic would get its own concept slide, but should one slide cover 5.1 and the other cover 5.2 or would it be allowable to combine information for the two subtopics across both slides","Subtopics from a single topic (e.g., 5.1 and 5.2) may be combined into a single concept paper, but note that DOE will be evaluating each subtopic individually. Concept papers covering multiple subtopics should be written with this in mind, but a combined project goals or overview section may be appropriate to avoid redundancy. A single slide can be provided that covers multiple subtopics, but note that DOE will still review each subtopic individually."]
[61,"2024-05-29",5,"For Topic 5, should we specify projects we could help derisk, or should we outline our capabilities that can support the OCED portfolio in general? Similarly, for Topic 5, should we include detailed milestones and go-no-go decisions, or can it broadly state that we will provide support upon request?","Please specify both the technology areas your team is experienced with and how those capabilities can support OCED's diverse portfolio.  Proposals specific to OCED's portfolio areas will be helpful to demonstrate the applicability of your team's capabilities but are not required.   OCED milestones are being established per applicable project and will vary according to the timelines of specific projects.  Proposals should focus support planning on OCED's goals for technology scale-up and not on project-specific GNG decisions. "]
[62,"2024-05-29","All","Can other federal agencies receive funds? If so, will OCED fund the other federal agencies directly since the labs would not be able to engage via a typical subcontract?","This lab call is structured to fund national labs and partnerships with other federal agencies will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis. Please reach out to ocedanalysislabcall@hq.doe.gov with more details so our team can better evaluate the feasability of funding the specific federal agency you had in mind."]
[63,"2024-05-28",3,"Could you please provide any guidance regarding the collection of empirical data? What existing data sets might be available to Lab teams? Is it permissible to budget and plan for costs related to collection of empirical data from the communities? Are there any restrictions on collecting community/empirical data?","Labs are not expected to directly collect community benefits related empirical data as part of this lab call and OCED wishes to limit the entities collecting data for these projects, particularly within disadvantaged communities. Labs will primarily use recipient-provided data to calculate requested community benefits metrics. If a need for additional data is identified, local data collection may be conducted by contractors hired by OCED, and OCED may ask for lab feedback/input on the proposed methods. "]
[64,"2024-05-30","All","Can foreign companies partner on this lab call?","Partneships with foreign companies  can be included in concept papers, but are subject to  a vetting and review process by DOE. Also note that if any foreign nationals interact with OCED personnel or  contractors for DOE official business as part of the partnership, they will need to aquire advance approval to participate in any interactions (virtual and in-person) and to access the DOE network and applications. "]
[65,"2024-06-05","All","We are applying to multiple topic areas of the OCED lab call, both in a lead capacity and a partner capacity. Resumes are not a requirement of the lab call. With that being said, is it acceptable for us to add an appendix with resumes? ","Yes, resumes can be included as an appendix. "]
[66,"2024-06-05","All","Are letters of commitment required from partner labs?","No, letters of commitment are encouraged but not required from partner labs. Letters of commitment are required from external partners"]
[67,"2024-06-05","All","Are references included in the page limit?","No."]
[68,"2024-06-06","All","Per previous Q&A, It is our understanding that we can submit one concept paper per subtopic or AOI.  When entering our concepts into the exchange, we are only allowed to pick the Topic Area.  Does that mean we can submit more than one concept to a Topic Area if we do not exceed one per subtopic or AOI?","Yes, you can submit more than one concept paper to a topic if you have individual concept papers addressing specific subtopics or areas of interest. Note that each concept paper will need to be submitted as an individual application on exchange. Amplifying information: On the title page of your concept paper, please list the AOIs or subtopic numbers your concept paper is addressing. OCED has also provided a form on the lab call listing on exchange under \"Application Forms and Templates\" for labs to indicate which AOIs are addressed in their concept papers. For concept papers covering multiple AOIs/subtopics, please fill out this form and included it as an attachment with your concept paper submission."]
[69,"2024-06-07","All","We would like to know the format and schedule of the July feedback session. Specifically, we need details such as the particular date and time for each AOI, the duration each PI will have, and the number of proposals that will be presented in the relevant AOI session that day.","The Formal Feedback Sessions will be held over the week of July 15 in person at DOE HQ or through teams. Teams or PIs will be able to meet individually with OCED. Formal feedback sessions will consist of a 10-minute presentation by labs followed by up to 45 minutes of intereactive feedback, discussion, and Q&A with OCED. Specific dates and times for formal feedback sessions will depend on the number of concept papers OCED receives. Amplifying information will be communicated directly to applicants or posted on exchange indicating specific meeting times. In the meantime, please reach out to the OCED Lab Call team about specific scheduling difficulties should the week of July 15 not work for your team. "]