Frequently Asked Questions

Select a FOA to view questions and answers for the specific funding opportunity. Alternatively select "Non-FOA related items" to view system FAQ items.

Question 1: Is this Zero Emission Cargo Transport just for the Houston and LA ports, or can any port apply for this grant.
Answer 1:
As referenced in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Section III, Part A, page 9 states that "Prime applicants must operate in and/or govern areas of severe or extreme National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) 8-hour ozone nonattainment as defined by the EPA under the Clean Air Act:  http://epa.gov/oaqps001/greenbk/gnc.html lists the seven geographic areas that meet this criterion."'  The link will provide information on what regions qualify. 
Question 2: Would an all-electric, nonroad terminal tractor project be eligible under this FOA?
Answer 2:

Please reference the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Section I, Part B and Part C and Section III, Part A for eligibility information and specific technology criteria.  The Department of Energy cannot make a determination of eligibility for any specific project or applicant.  The decision to submit an application under a DOE FOA is a business decision that must made by the potential applicant. 
Question 3: The FOA states that the maximum period of performance is 48 months (4 budget periods). The budget forms for both prime & subs are only for 36 months (3 budget years). Is there a 4-year budget form available?
Answer 3: You can add a column to create a fourth budget period on the existing form summary page.  On the additional tabbed pages of the budget justification form you can copy and insert an additional budget period as needed.
Question 4: Does the Zero Emission Cargo Transport Demonstration FOA pertains to only full size all electric transport vehicles or would Low Speed, Street Legal, Electric Vehicles be considered?
Answer 4: Please reference the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Section I, Part B and Part C and Section III, Part A for eligibility information and specific technology criteria.  The Department of Energy cannot make a determination of eligibility for any specific project or applicant.  The decision to submit an application under a DOE FOA is a business decision that must made by the potential applicant.
Question 5: The current FOA lists the required application content in section IV.C, including a Work Plan. The Work Plan appears to replace the PMP and SOPO documents required in previous FOAs. However, some portions of the current FOA still refer to a PMP or SOPO. This leads to the following question, do we need to submit a Project Management Plan or Statement of Project Objectives in addition to the Work Plan?
Answer 5:
The applicant is required to submit a Project Management Plan (PMP).  A Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO) will be negotiated during award negotiations.
Question 6: The second bullet on page number 4 (Section 1.B) of the FOA says, "Test strategies and data collection plans are required as appendices to the Project Management Plan (see Section IV.C.2.)". Are separate appendices for test strategies and data collection plans required given that these items are not listed in section IV.C and the PMP appears to have been integrated into the Work Plan?
Answer 6: Appendices for test strategies and data collection plans will be required to be included as part of the Project Management Plan (PMP).
Question 7: The FOA allows for a project performance period of up to 48 months. Section I.B states that the required minimum Demonstration phase duration is 2 years and limits the Development phase to a duration of 1 year. This leaves at least 1 year for project startup and closeout, not all of which may be needed by a proposer and may be more valuable if allocated to additional time for vehicle development. Can the Development phase extend beyond 1 year if the project timeline adheres to the 48 month total project period and provides a minimum of 2 years of demonstration?
Answer 7: Please refer to Page 3, paragraph 3 of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).  The Development Phase cannot exceed one (1) year and the Demonstration Phase will have to be at least two (2) years.