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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this NOTA should be emailed to AlaskaCompetition@hq.doe.gov. "]
[2,"All questions pertaining to EERE Exchange should be emailed to EERE-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 EERE Exchange within this spreadsheet."]
[4,"DOE will attempt to respond to a question within 3 business days, unless a similar question and answer has already been posted in this spreadsheet. "]
[5,"All questions should be submitted not 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 question tabs of this spreadhseet by selecting the drop-down box arrow 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-0001567:  Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency Competition - Implementation Phase 3 FOA"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2016-06-14","Webinar","I called in about 15 minutes late but no webinar. Was there a Webinar or any information about the RACEE?","There was a webinar on 6/9/2016 and a recording of the webinar can be found on the Exchange website.  Https://eere-Exchange.energy.gov"]
[2,"2016-06-16","Eligibility","Can you confirm a 501 (c) (3) non-profit is eligible to be a subrecipient?","Please see section III A of the FOA: “For-profit entities, educational institutions, and nonprofits that are incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular State or territory of the United States are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient. Nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995, are not eligible to apply for funding.”"]
[3,"2016-06-17",null,"Can you tell me how much of the available funding is from the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (IE)?","This funding opportunity is being jointly funded by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (IE). DOE encourages applicants to indicate on the cover page of the Technical Volume if the applicant (or one of their community partners) is an Indian tribe, including Alaska Native villages or regional or village corporations as defined in under Section III.A., and provide appropriate documentation, for example a Tribal Resolution or as specified in the Statements of Commitment and Cost Sharing File, Section IV.C.” (see Section I.A Technical Areas of Interest, Application Content)."]
[4,"2016-06-19",null,"If we identify an entire community for energy efficiency upgrades, let’s say light upgrades.  Do we need to comply with statements 3, 4 and 5?                                                                         STATEMENTS OF COMMITMENT AND COST SHARING FILE\nA Statement of Commitment by the Applicant and all other project participants (excluding vendors) is required as part of the application. Statements of Commitment by the Applicant must not only authorize the submittal of the application, but must also include: \n1) A commitment to the proposed project; \n2) A description of building(s) and/or land proposed for use as part of the proposed project; \n3) Identify whether the building(s) and/or land is held in Trust, held in fee simple (owned) and by whom, or under a long-term lease (at least 20 years) and from whom; \n4) If the owner or lease holder is not the eligible entity, a commitment in writing from the building and/or land owner or lease holder authorizing the Applicant’s use of those building(s) and/or land for the proposed project must be provided; and \n5) If the Applicant will not own or control the project, a description of the benefits gained under the proposed financing structure should be provided.\n","Yes, you must comply with statements 3, 4 and 5 in the statements of commitment and cost sharing file if you are proposing a project, regardless if it is one building or a whole community."]
[5,"2016-08-03",null,"Are renewable energy systems an “energy efficiency measure” as defined by this FOA?  Pages 7 and 8 of the FOA seem to indicate that renewable energy systems such as PV, biomass, wind power, run-of-the-river hydro and other renewables are eligible items that will be considered by DOE as part of a responsive application.  However, there is still some question amongst the project teams about the eligibility of renewables.","Per Section B of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “Energy efficiency measures include proposals for building-integrated renewable systems, or renewable generation that replaces existing inefficient capacity and equipment. Applications to add electrical generation capacity will be considered non‐responsive.” Activities involving renewable systems that are building integrated or replace inefficient capacity and equipment and do not add new generation capacity, are responsive supply-side efficiency projects."]
[6,"2016-08-03",null,"Our village has a small wind turbine that was installed in the community several years ago, but it does not appear to be connected to any building, or benefiting the community at this time.  If the village’s application includes the connection of the wind turbine to a community buildings in a Phase III application will it be deemed non-responsive?  ","Construction of new generation would not be responsive.  However, Section B states: “Applications may include but are not limited to implementation projects such as: ... upgrades to generators and power controls….” and “Key areas of interest … supply side energy efficiency measures. This includes proposals to integrate renewable generation that replaces existing inefficient capacity and equipment.” Therefore, connecting an existing wind turbine that does not generate electricity for the community would be considered a supply-side efficiency project, not new generation."]
[7,"2016-08-03",null,"Our village has a run-of-the-river hydro installation that is not performing to its capacity.  This system is connected to the micro-grid, rather than to an individual building.  If the village includes a request in a Phase III application to upgrade the hydro installation will this be deemed non-responsive?","Section B states: “Applications may include but are not limited to implementation projects such as: ... upgrades to generators and power controls….” and “Key areas of interest … supply side energy efficiency measures. This includes proposals to integrate renewable generation that replaces existing inefficient capacity and equipment.”  Projects that replace inefficient capacity and equipment are considered responsive. Therefore, efficiency improvements to an underperforming run-of-the-river hydro system connected to the microgrid would be considered responsive."]
[8,"2016-08-10",null,"How much information should we provide in the application regarding budget for projects that are eligible for Indian Energy funding?","Per the RACEE FOA on page 26, \" The cover page of the Technical Volume must also indicate: (1) whether the applicant (and/or a community partner) is eligible to receive IE funding; and (2) whether the proposed project or a specific sub-set activities under the project are on Indian Land, as those terms are more fully defined under Section III, Eligibility.\"   On the cover page please clearly indicate which tasks (as identified in the workplan) are eligible for Indian Energy funding, and provide information if all or part of the task is eligible for Indian Energy funding. If only part of a task is Indian Energy funding eligible, then please provide the partial funding amount that is eligible for Indian Energy funding. "]
[9,"2016-08-10",null,"What information should we provide to show a task is eligible for Indian Energy funding?","Per section B. on page 14 of the RACEE FOA, \" To qualify for this portion of the DOE funding, (1) the applicant (and/or a community partner) must be eligible to receive IE funding; and (2) the proposed project or a specific sub-set of activities under the project is on Indian Land, as that term is more fully defined below.”  Applicants who qualify for IE funding must also provide evidence to support their representations of #1 and #2 above as part of the Statements of Commitment and Cost Sharing File, Section IV.C. For Indian tribes (including Alaska Native villages), this evidence must be in the form of a Tribal Council Resolution. For Alaska regional or village corporations, the evidence should be in the form of a Board Resolution (preferred) or declaration signed by an authorized representative of the regional or village corporation. For Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations, evidence should be in the form of a declaration signed by an authorized representative of that organization.  Please see pages 15 and 16 for the longer description of IE funding eligibility requirements."]
[11,"2016-08-12",null,"What is required from both our Tribe and/or our village corporation to be eligible for IE funding in this application? If an applicant for RACEE Phase 3 funding have already received the support from both the Tribe and the Village Corp for Phase 1 and 2 applications, what does an applicant for RACEE Phase 3 funding need to submit for this Phase III application? Do we have to get them together for a special Board meeting to pass a resolution in support of Phase 3 if they have already provided a pledge in Phase 1?","DOE understands the difficulty in obtaining evidence as defined in Section III.B, Special Funding Eligibility for Indian Tribes; however, as applicants are now applying for funding, those formal commitments and evidence are required as part of RACEE applications interested in applying for funds through DOE’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs. The information required must address the specific project or sub-set of activities proposed in the Phase 3 application – that an eligible entity is involved as an applicant or partner and that the relevant activities will occur on Indian Land (as defined under Section III, Eligibility); evidence provided in earlier stages of the RACEE Competition that does not address these specifics would not be sufficient.  Specifically, as stated on page 15 of the FOA, “For Indian tribes (including Alaska Native villages), this evidence must be in the form of a Tribal Council Resolution. For Alaska regional or village corporations, the evidence should be in the form of a Board Resolution (preferred) or declaration signed by an authorized representative of the regional or village corporation.” Evidence that addresses whether the location of the project is on Indian Land can also be provided as an attachment if separate from the resolution.  Also, see Question #8 and #9 on ‘Questions and Answer’ file posted in EERE Exchange. If a resolution or other evidence that satisfies these criteria was submitted in support of RACEE Phase 1 or 2 , it could be used to support the Phase 3 application, but will need to be provided again as part of this Phase 3 application for funding."]
[12,"2016-08-22",null,"A native village in Alaska is applying for RACEE Phase 3 funding. Is it a requirement that we prove eligibility for the Office of Indian Energy funding?","If you are one of the thirteen RACEE Competition Community Efficiency Champions that was selected to receive technical assistance in Phase 2, then you are eligible for this funding opportunity. In order to receive funding from the Office of Indian Energy, however, (1) the applicant (and/or a community partner) must be eligible to receive the Office of Indian Energy funding; and (2) the proposed project or a specific sub-set of activities under the project is on Indian Land. To apply for that funding, the application would need to include the information and documentation requested on page 14 and 15 of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). You must provide evidence to support #1 and #2 above as part of the Statements of Commitment and Cost Sharing File, Section IV.C. For Indian tribes (including Alaska Native villages), this evidence must be in the form of a Tribal Council Resolution. For Alaska regional or village corporations, the evidence should be in the form of a Board Resolution (preferred) or declaration signed by an authorized representative of the regional or village corporation. For Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations, evidence should be in the form of a declaration signed by an authorized representative of that organization."]
[13,"2016-08-24",null,"I am submitting the application through a federally recognized native tribal government, and am curious if the organization would fill out the document as they are the lead organization as qualifies for the FOA.  In addition, who within the organization would be required to sign the document, if the organization needs to fill it out.","The Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form on the Exchange website includes instructions on the second page.  This form would be filled out by the lead organization and signed by someone who can certify that the information on the form is correct.  Please see IV Application and Submission Information, H., vii. Lobbying on page 39 of the FOA."]
[14,"2016-08-25",null,"The FOA and outline from the webinar say’s that the summary/abstract for public release should be one page.  When entering the system and submitting an abstract the form says 4,000 words max.  Which is the correct amount for the abstract at the beginning of the application process?","The \"Abstract\" in the EERE Exchange is a text box field that you fill in online to explain the project when preparing your application. It is limited to 4000 words. The \"Summary/Abstract for Public Release\" is a document that is uploaded to exchange and submitted as part of the application package and does not have a specific word count limit, however, it must not exceed 1 page."]
[15,"2016-08-29",null,"What is the FOA Topic Area for this application?","This FOA does not have multiple Topic Areas, therefore Topic Area can either be left blank or use the FOA title: “Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency Competition – Implementation Phase (RACEE Phase 3)"]

{"sheet":"Admin Pick List","index":2,"n_rows":15,"n_cols":1,"rows_kept":15,"cut":false,"hidden":true,"merged":[]}
["Pick List"]
[]
["Registration Requirements"]
["Webinar"]
["Eligibility"]
["Labs/FFRDCs"]
["Foreign Entities/Work"]
["Cost Sharing"]
["Due Dates"]
["Application Content/Format"]
["Intellectual Property"]
["Data Management"]
["U.S. Manufacturing Plan"]
["Application Reviews"]
["Technical Topics"]