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["ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTION AND ANSWER LOG"]
["DE-FOA-0003383: Fiscal Year 2024 Vehicle Technologies Office Batteries Funding Opportunity Announcement"]
["Question Number","Question","Answer"]
[1,"In topic 5, the baseline Cathode Material Specific Energy Density is specified as ≥800Wh/kg. Is this /kg of cathode active material or /kg cell basis? ","The baseline Cathode Material Specific Energy Density is ≥800Wh/kg cathode active material."]
[2,"I would like to clarify the meaning of \"university-led teams\" in the AOI 2 sentence below:  (Does this grant have to be given to a University?)\n\nArea of Interest 2: Develop Vehicle or Structural Level Strategies to Reduce the Likelihood of the Cascading Effects of Electric Vehicle Fires\n\nObjective\nComprehensive research on battery safety against cascading failures from the cell level up to the battery pack as well as vehicle to vehicle is needed. The objective of this area of interest is for university-led teams to develop vehicle or structural level (e.g. parking garage) strategies to reduce the likelihood of the cascading effects of electric vehicle fires.","The prime recipient of AOI 2 must be a university/institution of higher education.  Please review Section III. Eligibility Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document.  Specifically stating, \"Area of Interest 2 (AOI 2) eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education.\""]
[3,"For Area of Interest 2 in DE-FOA-0003383 eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education. Does this restriction only apply for prime recipients? I.e. would a for-profit entity be able to join a team as a subrecipient for AOI 2, provided an institution of higher education is the prime recipient? \n\nIf yes, would there be a cost share requirement for any subrecipients that are not an institution of higher education? ","This restriction applies to the prime recipient only, it does not apply to subrecipients.  Please review Section III. Eligibility Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document.  Specifically stating, \"Area of Interest 2 (AOI 2) eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education.\"  \n\nCost share requirements for AOI 2 is reduced to 0% for universities/institutions of higher education.  Prime recipients are responsible for meeting cost share requirements.  Subrecipients, under a prime recipient that is a university/institution of higher education, would be subject to the same cost share requirement.  Please review Section III.B. Cost Sharing."]
[4,"I am having difficulty finding a link to apply for the grant , kindly advise.","Please review the section in the Funding Opportunity Announcement document titled, \"Note:  Registration/Submission Requirements\".  Specifically stating, \"All application submissions are to be made via the EERE eXCHANGE at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.\"\n\nAdditionally, for problems with EERE Exchange, email EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov and include the FOA name and number in the subject line."]
[5,"For AOI 5, would DOE consider a proposal dealing with Lithium Sulfide chemistry?  It says that sulfur cathodes are discouraged, but it doesn't address sulfide cathodes.","Elemental sulfur or sulfide cathodes are not desired and are discouraged."]
[6,"Would CAM process improvements/cost-reductions be applicable in this solicitation? Particularly, it looks like it could pertain to AOI 3 as the CAM improvements/cost-reductions correlate with the electrode (cathode) and reducing costs and improving throughput. ","The objective of AOI 3 is to develop improved manufacturing technologies for electric vehicle battery electrodes, cells and packs. Applications that solely focus on improvements of materials are discouraged for AOI 3. "]
[7,"Does this topic (AOI 3) only apply to batteries for electric vehicles (EV Batteries), or does this topic also apply to Aviation Batteries, like drone batteries and eVTOL batteries? ","AOI 3 applies to batteries for electric vehicles only."]
[8,"Would applications proposing a project to develop a 12V rechargeable nickel zinc (NiZn) or zinc manganese (ZnMn) battery for EV SLI application fall into the scope of this area of interest (AOI 1)? Alternative chemistries to lead acid are not specifically disqualified in the proposal, however it is not specifically included either.","AOI 1 is directed and will be limited to improved 12 volt lead acid batteries for safety-critical electric vehicle applications.  Proposed alternatives to lead acid batteries are discouraged."]
[9,"The FOA specifies that “Area of Interest 2 (AOI 2) eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education.” Could national labs (for example, NREL or ORNL) and industrial partners serve as sub-awardees or sub-contractors for applications to AOI2?","Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) and industry partners are eligible to be included as a subrecipient for AOI 2.  \n\nPlease review section III.A. Eligible Applications of the FOA document which states, \"DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply for funding as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient for AOI 1, AOI 2, AOI 3, and AOI 4.  DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply for funding as a prime recipient and subrecipient for AOI 5.\"\n\"Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient for AOI 1, AOI 2, AOI 3, and AOI 4. Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply for funding as a prime recipient and subrecipient for AOI 5.\"\n\nAlso please review section III.E. Other Eligibility Requirements for specific requirement details related to FFRDCs."]
[10,"Can you provide insight on if a University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) are exempt from cost-share for AOI5 like FFRDCs are?\nIf so, if a UARC is a prime and partnered with a university, can you please advise on the cost share requirement for AOI5?","AOI 5 cost share requirement for universities/institutions of higher education is 0%.  For all other entities, cost share requirement is 20%.  If a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) is a university or institution of higher education then cost share would be 0%.  If the UARC applying as a prime is a university or institution of higher education and partnered with a university as a subrecipient, the cost share requirement would be 0%.  The cost share requirement would be 20% if the UARC is not a university or institution of higher education.\n\nPlease review section III.B. Cost Sharing for Recipient cost share requirements."]
[11,"Q&A #3 response “This restriction applies to the prime recipient only, it does not apply to subrecipients. ”  Therefore, for-profits can sub?\n\nIn the same Q&A response stated “Please review Section III. Eligibility Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document.  Specifically stating, \"Area of Interest 2 (AOI 2) eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education.\" ”  Therefore, for profits can’t sub? ","For AOI 2, for-profit entities can be included as subrecipients."]
[12,"1) Are there any restrictions around partnering with government laboratories?\n\n2) Are there any restrictions around partnering with a Canadian entity in responding to this FOA?  How would this be viewed in the down-selection process?","1) Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) are eligible to apply as a subrecipient, but not as a prime recipient, for AOI 1, AOI 2, AOI 3, and AOI 4.  FFRDCs are eligible to apply as a prime recipient or subrecipient for AOI 5.\n\nPlease review section III.A. Eligible Applications of the FOA document which states, \"DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply for funding as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient for AOI 1, AOI 2, AOI 3, and AOI 4.  DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply for funding as a prime recipient and subrecipient for AOI 5.\"\n\"Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient for AOI 1, AOI 2, AOI 3, and AOI 4. Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply for funding as a prime recipient and subrecipient for AOI 5.\"\n\nAlso please review section III.E. Other Eligibility Requirements of the FOA document for specific requirement details related to FFRDCs.\n\n2) In general, foreign entities are not eligible to apply as either a prime recipient or subrecipient.  Please review section III.A.ii Foreign Entities of the FOA document for specific details."]
[13,"We are developing technology and manufacturing capability for reusing EV batteries which have come to the end of their useful EV life and repurposing them to create a system for storage and supply of electrical energy.  May we ask if our focus area is responsive to this FOA?","The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination if their proposed project meets the requirements identified in the FOA and specific Area of Interest."]
[14,"1)  As per DOE's regulations that prohibit FFRDCs from lobbying to influence federal officials in connection with the awarding of grants or contracts, I am seeking your confirmation on whether DOE federally owned and operated laboratories are still required to provide a signed \"SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities\" when there's nothing to report.  We respect your authority in this matter and look forward to your response.\n\n2)  To whom should DOE FFRDCs address/direct the required \"Authorization for DOE/NNSA FFRDCs\"?  Please provide the name, title, and mailing address.  Previous funding announcements included DOE Grantor Contact/Contract Specialist information in the FAQ.\n\n3)  We want to confirm whether VTO considers partnering FFRDCs as sub-recipients for this announcement.  Typically, DOE funds partnering FFRDCs independently of the project team rather than funding them through the prime recipient as a sub-recipient.\n\n4)  Should partnering FFRDCs provide their project lead a completed \"Subrecipient Budget Justification\" for the Full Application submission if the FFRDCs' proposed federal share exceeds $250K or 25% of the total project costs?  Or will the required \"Budget for DOE/NNSA FFRDC\" be sufficient in place of the sub-recipient budget justification requirement?\n\n5)  Are partnering DOE FFRDCs required to provide their project lead with a support letter to fulfill the letter of commitment requirement?","1)  All prime recipients and subrecipients, including FFRDCs, are required to complete and submit a SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form.\n\n2)  Please direct information to the the Contracing Officer:\nContracting Officer\n626 Cochrans Mill Road\nPittsburgh, PA 15236\n\n3)  Partnering FFRDCs are considered subrecipients.  FFRDCs are eligible to apply as a subrecipient, but not as a prime recipient, for AOI 1, AOI 2, AOI 3, and AOI 4.  FFRDCs are eligible to apply as a prime recipient or subrecipient for AOI 5.  Please review section III.A.i. Eligible Applications of the FOA document.  Also see section II.B.ii. of the FOA document for information regarding funding agreements with FFRDCs.\n\n4)  Applicants must provide a separate budget justification for each subrecipient, including FFRDCs, that are expected to perform work estimated to be more than $250,000 or 25% of the total work efforts, whichever is less.  See section IV.D.xii. of the FOA document.\n\n5)  All subrecipients, including FFRDCs, are required to submit letters of commitments.  See section IV.D.v. of the FOA document."]
[15,"Regarding AOI3, Battery Electrode, Cell, and Pack Manufacturing Cost Reduction. Does \"electrode cost reduction\" include technologies that reduce the cost of electrode materials (e.g., cathode materials) only?","The objective of AOI 3 is to develop improved manufacturing technologies for electric vehicle battery electrodes, cells and packs. Applications that solely focus on improvements of materials are discouraged for AOI 3. "]
[16,"For AOI-2, Develop Vehicle or Structural Level Strategies to Reduce the Likelihood of the Cascading effects of EV Fires.  The eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education.  Is industrial partners allowed in the proposal as sub-recipient?  If so, is there any funding cap applied to industrial partners?","For AOI 2, industrial partners can be included as subrecipients and cannot perform more than 30% of the project work as a percentage of the total project cost.  \nPlease see section III. Eligibility Information within the FOA Amendment 000001 document specifically stating, \"Eligible applicants to AOI 2 must perform at least 70% of the project work as a percentage of the total project cost.\""]
[17,"I noticed that AOI 2 funding is for university led research, while we are a company, can we still apply, or this fund is for university only?","The prime recipient of AOI 2 must be a university/institution of higher education.  Please review Section III. Eligibility Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document.  Specifically stating, \"Area of Interest 2 (AOI 2) eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education.\"  This restriction applies to the prime recipient only, it does not apply to subrecipients."]
[18,"I’d like to submit a proposal for this call that involves a collaboration with a group in the UK and with two DOE staff at Argonne National Laboratory.  I couldn’t find the requirements for FOA applicants.  The grant would be issued to a US university with a subcontract to the University of Sheffield and to Argonne. ","Please review section III. Eligibility Information within the FOA Amendment 000001 document."]
[19,"In section C of the FOA, for AOI #2, it states that \"Batteries of a size or design that are not relevant for Electric Vehicles\" are not of interest. \n\nDo electric scooter and bicycle batteries fit the specifications / requirements of this grant? For example, an electric scooter or bicycle battery might range in capacity from roughly 500 to 1,000 Wh.","AOI 2 applies to batteries for electric vehicles only.  The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination if their proposed project meets the requirements identified in the FOA and specific Area of Interest."]
[20,"1) Please clarify the definition of electric vehicles for Area of Interest 3. How does Area of Interest 3 address the topics of hybrid electric vehicles, commercial electric vehicles and off-highway electric vehicles?\n\n2) Area of Interest 3 states that it is not interested in technology and process improvements for chemistries not currently in mass production for EVs. Please elaborate on the definition mass production in this context. How does Area of Interest 3 address oxide active materials such as LTO, LMO used in hybrid electric vehicles?","1)  AOI 3 applies to batteries for electric vehicles only. It does not apply to hybrid electric vehicles and off-highway electric vehicles. \n\n2)  AOI 3 applies to batteries for electric vehicles only.  Mass production refers to the manufacturing of GWH of batteries for EVs. The performance and cost targets for EV batteries are quite different from hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) batteries. EV batteries have a much higher specific energy (Wh/kg) and a much lower cost ($/kWh) than HEV batteries. AOI 3 focuses on materials and manufacturing processes that allow further reduction of cost ($/kWh) for EV batteries."]
[21,"Are power hardware solutions acceptable for AOI 3: Battery Electrode, Cell, and Pack Manufacturing Cost Reduction?","The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination if their proposed project meets the requirements identified in the FOA and specific Area of Interest."]
[22,"The tone of the call for AOI 3 gives us the impression that DOE wants a company to lead this and a university to play a supporting role. Is this what DOE prefers or can a university also play a leading role, with a company playing a supporting role?","AOI 3 does not contain specific eligibility restrictions related to universities or industry partners as either the prime or subrecipient.   Please review Section III. Eligibility Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) document.  The Teaming Arrangements noted within the AOI 3 topic writeup under section I.B. Topic Areas of Interest of the FOA document encourages teaming but does not require or direct specific teaming arrangements."]
[23,"For AOI 4, can you provide the detailed assumptions behind the $70/Wh cost goal?  Are there assumptions on reasonable profit margins for material suppliers?  Can the program manager provide some guidance if all or some portion of the $70/Wh total battery cost is expected to come from replacing graphite anodes with silicon anodes? Can you provide assumptions for the cost of silane gas?","Applicants are welcome to reference the Vehicle Technology Office and Argonne National Laboratory's BatPaC’s yearly publication to understand in more detail the assumptions used for cell costs.  The BatPaC: Battery Manufacturing Cost Estimation can be accessed at the follow site:  https://www.anl.gov/partnerships/batpac-battery-manufacturing-cost-estimation."]
[24,"In the case of Area of Interest 2, can entities other than Universities, as identified in the list above, function as the prime recipient?","The prime recipient of AOI 2 must be a university/institution of higher education.  Please review Section III. Eligibility Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document.  Specifically stating, \"Area of Interest 2 (AOI 2) eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education.\""]
[25,"I have a question about the battery size of interest for Area 2. It mentions on pp25 that \"Batteries of a size or design that are not relevant for Electric Vehicles.\" but it doesn't make it specific as what is the size of interest. Will a battery pack of 1kWh for e-bike or scouter of relevance to Area of Interest 2 here? ","AOI 2 applies to batteries for electric vehicles only.  The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination if their proposed project meets the requirements identified in the FOA and specific Area of Interest."]
[26,"If a university is applying as a prime recipient under AOI5 with an FFRDC as a subrecipient, then is there a cost share requirement for the FFRDC?  ","AOI 5 cost share requirement for universities/institutions of higher education is 0%.  For all other entities , cost share requirement is 20%.  Prime recipients are responsible for meeting cost share requirements.  Subrecipients would be subject to the same cost share requirements as the Prime recipient.  Please review Section III.B. Cost Sharing for Recipient cost share requirements."]
[27,"I acknowledge that your opportunity (AOI 4) is directed towards lithium-ion, would a concept paper on phosphorus-based material designed for sodium ion batteries application be of interest? We have been exploring if our material could be a viable competitor for silicon as a lithium-ion material as well; alternatively would this be of interest?","The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination if their proposed project meets the requirements identified in the FOA and specific Area of Interest."]
[28,"Per the FOA, Section III: “Area of Interest 2 (AOI 2) eligibility is restricted to universities/institutions of higher education.”\nSubsequently, the description of AoI 2 states that “Collaboration through teaming is encouraged where beneficial to combine knowledge and capabilities.” \nCan a non-university/institution of higher education be a teaming partner for this AoI?","For AOI 2, non-university/institutions of higher education teaming partners can be included as subrecipients.  The prime recipient of AOI 2 must be a university/institution of higher education.  Please review Section III. Eligibility Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document.\nThe Teaming Arrangements noted within the topic writeup under section I.B. Topic Areas of Interest of the FOA document encourages teaming but does not require or direct specific teaming arrangements."]
[29,"I am hoping you could provide me with the forms and templates available for this FOA. The link provided on the EERE Exchange website does not work, it just links me back to the main EERE Exchange page.","Templates for required documents to be submitted with the full application can be found on the EERE Exchange website under the FOA listing titled Application Forms and Templates.  Click on 'View Application Forms and Templates' to expand the list of provided template documents.\nEEERE Exchange link:  https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaId95620a83-f5a4-4533-8f92-f0ae04e5939d"]
[30,"Area of Interest 4: Silicon-Based Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.  According to the description, the topic seems to focus on improving the calendar life of Silicon anode based cells. However, it also mentioned cost saving strategies for TRL5 or higher. So if our technology is at TRL5, can this proposal focus on the cost saving Process for the silicon anode manufacturing route?","The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination if their proposed project meets the requirements identified in the FOA and specific Area of Interest."]
[31,"I previously read a document on your website entitled Content and Form of the Concept Paper that specifically referred to topic 4 of FOA-0003383.  I have not been able to find this again.  Can you please direct me to a link for this document that lists the page limits and descriptions?  I am focused on the Technology Description that listed what the applicate is required to describe.","Please refer to section IV.C. Content and Form of the Concept Paper within the FOA document."]
[32,"1) Do we need to be added to the Teaming Partners list in order to submit the concept paper?  \n2)  Is the concept paper gets selected and we move on to the full application stage, do we need to submit a separate application for each area of interest that our concept paper was selected for or can we submit one application?","1)  An applicant is not required to be added to the Teaming Partner List in order to submit a concept paper or full application.\n\n2)  Concept papers and subsequent full applications are to be submitted for a specific Area of Interest.  An applicant may submit more than one concept paper and full application.  Please review section III.F. Limitation on Number of Concept Papers and Full Applications Eligible for Review within the FOA document, specifically stating \"An entity may submit more than one Concept Paper and Full Application to this FOA, provided that each application describes a unique, scientifically distinct project and an eligible Concept Paper was submitted for each Full Application.\""]
[33,"Due to the ambiguity in the sentence, we have three sets of questions regarding page 25 of the FOA, which stated for AOI 3 that \"Technology and process improvements for chemistries not currently in mass production for EVs, such as, but not limited to Li-sulfur, Li-metal, silicon dominant anodes, and solid state chemistries.\"\n \n1. Could you please clarify the definition of mass production? Is it based on sales market volume or the scale of manufacturing? What qualifies as mass production? Can an applicant use market survey data to justify mass production?  Surveys showed that in 2023, globally, a few GWH solid state EV batteries using Li-metal as anode were produced. So, does a manufacturing method that can mass produce a key component with reduced cost for this type of battery fall into the \"not of interest\"category?\n\n2.  Could you please clarify whether the mention of 'Li-sulfur' or 'Li-metal' in this sentence refers exclusively to the exclusion of the batteries themselves, or if it also excludes equipment used to manufacture an essential component for these batteries, given that this component is also emerging as a useful part applicable in the mainstream Li-ion EV batteries for other purposes?\n\n3. Could you please clarify whether the exclusion standard defined by whether the technology and process improvements are under \"mass production\" only applies on \"Technology and process improvements for chemistries\", but not on technology and process improvements for physics? By physics, we mean physical dimensions with the ultimate purpose of cost reduction.","1)  For AOI 3, solid state EV batteries are not of interest.\n\n2)  For AOI 3, the manufacturing of  “Li-sulfur” or “Li-metal”  batteries is not of interest.  If the manufacturing of an essential component for “Li-sulfur” or “Li-metal”  is a useful part applicable in mainstream Li-ion EV batteries, then that portion is of interest.\n\n3)  A process improvement on physical dimensions would be considered, assuming it is related to processes that require much less floor space as an example."]
[34,"Regarding DE-FOA-0003383 and AOI-5 calling for High Energy Density Conversion Cathodes, would alternative high energy density systems that are not based on conversion chemistry but surpass the energy density of SOA Nickel cathodes be considered, under the objective definition included in the FOA?","The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination if their proposed project meets the requirements identified in the FOA and specific Area of Interest."]
[35,"We have a problem in our concept paper application (FOA DE-FOA-0003383), all team members are the universities and no other entities. We entered $0 in the field of All Other Entities and $0 in the field of non-federal share. However, we got an error message below: Can someone help resolve the problem?","For AOI 5, please navigate Exchange within the submission details under section Funds and Costs and select 'N/A, the application is not responding to this phase' within the Phase Optional or Required column.  This will allow the All Other Entities field to remain $0 for non-federal share."]
[36,"Does the Control Number have to be on the Concept Paper?","The control number must be included with all application documents.  Please refer to section IV.A. Application Process within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document specifically stating \"A control number will be issued when an applicant begins the EERE eXCHANGE application process. The control number must be included with all application documents. Specifically, the control number must be prominently displayed on the upper right corner of the header of every page and included in the file name (i.e., Control Number_Applicant Name_Full Application)\"."]
[37,"For AOI 3, is there a general list of allowable costs for this FOA?  Are infrastructure buildout and the man hours related to equipment assembly an allowable cost?","The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination of allowable costs related to their proposed project.  Please refer to section IV.I.i. Allowable Costs within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document specifically stating, \"All expenditures must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable in accordance with the applicable federal cost principles. Pursuant to 2 CFR 910.352, the cost principles in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (48 CFR 31.2) apply to for-profit entities. The cost principles contained in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E apply to all entities other than for-profits\"."]
[38,"I am writing to express my interest in contributing to the review process for the DE-FOA-0003383.","Prospective reviewers are to register as a Reviewer within the EERE Exchange site (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Registration.aspx?rid=new).  For further registration guidance, please refer to the 'EERE Exchange Login Guide' located within the Exchange site (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx)."]
[39,"I checked question 5 in the Q&A log. It said sulfur or sulfide cathode are not of interest. If sulfide refers to Li2S, or all the transition metal sulfide, e.g. FeS2. It seems conflict with what stated in the FOA, which specify metal chalcogenides, oxides and halides.  Please advise.   ","Elemental sulfur or lithium sulfide cathodes are discouraged.  A chalcogenide including at least one other metal in addition to lithium would fall within the scope of AOI 5."]
[40,"Section VIII.8 of the FOA contemplates submission of two versions of a concept paper in confidential and non-confidential form.  However, the \"Upload and Submit\" page on EERE eXCHANGE permits attachment of only one single file.  What is the correct way to submit a concept paper in both confidential and non-confidential forms?","EERE Exchange has been reconfigured for concept paper submissions.  Please refer to section VIII.D. Treatment of Application Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document for further information."]
[41,"Can you submit several concept papers to this one funding opportunity? ","Concept papers and subsequent full applications are to be submitted for a specific Area of Interest.  An applicant may submit more than one concept paper and full application.  Please review section III.F. Limitation on Number of Concept Papers and Full Applications Eligible for Review within the FOA document, specifically stating \"An entity may submit more than one Concept Paper and Full Application to this FOA, provided that each application describes a unique, scientifically distinct project and an eligible Concept Paper was submitted for each Full Application.\""]
[42,"If you could you confirm that if an FFRDC is prime and an institution of higher learning is the subrecipient then the cost share would be 0 for AOI 5 please. ","For AOI 5, cost share for an FFRDC as the prime recipient would be 20% requirement.  AOI 5 cost share requirement for prime recipient as a universities/institutions of higher education is 0%.  For all other entities as prime recipient, cost share requirement is 20%.  Prime recipients are responsible for meeting cost share requirements.  Please review Section III.B. Cost Sharing for Recipient cost share requirements.\n\n"]
[43,"We are an FFRDC trying to submit the concept paper for the above mentioned FOA.  We would like to be the prime and we work with an institution with higher education and hence does not require any cost-share.  But the website is not allowing us to submit, unless they are listed with 20% cost share. ","For AOI 5, cost share for an FFRDC as the prime recipient would be 20% requirement.  AOI 5 cost share requirement for prime recipient as a universities/institutions of higher education is 0%.  For all other entities as prime recipient, cost share requirement is 20%.  Prime recipients are responsible for meeting cost share requirements.  Please review Section III.B. Cost Sharing for Recipient cost share requirements."]
[44,"We inadvertently missed the deadline for the concept paper for the above FOA submission, which was September 9.  Today is September 11.  Is it possible that DOE would still allow us to submit?  ","Late submissions will not be accepted."]
[45,"The deadline for submission of concept papers for topics in the above FOA was 9/9, for which the proposal submission deadline is 10/30.  We had prepared our submission and inadvertently missed the deadline.  I began sending emails a day after the deadline, but they were to the wrong DOE office.  Our interest was in Topic 5, High Energy Density Conversion Cathodes.  Is it possible that DOE would accept the concept paper for review at this later date?  ","Late submissions will not be accepted."]
[46,"Is the FY 2024 Vehicle Technologies Office Batteries Funding Opportunity going to be renewed in 2025?","DOE cannot make specific predictions about future FOAs. Please check EERE Exchange and Grants.gov regularly for any future opportunities."]
[47,"Can you clarify the difference between teaming partner and sub recipient?\n\nAre resumes required for sub recipients, or just key personnel with the prime?","A subrecipient is an entity that is named and identified to perform work on the project.  Teaming partners could be subrecipients if they are included in the project to perform work.  Please refer to section I.A.iii. Teaming Partner List within the FOA document.\n \nThe applicant is required to submit resumes for the Principal Investigator or Lead Project Manager and Senior/Key Personnel that will be included in the project.  These key personnel could be from the prime recipient and/or subrecipients.  Please refer to section IV.D.iv. Resumes within the FOA document."]
[48,"My first impression is that the BABA requirements apply to buildings or construction sites.  I don’t think this applies, for example, to our making battery cells under our proposed plan. Can you clarify this requirement for making battery cells?","Please reference Section IV.I.vi. Equipment and Supplies within the FOA document, stating 'To the greatest extent practicable, all equipment and products purchased with funds made available under this FOA should be American-made. This requirement does not apply to used or leased equipment.'\n\nFrom The Buy America Executive Order: A Buy America preference only applies to articles, materials, and supplies that are consumed in, incorporated into, or affixed to an infrastructure project. As such, it does not apply to tools, equipment, and supplies, such as temporary scaffolding, brought to the construction site and removed at or before the completion of the infrastructure project. Nor does a Buy America preference apply to equipment and furnishings, such as movable chairs, desks, and portable computer equipment, that are used at or within the finished infrastructure project, but are not an integral part of or permanently affixed to the structure. "]
[49,"Is subrecipient cost share required for AOI2 in DE-FOA-0003383?","Cost share requirements for AOI 2 is reduced to 0% for universities/institutions of higher education.  Prime recipients are responsible for meeting cost share requirements.  Subrecipients, under a prime recipient that is a university/institution of higher education, would be subject to the same cost share requirement.  Please review Section III.B. Cost Sharing."]
[50,"Page 4 of the FOA states \"Applicants must register with Grants.gov and set up their workspace...\"  I have registered with Grants.gov but cannot set up a workspace because there is no option to apply on Grants.gov.  I spoke with the Grants.gov helpdesk and they confirmed that there is no way to set up a workspace in this scenario (the \"apply\" button is the first step in setting up a workspace). \n\nCan you please clarify the Grants.gov workspace requirement and how to resolve this issue?","Grants.gov workspace is not required to be utilized for application submissions.  Please note applications will not be accepted through Grants.gov.  Please review the section in the Funding Opportunity Announcement document titled, ‘Note:  Registration/Submission Requirements’ specifically the Submission Requirements section noting \"All application submissions are to be made via the EERE eXCHANGE at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.\""]
[51,"Questions regarding FAQ answer 14:\n \n#4 The FOA section II.B.ii says FFRDCs will be funded independently of the remainder of the project team. Would a Subrecipient Budget Justification be required for a DOE FFRDC National Lab performing a portion of the work, in addition to the DOE WP and DOE Authorization Letter? Our understanding from previous responses from DOE and the budget template contractual tab #4 is the Subrecipient Budget Justification is not needed for FFRDCs regardless of the size of their budget. \n\n#5 Please confirm letters of commitment are only required from subrecipients, including subrecipient DOE FFRDCs, who are providing cost share. Page 48, section IV.D.v. Letters of Commitment says, “Submit letters of commitment from all subrecipient and third-party cost share providers.” EERE has verified in many previous FAQs that letters of commitment are required only for subrecipients who are providing cost share. ","Applicants must provide a separate budget justification for each subrecipient, including FFRDCs, that are expected to perform work estimated to be more than $250,000 or 25% of the total work efforts, whichever is less.  See section IV.D.xii. of the FOA document.\n\nAll subrecipients and third-party cost share providers, including FFRDCs, are required to submit letters of commitments.  See section IV.D.v. of the FOA document."]
[52,"(Organization) is submitting a Full Application to DE-FOA-0003383. (Organization) is the lead and there will be a subaward to a company. \n\nAs (Organization) is an Institute of Higher Education, our cost share percentage is 0%. Since (Organization) would be the prime recipient if awarded, does this cost share requirement of 0% also flow down to the subrecipient company? ","Cost share requirements for AOI 2 and AOI 5 is reduced to 0% for universities/institutions of higher education.  Prime recipients are responsible for meeting cost share requirements.  Subrecipients, under a prime recipient that is a university/institution of higher education, would be subject to the same cost share requirement.  Please review Section III.B. Cost Sharing."]
[53,"Regarding the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan, we are partnering with another institution in our proposal but we are the lead institution. Does a single Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan encompass the entire project, or does a separate plan need to be submitted for the lead institution and each sub-awardee? ","The Prime recipient is responsible for submission of a single Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan.  Please refer to section IV.D.viii. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan within the FOA document."]
[54,"Regarding FAQ answer 51:\n \nPlease confirm that letters of commitment are only required from subrecipients providing cost-share. Are subrecipients, including FFRDCs, who are not providing cost share required to provide a letter of commitment? EERE has verified in many previous FAQs that letters of commitment are required only for subrecipients providing cost share. \n\nSection IV.D.v. of the FOA document states \"submit letters of commitment from all subrecipient and third-party cost share providers.\" This would imply that only cost-share providers would need to provide letters of commitment. ","Letters of commitment are only required from subrecipients and third-party entities who are providing cost share.  All subrecipients and third-party cost share providers, including FFRDCs, are required to submit letters of commitments.  See section IV.D.v. of the FOA document."]
[55,"Under AOI 4 - Silicon Based Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries, one of the anticipated approaches is \"Novel formulations of electrolytes that expand beyond standard carbonates/additives that can reduce the rate of parasitic reactions between the electrolyte and silicon anode or that can form a stabilized, passivating SEI.\"\n\nFor applications utilizing this approach, how do we address the Requirements related to Si material cost (since our approach does not involved a specific Si active material- rather electrolyte development across a variety of active materials).\n\nRequirements\n7. Describe the current supply chain of the proposed silicon-based anode material and identify approaches to shore up the U.S. manufacturing process; a. An exploration of the use of other abundant silicon precursors to manufacture the proposed anode material may also be addressed.\n8. Discuss and propose potential process improvements and cost-saving strategies that translate to cell level costs of <$70/kWh when scaled to automotive production volumes.","The prospective applicant is responsible to make the determination if their proposed project meets the requirements identified in the FOA and specific Area of Interest."]
[56,"Our subrecipient has two documents of highly confidential nature (Transparency of Foreign Connections and Foreign Entity Waiver Request) that they would like to submit to you directly.\nWould that be possible? And if so, how should we proceed? ","Application documents are to be submitted through EERE Exchange and will not be accepted outside of the Exchange system.  Please refer to section VIII.D. Treatment of Application Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document for further information regarding confidential information."]
[57,"We are attempting to fill out the SF0424 form that is due with our FOA-3383 submission. All of our PDF editors give us an error message that we need a newer or older version of Adobe Acrobat. Nothing seems to be able to read the form and I was able to load in Acrobat 8 and it states that it was able to read with errors. Do we need the most updated version of Acrobat as opposed to a 3rd party PDF editor? This would be a problem across the board unless a company is paying Adobe for their very expensive PDF editor.\nDo you have any suggestions on how to address?\n","Please try either using a different web browser to open/download the document or download the document to your computer and then use the Adobe software on your computer to open the file locally."]
[58,"I have a question regarding Letters of Commitment.  The FOA states the following:\n\nv. Letters of Commitment \nSubmit letters of commitment from all subrecipient and third-party cost share providers. If applicable, the letter must state that the third party is committed to providing a specific minimum dollar amount or value of in-kind contributions allocated to cost sharing. The following information for each third party contributing to cost sharing should be identified: (1) the name of the organization; (2) the proposed dollar amount to be provided; and (3) the proposed cost sharing type (cash or in-kind contributions). Each letter must not exceed one page. \nSave the letters of commitment in a single PDF file using the following convention for the title “ControlNumber_LeadOrganization_LOCs”. \nLetters of support or endorsement for the project from entities that do not have a substantive role in the project will not be accepted.\n\nOur PI wants to include a letter of support/commitment from two industry partners who will be included in the budget as third party vendors but will NOT be key personnel, subrecipients, or cost share contributors. Does this meet the intent of the FOA? Or should we advise the PI to exclude the letters?","Letters of commitment are required from subrecipients and third-party entities who are providing cost share.  Letters of support/commitment from entities that do not have a substantive role in the project may be included however will not be accepted.  See section IV.D.v. Letters of Commitment within the FOA document."]
[59,"The Technical Volume and Budget Justification sections of the full application only permit one file to be uploaded.  Can this be fixed before the deadline to permit submission of confidential and non-confidential files as instructed in the FOA?","EERE Exchange has been reconfigured for full application technical volume and budget justification submissions.  Please refer to section VIII.D. Treatment of Application Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document for further information."]
[60,"On the Upload and Submit tab, I have uploaded a confidential version of the technical volume with confidential information highlighted but not redacted.  For the concept paper, I was able to also upload a non-confidential version with the confidential information redacted. \n \nI planned to do the same with the technical volume, but the system doesn’t allow for it.  I uploaded the confidential unredacted version, but the system won’t allow me to upload a second file.  I wasn’t able to find any specific instructions in the FOA related to this question.  ","EERE Exchange has been reconfigured for full application technical volume submissions.  Please refer to section VIII.D. Treatment of Application Information within the Funding Opportunity Announcement document for further information."]
[61,"The FOA requires a submission for Current and Pending Support.  None of our PIs or Senior/Key Personnel have any source of support other than being employed by our company.  In other words, there is nothing to disclose with respect to any of our employees.\n \nDo we still need to submit signed forms stating this, or can we submit a single form stating this for all PIs and Senior/Key Personnel?","Current and pending support must be provided for the Principal Investigator or Lead Project Manager and all Senior/Key Personnel at the applicant and subrecipient level.  Each individual must sign and date their respective disclosure statement and include the certification statement provided in the FOA.  Please refer to section IV.D.xvii. Current and Pending Support within the FOA document."]
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