Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV Program
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking industry feedback on a draft Screening Information Request (SIR) for the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV Program, which aims to identify participants to develop and mature technologies that reduce fuel burn, emissions, and noise for civil aircraft. This pre-solicitation notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a formal solicitation or commitment to contract. Prospective participants must be U.S.-based entities capable of demonstrating technology improvements in fuel efficiency, noise reduction, or emissions relative to current aviation standards, with eligible technologies including non-traditional propulsion systems, advanced aircraft configurations, supersonic aircraft technologies, and advanced air mobility vehicles. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit, potential environmental and fleet-wide benefits, technology transition feasibility, and the participant's technical approach and program management capabilities. The deadline for submitting feedback on the draft SIR is February 17, 2026, and interested parties are instructed to provide comments using the attached comment matrix Excel file; the FAA explicitly states it is not accepting unsolicited proposals and will not reimburse respondents for any administrative costs incurred.
The FAA has allocated $25 million in total funding for multiple awards under this program, which covers a base 12-month period with an optional 12-month extension extending through 2028, with no set-aside designations applied to this opportunity. The program requires a 1:1 cost-sharing arrangement, meaning participants must contribute matching funds equal to 50 percent of total project costs through cash, in-kind resources, or a combination of both, while the FAA will contribute the remaining 50 percent through cooperative agreements. The cooperative agreement template provided indicates that participants will be responsible for identifying and developing technologies that reduce fuel burn, engine emissions, and noise while providing data to assist the FAA in setting environmental standards and conducting environmental reviews. Key reporting requirements, intellectual property rights, and confidentiality obligations are detailed in the sample cooperative agreement included in the draft SIR package. As this is a pre-solicitation Request for Information only, no formal proposals are being accepted at this time, though the feedback received will inform the development and release of the final SIR.
693KA9-26-R-00006 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters
1/16/26, 4:26 PM Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV Program: Q&A Responses and FINAL SIR Release
The Federal Aviation Administration seeks cooperative agreements to develop, mature, and test certifiable aircraft and engine technologies and jet fuels under the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV Program, with proposals due May 18, 2026, and questions due April 13, 2026. Awards are estimated for September 2026.
Total program funding is $25 million across multiple awards. The program requires a mandatory 1:1 minimum cost-share ratio, with participants covering at least 50 percent of project costs through cash or in-kind contributions such as equipment, facilities, and labor. Performance period is up to 24 months beginning on the award date.
Place of performance is Washington, DC. Respondents must be incorporated in the United States, primarily operate domestically, and substantially manufacture products in the U.S. per Executive Order 14005, though non-U.S. subcontractors are permissible with proper justification. Acceptable technologies must demonstrate quantifiable benefits in fuel efficiency relative to ICAO CAEP/10 standards, noise reduction, nitrogen oxide emissions reduction relative to CAEP/8, or particulate matter reduction relative to CAEP/11. Projects should address maturation across Technology Readiness Levels 1–9 and Manufacturing Readiness Levels 1–10. Five mandatory work elements include project management, design, fabrication and procurement, technology demonstration, and technology assessments. Corporate experience must be demonstrated by the prime respondent entity, not through subcontractors or partners. Government agencies are ineligible as team members and cannot receive FAA funding, though non-federal cost share may fund government agencies as contractors.
Award will be in the form of a Cost Reimbursement cooperative agreement subject to 2 CFR Part 200 uniform guidance. Intellectual property rights are governed by the Bayh-Dole Act framework. The FAA anticipates multiple awards and reserves discretion to make partial awards, select specific technology projects, or award no proposals.
NAICS code is 541330, Engineering Services. PSC code is R425, Support–Professional: Engineering/Technical.
693KA9-26-R-00006 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters
3/30/26, 11:06 AM