Amendment 000002 - Questions and Responses 10-02-2019.xlsx

XLSX spreadsheet 19 KB Posted Oct 2, 2019

Attached to: MINORITY EDUCATION, WORKFORCE, AND TRAINING PROGRAM Federal grant opportunity
Opportunity number: DE-FOA-0002042
Issued by: Department of Energy

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Responses to Questions

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Other files for this federal grant opportunity

Other files attached to MINORITY EDUCATION, WORKFORCE, AND TRAINING PROGRAM, newest first.
File	Type	Posted
Notice of Funding Opportunity (MEWT) - September 3, 2019.pdf	PDF	Oct 2, 2019
Budget Justification - PMC 123.1.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Oct 2, 2019
PKG00254505-instructions.pdf	PDF	Sep 3, 2019

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Sheet1

	QUESTIONS: Responses are below the questions and highlighted in red.
1	The notice of funding opportunity states that, "Applicants to this NFO are not eligible if they are already the recipient of a current DOE award."
	Is this requirement referring to DOE awards issued in response to this MEWT program or to all DOE awards in general?
	Only applicants that have current Office of Economic Impact and Diversity ( ED) awards are ineligible
2	*Can part of funds be used for K-12 programs (middle or high school camps) and professional development for teachers?
	The requirements of the award are stated in the NFO
3	*Can funds be used for a Summer bridge for high school students accepted as Freshmen at ECSU?
	The funds can be used to bridge summer programs between High school students Two Year colleges and, four year universities. Bridge Program Definition:

Bridge Programs must address the critical transition points in STEM education (i.e., high school-to-college; 2-year to 4-year college; undergraduate-to-workplace; undergraduate-to-graduate study; and/or graduate study-to-faculty career)

4	Can partnering/sub-recipient IHEs be non-MSIs?
	Yes sub-recipients can be non-MSIs
5	What is the amount limit on individual scholarships?
	The amount limit on scholarships will be determined by the award amount given to a recipient
6	What can be covered through scholarships?
	Scholarships will be covered under the STEM topic areas, and will include items such as, room and board, tuition, stipend and books. Stipends to students should not replace other need based grants and scholarships already awarded to the students.
7	Is an independent or an external evaluator needed?
	Response to this question is not required for submission to the NFO
8	I cannot see in the grant opportunity pdf file a category for allowable and unallowable costs. Also, can equipment for research be acquired with Capacity Building funds?
	The Electronic Code of Federal regulation §600.317 lists Allowable costs. (https://www.ecfr.gov - Title 10 → Chapter II → Subchapter H → Part 600 → Subpart D → §600.317)
9	I have a question regarding NFO DE-FOA-0002042. Under Section 3, the language suggests that eligibility is restricted to MSIs. Is this true for all 10 anticipated awards? We are particularly interested in the Workforce/Pipeline Analysis but we are not an MSI and therefore unsure if we are eligible to bid. Please let me know at your convenience. Thank you.
	This restriction refers to the STEM topic area for prime recipients. Sub-recipients can be non-MSIs
10	If we include references in the proposal – does it count towards the 10 pages as on page 17.
	No
11	We can discuss the team in the 10 pages – does the CV count towards the 10 pages also?
	No
12	Do you need a current and pending document for the PI’s?
	Yes for current PIs only.
13	There is a topic area 1-5 in merit review. Page 23-28. We need to address the criteria in each topic area? There looks like repetition in each area.
	Applicants will need to address the criteria's in each topic area that they are applying for
14	Is there a percentage award that can be used for equipment?
	No percentage is provided
15	Are community college faculty eligible to apply to conduct research under this NFO?
	Yes community colleges are eligible to apply
16	Under the STEM Education category, it is permissible to issue scholarships. Are these monies restricted to tuition, or may they be used for transportation, housing or other living expenses?
	Under STEM (i.e., tuition, stipend, books, room and board)
17	Is the requirement to target opportunity zones (page 16) required for Colleges, or only for businesses?
	No, it is not required for colleges and businesses only
18	In Section III, page 14, the NFO additionally states that the PI and Co-PIs must be “an active member of the teaching/research faculty.” Can a PI be the Dean of Workforce Development?
	This will only apply to the STEM topic area for which there is a restriction
19	On page 16, the solicitation states: "Applicants to this NFO are not eligible if they are already the recipient of a current DOE award". I (as PI) do not have an active award. Please let me know if the eligibility refers to me or the institution.
	Only applicants that have current Office of Economic Impact and Diversity ( ED) awards are ineligible
20	Does the budget for the two additional option years need to be submitted at this time if we intend to continue the project activities for additional two years?
	Yes the budget for two additional years need to be included in your proposal. If there is additional funding there will be a renewal.
21	Please confirm that no budget narrative must be uploaded along with PMC 123.1 form.
	A budget justification should be uploaded with the PMC 123.1 form
22	Was wondering exactly how to fill out this form; so that I do not get anything wrong...
	Grant.gov website can provide information on filling out the forms.
23	What do I include for the grant program function or activity column, catalog of federal assistance number? these are a couple of things I need assistance with.
	This is my first time ever attempting to complete these forms, and I do not want to get anything wrong.
	See grants.gov. The CFDA number is 81.137
24	We are preparing a proposal aimed to increase retention at the freshman level. Therefore, the proposed activities would focus on basic first year engineering courses, is this aligned with the expectations the agency has under the “STEM education programs” topic area?
	Requirements are included in the NFO
25	Regarding the anticipated award size: “DOE/ED anticipates that awards will be in the $150,000 to $475,000 with an estimated project period of one (1) year, with two additional option years if additional funding is available.” Does this mean that we can submit a budget for 3 years, with each year having a maximum budget in the range 150-475K but only the first year would be granted at this point?
	Material Costs -Do the grant dollars allow for purchasing materials for training costs? Is there a specified allocated percentage of the budget that can be used towards materials?
	Submit 3 year budget with cost category breakdown . There is no allocated percentage towards materials.
26	Data follow up - Is there a follow-up period for reporting on recorded data? This is in reference to student, participant progress.
	Yes TBD after award
27	Number of Required Personnel - Is there a specific number of personnel required for this grant funding announcement?
	No
28	Planning Period - Will a planning period be given to implement the program, once applications are approved?
	Yes
29	Staff Salaries in Budget - What percentage of staff salaries can be applied toward the grant funding budget?
	There is no specific percentage, applicants are to propose.
30	Ask if there are any specific forms for the project narrative portion of the proposal.
	There is a template in grants.gov
31	Once an individual is ready to submit a response what is the preferred method or what are the methods used to reply to a grant? Looking forward to your response.
	Through Grants.gov
32	Under "Other Eligibility Requirements," it states, "Applicants to this NFO are not eligible if they are already the recipient of a current DOE award." Is that talking about an award to this specific DOE grant program, or does that mean that an institution with any DOE award cannot apply?
	Only applicants that have current Office of Economic Impact and Diversity ( ED) awards are ineligible
33	Is this grant strictly restricted for Minority Serving Institutions in educational institutions? Are workforce development components, for example, open for training providers to participate in?
	This restriction refers to the STEM topic area for prime recipients. Sub-recipients can be non-MSIs
34	Do the option years come with additional funding? Or, is the base year funding just extended in the option years?
	Any option years will be determined based on additional funding available
35	Is it okay to propose a project timeline of three years in anticipation of the option years? Or, should we only propose a one year timeline?
	Yes it is ok to propose for additional two years, but the available funding is only for the first year.
36	What is the timeframe for a program year -- Oct. 2019 - Sept. 2020? Jan. 2020 - Dec. 2020? Or whatever the applicant proposes?
	The anticipated period of performance is Jan 2020-Dec 2020
37	Must we choose only one topic area, such as STEM Education or Capacity Building? Or, can we propose a project that includes more than one topic area?
	You can propose for more than one topic area, but can only get 1 award.
38	If we are targeting an Opportunity Zone, can any students from that area be served since it is a rural distressed area, even if they are not minority students?
	No
39	I have a question regarding my 501 (c)(3) ‘s eligibility to apply for the MINORITY EDUCATION, WORKFORCE, AND TRAINING PROGRAM (MEWT) grant opportunity.
	See eligibility requires in the NFO. 501( C )(3) are eligible to apply
40	Community Action Partnership of Lake County currently has workforce programs for Minority MBEs in energy. Section C. Other Eligibility Requirements – “Applicants to this NFO are not eligible if they are already the recipient of a current DOE award” seems to disqualify all Community Action Agencies because we have DOE Weatherization grants.
	Am I interpreting this ineligibility correctly?
	Only applicants that have current Office of Economic Impact and Diversity ( ED) awards are ineligible
41	Are minority serving institutions the ONLY eligible applicants for an award or can a small, minority, female owned business apply as well?
	No, minority serving institutions are not the ONLY eligible applicants. Yes small, minority, female owned business apply as well.
42	I am interested in learning more about the Minority Education, Workforce, and Training-Program opportunity referenced in the subject of this email. However, when we explore the Grants.Gov website, the information is quite limited. Can you tell me where I can find details about the grant framework?
	The NFO has all the information needed to apply for this grant.
43	My question for you is, “As a for-profit minority owned small business are we eligible to apply as the principal recipient or do we need to partner with other entities and seek funding assistance as a sub-recipient?” Partners will be included, but the focus of the proposal is to help minority candidates forge a career path in the energy industry, as well as, gain some foundational knowledge and understanding of STEM opportunities and how those opportunities can help break cycles of poverty.
	Yes. For-profit minority owned small business are eligible to apply as the principal recipient
44	Will DOE/ED offer a webinar on MINORITY EDUCATION, WORKFORCE, AND TRAINING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: DE-FOA-0002042?
	NO
45	I did review the material on grants.gov It gave a very brief outline of the program, so I was wondering if there was any additional information?
	The NFO has all the information needed to apply for this grant.
46	The question for this will be how do you get the Apply button to work?
	An applicant has to be registered
47	I was wondering whether the DOE might have samples of awarded MEWT grants that it can share? My college is interested in pursuing this, and a copy of a funded proposal would be helpful to us.
	No samples to provide.
48	I was wondering if there is any application package with details of what should be in application, page limitations, budget etc. I tried to find it through grants.gov but didn’t find the package.
	All information is in the NFO on grants.gov and you have to be registered
49	I am looking for the full Minority Education, Workforce and Training Program funding notice on Fed connect, but it does not seem to be available. Could you let me know when it is being posted.
	All information is on grants.gov and you have to be registered, there is also a link to FedConnect. The NFO can be seen on fed connect without a registration but to apply you have to be registered.
50	Where can I find past announcements of awarded organizations for this funding program?
	Any past announcements will be in FedConnect
51	Are you able to share information on how many applications you’ve received in the past for the STEM Education topic area?
	No
52	It is my understanding that eligibility for this award is restricted to Minority Serving Institutions. Can you please confirm that eligibility is restricted only to organizations that appear on the list at this web address: (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst-list-tab.html ), or is there a possibility that other current contractors who provide commercialization assistance to DOE are eligible for the award?
	This restriction refers to the STEM topic area for prime recipients. Sub-recipients can be non-MSIs

http://grants.gov/https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst-list-tab.html

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