Attachment II Questions and Answers.pdf

31310023K0002 ATTACHMENT II

Amendment 01

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1) Question: Can a non-domestic collaborator be an unfunded collaborator?

Answer: No. A non-domestic entity cannot participate in the program as a collaborator whether its participation is funded or unfunded.

2) Question: Can a national laboratory be a participant through a university-led User Proposal to a DOE NSRC, which is an unfunded use of national lab capabilities through the user proposal?

Answer: No. As stated in Section III. Eligibility Information, national laboratories are not eligible to receive Federal assistance. However, national laboratories may contribute irradiated samples to an applicant, provided that the applicant indicated in its application that the project required such samples. No further involvement by national laboratories is permitted under this NRC grant.

3) Opportunity 31310023K0002 states national laboratories “are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this announcement or participate in-kind.”

a) Question: What is the scope of “participate in kind”?

Answer: “Participate in-kind” refers to non-monetary participation/contribution, offering of goods or services without charge or voluntarily under the program. In accordance with amended language in Section III.1 under this NRC grants, national laboratories and commercial entities are permitted to contribute irradiated samples, provided that the applicant indicates in its application that the project requires such samples. No further involvement by national laboratories or commercial entities is permitted under this NRC grant.

b) Question: Can national laboratories participate as a collaborator with our own funding?

Answer: National laboratories cannot participate as collaborators regardless of the source of funding.

4) The “Unnamed” System includes a statewide network of universities and state agencies.

Each have their own leadership and governing structure, have their own DUNS and UEI numbers, and ultimately report to the “Unnamed” System governed by a Board of Regents.

Specifically, Institution A, Institution B, and Institution C are located in same city and share the same campus, although they are separate entities as stated above.

Question: Can you clarify whether Institution A, Institution B, and Institution C will be viewed as separate institutions for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the University Nuclear Leadership Program (formerly the Integrated University Program), Research and Development Grant, Fiscal Year (FY)

2023, NOFO: 31310023K0002?

Answer: Each named institution that reports to the “Unnamed” System Board of Regents and has its own UEI (Unique Entity ID) can submit a maximum of two applications under the NOFO (31310023K0002). No more than two applications may be submitted under the same institution and UEI.

5) Currently I am on H1B. I am working with the international office at the Institution I work for on my permanent residency application, and I expect to become a permanent resident sometime next year.

a. Question: Can I still submit a proposal in response to this NOFO?

Answer: Yes, you can still submit an application. However, if your application is recommended for award, at the time of award and through the duration of the award (i.e., period of performance), the PI and all individuals associated with the grant shall meet the citizenship status requirement stated in the NOFO. Prior to award, the NRC will require complete documentation supporting compliance with the citizenship status requirement. If an applicant fails to submit the required citizenship documentation by the NRC’s deadline, the NRC will find the application nonresponsive and therefore ineligible for consideration. The NRC will then rescind the recommendation for award.

b. Question: If my proposal were selected, would it be possible to postpone the award after I become a permanent resident?

Answer: No. Award dates will not be delayed with the purpose of accommodating compliance with the citizenship status requirements. All identified/named PIs, Co-PIs, researchers, graduate students, and other participants supported under or participating in the grant shall meet the citizenship status at the time of award. Applicants must provide complete documentation prior to award to demonstrate compliance with the citizenship status requirement. If an applicant fails to submit complete documentation supporting compliance with the citizenship status requirement, the NRC will find the application nonresponsive and therefore ineligible for consideration. The NRC will then rescind the recommendation for award.

c. Question: If this is not possible, can I work with my colleague on a proposal and be added later as a co-PI when I become a permanent resident?

Answer: In accordance with The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Standard Terms and Conditions for U.S. Nongovernmental Recipients, paragraph entitled “Modifications/Prior Approval,” all post award modifications to the program and budget require prior written approval with appropriate explanation and justification of the requested change. Changes must still be in accordance with the intent of the approved program description at time of award. The NRC will review any requests for grant modification to ensure that they comply with the terms of the grant. All requests are reviewed and evaluated in a case-by-case basis.

6) Question: Can the NRC comment on a specific area I am proposing to submit?

Answer: No. Once the NOFO has been issued/posted, the NRC cannot comment on a specific area of interest. We encourage all proposals be submitted for evaluation.

7) Question: Some commercial entities and FRDCs are willing to donate some samples to me to support this study. I was wondering if it would be permitted if the commercial entities or FRDCs would receive no funding, neither listed as co-PI, but to provide a supporting letter saying they can provide some samples if the proposal is awarded. Or, should I rather obtain the samples independently from this proposal?

Answer: In-kind participation refers to non-monetary participation/contribution, offering of goods or services without charge or voluntarily under the program. Under this NRC grants, national laboratories and commercial entities are permitted to contribute irradiated samples, provided that the grantee indicates in its proposal that the project requires such samples. No further involvement by national laboratories or commercial entities is permitted under this NRC grant.

8) We are preparing a research proposal in response to current NRC NOFO. It is mentioned that “applicants partnering with entities other than U.S. institutions of higher education will be deemed unresponsive and ineligible for consideration and the application will not be reviewed.”

Question: Does this mean that, under no circumstance, we can partner with private companies within the nuclear industry to receive technical input regarding current nuclear design practice?

Answer: Yes, applicants cannot partner with private companies within the nuclear industry to receive technical input regarding current nuclear design practice.

9) The NOFO mentions that “applicants partnering with entities other than U.S. institutions of higher education will be deemed unresponsive and ineligible for consideration and the application will not be reviewed.”

Question: Does this include letters of support/collaboration from private companies in the nuclear industry willing to provide technical input/guidance regarding current nuclear design practice?

Answer: It is not acceptable for grantees to receive technical input from private companies regarding current nuclear design practice. Therefore, in their applications, applicants should not include letters of support from such private companies. The NRC will find unresponsive any applications that do include such letters of support from private companies. The NRC will then determine that any such application is ineligible for consideration.