FundOpp_DE-FOA-0002368.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT

MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM’S

TRIBAL EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA) NUMBER:

DE-FOA-0002368

FOA TYPE: INITIAL

CFDA NUMBER: 81.123

FOA Issue Date: October 15, 2020 Submission Deadline for Letter of Intent: N/A Informational Webinar: November 10, 2020 Submission Deadline for Concept Papers: N/A Submission Deadline for Pre-Applications:

N/A

Submission Deadline for Applications: December 18, 2020

Expected Date for Selection Notifications: March 19, 2021

MSIPP/TEPP FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT: DE-FOA-0002368

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW

Informational Webinar

DOE/NNSA will conduct one informational webinar during the FOA process.

Attendance is not mandatory and will not positively or negatively impact the overall review of any applicant submissions. As the webinar will be open to all applicants who wish to participate, applicants should refrain from asking questions or communicating information that would reveal confidential and/or proprietary information specific to their project. Specific dates for the webinar can be found on the cover page of the

FOA.

Meeting Information Meeting link: https://doe.webex.com/doe/j.php?MTID=m62e39de4ac7a32f4bc6c18d936782ea0 Meeting number: 199 213 1950 Password: hpJdhVxJ848

Questions

Questions regarding the content of the funding opportunity announcement must be submitted through the FedConnect portal. You must register with FedConnect to respond as an interested party to submit questions, and to view responses to questions. It is recommended that you register as soon after release of the FOA as possible to have the benefit of all responses. DOE/NNSA will try to respond to a question within 3 business days unless a similar question and answer have already been posted on the website. For instructions on registering for FedConnect, refer to the website: www.fedconnect.net.

Questions relating to the Grants.Gov registration process, system requirements, or how an application form works must be directed to Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures

This section provides the application submission and receipt instructions for U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) program applications. Please read the following instructions carefully and completely.

1. Electronic Delivery The DOE/NNSA is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DOE/NNSA encourages applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov.

2. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. Instructions: Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DOE/NNSA funds.

Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov Account, listed below.

https://doe.webex.com/doe/j.php?MTID=m62e39de4ac7a32f4bc6c18d936782ea0 http://www.fedconnect.net/ mailto:support@grants.gov

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but DUNS and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

1) Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a DUNS Number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS Number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the SF-424 form. For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS Number, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-d uns-number.html

2) Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

3) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov.

Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

4) Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant.

If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the DUNS Number for the organization in the DUNS field while adding a profile. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

5) EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access are sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html

6) Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

b. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

3. How to Apply to DOE/NNSA via Grants.gov Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement (FOA), you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

a. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

b. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

c. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

d. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS Number. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

f. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

g. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the DOE/NNSA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov

4. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

a. Online Submission. All applications must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When DOE/NNSA successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by DOE/NNSA.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section I - FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background/Description B. Objectives/Topic Areas/Technical Areas of Interest

Topic Area # 1: Advanced Manufacturing Topic Area # 2: Cybersecurity Topic Area # 3: Engineering Topic Area # 4: Nuclear Security

C. Description of a Consortium-Based Model Focused on Research Relative to STEM Education D. Consortium Reviews and Site Visits E. Participation in Consortium Activities and Compliance

Section II - AWARD INFORMATION A. Type of Award Instrument B. Estimated Funding C. Maximum and Minimum Award Size D. Expected Number of Awards E. Anticipated Award Size F. Period of Performance G. Type of Application H. Limitations on MSIPP/TEPP FOA Applications by Same Organization

Section III - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION A. General B. Eligible Applicants C. Cost Sharing D. Other Eligibility Requirements

Section IV - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION A. Application Process B. Address to Request Application Package C. Letter of Intent and Pre-Application

1. Letter of Intent

2. Pre-application

D. Content and Application Forms

1. Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 (R&R) [MANDATORY for Prime Applicant and Sub-Applicants]

2. Research and Related Other Project Information [MANDATORY for Prime Applicant]

3. Project Summary/Abstract (Field 7 of the R&R Other Project Information form) [MANDATORY for Prime Applicant]

4. Project Narrative and Appendices (Field 8 of the R&R Other Project Information form) [MANDATORY for Prime Applicant]

5. Other Attachments

6. SF424 Research and Related Budget and Information

7. Sub-Applicant Submittal Instructions

8. Attachments Form [MANDATORY for Prime Applicant]

9. Financial Assistance Environmental Checklist (Attachment C) [MANDATORY for Prime Applicant if selected for award]

10. Project/Performance Site Location(s) [MANDATORY submittal for Prime Applicant to also include sub-applicant information]

11. Certification Regarding Lobbying or Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

12. List of Assurances and Certifications [MANDATORY for Prime Applicant and

Sub-Applicants in SAM.gov]

13. Requirements for Pass-Through Entities [MANDATORY for Prime Applicant]

E. Summary of Required Forms and Files F. Submissions from Successful Applicants G. Submission Dates and Times H. Intergovernmental Review I. Funding Restrictions (December 2014)

Section V - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION A. Criteria

1. Initial Review Criteria

2. Merit Review Criteria

B. Review and Selection Process

1. Merit Review

2. Selection Official Consideration

3. Review of Risk

4. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance (December 2015)

3. Government Discussions with Applicant (December 2014)

C. Anticipated Notice of Selection and Award Dates Section VI - AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Award Notices

1. Notice of Selection

2. Non-selected Notification

3. Notice of Award (December 2014)

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Reporting D. Applicant Representations and Certifications

Section VII - QUESTIONS/AGENCY CONTACTS A. Questions B. Agency Contact

Section VIII - OTHER INFORMATION A. Modifications B. Government Right to Reject or Negotiate C. Commitment of Public Funds D. Proprietary Application Information E. Evaluation and Administration by Non-Federal Personnel F. Intellectual Property Developed Under this Program G. Notice of Right to Request Patent Waiver H. Notice Regarding Eligible/Ineligible Activities I. Protected Personally Identifiable Information J. Annual Compliance Audits

Section IX - APPENDICES/REFERENCE MATERIAL

Section I - FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background/Description

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has a vital national security mission to protect the American people by maintaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear weapons stockpile. This mission could not be accomplished without a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strategies to build capacity, drive innovation, and ensure we have a world class workforce to meet the security demands of the present and future. As quoted from the White House’s report, Charting A Course For Success: America’s Strategy for STEM Education,0F

2F i “The pace of innovation is accelerating globally, and with it the competition for scientific and technical talent. Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States—and its prosperity and security—depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem.”

NNSA continues to be at the forefront of incorporating STEM into its mission priorities. In the recently released NNSA Strategic Vision1F

2, the Administrator included mission priority #4 which directly relates to STEM: Strengthen key science, technology, and engineering capabilities.

NNSA works with educational institutions and industry partners from across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) to achieve this mission priority through three major pathways:

collaborative research; capacity building/pipeline development; and recruitment, retention, and development of a world class workforce.

The Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP) is a vital program within the DOE/NNSA Management and Budget, Learning and Career Management which awards grants to Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) to prepare NNSA’s next-generation technical workforce.

MSIPP aligns investments in university capacity and workforce development with DOE/NNSA mission areas to develop the needed skills and talent for DOE/NNSA’s enduring technical workforce and to enhance research and education at MSIs. The program’s primary mission is to create and foster a sustainable STEM-pipeline that prepares a diverse workforce of world class talent through strategic partnerships between Minority Serving Institutions and the DOE/NNSA Enterprise. To execute this mission, MSIPP builds a network of NSE ready students through enrichment activities from K-20 to post-doctoral level. Through university-lab consortia partnerships students are exposed to cutting-edge research and activities in their relevant fields. The Tribal Education Partnership Program (TEPP) is a sub-program within MSIPP that specifically awards grants to Tribal College and Universities (TCUs) in support of MSIPP’s mission.

The following MSIPP crucial success factors apply to TEPP and drive this FOA:

1. Strengthen and expand MSI (TCU) STEM capacity and research experience in

NNSA/DOE mission areas of interest.

2. Target collaborations between MSIs (TCUs) and NNSA/DOE Laboratories and Plants that increase scientist-to-scientist interactions, visible participation of MSI (TCU) faculty in NNSA/DOE technical engagements and activities and provide MSIs direct access to NNSA/DOE facilities relative to STEM.

3. Grow the number of minority students who graduate with STEM degrees.

1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf 2 https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/05/f62/2019-05-06%20NNSA%20Strategic%20Vision.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/03/f61/2019-03-27%20NNSA%20Strategic%20Vision.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/05/f62/2019-05-06%20NNSA%20Strategic%20Vision.pdf

4. Grow the number of minority graduates and post-doctoral students hired in to NNSA/DOE's STEM workforce.

B. Objectives/Topic Areas/Technical Areas of Interest

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to announce the NNSA MSIPP’s interest in receiving applications for new or renewal grant financial assistance awards from TCUs in support of its sub-program, TEPP. Applications will be accepted in the areas of Advanced Manufacturing, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or Nuclear Security for consortium partnerships. The scope of this funding opportunity is to enhance the participation of TCUs in STEM disciplines in order to increase representation of American Indians in these disciplines in the public and private sectors throughout the country, and the DOE/NNSA complex, including its National Laboratories, Plants, and Sites. An additional purpose of this program is to enhance the sustainability of TCUs in STEM disciplines.

TEPP aims to create and increase the technical STEM capacity at TCUs by providing opportunities to do research and partner with DOE/NNSA complex. The partnerships will allow faculty and students to develop their skills and knowledge, merging academic study with practical work experience. In turn, students majoring in relevant STEM fields and related disciplines create a pool of talented students prepared to enter the NSE workforce.

The key objectives of the TEPP FOA are to:

• Strengthen the research and education capabilities of TCUs in the NSE related topic areas.

• Encourage minority students to excel in science, technology, engineering, and math by providing them with practical experience and training through applicable research projects capacity building and experiential learning.

• Enlarge the scientific and technical knowledge and resource base in the topic areas mentioned below.

The DOE/NNSA will consider applications for university-led projects which can address one or more of the STEM topic areas outlined below. Multiple applications may be submitted by a university however applications should be mutually exclusive and there should be no duplication of effort for resources requested:

Topic Area # 1: Advanced Manufacturing

Proposals are solicited in Advanced Manufacturing. Advanced Manufacturing has come to the forefront as one of the most promising approaches to both improve the agility and efficiency (energy, time, and materials) of the manufacturing process and significantly reduce the prototypical stage of product development. The following are some specific sub-topical areas of interest, but other sub-topics in Advanced Manufacturing are encouraged to be proposed if they align with the Advanced Manufacturing topic area:

• Metrology

• Powder production

• Surface finishes

• Composites

• Ceramics

• Polymers

• Physical property testing

• Modeling and simulation

• Additive manufacturing & coating

• Enhancing design

• Characterization

• 3D Printing for nuclear application

• Diagnostics

• Material science

• Materials at extreme conditions

Topic Area # 2: Cybersecurity

Proposals are solicited in Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is the protection of physical and virtual infrastructure from theft or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. The following are some specific sub-topical areas of interest, but other sub-topics in Cybersecurity are encouraged to be proposed if they align with the Cybersecurity topic area:

• Counter-intrusion software development

• Data science and cyber and network analytics

• Machine learning

• Information technology

• System administration

• Host based forensics/application forensics/network forensics/ cloud-based forensics

• Software and hardware reverse engineering

• Vulnerability assessment

• Embedded programming

• Protecting digital evidence

• Quantum computing

Topic Area # 3: Engineering

Proposals are solicited in Engineering. Engineers are a vital component of the Nuclear Security Enterprise. It is essential that MSIs have established and accredited engineering programs to ensure their students are competitive. Engineers are an integral partner for all components of the nuclear security mission from needs assessment to design and delivery. The full NNSA complex is comprised of engineers supporting various aspects of the mission. The following are some specific sub-topical areas of interest, but other sub-topics in Engineering are encouraged to be proposed if they align with the Engineering topic area:

• Computer engineering

• Chemical engineering

• Electrical engineering

• Mechanical engineering

• Material science

• Microelectronics

• Microsystems

• Nanotechnology engineering

• Nuclear engineering

• Photonics

Topic Area # 4: Nuclear Security

Proposals are solicited in Nuclear Security. Nuclear Security is the prevention and detection of, and response to, theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, illegal transfer, or other malicious acts involving nuclear material, other radioactive substances, or their associated facilities. The following are some specific sub-topical areas of interest, but other sub-topics in Nuclear Security are encouraged to be proposed if they align with the Nuclear Security topic area:

• Radiation

• Nuclear science

• Nuclear security

• Nuclear technology

• Fissionable fuels

• Nuclear power

• Nuclear forensics

• Nuclear physics

• Radiation detection systems

All proposed work to be funded through this announcement is to be UNCLASSIFIED. No proposals for CLASSIFIED work will be accepted.

C. Description of a Consortium-Based Model Focused on Research Relative to STEM Education

A Consortium includes at a minimum, two or more four-year Minority Serving colleges and/or universities (restricted to TCUs) and a DOE/NNSA National Laboratory, Plant, or Site. The maximum number of university partners per topic area must not exceed 4 colleges and/or universities (one Lead college/university partner and up to a maximum of three sub-awardees) and the maximum number of industry partners should not exceed 3 DOE/NNSA National Laboratories/Sites.

DOE/NNSA MSIPP/TEPP Consortium Expectations. DOE/NNSA expects that each consortium:

• Is made up of a team of academic partners that perform innovative, creative, and challenging research in the Consortium’s topical area in a collaborative manner that is more efficient and effective than by the members of the team acting separately.

• Has a sustained and successful leadership and management team comprised of lead senior researchers from the academic partners.

• Has an advisory committee, comprised of at least 5 persons, and includes representation from the NNSA National Labs, Plants, or Sites that provides advice on the strategic direction of the Consortium to the management team.

• Attracts high caliber undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students, and trains them in areas critical to NNSA’s mission.

• Provides faculty and students with exposure to researchers and the environment of the NNSA National Laboratories/Plants/Sites.

• Mentors young researchers and prepares them for leadership and management roles.

• If selected for award, submits MSIPP Evaluation Metrics as described in the MSIPP

Evaluation and monitoring plan. (See Attachment C Page 49)

Forms an Effective Collaborative Team. A successful collaborative team consists of a multi-investigator team, preferably from multiple academic institutions, that addresses an over-arching theme or themes of interest within a topical research area as defined in Section I.B.

The Principal Investigator, or PI, serves as the Director of the Collaborative Team, and leads the effort collaboratively with the other senior researchers. The PI’s institution is the assignee for the grant. Members of the multi-investigator team are “Partners.” The “collaborative team” is defined as the Partners plus the PI. A Collaborative Team executes the objectives in a manner that is more efficient and effective than by the members of the team acting separately. NOTE: DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors (DOE/NNSA industry researchers) may not receive funding through this FOA.

The Collaborative Team of investigators, students, and young researchers are encouraged to engage and collaborate with DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractor researchers in their scientific research. However, the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors are not part of the Consortium’s multi-institutional “partner” team and DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors are not eligible to receive direct funding associated with this FOA (see Section III C). National Laboratory researchers are funded through existing DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contracts.

Recruitment and development of students, young researchers, and staff scientists. A successful Consortium attracts the brightest and most talented students and young researchers, attracting them to the exciting opportunities for research in fields relevant to DOE/NNSA mission critical areas. The Consortium students take advantage of opportunities to spend time at the DOE/NNSA National Laboratories/Plants/Sites, participate in on-site practicums, engage with scientists, and participate in real life work projects that will develop and prepare them for the STEM workforce. A successful Consortium will send faculty and students to meaningfully engage in a research experiences at DOE/NNSA National Laboratories/Plants/Sites for a significant period (preferably at least 8 weeks) each year; either through internships or some other arrangement. Any non-employment related internships or visits to any NNSA Site will be assumed under the grant and annotated under the grant as “Participant Costs”. If the DOE/NNSA National Laboratory/Plant/Site intends to pay for the students’ stipend it should not be included in participant costs. The student may be a different individual from year to year. Alternative approaches may be proposed but they must provide students of the Consortium with equivalent or more meaningful research experiences and must be approved by the Federal Program Manager. The alternative approach will be evaluated as part of the Consortium Reviews, and approval may be rescinded if the alternative approach is not meeting expectations.

The Consortium takes the initiative to reach out to other academic institutions that haven’t had a strong connection to STEM, to educate and engage students and faculty in the opportunities and activities of the Consortium.

Consortium graduates are encouraged to seek post-doctoral or staff positions at NNSA Laboratories/Plants/Sites. It is NNSA’s desire that graduates of the Consortium pursue careers either at U.S. institutions, U.S. universities, or at the DOE/NNSA National Laboratories/Plants/Sites, contributing to STEM fields that are relevant to MSIPP. Young researchers and staff scientists involved in the Consortium have opportunities to conduct exciting research, participate in collaborative efforts, and to assume leadership roles. The

Director and senior researchers will actively mentor younger staff, helping to develop future leaders.

Commitment of Director and Collaborators to the Consortium. The success of a Consortium depends on the engagement of the Director and the senior researchers. It is the responsibility of the primary institution to notify, in writing and in a timely fashion, the DOE/NNSA Grants Officer and the MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager of any significant change in the time commitment of the Consortium’s Director and senior research team to the work of the Consortium; such changes include reductions in effort, leaves of absence, joint appointments, retirements, sabbaticals, or intents to move to another institution. Failure to do so could result in reductions in funding, scope, or project period.

Prospective key personnel must indicate all sources of current or pending funding in the application. Once funds are awarded, key personnel are required to notify the MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager of any changes in such additional funding, including foreign sources of funding. The MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager must be notified, in a timely fashion and in writing, of any change in the Consortium’s key researcher’s efforts for a period of over 3 months.

The DOE/NNSA Grants Officer and MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager must be notified by the Contracting Officer of the lead institution of the desire to transfer the award to another lead institution and provide an explanation. Failure to do so can result in loss of the award. If the DOE/NNSA Grants Officer and MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager do not support the transfer, the award will be terminated. If the DOE/NNSA Grants Officer and MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager agree with the transfer to another lead institution, the project period, scope, reporting requirements, and budget of the Grant may be impacted.

Fulfills all obligations and reporting requirements. The Consortium is required to fulfill all obligations and reporting requirements under the grant. A post-award orientation meeting will be held with each Consortium to communicate roles and responsibilities under the agreement.

The DOE/NNSA Grants Officer and the MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager will review the terms, conditions, and reporting requirements with the Principal Investigator and Contracting Officer, or their representative(s), of the grantee institution.

D. Consortium Reviews and Site Visits

The MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager will review the performance of the Consortium through site visits, site reviews, reports, publications by Consortium personnel, and other means. If a Consortium is not performing satisfactorily, the MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager and the DOE/NNSA Grants Officer will notify the institution of the performance issues/concerns, recommended action(s), and the timeline to demonstrate satisfactory performance. If performance does not improve to satisfaction and/or problems are not corrected, reduction in funding to the Consortium or termination of the grant may result.

The Consortium will be reviewed on several factors, which may include, but are not limited to:

• Progress towards addressing objectives presented in the technical proposal.

• Progress towards and accomplishment of milestones.

• Significance of the technical contributions, demonstrated through publications, presentations, citations, recognition, and awards.

• Efficient and effective use of resources (i.e., funding, technical, programmatic).

• Successful development of a collaborative consortia-based team.

• Engagement with NNSA Laboratories, Plants and Sites

• The Consortium’s recruitment strategy and how well it has produced high quality graduates.

• Exposure of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral students and post-doctoral research associates to the research and staff at the NNSA Laboratories, Plants and Sites.

• Level of involvement of the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers.

• Compliance with eligibility and reporting requirements: proper submittal of publications, status reports, financial reporting, and special reporting requirements such as evaluation metrics.

• Quality and quantity of educational experiences available to students, specific to the disciplines investigated by the Consortium.

• Are there any issues regarding the availability and involvement of the Principal Investigator and the senior staff with the work of the Consortium?

• Succession planning for the Principal Investigator and/or opportunities for younger staff to develop into potential future leaders.

• The Consortium’s ability to expend and cost grant funding in a timely and efficient manner.

E. Participation in Consortium Activities and Compliance

Any individual person, whether a prime recipient or subrecipient, receiving funding support under this grant must be a U.S. Person (A “U.S. Person” is defined as an individual that is a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.).

All applicants are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable U.S. Export Control laws and regulations and all other applicable security requirements relating to any work performed under a resulting award.

Section II - AWARD INFORMATION

A. Type of Award Instrument

DOE/NNSA anticipates awarding grants under this funding opportunity announcement. The scope and topical research areas of interest to the Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program are defined in Section I – Funding Opportunity Description, sub-section C.

B. Estimated Funding

An estimated $13,000,000 is expected to be available for new awards under this announcement.

Funding for all awards and future budget periods are contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated by Congress for the purpose of this program and the availability of future-year budget authority.

C. Maximum and Minimum Award Size

Consortium based awards with up to four institutions

• Ceiling (i.e., the maximum amount for an individual award made under this announcement):

$1,000,000 per year.

• Floor (i.e., the minimum amount for an individual award made under this announcement):

$500,000 per year.

D. Expected Number of Awards

The number of awards will depend on the availability of appropriated funds, the number of meritorious applications, the distribution of funds in each topic area determined by the DOE/NNSA selection official, the merit review results, and other policy factors and considerations. DOE/NNSA reserves the right to fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or none of the applications, not award in all Topical Areas, or make fewer awards than would be possible at the grand-total level at its sole discretion.

Under this announcement, DOE/NNSA expects to make the following number of awards:

• 2021: 2-3 awards

• 2022: 2-3 awards

E. Anticipated Award Size

DOE/NNSA anticipates that awards will be in the following ranges:

• $1,500,000 to $3,000,000 for a three-year project period

• $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 for a four-year project period

• $2,500,000 to $5,000,000 for a five-year project period

F. Period of Performance

DOE/NNSA anticipates making awards with an estimated project period of three-five years.

G. Type of Application

DOE/NNSA will accept new and renewal applications under this announcement. Renewal applications are requests for additional funding for a period after that provided by a current award. Renewal applications compete with all other applications and must be submitted by any established due date/deadline or at least six months before additional funding is required if there is no specified due date/deadline. In preparing a renewal application, applicants should assume that reviewers will not have access to previous applications. The application should be developed as fully as though the applicant were applying for the first time. The application must include all the information required for a new project, plus the project narrative section should discuss the results from prior work.

H. Limitations on MSIPP/TEPP FOA Applications by Same Organization

Multiple applications may be submitted by a university however applications should be mutually exclusive and there should be no duplication of effort or resources requested. There is no limit on the number of proposals the same institution can submit to this FOA. Multiple proposals may also be submitted to each topic area as specified in Section I – Funding Opportunity Description, sub-section B of this FOA. When submitting multiple proposals ensure that the same PI or supporting staff time does not exceed 100% of their time on all combined proposals, and ensure that all proposals are submitted in complete form with all required attachments as specified in the FOA. Multiple awards may be made to the same institution.

Section III - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. General

To be considered for substantive evaluation, an applicant ‘s submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If the application does not meet these initial requirements, it will be considered non-responsive, removed from further evaluation, and ineligible for any award. Applicants should submit packages in advance of the deadline to ensure there is time to address and corrections if needed. No exceptions will be made to the deadline.

B. Eligible Applicants

Restricted Eligibility (December 2014)

In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126(b), eligibility for award is restricted to: Tribal College or University (§316 of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. §1059c) as lead institutions.

Tribal Colleges and Universities as educational entities recognized by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Education, and identified on the OCR's Department of Education U.S. accredited postsecondary Tribal College and University institution list https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html#el-inst.

For this announcement “a Tribal College/University” is defined as an educational institution in any State, Federal District, or U.S. territory that:

(1) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate.

(2) is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education.

(3) provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor’s degree or provides not less than a 2-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree.

(4) is accredited by a nationally or regionally recognized accrediting agency or association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted reaccreditation status by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for the granting of reaccreditation status, and the U.S. Secretary of Education has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.

Other Minority Serving Institutions are permitted to be subrecipients.

For prospective applicants who are submitting financial assistance applications to this FOA, the individual(s) selected as the PI and Co-PI(s) for the grant must be a U.S. Person(s) and be:

(1) an active member of the teaching/research faculty of a U.S. university or academic institution of higher learning

A “U.S. Person” is defined as an individual that is a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst-list-pg5.html https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html#el-inst

Adjunct professors, visiting professors, and post-doctoral fellows are ineligible to be PIs. Investigators from foreign universities or academic institutions or foreign-based not-for-profit, non-degree-granting organizations, irrespective of citizenship, are ineligible to be PIs. Such individuals may receive funding under a subaward if the Principal Investigator requests and receives written permission for such funding from the MSIPP/TEPP Program Manager. There may be security restrictions on participation by foreign nationals at certain facilities and conferences, in accordance with applicable U.S. Department of Energy Security Policy, Directives, Regulations, or Requirements.

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 eligible to apply only as a sub-applicant (team member) and will need to follow the application and submittal requirements for sub-applicants as discussed in Section IV – Application and Submission Information.

C. Cost Sharing

Cost sharing is not required.

D. Other Eligibility Requirements

DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors

DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors are not eligible for an award under this announcement. However, DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors may participate as collaborators to:

(1) promote and sustain scientific interactions between the academic community and scientists at the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors through exchange of information and/or personnel,

(2) increase the availability of unique experimental facilities sited at the DOE/NNSA Site Facility

Management Contractors to the academic community, particularly for collaborations in areas of relevance to stockpile stewardship, and

(3) develop and maintain a long-term recruiting pipeline to the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management

Contractors by increasing the visibility of the DOE/NNSA scientific activities to the U.S. faculty and student communities.

DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors are not eligible to receive any direct funding associated with this FOA, except for reimbursement for use of facilities that require “user fees” in accordance with the institution’s written policies or procedures.

Any funding required for the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors’ portion of the collaboration besides user fees must not be included in the institutions budget. Funding for any work being done by a DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors, will be funded directly by the program office. This funding will be transmitted to the lab via an internal Work Authorization (WA)/Implementation Plan (IP) process. This amount will not be factored into the determination of the award amount. A budget estimate should be attached separately at the time of submission. If the applicant is selected for award, their industry partners will be required to submit a statement of work and detailed budget to support their requests. The portion of the effort to be performed by all non-college and university collaborators in aggregate shall not exceed 50% of the total effort.

To affect this collaboration, a letter from a DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractor employee who will be collaborating with the applicant must be submitted with the application.

This letter must outline their understanding and role in the collaboration effort and indicate that no funds will be provided to the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors from the awarded grant except for reimbursement for use of facilities that require “user fees” as stated above.

In addition to the collaboration letters, if an applicant is selected for award, the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors participating as collaborating partners must receive prior authorization from the cognizant Contracting Officer for DOE/NNSA FFRDCs, subject to the following guidelines:

Authorization for DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors. If selected for award, the cognizant contracting officer for the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors must authorize in writing the use of a DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractor(s) on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted with the application. The following wording is acceptable for this authorization.

"Authorization is granted for the [Name] Laboratory to participate in the proposed project. The work proposed for the laboratory is consistent with or complimentary to the missions of the laboratory, will not adversely impact execution of the DOE/NNSA assigned programs at the laboratory, and will not place the laboratory in direct competition with the domestic private sector."

If selected for award, the recipient is responsible for contacting the appropriate DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management collaborating partner(s) who should in turn obtain prior written authorization from the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contracting Officer.

Applicant Responsibility. The applicant, if successful, will be the responsible authority regarding the settlement and satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues, including but not limited to, disputes and claims arising out of any agreement between the applicant and the DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contractors.

The DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contracts list is available at:

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/08/f77/DOE%20NNSA%20Site%20Facility%20Manageme nt%20Contracts%20-%20August%202020.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/08/f77/DOE%20NNSA%20Site%20Facility%20Management%20Contracts%20-%20August%202020.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/08/f77/DOE%20NNSA%20Site%20Facility%20Management%20Contracts%20-%20August%202020.pdf

Section IV - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Application Process

DOE/NNSA performs an initial eligibility review of applicant submissions to determine whether they meet the eligibility requirements of Section III of the FOA. DOE/NNSA will not review or consider submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements of Section III.

All submissions must conform to the following form and content requirements, including maximum page lengths (described below) and must be submitted as specifically stated. DOE/NNSA will not review or consider submissions submitted through means other than specifically stated in the FOA, submissions submitted after the applicable deadline, and incomplete submissions. DOE will not extend deadlines for applicants who fail to submit required information and documents due to server/connection congestion.

B. Address to Request Application Package

Application…