DE-FOA-0002940.0001_BIL IACs at Trade Schools Community Colleges & Union Training Programs; & BTACs Program.pdf

Questions about this FOA? Email IACProgram@doe.gov Problems with Infrastructure Exchange? Email InfrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov

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U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP)

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) Program – IACs at Trade Schools, Community Colleges, and Union Training Programs; and Building Training and

Assessment Centers (BTAC) Program

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE‐FOA‐0002940 FOA Type: 0001

Assistance Listing Number: [81.117]

FOA Issue Date: 4/7/23 10:00am ET

Informational Webinar: 4/18/23 2:00pm ET

Submission Deadline for Concept Papers: 6/16/23 5:00pm ET

Submission Deadline for Full Applications: 8/15/23 5:00pm ET

Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications: Fall 2023

Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: Fall – Winter 2023‐24

Applicants must submit a Concept Paper by 5:00pm ET on the due date listed above to be eligible to submit a Full Application.

To apply to this FOA, applicants must register with and submit application materials through Clean Energy Infrastructure eXCHANGE at https://infrastructure‐ exchange.energy.gov/, MESC and SCEP’s online application portal.1

Applicants must designate primary and backup points‐of‐contact with whom DOE will communicate to conduct award negotiations. If an application is selected for award negotiations, it is not a commitment to issue an award. It is imperative that the applicant/selectee be responsive during award negotiations and meet negotiation deadlines. Failure to do so may result in cancelation of further award negotiations and rescission of the selection.

1 Note that if applicants already are registered at EERE eXCHANGE or another DOE eXCHANGE portal, they will still need to register with Clean Energy Infrastructure eXCHANGE to respond to this FOA. Note that this is a change from the Notice of Intent released in December 2022.

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Registration Requirements There are several one‐time actions that must be completed before submitting an application in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) (e.g., register with the System for Award Management (SAM), obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, register with Grants.gov, and register with FedConnect.net to submit questions). It is vital that applicants address these items as soon as possible. Some may take several weeks, and failure to complete them could interfere with an applicant’s ability to apply to this FOA.

SAM – Applicants must register with SAM at https://www.sam.gov/ prior to submitting an application in response to this FOA. Designating an Electronic Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) and obtaining a special password called an MPIN are important steps in SAM registration. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. The applicant must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or application under consideration. More information about SAM registration for applicants is found at:

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=650d493e1bab7c105465 eaccac4bcbcb.

NOTE: If clicking the SAM links do not work, please copy and paste the link into your browser.

Due to the high demand of SAM registrations and UEI requests, entity legal business name and address validations are taking longer than expected to process. Entities should start the SAM and UEI registration process as soon as possible. If entities have technical difficulties with the SAM registration or UEI validation process, they should utilize the HELP feature on SAM.gov. SAM.gov will work entity service tickets in the order in which they are received and asks that entities not create multiple service tickets for the same request or technical issue. Additional entity validation resources can be found here: GSAFSD Tier 0 Knowledge Base ‐ Validating your Entity.

UEI – Applicants must obtain a UEI from the SAM to uniquely identify the entity. The

UEI is available in the SAM entity registration record.

NOTE: Subawardees/subrecipients at all tiers must also obtain a UEI from the SAM and provide the UEI to the Prime Recipient before the subaward can be issued. Full registration in SAM is not required to obtain a UEI for subaward reporting.

Grants.gov – Applicants must register with Grants.gov and set up your WorkSpace. You cannot submit an application through Grants.gov unless you are registered. Please read the registration requirements carefully and start the process immediately.

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1) The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must register at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.

2) An email is sent to the E‐Business (E‐Biz) POC listed in SAM. The E‐Biz POC must approve the AOR registration using their MPIN from their SAM registration.

More information about the registration steps for Grants.gov is provided at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

In addition:

o 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 of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the UEI for the organization in the UEI 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.

o 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 is 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.

NOTE: 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.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

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

To track your role request, refer to:

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

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Questions relating to the 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.

FedConnect.net – Applicants must register with FedConnect to submit questions.

FedConnect website: https://www.fedconnect.net/

See Section IV for Application and Submission Information (including how to create a WorkSpace).

Modifications

All modifications to the FOA are HIGHLIGHTED in the body of the FOA.

Mod. No. Date Description of Modification

0001 5/24/2023 The title page of the FOA and the Clean Energy Infrastructure eXCHANGE website have been updated to extend the Concept Paper deadline to June 16, 2023, 5:00pm ET, and Full Application deadline to August 15, 2023 5:00pm ET.

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Table of Contents Modifications ..................................................................................................................................................... iv

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Context

i. Program Purpose

ii. Strategic Goals

B. Topic Areas

i. Topic Area 1: IACs at Community Colleges and Trade Schools

ii. Topic Area 2: IACs at Union Training Programs

iii. Topic Area 3: Building Training and Assessment Centers Program

C. Teaming Partner List D. Applications Specifically Not of Interest E. Authorizing Statutes F. Notice of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law‐Specific Requirements

II. Award Information

A. Award Overview

i. Estimated Funding

ii. Period of Performance

iii. New Applications Only

B. DOE Funding Agreements

i. Cooperative Agreements

ii. Funding Agreements with Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDCs)

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

i. Domestic Entities

ii. Foreign Entities

iii. Incorporated Consortia

iv. Unincorporated Consortia

B. Cost Sharing

v. Legal Responsibility

vi. Cost Share Allocation

vii. Cost Share Types and Allowability

viii. Cost Share Contributions by FFRDCs

ix. Cost Share Verification

x. Cost Share Payment

C. Compliance Criteria D. Responsiveness Criteria E. Other Eligibility Requirements

i. Requirements for DOE/NNSA and non‐DOE/NNSA FFRDCs Included as a Subrecipient F. Limitation on Number of Concept Papers and Full Applications Eligible for Review G. Questions Regarding Eligibility

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Application Process

i. Additional Information on Infrastructure eXCHANGE

B. Application Forms C. Content and Form of the Concept Paper D. Content and Form of the Full Application

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i. Full Application Content Requirements

ii. Technical Volume

iii. Resumes

iv. Letters of Commitment

v. Community Partnership Documentation

vi. Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO)

vii. SF‐424: Application for Federal Assistance

viii. Budget Justification Workbook

ix. Summary for Public Release

x. Summary Slide

xi. Subrecipient Budget Justification (if applicable)

xii. Budget for DOE/NNSA FFRDC (if applicable)

xiii. Authorization for non‐DOE/NNSA or DOE/NNSA FFRDCs (if applicable)

xiv. SF‐LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (required)

xv. Waiver Requests (if applicable)

xvi. Current and Pending Support

xvii. Locations of Work

xviii. Transparency of Foreign Connections

xix. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice

E. Post Selection Information Requests F. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) G. Submission Dates and Times H. Intergovernmental Review I. Funding Restrictions

i. Allowable Costs

ii. Pre‐Award Costs

iii. Performance of Work in the United States (Foreign Work Waiver)

iv. Construction

v. Foreign Travel

vi. Equipment and Supplies

vii. Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

viii. Davis‐Bacon Act Requirements

ix. Lobbying

x. Risk Assessment

xi. Invoice Review and Approval

xii. Prohibition related to Foreign Government‐Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs

xiii. Affirmative Action and Pay Transparency Requirements

xiv. Foreign Collaboration Considerations

V. Application Review Information

A. Technical Review Criteria

i. Concept Papers

ii. Full Applications

B. Standards for Application Evaluation C. Other Selection Factors

i. Program Policy Factors D. Evaluation and Selection Process

i. Overview

ii. Pre‐Selection Interviews

iii. Pre‐Selection Clarification

iv. Recipient Responsibility and Qualifications

v. Selection

E. Anticipated Notice of Selection and Award Negotiation Dates

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VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

i. Ineligible Submissions

ii. Concept Paper Notifications

iii. Full Application Notifications

iv. Applicants Selected for Award Negotiations

v. Alternate Selection Determinations

vi. Unsuccessful Applicants

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Registration Requirements

ii. Award Administrative Requirements

iii. Foreign National Participation

iv. Subaward and Executive Reporting

v. National Policy Requirements

vi. Environmental Review in Accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

vii. Applicant Representations and Certifications

viii. Statement of Federal Stewardship

ix. Statement of Substantial Involvement

x. Intellectual Property Provisions

xi. Reporting

xii. Go/No‐Go Review

xiii. Conference Spending

xiv. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements

xv. Real Property and Equipment

xvi. Implementation of Executive Order 13798, Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty

xvii. Participants and Collaborating Organizations

xviii. Current and Pending Support

xix. U.S. Manufacturing Commitments

xx. Interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance

xxi. Fraud, Waste and Abuse

xxii. Human Subjects Research

xxiii. Cybersecurity Plan

VII. Questions/Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

A. FOA Modifications B. Government Right to Reject or Negotiate C. Commitment of Public Funds D. Treatment of Application Information E. Evaluation and Administration by Non‐Federal Personnel F. Notice Regarding Eligible/Ineligible Activities G. Notice of Right to Conduct a Review of Financial Capability H. Requirement for Full and Complete Disclosure I. Retention of Submissions J. Title to Subject Inventions K. Government Rights in Subject Inventions L. Copyright M. Export Control N. Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment O. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) P. Annual Independent Audits Q. Informational Webinar

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Appendix A – Cost Share Information

Appendix B – Sample Cost Share Calculation for Blended Cost Share Percentage

Appendix C – Waiver Requests For: 1. Foreign Entity Participation; and 2. Foreign Work

Appendix D ‐ Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials

Appendix E – Detail on Smart Manufacturing

Appendix F – List of Acronyms

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I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Context The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) and the DOE Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) are jointly issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to establish Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) at trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs (including joint labor‐management training programs), as well as to establish Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTACs). Awards made under this FOA will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act2, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The BIL is a once‐in‐a‐generation investment in infrastructure, designed to modernize and upgrade American infrastructure to enhance United States competitiveness, drive the creation of good‐paying union jobs, tackle the climate crisis, and ensure stronger access to economic, environmental, and other benefits for disadvantaged communities.3 The BIL appropriates more than $62 billion to the Department of Energy (DOE)4 to invest in American manufacturing and workers;

expand access to energy efficiency and clean energy; deliver reliable, clean and affordable power to more Americans; and demonstrate and deploy the technologies of tomorrow through clean energy demonstrations.

As part of and in addition to upgrading and modernizing infrastructure, DOE’s BIL investments will support efforts to build a clean and equitable energy economy that achieves a zero‐carbon electricity system by 2035, and to put the United States on a path to achieve net‐zero emissions economy‐wide by no later than 20505 to benefit all Americans.

2 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117‐58 (November 15, 2021).

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th‐congress/house‐bill/3684. This FOA uses the more common name “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law”.

3 Pursuant to E.O. 14008 and the Office of Management and Budget’s Addendum to the Interim Justice40

Implementation Guidance M‐23‐09 (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp‐content/uploads/2023/01/M‐23‐ 09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf), DOE defines disadvantaged communities as the communities identified by the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), which can be located at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/. DOE’s Justice40 Implementation Guidance is located at https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022‐ 07/Final%20DOE%20Justice40%20General%20Guidance%20072522.pdf.

4 U.S. Department of Energy. November 2021. “DOE Fact Sheet: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Will Deliver For American Workers, Families and Usher in the Clean Energy Future.” https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe‐fact‐ sheet‐bipartisan‐infrastructure‐deal‐will‐deliver‐american‐workers‐families‐and‐0 5 Executive Order (EO) 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,” January 27, 2021.

The BIL will invest appropriations of up to $150 million for the five (5) year period encompassing Fiscal Years (FYs) 2022 through 2026 to expand DOE’s Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) Program and up to $10M until expended to establish BTACs.

Through this FOA, DOE makes available $54 million to support IACs at community colleges and trade schools, IACs at union training programs (including joint labor‐ management programs), and BTACs.6

The activities to be funded under this FOA support BIL section 40521(b), which amended the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) by adding a new section 457; BIL section 40512; and the broader government‐wide approach to strengthening domestic manufacturing, reducing industrial emissions, and developing the clean energy workforce as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice. These sections focus on establishing IACs at trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs (including joint labor‐management programs) and establishing BTACs to support the Administration’s broader efforts to:

Support inclusive workforce development efforts to strengthen America’s competitive advantage in the clean energy economy; and

Enhance performance and reduce emissions at small‐ and medium‐sized manufacturing facilities (SMMs)7 and commercial buildings.

i. Program Purpose

a. Industrial Assessment Centers Program The Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Program supports the Administration’s goals laid out above by creating opportunities for more American students and workers to step into high‐quality career pathways that empower workers and develop a diverse, nationally‐representative workforce that is well‐qualified to build and maintain the country’s energy infrastructure. The IAC program also will aid in the growth of domestic clean energy manufacturing, helping to put the United States on a path to achieve net‐zero emissions economy‐wide by no later than 2050.

The Federal Government has funded the IAC Program since 1976. Currently, DOE supports IACs at 37 four‐year institutions of higher education (IHEs) across the nation. These current IACs serve two purposes: first, they bolster

6 See Section III.A. for definitions and eligibility.

7 For purposes of the IAC Program, SMMs are defined as manufacturing firms with: (A) gross annual sales of less than $100,000,000; (B) fewer than 500 employees at the plant site of the manufacturing firm; and (C) annual energy bills that total more than $100,000 but less than $3,500,000. 42 U.S.C. § 17116(a)(6). Manufacturing firms are defined at North America Industry Classification System (NAICS) 31‐33. For purposes of the IAC Program, SMMs are further defined to include water and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as federally owned manufacturing facilities.

See 42 U.S.C. § 17116(b)(2).

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U.S. manufacturing competitiveness by providing small‐ and medium‐sized manufacturers (SMMs) with assessments and recommendations to improve energy efficiency and productivity, and thereby enhance the competitiveness of American manufacturing in a net‐zero economy; and second, they train the next generation of energy‐savvy engineers through on‐site involvement in these assessments.

The IAC Program has long been characterized by its ability to adapt to changing needs of manufacturers and to incorporate advancing technologies, a capability that will remain crucial as the program expands and evolves to address the quickly changing opportunities and challenges presented by technological change and the climate crisis.

More specifically, as set forth in EISA 2007 as amended, the purposes of these IACs include:

To provide in‐depth assessments of SMM plant site facilities, services, and operations;

To identify opportunities for SMMs to optimize energy efficiency and environmental performance, including, for example, through the implementation of:

o smart manufacturing;

o energy management systems;

o sustainable manufacturing;

o information technology advancements for supply chain analysis, logistics, system monitoring, industrial and manufacturing processes, and other purposes; and o waste management systems;

To promote applications of emerging concepts and technologies in small‐ and medium‐sized manufacturers;

To promote research and development for the use of alternative energy sources to supply heat, power, and new feedstocks for energy‐intensive industries;

To coordinate with appropriate Federal and State research offices;

To provide a clearinghouse for industrial process and energy efficiency technical assistance resources; and

To coordinate with accredited technical training centers and community colleges, while ensuring appropriate services to all regions of the United States.8

8 42 U.S.C. § 17116(b)(2).

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The BIL appropriates $550 million for the five (5) year period encompassing Fiscal Years (FYs) 2022 through 2026 for the IAC Program.9 Of these funds, $150 million are appropriated to expand the IAC Program itself, including through (i) the establishment of up to five regional Centers of Excellence at existing IACs, (ii) the creation of a Clearinghouse of expertise, tools, and resources to support IACs and assist SMMs, (iii) increased coordination with and outreach to governmental and non‐governmental entities, (iv) establishment of IACs at community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs, and (v) federal support for related internship and registered apprenticeship programs. The BIL also appropriates $400 million over FYs 2022 through 2026 for the establishment of a grant program to provide up‐to‐50‐percent cost‐share grants of no more than $300,000 each to SMMs to implement recommendations made by IACs, Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Programs (CHP TAPS) in conjunction with IACs, and other assessments deemed equivalent by the Secretary of Energy (note that these cost‐share grants are not part of this FOA).

b. Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) Program The BTAC Program, for which the BIL allocates $10 million10, shares common elements with the IAC Program but focuses on commercial and institutional buildings. DOE intends for the program: (1) to train building energy efficiency professionals in energy‐efficient design and operation to meet local and regional workforce demand, and (2) to provide critical energy efficiency assessments and upgrades to improve the environmental performance of commercial and institutional buildings, especially those in areas that have been historically underserved (including K‐12 schools and small commercial buildings that are 50,000 sq. ft. or less). With this funding, DOE seeks to catalyze a diverse pipeline of skilled building energy workers and deploy energy efficiency building upgrades that reduce the energy burden and provide benefits for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, K–12 schools, and other underserved entities operating commercial and institutional buildings.

As part of the whole‐of‐government approach to advance equity and encourage worker organizing and collective bargaining,11,12,13 and in alignment with BIL sections 40521 and 40512, this FOA and any related activities will seek to encourage meaningful engagement and participation of

9 Sec. 40521 of BIL 10 Sec. 40512 of BIL.

11 EO 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” January 20, 2021.

12 EO 14025, “Worker Organizing and Empowerment,” April 26, 2021.

13 EO 14052, “Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” November 18, 2021.

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workforce organizations, including labor unions, as well as underserved communities and underrepresented groups, including consultation with Tribal Nations.14 Consistent with Executive Order 14008,15 this FOA is designed to help meet the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of the Administration’s investments in clean energy and climate solutions flow to disadvantaged communities, as defined by the Department pursuant to the Executive Order. This FOA also supports the creation of accessible good‐ paying jobs with the free and fair chance for workers to join a union.

ii. Strategic Goals This FOA seeks applications to address the strategic goals below. Detailed technical descriptions of the specific Topic Areas are in the sections that follow.

a. Developing and Delivering Hands‐On Training for High‐Quality Clean Energy

Jobs Strengthening prosperity – by expanding good, safe union jobs and supporting job growth through investments in domestic manufacturing and the built environment – are key goals set by President Biden, discussed in depth in his Executive Orders on Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America's Workers (EO 14005), Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (EO 14008), Worker Organizing and Empowerment (EO 14025), Boosting Quality of Federal Construction Contracts (EO 14063), Promoting Competition in the American Economy (EO 14036), and Implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (EO 14052).

In keeping with the Administration’s goals, and as an agency whose mission includes strengthening our country’s energy prosperity, DOE strongly supports investments that expand well‐paying, high‐quality jobs.16 DOE specifically supports investments in jobs that offer workers the free and fair choice to form, join, or assist a union; improve job quality through the adoption of strong labor standards and labor‐management partnerships; and support responsible employers. DOE also supports opportunities that foster safe, healthy, and inclusive workplaces and communities, as well as

14 EO 13175, November 6, 2000 “Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments”, charges all executive departments and agencies with engaging in regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with Tribal officials in the development of federal policies that have Tribal implications. Likewise, the “Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation‐to‐Nation Relationships,” January 26, 2021, reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to that consultation, including requiring each agency to have a detailed plan in place for implementing EO 13175 and submit annual progress reports to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

15 EO 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,” January 27, 2021.

16 See the U.S. Department of Commerce and Department of Labor’s recent guidance on the definition of high‐ quality jobs: https://www.dol.gov/general/good‐jobs/principles

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strategies that develop a diverse workforce that is well‐qualified to build and maintain the country’s energy infrastructure, grow domestic manufacturing, and improve commercial and institutional building performance.

Expanding access to these career pathways is crucial to meeting climate goals and addressing industry demand. Growth in energy sector jobs is outpacing that of overall U.S. employment: energy jobs grew 4.0% in 2021 vs. total US employment growth of 2.8%.17 Occupations like solar photovoltaic installers and wind turbine service technicians are projected to be among the fastest‐ growing jobs economy‐wide in the coming years, and others crucial to energy efficiency and management – including electricians and industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers – are also projected to grow much more quickly than overall U.S. employment.18

Through this FOA, DOE seeks applications that will provide hands‐on learning opportunities for clean energy pathways leading to well‐paying, high‐quality jobs. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate on‐the‐job earn‐as‐you‐learn opportunities (if compensation for these activities is intended to be provided through award funds, applicants should explain why this is necessary).

Applicants are additionally encouraged to include letters of support from local employers where possible affirming their interest in the training program and making commitments to hire IAC and BTAC program graduates, detailing the minimum number and types of openings; the minimum wages, benefits, and conditions of work; and minimum contributions for worker training.

All applicants must affirm their interest in working with MESC and SCEP, other DOE workforce awardees and programs, and other relevant stakeholders to share program results, disseminate resources, and promote best practices in a way that will support the overall success of DOE’s workforce development strategy. This includes licensing curricula developed with this funding through Creative Commons or pursuing another DOE‐ approved plan suitable to the sharing of curricula that is developed under this grant.

b. Enhancing Performance and Reducing Emissions

i. The Industrial Sector

17 USEER 2022 National Report (energy.gov), U.S. Department of Energy, see page 6.

18 Occupational projections and worker characteristics: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), see Table 1.7.

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The industrial sector is a backbone of the U.S.’s economy, producing goods critical to everyday life and employing millions of Americans in high‐quality jobs, many of which do not require a four‐year degree. Yet the energy and carbon‐intensity of the sector contributes nearly one third of the nation’s primary energy‐related carbon dioxide emissions, posing a challenge as the economy transitions towards net‐zero.

Using modeled data for 2020, DOE’s Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap estimated the industrial sector accounted for ~33% of the U.S.’s primary energy use and around 30% of energy‐related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The manufacturing portion of the industrial sector accounted for more than 75% of primary energy use and more than 80% of the CO2 emissions of the entire industrial sector.

By creating new opportunities for American students, apprentices, and workers to develop skills aligned to clean energy pathways, this FOA supports U.S. government‐wide efforts to solidify a “first‐mover” advantage for U.S. industry, bolstering its competitiveness globally for decades into the future.19 Activities funded under this FOA are further expected to increase access to good‐paying jobs for American workers that do not require a four‐year degree, and enable a clean, more equitable future for all Americans.

The IAC Program is a crucial tool to deploy emerging energy efficiency and environmental performance technologies, tools, and practices that align with the Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap, per the table below.

Roadmap Pillar Ex. Priorities for SMMs

Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency saves costs for manufacturers and is the most cost‐effective option for reducing GHG emissions in the near term. Energy efficiency advancements minimize industrial energy demand, directly reducing the GHG emissions associated with fossil fuel combustion.

Strategic energy management to optimize performance of industrial processes and of the thermal heat from manufacturing process heating and combined heat and power sources that can or could be retrofitted to use clean fuels;

Smart manufacturing and advanced data analytics20 to increase energy productivity in manufacturing processes.

Industrial Electrification Industrial process technologies that utilize electricity for energy, rather than combusting fossil fuels directly, enable the sector to leverage

Electrification of process heat using induction, radiative heating, or advanced heat pumps;

Electrification of high‐temperature range processes such as those found in iron, steel, and cement making;

19 “Accelerating Decarbonization in the United Sates Energy Sector,” National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Feb. 2021. Low‐carbon products from SMMs assisted through the IAC Program also will be better positioned to meet standards for transparency in reporting a product’s embodied emissions – see Appendix D.

20 Smart Manufacturing is the use of emerging and advanced technologies to increase the efficiency of the traditional manufacturing process. See Appendix E for more detail.

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advancements in low‐carbon electricity from both grid and onsite generation sources.

Electrification of hydrogen production for industrial process use;

Replacing thermally driven processes with electrochemical ones.

Low‐Carbon Fuels, Feedstocks, and Energy Sources (LCFFES) Substitution of low‐ and no‐carbon fuels and feedstocks for fossil fuels can further reduce combustion‐associated emissions for industrial processes.

Fuel‐flexible processes;

Integration of clean hydrogen fuels and feedstocks into industrial applications;

The use of biofuels and biofeedstocks;

On‐site renewable energy generation, especially solar power.

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) The multi‐component strategy of capturing CO2 from a point source and utilizing the captured CO2 to make value added products or storing it long‐term to avoid release.

This remains a particularly innovative and often‐ experimental area for SMMs. Possible emergent areas for small‐ and medium‐sized manufacturers include:

Carbon capture and utilization in perishable good packing;

Carbon capture for chemicals or fuel production, or diversification of products away from combustible fuels

Demonstrating the commercial viability of advanced manufacturing and industrial decarbonization will provide market confidence and competition necessary to attract additional investments and promote widespread technology implementation. These activities are expected to drive a U.S. competitive edge in low‐ and net‐zero carbon manufacturing while helping to substantiate a market for low‐carbon products.

ii. The Buildings Sector

U.S. businesses and organizations own, operate, and occupy 5.9 million commercial buildings representing approximately 96.4 billion square feet of U.S. real estate, with $238 billion in energy bills.21 Commercial buildings account for 17.3 percent of U.S. energy use.22 Commercial buildings also consume 17.2 percent of purchased electricity in the U.S.23 and emit 15.4 percent of all energy‐related CO2 pollution (including direct fuel use and electricity‐related emissions).24 Energy improvements in commercial buildings can have a tremendous positive impact on reducing carbon emissions, saving owners and occupants money, improving indoor air quality, providing resilient places of shelter, creating jobs, and supporting local economies. In order to improve our national building

21 U.S. Department of Energy—Energy Information Administration. Annual Energy Outlook 2022. Table 5 and Table

3. Commercial Sector Key Indicators and Consumption. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo. Accessed April 6, 2023.

22 U.S. Department of Energy—Energy Information Administration. Annual Energy Outlook 2022. Table 2 Energy Consumption by Sector and Source. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/. Accessed April 6, 2023.

23 Op. cit., Annual Energy Outlook 2020. Table 5.

24 U.S. Department of Energy—Energy Information Administration. Annual Energy Outlook 2023. Table 18. Energy‐ Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Sector and Source. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo. Accessed April 6, 2023.

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stock and meet climate goals, the U.S. needs to further develop a skilled and diverse commercial buildings workforce.

Small buildings that are 50,000 square feet or less represent approximately 94% of all commercial buildings and consume 45 percent of energy in the sector.25 These small buildings often house the organizations that anchor our communities such as houses of worship, schools, community centers, local retail, restaurants, and offices. Yet, small buildings tend to be the hardest to reach with energy efficiency solutions. Small building owners, operators, or occupants often face barriers such as lack of awareness of the opportunities and benefits of energy improvements, lack of capacity to prioritize energy efficiency, and split incentives for upgrades.26 The 100,000 public K‐12 schools across the United States (U.S.) contain the classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, playgrounds, and gyms where 50 million students learn, eat, build friendships, and exercise. As the second largest sector of public infrastructure spending in the U.S., public K‐12 schools are also a center of our communities, serving as voting and polling locations, emergency shelters, and community gathering places.27 The significant underinvestment in energy improvements at American schools, however, results in unnecessarily high utility costs and contributes to unhealthy and uncomfortable environments for students, teachers, and staff.

Restaurants are among the highest energy‐use‐per‐square‐foot segments of the commercial sector, accounting for 2% of commercial floor space and 6% of primary energy consumption.28 Electrifying commercial kitchens can lower their energy and carbon intensity and improve conditions for restaurant workers.

Programs that assist small building owners and operators from the assessment stage through energy efficiency project implementation and involve partnerships with trusted community entities have been successful in reaching small buildings.29 Energy upgrades can help small businesses lower their operating costs and increase their bottom line.

These investments can make classrooms more comfortable and preserve

25 U.S. Energy Information Administration, https://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/reports/2012/buildstock/.

26 Langner, R., Hendron, B., Pless, S., Huppert, M., and Cochrane, R., (2013) Industry Research and Recommendations for Small Buildings and Small Portfolios. NREL and National Trust for Historic Preservation.

27 Mary Filardo. (2021) 2021 State of Our Schools: America’s PK‐12 Public School Facilities. Washington, D.C.: 21st Century School Fund.

28 U.S. Department of Energy. https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/beat‐blog/decarbonizing‐kitchens‐ opportunities‐food‐service‐sector.

29 Some successful program models include: Michigan Saves, BlocPower, Southface GoodUse, Commonwealth Edison, Duke Energy Small Business Saver Program, and many others.

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taxpayer resources. Energy and utility bill savings for community‐serving institutions can free up funds for them to reinvest into community services, which can particularly help those with limited resources serving marginalized communities.30 Owners of electrified restaurants can reinvest cost savings into their facilities, workers, and services for community members (e.g., allowing their space to be used as a business incubator for disadvantaged communities).

c. Demand‐Driven Impact

This FOA seeks applications that demonstrate knowledge and awareness of industry31 needs both at the national level and in the proposed region of focus. Applicants are encouraged to provide a relevant overview of local industry trends, including areas of expected acute demand and growth, impacts of state or local policies and/or local licensing requirements, client needs and demand as they relate to technical services provided through the proposed project, and workforce needs that suggest training programs will create pathways to high‐quality clean energy jobs. Applicants are encouraged to include any available client needs assessments and/or gap analysis, as well as specific ways in which the proposed project will address these needs.

d. Commitment to Collaboration and Coordination

DOE seeks responses to this FOA that expand ecosystems of technical assistance for SMMs and commercial building owners and operators.

Applicants are encouraged to coordinate with, leverage, and build upon existing programs and entities, including:

The Better Buildings/Better Plants program, including Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnerships and the ISO 50001 program.

Applicants are also encouraged to explore collaboration with the forthcoming Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships and DOE’s Building Technologies Office

Existing IACs and forthcoming Centers of Excellence

Federal Energy Management Program

Battery Workforce Initiative

Projects of DOE’s Loan Programs Office (many of which may be working to strengthen the regional manufacturing workforce)

30 Drehobl, A. and K. Tanabe. (2019). Extending the Benefits of Nonresidential Energy Efficiency to Low‐Income Communities. American Council for an Energy‐Efficient Economy. https://www.aceee.org/research‐report/u1910.

31 For purposes of this FOA, the term “industry” refers to manufacturing (NAICS 31‐33) for the IAC Program and commercial building construction and maintenance for the BTAC Program. Similarly, the term “client” refers to small‐ and medium‐sized manufacturers for the IAC Program and commercial building owners and operators for the IAC Program.

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Manufacturing USA Institutes

National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs)

National Laboratories (e.g., the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s Regional Workforce Initiative)

State Energy Offices and Programs

Trade associations and regional energy efficiency organizations

Energy services providers and utility efficiency programs and

Other related Federal, State, and Tribal efforts

Such coordination may take the form of sharing client referrals or others’ resources, or by providing mutual technical assistance to clients who can benefit from multiple sources.

DOE is compiling a “Teaming Partner List” to facilitate the formation of new project teams for this FOA (see Section I.B.iv below for more details and Section III for more information on consortium eligibility. Note that the total project cost must fit within the range in Section II.A.i).

e. Leveraging Federal and Other Efforts and Funds

DOE also seeks responses that leverage existing training infrastructure and resources developed by other local, state, and federal programs, or that leverage public or private partnerships or funding sources. Strong responses will demonstrate knowledge and awareness of relevant existing programs and describe how the proposed programming will leverage this existing infrastructure to create broader, more equitable, and more numerous pathways to careers in this sector (though cost share, Federal or otherwise, is not required). This is particularly important for programs supported or certified by other Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s engagement with regional workforce boards and American Jobs Centers.

Additionally, strong responses will provide a vision for sustaining the training and SMM services enabled by creation of new IACs and BTACs beyond BIL funding, such as through strategic dissemination of lessons; public, private, and industry partnerships to sustain IAC and BTAC activities; coordination to achieve economies of scale with other centers; or other means.

f. Community Benefits: Job Quality and Equity

To support the goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy, all BIL‐funded projects are expected to (1) support meaningful community and labor engagement; (2) create good jobs and a skilled workforce; (3) advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and (4) contribute to the President’s goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal

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investments flow to DACs (the Justice40 Initiative). As set forth in the technical volume requirements, the applicant should provide specific detail on how to ensure the delivery of measurable community and jobs benefits, including at least one Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely (SMART) milestone per budget period in order to measure progress on the proposed actions.

i. Community and Labor Engagement

Applications must describe the applicant’s actions to date and future plans to engage with labor unions and community stakeholders – such as local governments, Tribal governments, and community‐based organizations that support or work with underserved communities, including Disadvantaged Communities as defined for purposes of the Justice40 Initiative (described below). By facilitating community input, social buy‐in, and accountability, such engagement can substantially enhance project success and reduce or eliminate risks associated with project implementation.

Applicants also are encouraged to provide Community and Labor Partnership Documentation from representative organizations reflecting substantive engagement and feedback on applicant’s approach to community benefits including job quality and development of a skilled workforce; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and the Justice40 Initiative detailed below.

ii. Investing in Job Quality and Workforce Continuity

High‐quality jobs are critical to attracting and retaining a qualified workforce. Applications should describe how their approach to training new and incumbent workers will support upward mobility in the labor market through registered apprenticeship, stackable credentials, targeted upskilling, or more specialized training programs leading to jobs of sufficient quality to attract and retain skilled workers in clean energy industries. Applicants can reference the Department of Commerce and Department of Labor Good Jobs Principles as a guiding framework for high‐quality jobs.32

As the 1935 National Labor Relations Act states, employees’ ability to organize, bargain collectively, and participate, through labor organizations of their choosing, in decisions that affect them contributes to the effective conduct of business and facilitates amicable settlements of any potential disputes between employees and employers, providing

32 The Good Jobs Initiative | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

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assurances of project efficiency, continuity, and multiple public benefits.

To that end, applications should support efforts to attract, train, and retain skilled and well‐qualified workforces in conjunction with collective bargaining agreements, labor‐management partnerships, or other similar agreements. Applications should also support efforts to attract, train, and retain skilled and well‐qualified workforces as indicated through employer wages, benefits, and other worker supports that meet or exceed relevant prevailing wage benchmarks; employer commitments to invest in workforce education and training to reduce attrition, increase productivity from a committed and engaged workforce, and support the development of a resilient, skilled, and stable workforce; and employer efforts to engage employees in the design and execution of workplace safety and health plans.

The application should describe the applicant’s approach to balancing employer needs with a worker‐centered approach that empowers workers, including through employees’ ability to organize, bargain collectively, and participate, through labor organizations of their choosing, in decisions that affect them.

iii. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)

IACs and BTACs will be expected to work together with DOE, labor unions, and industry to ensure that the training provided offers access for students, apprentices, and other trainees (and particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds and disadvantaged communities) to credentials along existing and emerging clean energy pathways supporting high‐quality jobs and safe, healthy, and inclusive workplaces.

Applications should detail how diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility objectives (DEIA) will be incorporated into the project. This includes detailing how the project will serve under‐represented communities and those facing systemic barriers to quality employment such as those with disabilities, returning citizens, opportunity youth, and veterans; providing individuals with comprehensive support services to overcome specific barriers to employment as needed, including through the provision of industry‐ or partner‐enabled support services (e.g., childcare, transportation costs); career mapping, mentoring, and coaching, and skills development needed for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to build successful careers through a variety of career pathways; as well as commitments to partner with Minority Business Enterprises, Minority Owned Businesses, Woman Owned Businesses, and Veteran Owned Businesses as clients or contractors.

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iv. Justice40 Initiative Applicants must provide an overview of benefits to disadvantaged communities that the project can deliver, supported by measurable milestones. This consideration includes identifying applicable disadvantaged communities to which the anticipated project benefits will flow (e.g., those in the organization’s catchment area, per the Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool), benefits that are quantifiable and measurable as well as how they might be tracked, a…