DE-FOA-0003132_BIL_40513_SCEP_Career_Skills_Training_FOA.pdf

Questions about this FOA? Email [CareerSkillsTraining@hq.doe.gov].

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U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Office of State and Community Energy Programs

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) 40513: Career Skills Training

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0003132 FOA Type: Initial

Assistance Listing Number: 81.086

FOA Issue Date: 09/20/2023 5:00pm ET

Informational Webinar: 10/03/2023 3:00pm ET

Submission Deadline for Full Applications: 11/27/2023 5:00pm ET

Expected Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments: 01/10/2023 5:00pm ET

Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications: 02/20/2024 Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: 05/14/2024

• To apply to this FOA, applicants must register with and submit application materials through

Infrastructure eXCHANGE at S3 eXCHANGE: Registration (energy.gov), SCEP’s online application portal.

• Applicants must designate primary and backup points-of-contact in Infrastructure eXCHANGE 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.

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) - Each applicant

(unless the applicant is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110) is required to: (1) register in the SAM at https://www.sam.gov before submitting an application; (2) provide a valid UEI number in the application; and (3) maintain an active SAM registration with current information when the applicant has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DOE is ready to make a mailto:CareerSkillsTraining@hq.doe.gov mailto:InfrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov?Subject=Question%20Regarding%20eXCHANGE-Login https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov/Registration.aspx?rid=new https://www.sam.gov/ federal award, DOE will determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

NOTE: Due to the high number of UEI requests and SAM registrations, entity legal business name and address validations are taking longer than expected to process. Entities should start the UEI and SAM registration process as soon as possible. If entities have technical difficulties with the UEI validation or SAM registration process, they should use the HELP feature on SAM.gov. SAM.gov will address 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.

mailto:CareerSkillsTraining@hq.doe.gov mailto:InfrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov?Subject=Question%20Regarding%20eXCHANGE-Login https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0058422&sys_kb_id=1b5f22581b2115102fe5ed7ae54bcb4e&spa=1

Overview of Key Information

Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Program Overview: The Career Skills Training Program will provide grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal share of Career Skills Training Programs under which students concurrently receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training for the purpose of obtaining an industry-related certification to install energy efficient building technologies.1

This program was established by Section 40513 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The goals of the program are to promote the collaboration between labor organizations and industry to attract, train, and employ workers; enhances existing programs for replication; and creates a diverse, skilled, and credentialed workforce that is positioned to install energy technologies to buildings.

Eligible Applicants: In accordance with the BIL Section 40513, funding is only available to nonprofit partnerships (as that term is defined in section 40513 of the BIL)2.

Funding Overview: The BIL will invest $10 million dollars on training programs, and that fund will be available until expended. Of the amount appropriated by the BIL, DOE expects to make up to $8,350,000 of federal funding available for new awards under this FOA, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. DOE anticipates making approximately eight (8) awards under this FOA. DOE may issue one, multiple, or no awards. Individual awards may vary between $200,000 and $1,081,250. Projects funded under this FOA will provide a range of training and education services that lead to middle-and high-skilled jobs in the energy sector. An innovative mix of services will include assessment, coaching and counseling, and occupational skills trainings that lead to industry recognized credentials.

Cost Matching: BIL 40513 requires that the cost share must be at least 50% of the total project costs for the Career Skills Training Program3 4. The cost share must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law. All sources of cost match are considered part of total project costs, and the cost match dollars will be scrutinized under the same Federal regulations as Federal dollars. Further information on cost match is detailed in section III.B in the Eligibility Information and at 2 CFR 200.306.

Partnership: Applicants must identify their partner organizations and demonstrate that they are already committed to the Career Skills Training nonprofit partnership. We will consider an application from each partner organization, but one applicant must be listed as the lead applicant.

1 42 U.S.C. 18802(b).

2 42 U.S.C. 18802(a).

3 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub.L. 109-58, sec. 988. Also see 2 CFR 200.306 and 2 CFR 910.130 for additional cost sharing requirements.

4 42 U.S.C. 18802(c).

Organizations that are eligible lead partners include:

1. Industry related to energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

2. Labor Unions and Organizations, Labor-Management Partnerships, and

Worker Centers and Organizations that represent workers in the identified industries.

To aid in identifying related unions within the target service area(s), applicant can use the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards’ (OLMS) Union Search Tool, by which you can search on union type, city, state, zip code, and other criteria to identify labor unions for outreach and partnership. The tool can be found at https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/getOrgQry.do.

To support applicants in finding partners, DOE is compiling a Teaming Partner List to facilitate the formation of project teams for this FOA. The teaming partner list will be available three (3) days after the FOA is released. The Teaming Partner List allows organizations that may wish to participate on a project to express their interest to other applicants and explore potential partnerships.

Timeline:

FOA Issue Date: 09/20/2023 Informational Webinar: 10/03/2023 Submission Deadline for Full Applications:

11/27/2023

Expected Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments:

01/10/2024

Expected Date for DOE Selection Notification

02/20/2024

Negotiations 05/14/2024 First Funding Installment (50% of total award)

Executed Assistance Agreement 05/14/2024

Second Funding Installment (50% of total award)

05/14/2026 Applicant submits:

• Evidence of achieving at least 35% of the performance outcomes

• Evidence of utilization of match or cost sharing

• Corrective action plans to address outstanding issues or concerns

• Plans for improving partnerships

Period of Performance: The expected period of performance is 48 months and includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities. DOE will consider applications that contain justification for a period of performances longer or shorter than 48 months.

mailto:CareerSkillsTraining@hq.doe.gov https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/getOrgQry.do

Application Components: The Application consists of the following:

1. Project Narrative (section IV.C.ii) Required.

2. Letters of Commitment (section IV.C.iii) Required.

o Partnership (Partners and advisory board) (section IV.C.iv) Required.

o Community Partnership Documentation (section IV.C.iv) Optional.

3. Community Benefits Plan (section IV.C.xv) Required.

o Community Benefits Plan Budget Justification (section IV.C.xvi) Required.

4. Performance Metrics Required.

5. Statement of Project Objectives (section IV.C.v) Required.

6. Standard Form-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) (section IV.C.vi)

Required.

7. Budget Justification Workbook (section IV.C.vii) Required.

8. Summary/Abstract for Public Release (section IV.C.viii) Required.

9. Summary Slide (section IV.C.ix) Required.

10. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice (section IV.C.x.vii) Required.

11. Other Forms, as applicable o Authorization from Cognizant Contracting Officer for FFRDC o Negotiated Indirect Rate Agreement or Rate Proposal o A document providing the name, phone number and email address of the

Authorized Representative and Business Officer o Certifications regarding Lobbying (SF-LLL Disclosure Form to report lobbying)

Questions/Agency Contacts:

Questions relating to the Infrastructure eXCHANGE website should be directed to InfrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov.

Interested applicants should reach out to the SCEP Workforce Development Team with any FOA-specific questions: CareerSkillsTraining@hq.doe.gov.

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Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................... i

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Context

i. Program Purpose

ii. Program Overview and Strategic Goals

iii. Teaming Partner List

B. Topic Areas C. Applications Specifically Not of Interest D. Community Benefits Plan: Job Quality and Equity 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 as Prime and subrecipients

ii. Foreign Entities

iii. Required Partners

iv. Optional Partners

v. Eligibility Criteria

B. Cost Sharing

i. Legal Responsibility

ii. Cost Share Allocation

iii. Cost Share Types and Allowability

iv. Cost Share Contributions by FFRDCs

v. Cost Share Verification

vi. 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 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 ii

C. Content and Form of the Full Application

i. Full Application Content Requirements

ii. Project Narrative

iii. Letters of Commitment

iv. Community Partnership Documentation

v. Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO)

vi. SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance

vii. Budget Justification Workbook

viii. Summary for Public Release

ix. Summary Slide

x. Subrecipient Budget Justification (if applicable)

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

xii. Authorization for Non-DOE/NNSA or DOE/NNSA FFRDCs (if applicable)

xiii. SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (required)

xiv. Waiver Requests (if applicable)

xv. Community Benefits Plan: Job Quality and Equity

xvi. Community Benefits Plan Budget Justification

xvii. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice

D. Content and Form of Replies to Reviewer Comments 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. Equipment and Supplies

v. Build America Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

vi. Davis-Bacon Act Requirements

vii. Lobbying

viii. Risk Assessment

ix. Invoice Review and Approval

x. Affirmative Action and Pay Transparency Requirements

V. Application Review Information

A. Technical Review Criteria

i. Full Applications

ii. Criteria for Replies to Reviewer Comments

B. Standards for Application Evaluation C. Other Selection Factors

i. Program Policy Factors D. Evaluation and Selection Process

i. Overview

ii. Recipient Responsibility and Qualifications

iii. Selection

E. Anticipated Notice of Selection and Award Negotiation Dates

VI. Award Administration Information iii

A. Award Notices

i. Ineligible Submissions

ii. Full Application Notifications

iii. Applicants Selected for Award Negotiations

iv. Alternate Selection Determinations

v. Unsuccessful Applicants

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Registration Requirements

ii. Award Administrative Requirements

iii. Subaward and Executive Reporting

iv. National Policy Requirements

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

vi. Applicant Representations and Certifications

vii. Statement of Federal Stewardship

viii. Intellectual Property Provisions

ix. Reporting

x. Conference Spending

xi. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements

xii. Real Property and Equipment

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

xiv. Participants and Collaborating Organizations

xv. Interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance

xvi. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

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. Copyright K. Export Control L. Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment M. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) N. Annual Independent Audits O. Informational Webinar

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 . 79

Appendix E – List of Acronyms

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I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Background and Context

DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) works with state and local organizations to significantly accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies, catalyze local economic development and create jobs, reduce energy costs, and avoid pollution through place-based strategies involving a wide range of government, community, business and other stakeholders.

SCEP is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Awards made under this FOA will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,5 more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

BIL is a once-in-a-generation investment in modernizing and upgrading American infrastructure to enhance U.S. competitiveness, drive the creation of good-paying union jobs, tackle the climate crisis, and ensure strong access to economic, environmental, and other benefits for disadvantaged communities.6 BIL appropriates more than $62 billion to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)7 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.

DOE’s BIL investments will support efforts to build a clean and equitable energy economy that achieves a zero-carbon electricity sector by 2035, and to put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 20508 to benefit all Americans.

Through this program, BIL will invest $10,000,000 to nonprofit partnerships to establish training programs, under which students concurrently receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training for the purpose of obtaining an industry-related certification to install energy efficient buildings technologies. DOE intends to make competitive grant awards under this program in February 2024.

5 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.

6 Pursuant to E.O. 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,” January 27, 2021, and the Office of Management and Budget’s Interim Justice40 Implementation Guidance M-21-28 and M-23-09, DOE recognizes disadvantaged communities as defined and identified by the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), 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.

7 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 8 Executive Order (EO) 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,” January 27, 2021.

mailto:CareerSkillsTraining@hq.doe.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684 https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/ https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/Final%20DOE%20Justice40%20General%20Guidance%20072522.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/Final%20DOE%20Justice40%20General%20Guidance%20072522.pdf https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-fact-sheet-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal-will-deliver-american-workers-families-and-0 https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-fact-sheet-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal-will-deliver-american-workers-families-and-0 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/

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The activities to be funded under the BIL Section 40513 FOA will address workforce gaps, such as accessing training, addressing employers hiring challenges, and diversifying the workforce. These activities support the administration’s broader effort to:

(1) Train students and workers and place them into high quality energy efficiency jobs;

(2) Create a diverse pipeline of workers and businesses in the energy efficiency sector;

(3) Build on and replicate existing successful programs & resources; and

(4) Deliver high quality energy upgrades to homes, businesses, and institutions.

This broader, government-wide approach will enhance and expand both new and established nonprofit and locally driven efforts to scale a well-trained, diverse workforce through partnerships between industry and labor organizations. This will include, revitalizing the appeal of building energy jobs, expanding training program offerings, and creating more diverse and inclusive pipelines of talent, including those from disadvantaged communities to maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice.

i. Program Purpose

The Career Skills Training Program authorized under BIL section 40513 is designed to provide grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal share of Career Skills Training Programs under which students simultaneously receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training for the purpose of obtaining an industry-related certification to install energy efficient building technologies.9 Relatedly, the long-term goals of the program are to evolve the collaboration of industry and labor organization to address the gap between the available skilled workers and the demand for a skilled workforce. Meeting this goal will require that nonprofit partnerships identify best practices for industry and labor partnerships, Career Skills Training Programs that lead to industry credentials, and recruiting individuals from disadvantaged communities to pursue careers in the energy industry.

This FOA supports the administration goals laid out above because it is designed to promote the collaboration between labor organizations and industry to attract, train, and employ workers;

enhances existing programs for replication; and creates a diverse, skilled, and credentialed workforce that is positioned to install energy efficient technologies to buildings.

ii. Program Overview and Strategic Goals

Through this funding action, the BIL will invest $10,000,000 to be distributed to nonprofit partnerships for the development of the Career Skills Training Programs focused on occupations to install energy efficient buildings technologies. 10 The energy efficiency industry is opening up an array of exciting, well-paying jobs with long-term professional development opportunities and high levels of career satisfaction. Employment in the energy efficiency industry covers both the

9 42 U.S.C. 18802(b).

10 42 U.S.C. 18802(d).

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production, distribution, and installation of energy-saving products. The research, design, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and installation of ENERGY STAR appliances, employed over 826,500 Americans in 2019 according to the 2020 U.S. Energy & Employment Report.11 Installation or repair positions occupy the largest occupation group in the Energy Efficiency sector. USEER identifies that 32.8% of all EE jobs are found in the installation and repair positions.12 While this BIL provision does not mandate that DOE targets specific occupations, the Career Skills Training (CST) program will prioritize training for “new-collar jobs”, the 32 Energy Efficiency Industry jobs that do not require a college degree. While prioritizing these jobs, SCEP will be open to funding training programs from applicants for a variety of jobs based on demonstrated local needs. This will increase access by nontraditional students and workers to energy efficiency jobs at entry, mid-level, and advanced positions.13

The Career Skills Training Program will build a pipeline of workers that positions local areas and regions in meeting current and future workforce challenges and expand partnerships between industry and labor organizations. Successful applicants will design their grant projects from both

(1) a strategic level, such as describing their planned activities for convening partnerships, assessing the needs in order to devise a comprehensive workforce strategy; and (2) an operational level, such as incorporating in their plans how they would implement their comprehensive workforce strategy and deploy the training activities.

Example of the types of activities allowable under this FOA include but are not limited to:

• Hiring a full-time program manager

• Establishing new partnerships and/or enhancing existing partnerships

• Collaborating with industry experts

• Conducting outreach and recruitment to attract, train, certify, place, and retain a diverse set of local workers to deliver the influx of new federally funded energy efficiency and renewable technologies programs

• Aligning training curriculum to industry standards

• Funding instructors & on-the-job trainers

• Providing classroom instruction and on-the-job training

• Offering personalized career counseling services

• Forming partnerships to provide supportive services

• Covering the costs to obtain industry-recognized credentials

• Placing student in jobs

• Fostering effective communications between partners

11 U.S. Department of Energy. The 2020 U.S. Energy & Employment Report 12 U.S Department of Energy. The United States & Employment Report 2023. 2023 USEER REPORT-v2.pdf (energy.gov) 13 The “New-Collar Jobs” tab in the Green Buildings Career Map for the full list of 32 energy efficiency “new-collar jobs”:

greenbuildingscareermap.org/.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a98cf80ec4eb7c5cd928c61/t/5ee78423c6fcc20e01b83896/1592230956175/USEER+2020+0615.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/2023%20USEER%20REPORT-v2.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/2023%20USEER%20REPORT-v2.pdf https://greenbuildingscareermap.org/

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• Prioritizing new collar jobs14

• Compliantly managing Federal funds and grant implementation

Strategic Goals:

This FOA seeks applications to address the skills and labor shortage by focusing on:

(1) increasing enrollment in energy efficiency career training programs;

(2) improving access to classroom instruction and on-the-job training opportunities for underserved, underrepresented, and disadvantaged communities;

(3) providing students with the necessary skills and industry-recognized certifications required to pursue a career in the energy efficiency industry;

(4) placing students to ensure economic self-sufficiency and career success; and

(5) evolving the collaboration of industry and labor organizations to address the gap between available skilled workers and the demand for a skilled workforce.

The energy efficiency sector remained one of the largest energy technology sectors, with over

2.2 million workers. 15 In order to support growth in that sector, we need to expand access to trainings that lead to industry-recognized credential to meet the industry demand. To support goal (1), increasing enrollment in energy efficiency career training programs, applicants may consider increasing the awareness of training program and its benefits. Meeting this objective include conducting targeted marketing and promotional campaigns to reach potential students (i.e., social media; local media; community events; etc.) and developing partnerships to expand outreach efforts, receive referrals, and encourage an increase in minority students.

Promoting the creation and/or integrated use of community-driven training programs especially in disadvantaged communities.

A diverse and highly skilled workforce is needed to identify and implement accessible energy efficiency solutions that maximize energy efficiency and cost savings, and ultimately contribute to a net-zero-carbon economy by 2050. The pandemic dramatically altered the sector’s employment demographics, with Hispanic and Latino workers suffering a disproportionate share

14 New-collar workers: individuals who develop the technical and soft skills needed to work in jobs through nontraditional education paths. New-collar workers do not have a four-year degree from college. Instead, new-collar workers gain skills through on-the-job training, high school technical education, on-the-job apprenticeships, vocational schools, technical certification programs, community colleges, the military, and internships. The mid-level and advanced-level new-collar jobs identified in this career map typically require more experience or certification to advance. Home | Green Buildings Career Map 15 From 2021 to 2022, energy efficiency firms added 50,517 jobs (+2.3%) and underwent positive job growth in all efficiency technologies, most notably in traditional heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC), which added 15,118 jobs and grew by 2.8%. Energy efficiency was hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, resulting in across-the-board declines amounting to a loss of 271,719 jobs. Since 2020, energy efficiency employers have added 163,461 workers, recovering 60.2% of the total lost during the pandemic. Despite modest gains in 2022, energy efficiency grew more slowly than the energy sector as a whole (2.3% versus 3.8%). U.S Department of Energy. The United States & Employment Report 2023.

2023 USEER REPORT-v2.pdf (energy.gov).

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of the job losses. 16 To support goal (2), improving access to classroom instruction and on-the-job training opportunities for underserved, underrepresented, disadvantaged communities, applicants may consider enabling more diverse and inclusive pipelines of talent, including those from disadvantaged communities. Meeting this objective entails reducing financial barriers by providing funding for tuition assistance to disadvantaged students.

Confirming training programs are accessible to individual with disabilities. In addition, activities could include providing multiple sessions, a variety of training locations, and flexible scheduling to accommodate participant availability and transportation concerns. Lastly, ensuring that all hands-on training opportunities allow students to gain practical experience in installing, operating, and maintaining energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

Recent surveys indicate that energy efficiency employers experience consistent difficulty in hiring skilled personnel, particularly engineers, construction technicians and other skilled professionals.17 Employers from all industries such as construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, professional and business services, and other services reported the following challenges including a lack of technical skills or training, small applicant pools, and lack of industry-specific skills.18 These issues are further exacerbated by the fact that many workers in this space are nearing retirement. The energy industry is in critical need of a diverse workforce with the skills to properly assess and install building energy technologies. To support goal (3), providing students with the necessary skills and industry-recognized certifications required to pursue a career in the energy efficiency industry, applicants may consider maintaining high-quality instruction, experienced trainers and mentors, and industry partnerships. This can include aligning the curriculum with industry standards, emerging needs, and the requirements and knowledge areas covered in the certification exams. Offering formal or informal practice exams, study materials, review sessions etc. which will provide the grantee better flexibility to accomplish this task. Offering soft skills development, career and employment counseling, and/or mentorship to guide students through the training and employment journey. This also include incorporating industry feedback into the program to ensure its relevance and applicability.

Career routes in the energy efficiency industry is not always linear. Individuals who have already acquired related education and skill sets could enter at mid and advanced levels (e.g., HVAC/R technician, electrician, salesperson, auditor, engineering technician, veteran)19.

To support goal (4), placing students in good jobs to ensure economic self-sufficiency and career success, applicants may consider advocating for diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

This can include engaging employers to promote opportunities for disadvantaged individuals

16 Even though energy efficiency employment grew by 50,517 jobs or 2.3% from 2021 to 2022 grew, the workforce tended to be disproportionately male, with an average the same as the overall energy workforce average, at 73%, and the percentage of non-white workers was lower than the energy workforce average, 24% compared to 25%. The United States Energy & Employment Report 2023. 2023 USEER REPORT-v2.pdf (energy.gov) 17 The United States Energy & Employment Report 2023. 2023 USEER REPORT-v2.pdf (energy.gov) 18 The United States Energy & Employment Report 2023. 2023 USEER REPORT-v2.pdf (energy.gov) 19 Frequently Asked Questions | Green Buildings Career Map.

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through networking. For instance, applicants can establish partnerships with local employers and industry representatives to create on-the-job training opportunities, apprenticeship, and/or job placement pathways for students. Applicants can provide job search, professional development, and life skills (basic skills such as decision making and interpersonal skills) to prepare students for their careers. This can include training students on how to prepare and/or update a resume;

write a cover letter; and prepare for job interviews.

Applicants should also consider ways to promote worker voice and engagement. This can include training on worker’s rights and responsibilities and employing strategies that may include but are not limited to giving workers a free and fair choice to join and form a union;

consulting workers on the development and implementation of workplace safety and health plans; and creating a mechanism to solicit feedback from workers in the design and implementation of the training program. To ensure that students are successful after the program, applicants can provide customized pre- and post-separation employment services.

As part of the whole-of-government approach to advance equity and encourage worker organizing and collective bargaining,20,21,22 and in alignment with BIL section 40513, this FOA and any related activities will seek to encourage meaningful engagement and participation of workforce organizations, including labor unions, as well as underserved communities and underrepresented groups, including Indian Tribes.23 Consistent with Executive Order 14008,24 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 and identified by CEJST pursuant to the Executive Order, and to drive creation of accessible, good-paying jobs with the free and fair chance for workers to join a union.

DOE encourages meaningful engagement and participation of a variety of partners, this FOA requires the implementation of the training program through a nonprofit partnership. To support goal (5), evolve the collaboration of industry and labor organizations to address the gap between available skilled workers and the demand for a skilled workforce, applicants may consider strengthening the alliance between energy efficiency industries and labor organizations.

Meeting this objective can include identifying best practices for industry and labor partnerships, Career Skills Training Programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials and recruiting individuals from disadvantaged communities to pursue careers in the energy industry. In

20 EO 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” January 20, 2021. EO 14091, “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” February 16, 2023.

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

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

23 EO 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,” November 6, 2000, 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. Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships | The White House.

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

mailto:CareerSkillsTraining@hq.doe.gov https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/26/memorandum-on-tribal-consultation-and-strengthening-nation-to-nation-relationships/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/26/memorandum-on-tribal-consultation-and-strengthening-nation-to-nation-relationships/

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addition, maintaining equal participation in the operation and management of the program to ensure the gap between skilled workers and demand is reduced.

The nonprofit partnership must fully represent the entities necessary for a robust partnership connected to the workforce development system. An example of a partnership may be a combination of two required partners or two required partners and one optional partner such as Workforce Intermediaries25. For instance, an applicant may meet this employer partnership requirement by partnering with Workforce Development Entities. These organizations have expertise in workforce development and may provide leadership in implementing the following types of activities: (1) understanding and analyzing the need for education and training in the local area, including identifying key employers and industry contacts within the energy efficiency industry; (2) addressing hiring needs, identifying target populations, and providing relevant sources of data, including labor market information and other tools or reports; (3) assessing potential students for the grant program; (4) identifying and referring candidates for education and training in the grant program; (5) developing and delivering training programs; (6) providing additional supportive services; (7) connecting and placing students that have job openings; or (8) collecting, tracking, and reporting participant data to DOE.

iii. Teaming Partner List DOE is compiling a Teaming Partner List to facilitate the formation of project teams for this FOA. The Teaming Partner List allows organizations that may wish to participate on a project to express their interest to other applicants and explore potential partnerships.

The Teaming Partner List will be available on Infrastructure eXCHANGE website under this Funding Opportunity three (3) days after the FOA is released and will be regularly updated to reflect new teaming partners who provide their organization’s information.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: View the Teaming Partner List by visiting the Infrastructure eXCHANGE homepage and clicking on “Teaming Partners” within the left-hand navigation pane. This page allows users to view published Teaming Partner Lists. To join the Teaming Partner List for this FOA, submit a request within eXCHANGE. Select the appropriate Teaming Partner List from the drop-down menu, and fill in the following information: Investigator Name, Organization Name, Organization Type, Topic Area, Background and Capabilities, Website, Contact Address, Contact Email, and Contact Phone.

DISCLAIMER: By submitting a request to be included on the Teaming Partner List, the requesting organization consents to the publication of the above-referenced information. By facilitating the Teaming Partner List, DOE is not endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals and organizations that are identifying themselves for

25 Workforce Intermediaries are organizations that bring together partners in the workforce system to identify workforce needs; plan, develop, and implement strategies; and raise funds to support these strategies.

mailto:CareerSkillsTraining@hq.doe.gov https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov/TeamingPartners.aspx https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov/TeamingPartners.aspx https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov/TeamingPartners.aspx

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placement on this Teaming Partner List. DOE will not pay for the provision of any information, nor will it compensate any applicants or requesting organizations for the development of such information.

B. Topic Areas There are no topic areas. All work for projects selected under this FOA must be performed in the United States. See Section IV.I.iii. and Appendix C.

C. Applications Specifically Not of Interest The following types of applications will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be reviewed or considered (See Section III.D. of the FOA):

• Applications that fall outside the technical parameters specified in Sections I.A. and I.B.

of the FOA.

• Applications that do not have the required evidence of partnership commitments to support the program.

• Applications that failed to include a signed memorandum of understanding for each partnership.

• Applications that do not include an energy workforce need.

• Applicants that do not demonstrate compliance with the provision requirements. This means a nonprofit partnership that does not demonstrate in the application— (A) experience in implementing and operating worker skills training and education programs;

(B) the ability to identify and involve in training programs carried out under this section, target populations of individuals who would benefit from training and be actively involved in activities relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy industries; and

(C) the ability to help individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency.

D. Community Benefits Plan: Job Quality and Equity To support the goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy, BIL-funded projects are expected to (1) support meaningful community and labor engagement; (2) invest in America’s workforce; (3) advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); and (4) contribute to the President’s goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities (the Justice40 Initiative).26 To ensure these goals are met, applications must include a Community Benefits Plan that describes how the proposed project would incorporate the four objectives stated above.

Applicants must submit Community and Labor Partnership Documentation from established labor and community-based organizations that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to achieve the above goals as outlined in the Community Benefits Plan. Within the Community Benefits Plan, the applicant is encouraged to provide details on how to ensure the delivery of measurable community

26 The Justice40 initiative, established by E.O. 14008, sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.

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and jobs benefits, ideally using negotiated agreements between the applicant and the community, and/or the applicant and labor unions referred to collectively here as “Workforce and Community Agreements.” These include good neighbor agreements, community benefits agreements, community workforce agreements, project labor agreements, and other collective bargaining agreements. See Section IV.C.xv. for the Community Benefits Plan content requirements.

E. Authorizing Statutes The programmatic authorizing statute is BIL, Section 40513, as codified at 42 U.S.C. 18802.

Awards made under this announcement will fall under the purview of 2 CFR Part 200 as amended by 2 CFR Part 910.

F. Notice of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law–Specific Requirements

Be advised that special terms and conditions apply to projects funded by the BIL relating to:

• Reporting, tracking, and segregation of incurred costs;

• Reporting on job creation and preservation;

• Publication of information on the internet;

• Access to records by Inspectors General and the Government Accountability

Office;

• Requiring all of the iron, steel, manufactured goods, and construction materials used in the infrastructure activities of applicable projects are produced in the United States;

• Ensuring laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on BIL-funded projects are paid wages equivalent to prevailing wages on similar projects in the area;

• Protecting whistleblowers and requiring prompt referral of evidence of a false claim to an appropriate inspector general; and

• Certification and registration.

Recipients of funding appropriated by the BIL must comply with requirements of all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, DOE policy and guidance, and instructions in this FOA.

Recipients must flow down the requirements to subrecipients to ensure the recipient’s compliance with the requirements.

II. Award Information A. Award Overview

i. Estimated Funding DOE expects to make a total of approximately $8,350,000 of federal funding available for new awards under this FOA, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. DOE anticipates

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making approximately eight (8) awards under this FOA. DOE may issue one, multiple, or no awards. Individual awards may vary between $200,000 and $1,081,250.

DOE may establish more than one budget period for each award and fund only the initial budget period(s). Funding for all budget periods, including the initial budget period, is not guaranteed.

ii. Period of Performance

DOE anticipates making awards that will run for a period of performance of 48 months.

iii. New Applications Only DOE will accept only new applications under this FOA. DOE will not consider applications for renewals of existing DOE-funded awards through this FOA.

B. DOE Funding Agreements Through cooperative agreements and other similar agreements, DOE provides financial and other support to projects that have the potential to realize the FOA objectives. DOE does not use such agreements to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the U.S. government.

DOE generally does not fund projects through grants but cooperative agreements. For this FOA, DOE will fund a limited number of projects through grants. These grants will be awarded to the applicant from the industry or the labor organization.

i. Cooperative Agreements

DOE generally uses cooperative agreements to provide financial and other support to prime recipients.

Through cooperative agreements, DOE provides financial or other support to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by federal statute. Under cooperative agreements, the government and prime recipients share responsibility for the direction of projects. DOE has substantial involvement in all projects funded via cooperative agreement.

ii. Funding Agreements with Federally Funded Research and Development Center

(FFRDCs)27 In most cases, FFRDCs are funded independently of the remainder of the project team. The FFRDC then executes an agreement with any non-FFRDC project team members to arrange work structure, project execution, and any other matters. Regardless of these arrangements, the entity that applied as the prime recipient for the project will remain the prime recipient for the project. See Section III.E.i.

27 FFRDCs are public-private partnerships that conduct research for the U.S. government. A listing of FFRDCs can be found at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/.

http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/

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III. Eligibility Information

To be considered for substantive evaluation, an applicant’s submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If the application does not meet these eligibility requirements, it will be considered ineligible and removed from further evaluation.

A. Eligible Applicants

In accordance with the BIL Section 40513, eligible entities are nonprofit partnerships that—

(1) includes the equal participation of industry, including public or private employers, and labor organizations, including joint labor-management training programs28;

(2) may include workforce investment boards, community-based organizations, qualified service and conservation corps, educational institutions, small businesses, cooperatives, State and local veterans’ agencies, and veterans service organizations.29

Eligible applicants may also include the following potential partners30 but are not limited to:

• Workforce Investment Boards

• Community-Based Organizations

• Qualified Service and Conservation Corps

• State And Local Veterans Agencies

• Small Businesses and Associations

• Energy Utilities and Associations

• Coalitions

• Veterans Service Organizations

• State Service Commissions

• Workforce Development Providers

• Faith-Based Organization

• Non-Profit Organization

• State…