DE-FOA-0003439_NOFO_Part_One.pdf

Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity

Part 1

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office

Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Goals Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number: DE-

FOA-0003439

Applications Due: January 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET

Modifications to this NOFO will be posted on eXCHANGE and Grants.gov. Grants.gov will automatically notify applicants when a NOFO modification is processed. Applicants must be registered to this NOFO in Grants.gov to receive email notifications. See Registration Requirements in Part 2 of this NOFO.

Table of Contents

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Key Facts

1. Funding Details

2. Period of Performance

B. Executive Summary C. Agency Contact Information

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

1. Restricted eligibility

2. Domestic Entities

3. Foreign Entity Participation

B. Limitation on Number of each Paper and Application Eligible for Review C. Cost Sharing

1. Cost Share Requirements

2. Unallowable Cost Share Sources, NOFO Specific

D. FFRDC Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs as a Subrecipient

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Background and Context B. Program Purpose C. Program Goals and Objectives D. Expected Performance Goals

Topic 1: Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up Topic 2: High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service, Including Cryogenic and/or High-Pressure Conditions Topic 3: Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy-Duty Transportation Applications Topic 4: Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration

E. Teaming Partner List (Optional) F. Topics

General Information for All Topics Topic 1: Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up

Topic 2: High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service, Including Cryogenic and/or High-Pressure Conditions Topic 2A: High-Performance Composite Materials for High-Pressure Hydrogen Storage Tanks and Pipelines Topic 2B: High-Performance Materials Compatible for Use in Hydrogen Service in Collaboration with H-Mat Topic 3: Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy-Duty Transportation Applications Topic 4: Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration

G. Applications Specifically Not of Interest H. Statement of Substantial Involvement I. Statutory Authority J. Reseach & Development (R&D) Community Benefits Plan

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORM

A. Summary B. Concept Paper C. Application Content Requirements

1. Covered Individual Definition, Designation, and Responsibility

2. Summary of Application Requirements

3. Technical Volume

D. Funding Restrictions

1. Build America Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. Required Registrations

1. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

2. eXCHANGE

B. Application Package

1. eXCHANGE

2. Electronic Authorization of Applications and Award Documents

C. Submission Date and Times D. Intergovernmental Review

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Standards for Application Evaluation B. Responsiveness review C. Review criteria

1. Compliance Criteria

2. Technical Review Criteria

3. Criteria for Replies to Reviewer Comments

D. Other Selection Factors

VII. SELECTION AND AWARD NOTICES

VIII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Real Property and Equipment

2. Rights in Technical Data

3. Cost Share Payment

B. Helpful Websites C. Questions and Support

1. Questions

2. Support

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

Before You Begin

Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity

The OMB Memorandum M-24-11 directs Federal agencies to reduce the burden on applicants in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process and limit the length of the NOFO information requests.

With Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 NOFOs, DOE has separated the NOFO into two parts.

The NOFO Part 1 describes the specific DOE programmatic goals and evaluation criteria, eligibility, and other components that are specific to each funding opportunity. The NOFO Part 2 includes all fixed DOE requirements that generally do not change from NOFO to NOFO, including standard information for the application phase, expectations for award negotiations, and post-award requirements. Prior to application submission, applicants must review both the NOFO Part 1 and the NOFO Part 2. To facilitate navigation, you will find links throughout this document to additional information found in Part 2.

There are several required one-time actions applicants must take before applying to this NOFO. Some of these actions may take several weeks, so it is vital applicants build in enough time to complete them.

Failure to complete these actions could interfere with application or negotiation deadlines or the ability to receive an award if selected. If you have previously completed the necessary registrations, make sure your registration is active and up to date. All registrations are free. Please refer to NOFO Part 2, Section I. Get Registered, for additional information.

This announcement is published in conjunction with NOFO Part 2.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/M-24-11-Revisions-to-2-CFR.pdf

I. Basic Information A. Key Facts

Issuing Agency

Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office

Funding Opportunity Title Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Goals

Announcement Type Initial Funding Opportunity Number

DE-FOA-0003439

Funding Instrument Cooperative Agreement Research and Development or non-Research and Development

Research and Development; Research, Development, and Demonstration

Assistance Listing Number 81.087

Funding Opportunity Description

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeks to advance EERE’s goals and DOE’s commitment to pushing the frontiers of science and engineering and catalyzing clean energy jobs through research, development, demonstration, and deployment. Specifically, HFTO’s mission is to enable affordable clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable net-zero emissions economy.

Program Goals & Objective(s)

This NOFO advances EERE and national goals to deliver an equitable, clean energy future, and put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by no later than 2050 to the benefit of all Americans. Projects selected in this NOFO will support the goals of DOE’s Hydrogen Shot, which targets affordable clean hydrogen production at $1/kg by 2031, and the H2@Scale Initiative, which aims to advance affordable hydrogen production, transport, storage, and utilization to enable decarbonization and revenue opportunities across multiple sectors. Specific goals in addition to clean hydrogen production of $1/kg by 2031 include: $80/kilowatt (kW), 25,000-hour durability for fuel cell systems in heavy-duty transportation and reducing hydrogen storage costs to an ultimate goal of $8/kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Topic Areas

• Topic 1: Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up

• Topic 2: High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service, Including Cryogenic and/or High-Pressure Conditions

• Topic 3: Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange

Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy-Duty Transportation Applications

• Topic 4: Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration

KEY DATES

Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date:

October 23, 2024

Concept Paper Deadline:

November 20, 2024, at 5pm ET

Application Deadline:

January 31, 2025, at 5pm ET

Reply to Reviewer Comments Deadline:

March 14, 2025, at 5pm ET

Anticipated Selection Notification Date:

May 2025

Anticipated Award Date:

September 2025

Eligible Applicants • Domestic Entities (Institutions of higher education; for-profit entities; nonprofit entities; state and local government entities;

and Indian Tribes, as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act, 25 U.S.C. § 5304

• DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply for funding as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a recipient.

• Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a recipient.

• Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a recipient.

• A foreign entity may submit an application to this NOFO, but the application must be accompanied by an explicit written waiver request. Likewise, if the applicant seeks to include a foreign entity as a subrecipient, the applicant must submit a separate explicit written waiver request in the application for each proposed foreign subrecipient.

EERE eXCHANGE URL and Help Desk Contact Info https://eere-eXCHANGE.energy.gov EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov – include NOFO name and number in the subject line.

1. Funding Details

Multiple Topics Approximate total available funding including all topics: up to $46,000,000* in FY 2025

*Subject to availability of appropriations

Topic 1: Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up Approximate total available funding: up to $10,000,000 in FY 2025 Approximate number of awards: 3 to 4 Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: up to $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 Minimum cost share required: 20% of the total project costs Approximate award project period: 24 to 36 months Anticipated length of budget periods: 12 months

Topic 2: High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service, Including Cryogenic and/or High-Pressure Conditions Approximate total available funding: up to $16,000,000 in FY 2025 Approximate number of awards: 6 to 11 Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: up to $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 Minimum cost share required: 20% of total project costs Approximate award project period: 24 to 36 months Anticipated length of budget periods: 12 months https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/ mailto:EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov

Topic 3: Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy-Duty Transportation Applications Approximate total available funding: up to $10,000,000 in FY 2025 Approximate number of awards: 3 to 5 Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: up to $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 Minimum cost share required: 20% of total project costs Approximate award project period: 24 to 36 months Anticipated length of budget periods: 12 months

Topic 4: Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration Approximate total available funding: up to $10,000,000 in FY 2025 Approximate number of awards: 1-2 Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: up to $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 Minimum cost share required: 50% of total project costs Approximate award project period: 36 to 48 months Anticipated length of budget periods: 12 or 18 months

2. Period of Performance DOE anticipates making awards, comprised of multiple budget periods. If applicable, project continuation will be contingent upon DOE’s Go/No-Go decision. For a complete list and more information on the Go/No-Go review, see the NOFO Part 2, Section VIII. Award Administration Information. Funding for all budget periods, including the initial budget period, is not guaranteed.

B. Executive Summary Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies play a key role in enabling America’s leadership in clean energy technology, enhancing energy security and resilience, reducing emissions, and in creating economic value and equitable opportunities for all Americans. Aligned with national goals, the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies will be significant in hard to decarbonize sectors, and span across transportation, power, and industrial and chemical production applications. As stated in the U.S.

National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap,0F

1 clean hydrogen has the potential to reduce economy-wide emissions 10% by 2050 and create 100,000 jobs by 2030.

Clean hydrogen has a particularly important role to play in addressing our hardest-to-decarbonize sectors, which include key economic engines that are essential to the modern American economy and quality of life, such as heavy-duty transportation, chemical and industrial processes like steelmaking, and the production of liquid fuels and fertilizers. By enabling diverse, domestic clean energy pathways across multiple sectors of the economy, clean hydrogen will also strengthen American energy independence and resilience while creating good jobs, economic growth, and export opportunities.

The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office’s (HFTO) mission is to enable affordable clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable net-zero emissions economy.

Informed by input from diverse stakeholders engaged in relevant private- and public-sector hydrogen activities across multiple sectors of the economy, HFTO strategically deploys funding for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities to achieve the goals that support this mission.

1 U.S. Department of Energy. U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. 2023.

https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/library/roadmaps-vision/clean-hydrogen-strategy-roadmap.

https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/library/roadmaps-vision/clean-hydrogen-strategy-roadmap

This NOFO targets RD&D topics critical to scaling hydrogen infrastructure and enabling increased adoption of clean hydrogen across sectors. Increased adoption of hydrogen technologies will help achieve economies of scale and drive down costs, directly supporting DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) Program,1F

2 an $8 billion federal investment to create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen. Activities funded under this NOFO align with the H2@Scale Initiative,2F

3 which aims to advance affordable hydrogen production, transport, storage, and utilization to enable decarbonization and revenue opportunities across sectors and supports DOE’s Hydrogen Shot goal,3F

4 which targets affordable clean hydrogen production at $1/kg within a decade.

HFTO supports a broad portfolio of RD&D projects for materials, components, and systems throughout the clean hydrogen value chain. This NOFO specifically seeks applications in the following four topics:

• Topic 1: Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up

• Topic 2: High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service, Including Cryogenic and/or High-

Pressure Conditions

• Topic 3: Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy-

Duty Transportation Applications

• Topic 4: Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration

C. Agency Contact Information Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave SW Washington, D.C. 20585

For questions relating to this specific NOFO, please send emails to H2FCFOA@ee.doe.gov .

DISCLAIMER: Applicants are discouraged from submitting information considered proprietary unless it is deemed essential for proper evaluation of the application. If the application contains information that the applicant organization considers to be trade secrets, information that is commercial or financial, or information that is privileged or confidential, the pages containing that information should be identified as specified in the application instructions. When such information is included in the application, it will be withheld from public disclosure to the extent permitted by law, including the Freedom of Information Act, with the understanding that the information will be used or disclosed only for evaluation of the application. The information contained in the application will be protected by DOE from unauthorized disclosure, consistent with the need for merit review of applications of financial assistance awards to assure the integrity of the competitive process and the accuracy and completeness of the information. If a federal financial assistance award is made as a result of or in connection with an application, the federal government has the right to use or disclose the information to the extent authorized by law. This restriction does not limit the federal government’s right to use the information if it is obtained without restriction from another source.

2 Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs | Department of Energy 3 H2@Scale Initiative, https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/h2scale 4 Hydrogen Shot, https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-shot mailto:H2FCFOA@ee.doe.gov https://www.energy.gov/oced/regional-clean-hydrogen-hubs-0 https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/h2scale https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-shot

II. Eligibility 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 and ineligible for any award. DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this NOFO must be submitted. The decision whether to apply in response to this NOFO lies solely with the applicant. The information included here is specific to eligibility requirements for this NOFO. For eligibility requirements applicable to all NOFOs, please consult the NOFO Part 2, Section II. Eligibility.

A. Eligible Applicants 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.

1. Restricted eligibility In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126, eligibility for this NOFO is restricted because HFTO plans to designate more than 50% of the FY2025 appropriations for ongoing research and development (R&D) at national laboratories. To ensure there are funding opportunities for the private sector, consistent with Congressional and DOE priorities, this NOFO is restricted to exclude DOE/NNSA FFRDCs/National Laboratories from applying for funding as a prime recipient. DOE is restricting eligibility to the entities identified below.

2. Domestic Entities Domestic entities are eligible to apply as recipients or subrecipients. The following types of domestic entities are eligible to participate as a recipient or subrecipient of this NOFO:

• Institutions of higher education;

• For-profit organizations;

• Nonprofit organizations;

• State and local governmental entities; and

• Indian Tribes, as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance

Act, 25 U.S.C. § 53044F

To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered, or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States or under the laws of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States.

5 “Indian Tribe,” for the purposes of this NOFO and as defined in in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. § 5304), [1]means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [ 43 U.S.C. § 1601, et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. Federally Recognized Indian Tribes are also considered disadvantaged communities for the purposes of Justice40 requirements in this NOFO per https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:25%20section:5304%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/92/203.pdf#:%7E:text=688%20PUBLIC%20LAW%2092-203-DEC.%2018%2C%201971%20%5B85%20STAT.,and%20for%20other%20purposes.%20Alaska%20Native%20Claims%20Settlement https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:43%20section:1601%20edition:prelim) https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf

3. Foreign Entity Participation In general, foreign entities are not eligible to apply as either a recipient or subrecipient. In limited circumstances, DOE may approve a waiver to allow a foreign entity to participate as a recipient or subrecipient.

A foreign entity may submit an application to this NOFO, but the application must be accompanied by an explicit written waiver request. Likewise, if the applicant seeks to include a foreign entity as a subrecipient, the applicant must submit a separate explicit written waiver request in the application for each proposed foreign subrecipient. Please see NOFO Part 2, Section IV.B. Application Content Requirements for the requirements for submission of a foreign entity waiver request. The applicant does not have the right to appeal DOE’s decision concerning a waiver request.

Participant Limitations Participation of the following entities are limited as follows.

• DOE FFRDCs5F

6 are eligible to apply for funding as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a recipient.

• Non-DOE FFRDCs are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a recipient.

• Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are typically not eligible to apply as a recipient.

Performance of Work in the United States All work for the awards under this NOFO must be performed in the United States. To request a waiver of this requirement, the applicant must submit an explicit waiver request in the application. Absent an approved waiver, such costs will not be allowable under the award. The NOFO Part 2, Section IV.B.

Application Content Requirements lists the requirements for submission of a foreign work waiver request.

Ineligible Participants The following entities are ineligible for participation in this NOFO as a recipient, subrecipient, or subcontractor:

• In accordance with 2 CFR 200.214, entities banned from doing business with the U.S.

government such as entities debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participating in federal programs.

• Entities identified on Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control Treasury’s Sanctions Program Specially Designated Nationals list are prohibited from doing business with the United States government and are not eligible. See OFAC - Sanctions List Service(treas.gov).

• Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995, are not eligible to apply for funding. However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply for funding.

Entity of Concern Prohibition Entities of Concern are prohibited from participating in projects selected under this NOFO (see NOFO Part 2, Section II.B.2. Entity of Concern Prohibition for details and definitions).

6 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/.

https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/

B. Limitation on Number of each Paper and Application Eligible for Review

An entity may submit more than one Concept Paper and associated application to this NOFO, provided that each describes a unique, scientifically distinct project concept.

C. Cost Sharing Applicants are expected to follow through on estimated cost share commitments proposed in their applications if selected for award negotiations. Please refer to the NOFO Part 2, Section II. Eligibility for more information on Cost Sharing.

1. Cost Share Requirements The cost share must be at least 20% of the total project costs6F

7 for research and development projects and 50% of the total project costs for demonstration projects7F

8.

Topic Number Topic Title Cost Share

Requirement 1 Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up 20%

2 High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service, Including Cryogenic and/or High-Pressure Conditions 20%

Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy-Duty Transportation Applications

20%

4 Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration 50%

Applications that do not meet the minimum required cost share may be deemed ineligible during the initial compliance review and will not be further reviewed.

The cost share percentage is calculated by dividing the cost share by the total allowable project costs for the award where the total allowable project costs include government share (including FFRDC costs if applicable) and cost share. To help applicants calculate proper cost share amounts, DOE has included a cost share information sheet and sample cost share calculation in the NOFO Part 2, Section II. A.7. Cost Share Calculation Examples.

2. Unallowable Cost Share Sources, NOFO Specific Refer to NOFO Part 2, Section II.B. Cost Sharing for unallowable cost share sources applicable to all NOFOs.

7 Total project cost is the sum of the government share, including FFRDC costs if applicable, and the recipient share of project costs.

8 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.

D. FFRDC Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs as a Subrecipient As long as there is no conflict of interest present, DOE and non-DOE FFRDCs may be proposed as a subrecipient on another entity’s application subject to the following guidelines:

Authorization for non-DOE FFRDCs The federal agency sponsoring the FFRDC must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted with the application. The use of a FFRDC must be consistent with its authority under its award.

Authorization for DOE FFRDCs The cognizant Contracting Officer for the FFRDC must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted with the application. The following wording is acceptable for this authorization:

“Authorization is granted for the Laboratory to participate in the proposed project. The work proposed for the Laboratory is consistent with or complementary to the missions of the Laboratory and will not adversely impact execution of the DOE assigned programs at the Laboratory.”

Funding, Cost Share, and Subaward with FFRDCs The value of and funding for the FFRDC portion of the work will not normally be included in the award.

DOE FFRDCs participating as a subrecipient on a project will be funded directly through the DOE Work Authorization process in accordance with DOE O 412.1A. Non-DOE FFRDCs participating as a subrecipient will be funded through an interagency agreement with the sponsoring agency.

Although the FFRDC portion of the work is excluded from the award, the applicant’s cost share requirement will be based on the total cost of the project, including the applicant’s, the subrecipient’s, and the FFRDC’s portions of the project.

All DOE FFRDCs are required to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement8F

(CRADA) or, if the role of the DOE FFRDC is limited to technical assistance and intellectual property (IP) is not anticipated to be generated from the DOE FFRDC’s work, a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA), with at least the recipient. A fully executed CRADA or TAA must be in place or be compliant with a Master Scope of Work process prior to the FFRDC starting work directly allocable to the financial assistance award.

A CRADA is used to ensure accountability for project work and provide the appropriate management of IP, e.g., data protection and background IP. A Data Management Plan is not suited for this purpose.

Limit on FFRDC Effort The FFRDC effort, in aggregate, shall not exceed 25% of the total project cost.9F

9 A cooperative research and development agreement is a contractual agreement between a national laboratory contractor and a private company or university to work together on research and development. For more information, see https://www.energy.gov/gc/downloads/doe-cooperative-research-and-development-agreements 10 Total project cost is the sum of the government share, including FFRDC costs if applicable, and the recipient share of project costs.

https://www.energy.gov/gc/downloads/doe-cooperative-research-and-development-agreements

III. Program Description

A. Background and Context The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) advances applied research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects to support the adoption and commercialization of energy innovations across a range of technologies and sectors. These innovations power our grid with low-carbon renewable energy, enable sustainable transportation and fuels, reduce energy consumption and emissions from our buildings and industries, and drive growth and improvement in domestic manufacturing and supply chains.

EERE is issuing Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) DE-FOA-0003439 on behalf of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO), which coordinates hydrogen activities with offices across the Department of Energy (DOE) as described in the DOE Hydrogen Program Plan.10F

11 These activities align with EERE’s mission, the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap,11F

12 the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization,12F

13 and other DOE initiatives as described below.

Through this NOFO, HFTO seeks to continue to advance EERE’s goals and DOE’s commitment to pushing the frontiers of science and engineering and catalyzing clean energy jobs through research, development, and demonstration (RD&D). Specifically, HFTO’s mission is to enable affordable clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable net-zero emissions economy. HFTO strategically deploys funding for RD&D activities to achieve the goals that support this mission. Funded efforts fall roughly into two broad areas:

Research and development (R&D) activities, which aim to improve materials, components, and subsystems at laboratory scale. These activities address many underlying technical barriers to reducing the cost and improving the performance of key technologies, such as electrolyzers, fuel cells, and systems for storing, delivering, and dispensing hydrogen.

Demonstration and enabling activities, which involve integration and operation of complete systems under real-world conditions to validate performance and de-risk investment, along with deployment of commercial-scale systems to identify and help overcome nontechnological barriers. Activities focus on key strategic applications, such as demonstrations of fuel-cell-powered vehicles, fueling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and nuclear-to-hydrogen production.

B. Program Purpose The RD&D activities to be funded under this NOFO will support the “whole-of-government” approach to drive innovation that can lead to the deployment of clean energy technologies, which are critical for emissions reductions. As laid out in the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, the federal government is undertaking a holistic, whole-of-government approach to overcoming the challenges facing clean hydrogen. To implement the national strategy, the Hydrogen Interagency Task Force13F

14 (HIT)

11 Department of Energy Hydrogen Program Plan, www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/hydrogen-program-plan-2020.pdf 12 U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, www.hydrogen.energy.gov/library/roadmaps-vision/clean-hydrogen-strategy-roadmap 13 U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, https://www.energy.gov/eere/us-national-blueprint-transportation-decarbonization-joint-strategy-transform-transportation 14 Hydrogen Interagency Task Force, https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/interagency https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/hydrogen-program-plan-2020.pdf https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/library/roadmaps-vision/clean-hydrogen-strategy-roadmap https://www.energy.gov/eere/us-national-blueprint-transportation-decarbonization-joint-strategy-transform-transportation https://www.energy.gov/eere/us-national-blueprint-transportation-decarbonization-joint-strategy-transform-transportation https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/interagency coordinates activities across multiple agencies, including long-standing efforts within DOE’s Hydrogen Program.14F

This NOFO supports the vision outlined in the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap targeting topics critical to enabling increased adoption of clean hydrogen across sectors, including in heavy-duty vehicles, also supporting the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization.

Projects selected in this NOFO will support the goals of the Hydrogen Energy EarthshotTM (Hydrogen Shot),15F

16 which targets affordable clean hydrogen production at $1/kg within the decade, and the H2@Scale Initiative,16F

17 which aims to advance affordable hydrogen production, transport, storage, and utilization to enable decarbonization and revenue opportunities across multiple sectors.

C. Program Goals and Objectives This NOFO supports the vision outlined in the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap of affordable clean hydrogen for a net-zero carbon future and a sustainable, resilient, and equitable economy. It targets four topics of interest critical to enabling increased adoption of clean hydrogen technologies across sectors, particularly in medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) vehicles and other heavy-duty transportation applications. This NOFO’s focus on MD/HD vehicles supports the vision for clean hydrogen in the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Increased adoption of hydrogen technologies will help achieve economies of scale and drive down costs, supporting efforts to reach the Hydrogen Shot goal and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 205017F

18. By supporting the development of clean hydrogen technologies, this NOFO contributes to the long-term viability of DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) and other commercial-scale deployments.

The H2Hubs Program is an $8 billion federal investment to create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a carbon-free energy carrier and input to several important chemical processes.

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are part of a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to address the challenges facing clean hydrogen and position America as a global leader in clean energy technology and clean energy jobs. As shown in Figure 1, the H2@Scale vision is for hydrogen to play a role as a uniquely versatile decarbonization tool that can be produced using any form of energy in almost any part of the country and can be used across all sectors of the economy. This versatility means that clean hydrogen can be used in high-impact applications, particularly in the hardest-to-decarbonize sectors of the economy (such as heavy-duty transportation and industrial applications). It can also support the expansion of clean-power generation by providing a means for long-duration energy storage and offering flexibility and multiple revenue streams for clean-power generators and providers. For clean hydrogen to achieve its potential, key challenges around affordability, durability, and reliability must be addressed. Innovations are needed to reduce the cost and improve the performance of technologies throughout the clean-hydrogen value chain, from production to storage, transportation, and use.

15 Department of Energy Hydrogen Program, https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/ 16 Hydrogen Shot, https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-shot 17 H2@Scale Initiative, https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/h2scale 18 EO 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,” January 27, 2021.

https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/ https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-shot https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/h2scale https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/

Figure 1. The H2@Scale vision

Achieving the Hydrogen Shot goal will unlock a significant increase in markets for clean hydrogen, including clean steel manufacturing, clean ammonia, energy storage, and heavy-duty transportation.

This will, in turn, create more clean energy jobs, reduce GHG and criteria pollutant emissions, increase energy security and resiliency, and position America for leadership in global markets for clean hydrogen and its derivatives.

HFTO supports a broad portfolio of RD&D projects for materials, components, and systems throughout the clean hydrogen value chain. These efforts are advancing technologies for renewable hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, hydrogen delivery and fueling infrastructure, and fuel cells (e.g., for MD/HD transportation applications), among others. HFTO also conducts demonstrations of systems in real-world operating conditions, including first-of-a-kind demonstrations of integrated energy systems.

To support deployment and commercialization, HFTO also conducts a variety of enabling activities to:

advance processes and technologies for manufacturing hydrogen and fuel cell components and systems;

improve supply chains and workforce capacity; improve safety practices and awareness; enable the adoption of essential codes and standards; and support partnerships and activities that ensure the economic and environmental benefits of HFTO investments are available to underserved communities.

D. Expected Performance Goals The topics and expected performance goals in this NOFO are summarized below. More-detailed technical descriptions of each topic are provided in the sections that follow.

Topic 1: Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up This topic focuses on hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Since this is a production pathway that is far less dependent on the cost of electricity than electrolysis and has the potential to meet the Hydrogen Shot goal, these efforts will complement HFTO’s electrolysis activities funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This topic seeks proposals to develop and demonstrate PEC devices using low-cost, scalable synthesis and fabrication techniques. Previously, PEC devices have been demonstrated to produce hydrogen from sunlight at benchtop and small demonstration scales. Typical materials for PEC devices, such as III-V light absorbers, have relied on low-throughput, high-cost fabrication steps that are not amenable to scaled-up manufacturing. The development of commercially relevant facile synthesis and fabrication techniques and innovative system designs are important pathways for reducing the cost of PEC devices.

Projects are expected to achieve final reactor demonstrations with device areas of at least 0.25 m2 that operate over a two-week diurnal period at hydrogen production rates of 1 g/h. Projects will also need to propose a pathway to future scale up to over 1 m2 device area, with technoeconomic analysis showing projected at-scale manufacturing costs. Proposals involving both planar (Types III and IV) and particle (Type II) PEC systems will be considered, excluding any systems where hydrogen and oxygen are co-evolved. Projects should not involve materials discovery but should instead focus on addressing challenges associated with scaling up existing PEC materials. Solar concentrators may also be included, but the area of the solar concentrator should not be included in the device area requirement. In addition, HFTO seeks system design perspectives and analyses to enable optimized, large-scale, and efficient systems for large volumes of hydrogen production using PEC approaches. Applicants coordinating with industry partners with manufacturing expertise in relevant materials spaces, such as the solar industry, are preferred.

Topic 2: High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service, Including

Cryogenic and/or High-Pressure Conditions This topic seeks proposals to develop advanced materials for a variety of hydrogen infrastructure needs, to ensure that safe, low-cost, and scalable hydrogen storage and delivery are available to meet growing hydrogen production and end use. This topic area includes two subtopics: 2A: High-Performance Composite Materials for High-Pressure Hydrogen Storage Tanks and Pipelines, and 2B: High- Performance Materials Compatible for Use in Hydrogen Service in Collaboration with H-Mat.

Topic 2A targets high-pressure applications, where high-strength fibers, resins, and liner materials that are resistant to hydrogen permeation and diffusion, are required. Expected performance goals are material strength and system performance that exceed that of current materials used in 700-bar hydrogen storage tanks and composite pipelines for 100 bar working pressure. These goals should be accompanied by strategies to ensure these materials can be produced at large scale and low cost, and can be recycled or reused. An additional goal is projecting performance and cost of tanks or pipelines produced using the developed technology in an end-use application through technoeconomic analysis.

Topic 2B broadly targets materials that can resist or withstand the effects of hydrogen exposure that can make them vulnerable to damage and degradation. This applies to metals and polymers operating in a wide range of pressure, temperature, and external loading conditions that may extend up to at least 1,000 bar pressure and from cryogenic liquid hydrogen to several hundred degrees Celsius temperatures. Expected performance goals for metallic materials for use in fueling station compressors, dispensers, and storage are equipment durability of 5 years, 10 years, and 30 years, respectively. For polymer materials for use in hydrogen dispensing hoses, operational lives of at least 25,000 cycles, and burst pressures of at least 3,500 bar are expected. Goals also include an improved understanding of microstructure-property attributes and hydrogen-surface and hydrogen-corrosion interactions, and predicting material performance. Through collaboration with the H-Mat consortium, efforts will contribute to overcoming current performance limitations and enabling the discovery of improved materials.

Topic 3: Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy-Duty Transportation Applications

The topic seeks proposals to develop sustainable, non-perfluorosulfonic-acid membrane and ionomer technologies suitable for high temperature (up to 120° C) operation in fuel cells for heavy-duty (HD) transportation applications. To address concerns of environmental sustainability for state-of-the-art incumbent proton exchange membrane (PEM) materials as well as high temperature performance for PEM fuel cells in HD transportation applications, this topic seeks novel chemistries that could result in cost-competitive, scalable, and durable membranes that can achieve performance targets and would contribute to meeting the 2030 fuel cell system targets for HD transportation (25,000-hour lifetime and $80/kW fuel cell system cost). Membranes and ionomers are critical fuel cell components that can limit performance and durability, especially under high-power conditions with high temperature and low relative humidity. Higher-temperature fuel cell operation (up to 120 °C) can improve stack efficiency and power output, and more effectively reject heat. However, operating at high temperature presents challenges for established materials, such as accelerated membrane degradation and reduced membrane proton conductivity and performance.

The topic solicits innovative projects that will develop membranes and ionomers that can: (1) demonstrate the ability to reach 25,000-hour durability with suppressed gas crossover while maintaining high fuel cell efficiency and performance; and (2) operate effectively at temperatures in the range of 100–120 °C and low relative humidity (<30%). Projects should explore the relationships between operating conditions and membrane performance (conductivity and durability). Approaches that target fluorine-free ionomers and membranes are strongly encouraged. While membrane support materials are not the main focus of this topic, approaches that also include the development of supporting expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) alternatives are encouraged.

Topic 4: Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus

Development and Demonstration This topic seeks proposals to enable the development and demonstration of domestically produced, long-range hydrogen fuel cell electric motorcoach buses (also known as “over-the-road”, “coach”, or “charter” buses). Similar to fuel-cell forklifts—which were a highly successful focus area for previous HFTO-funded RD&D—motorcoach buses offer a targeted, niche application with limited zero-emissions options for full decarbonization of the market segment. Systems development, integration, and demonstration of such niche applications can help de-risk hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and offer opportunities to gather data to help guide future RD&D as well as catalyze system developers, component suppliers, and future domestic manufacturing.

The overall objective of this topic is to demonstrate an economical and scalable hydrogen fuel cell electric motorcoach bus that can meet incumbent motorcoach performance without compromising space or passenger comfort, including >300-mile driving range, >75-mph maximum speed, fueling rates of <20 minutes, >50-passenger capacity, underneath cargo storage, and seating-space to provide the same passenger comfort and convenience provided by conventional motorcoaches today. As part of the proposal, the applicant should include performance metrics for a baseline reference motorcoach vehicle and fleet profile, as well as goals for the hydrogen fuel cell electric motorcoach bus they propose to develop. Once developed, each project will be required to demonstrate operation of a hydrogen fuel cell electric motorcoach bus in a real-world operational environment at a suitable location. Operation and performance validation is encouraged to be conducted at a site with potential for follow-on fleet applications. This topic also encourages activities that help validate fuel cell functionality and hydrogen-related infrastructure in different climates, as well as in rural conditions.

E. Teaming Partner List (Optional) DOE is compiling a Teaming Partner List to facilitate the formation of project teams for this NOFO. 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 eXCHANGE 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 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, 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 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.

F. Topics

General Information for All Topics

Anticipated Funding and Project Details DOE’s anticipated funding levels, including the federal funding per award, are provided below:

Topic Area Total

Funding Level*

Anticipated Number of

Awards

Federal Funding Per

Award

Max. Project Duration (Months)

Min Required Non-Federal

Cost Share (%) Topic 1:

Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Device Scale Up

Up to $10,000,000 3 to 4 $2,000,000 to

$3,000,000 36 20%

Topic 2A: High- Performance Composite Materials for High-Pressure Hydrogen Storage Tanks and Pipelines

Up to $10,000,000 3 to 5 $2,000,000 to

$3,000,000 36 20%

Topic 2B: High- Performance Materials Compatible for Use in Hydrogen Service in Collaboration with H- Mat

Up to $6,000,000 3 to 6 $1,000,000 to

$2,000,000 36 20%

Topic 3: Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy- Duty Transportation Applications

Up to $10,000,000 3 to 5 $2,000,000 to

$3,000,000 36 20%

Topic 4:

Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration

Up to $10,000,000 1 to 2** $5,000,000 to

$10,000,000** 36 to 48** 50%

*Subject to availability of appropriations **DOE anticipates that applications focused on retrofit designs will have a shorter period of performance and smaller budgets compared to applications focused on complete ground-up designs.

Project Budget Applicants should propose projects up to the maximum total DOE funding per project plus the minimum non-federal cost share as shown in the table…