Fuel Cycle Research and Development NOFO Part 1.pdf

Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity

Part 1

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy – Idaho Operations Office Fuel Cycle Research and Development to Assess Options as Technologies and Economics Evolve Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003364

Application due: February 19, 2025

Modifications to this NOFO will be posted on 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.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Part 1 Before You Begin

Table of Contents

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Key Facts B. Checklist for Avoiding Common Errors

1. Funding Details

2. Period of Performance

C. Executive Summary D. Agency Contact Information

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

1. Restricted Eligibility

2. Domestic Entities

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

B. Limitation on Number of Applications 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. Program Purpose B. Program Goals and Objectives C. Expected Performance Goals D. Applications Specifically Not of Interest E. Statement of Substantial Involvement F. Statutory Authority G. Energy, Equity and Environmental Justice Considerations

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORM

A. Summary B. Letter of Intent C. Application Content Requirements

1. Covered Individual Definition, Designation, and Responsibility

2. Summary of Application Requirements

3. Project Narrative

D. Funding Restrictions

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. Required Registrations

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

2. Grants.gov

B. Application Package

1. Grants.gov

C. Submission Date and Times D. Intergovernmental Review

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Standards for Application Evaluation B. Review Criteria

1. Compliance Criteria

2. Technical Review Criteria

C. 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

B. Questions and Support

1. Questions

2. Support

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

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 the 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. Applicants must review both the NOFO Part 1 and the NOFO Part 2 prior to applying. 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, Get Registered, for additional information.

This announcement is published in conjunction with NOFO Part 2, version 1.

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Section I: Basic Information

I. Basic Information

A. Key Facts

Issuing Agency

Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy – Idaho Operations Office

Funding Opportunity Title

Fuel Cycle Research and Development to Assess Options as Technologies and Economics Evolve

Announcement Type Initial Notice of Funding Opportunity

Number

DE-FOA-0003364

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreement

Assistance Listing Number

81.121

Description

Support the broader government-wide approach to advance nuclear fuel cycle technologies to promote the nuclear energy portfolio within the U.S..

Program Goals & Objective(s)

The fundamental objective of this NOFO is to engage with the U.S.

industry to continue assessing research and development efforts, on a cost-shared basis, to de-risk the technical costs and technology uncertainties of used nuclear fuel recycle processes and technologies and economics under the high standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation.

Eligible Applicants In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126 - Competition, eligibility for award is restricted to eligible applicants from U.S. owned nuclear industry entities, in accordance with information described in Part III C of this NOFO. The prime recipient may partner with FFRDCs (including National Laboratories)), universities, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations.

This financial assistance award is a “covered program” (as defined in 2 CFR 910.124(b)) and must be accomplished in the economic interest of the United States as stated in 2 CFR 910.124. Eligible entities include, but are not limited to, teams, consortia, or other partnership arrangements.

FFRDCs are not eligible to participate as a prime applicant. This restriction does not apply to these entities becoming sub-recipients, KEY DATES

Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date:

December 20, Letter of Intent Deadline:

January 21, 2025

Informational Webinar:

February 4, 2025(Tentative)

Application Deadline:

February 19, 2025, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time sub-awardees, vendors, or team members of the prime/lead applicant.

Eligible applicants must have or apply for a Facility Clearance in accordance with DEAR 952.204-73.

Grants.gov • Registration Link: https://grants.gov

• HELP: Grants.gov provides 24/7 support. You can call 1-800-

518-4776 or email support@grants.gov. It is advised you retain your ticket number.

B. Checklist for Avoiding Common Errors Item Issue Page Limits Strictly followed throughout application, including particular attention to:

- Research Narrative

- Career Objective Statement

- Endorsement Letter

- Vitae

Protected Personally Identifiable Information None present in the application Project Abstract Name of applicant, Principal Investigator (PI), PI’s institutional affiliation(s), Budget Use current negotiated indirect cost and fringe benefit rates Budget Justification Justify all requested costs (Please include quotes and pricing, negotiated rate plans, and/or links to university policy)

Vitae No page limits Current and Pending Support Provide a complete listing of all activities including brief abstract of scope of work for all items listed, regardless of source of funding.

Certifications and Assurances - Ensure that signatures are completed for both sections of the certifications and assurances documentation

R&R Other Project Information - If marking proprietary information, clearly mark the sections where proprietary information is in the narrative or other documents using the procedure outlined in the notice of funding opportunity announcement.

https://grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov

Data Management Plans (DMP) - If referring to an experiment’s DMP, describe the relationship to the proposed research.

- Include a DMP even if no experimental data is expected.

Completed SF 328 or documentation of existing Facility Clearance

The applicant shall provide Standard Form 328 in accordance with DEAR 952.204-73 or provide information on existing Facility Clearance.

1. Funding Details

Single Topic Area DOE anticipates awarding one or more cooperative agreements under this NOFO.

• Approximate total available funding: $10,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: Multiple - will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds.

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: Maximum of $5,000,000

• Minimum cost share required: 20% of total project costs

• Approximate award project period: Up to 3 years

• Anticipated length of budget periods: Up to three one-year budget periods. Applicants may propose periods of performance less than 3 years. Performance beyond the award base year is contingent on available appropriation, an evaluation of satisfactory progress during the base year, and DOE’s approval of the yearly continuation application.

2. Period of Performance DOE anticipates making awards, comprised of multiple budget periods, with a project period of performance of up to 3 years that consist of up to three one-year budget periods. Applicants may propose periods of performance less than 3 years. Funding for all budget periods, including the initial budget period, is not guaranteed.

C. Executive Summary DOE-NE currently supports research and development activities to evaluate the technology options and economics for recycling valuable components of irradiated nuclear fuel. Technical scopes include used nuclear fuel (UNF) from current fleet and advanced reactor designs. The term UNF (or “used fuel”) is synonymous with the term “spent nuclear fuel.” The legal definition of “spent nuclear fuel” is provided by Section 2 (23) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended (NWPA). DOE-NE undertakes these activities in support of the Administration’s objectives to regain the U.S.’s technological leadership position in the global nuclear industry and to achieve the United States’ energy security. DOE-NE recognizes that continued efforts in line with NSM-19 policy guidance will be necessary to assure U.S.

leadership in the research, design, and development of advanced recycling technologies, and to assess options as technologies and economics evolve.

The activities to be funded under this NOFO support the broader government-wide approach to advance nuclear fuel cycle technologies to promote the nuclear energy portfolio within the U.S. which will maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice.

D. Agency Contact Information Office of Nuclear Energy – Idaho Operations Office U.S. Department of Energy 1955 N. Freemont Avenue Idaho Falls, ID 83415

For questions relating to this specific NOFO, please send emails to Andrew Ford, fordaj@id.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 must 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.

Section II: Eligibility

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, 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, Competition, eligibility for this NOFO is restricted because federally funded research & development centers (FFRDC) are not permitted to be the prime/lead role on applications for this project, as they are not allowed to compete with industry. DOE is restricting eligibility to the entities identified below.

2. Domestic Entities In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126 - Competition, eligibility for award is restricted to eligible applicants from U.S. owned nuclear industry entities, in accordance with information described in Part III C of this NOFO. The prime recipient may partner with FFRDCs (including National Laboratories), universities, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations.

This financial assistance award is a “covered program” (as defined in 2 CFR 910.124(b)) and must be accomplished in the economic interest of the United States as stated in 2 CFR 910.124. Eligible entities include, but are not limited to, teams, consortia, or other partnership arrangements.

FFRDCs are not eligible to participate as a prime applicant. This restriction does not apply to these entities becoming sub-recipients, sub-awardees, vendors, or team members of the prime/lead applicant.

Eligible applicants must have or apply for a Facility Clearance in accordance with DEAR 952.204-73.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

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.

Prime recipients and subrecipients must be legally formed in the United States, have majority domestic ownership and control, and have a physical location for business operations in the United States.

Entities that are organized, chartered, or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of the United States or a particular state or territory of the United States and have a physical location for business operations in the United States are eligible to apply for funding as a recipient or subrecipient.

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

• DOE FFRDCs1 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, 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.

Entity of Concern Prohibition Entities of Concern are prohibited from participating in projects selected under this NOFO (see NOFO Part 2, Eligibility, Other Eligibility Information, Entity of Concern Prohibition section for details and definitions).

1 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 Applications Eligible for Review Applicants may submit one application as a primary applicant under this NOFO. Each application submitted by a single U.S. nuclear industry entity must address a unique project within the scope described in this NOFO, with distinct applicability to industry needs.

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, Eligibility for more information on Cost Sharing.

1. Cost Share Requirements

The cost share must be at least 20% of the total project costs2 for research and development.3

Applications that do not meet the minimum required cost share will be deemed ineligible during the initial compliance review and will not be further reviewed. The cost share must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law.

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, Eligibility—Cost Sharing, Cost Share Calculation Examples.

2. Unallowable Cost Share Sources, NOFO Specific The unallowable cost share sources identified here are specific to this announcement. Refer to NOFO Part 2, Eligibility--Cost Sharing, Unallowable Cost Share Sources for unallowable cost share sources applicable to all NOFOs.

D. FFRDC Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs as a Subrecipient As long as they have no conflict, 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.

2 Total project costs are the sum of the government share, including FFRDC costs if applicable, and the recipient share of project costs.

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.

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 recipient and FFRDC are responsible for entering into an appropriate subaward that will govern, among other things, the funding of the FFRDC portion of the work from the recipient under its DOE award. Such an agreement must be fully executed prior to the FFRDC starting work directly allocable to the FA award. The DOE funding office will provide funding for the [DOE FFRDC or non-DOE FFRDC], participating as a sub awardee under the DOE financial assistance award to the recipient.

The applicant should prepare the budgets using rates appropriate for funding the FFRDCs through subawards. 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.

C. Responsibility The recipient will be the responsible authority regarding the settlement and satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues, including but not limited to disputes and claims arising out of any agreement between the recipient and the FFRDC.

Limit on FFRDC Effort The scope of work to be performed by the FFRDC should not be more significant than the scope of work to be performed by the applicant.

Section III: Program Description

III. Program Description

A. Program Purpose The National Security Memorandum-19 (NSM-19), issued in March 2023, provided the guidance that “the United States does not encourage commercial reprocessing but will continue research and development to assess options as technologies and economics evolve.” More broadly, the United States has long sought to discourage the spread of reprocessing technologies globally.

Consistent with this policy guidance, the Department’s goal is to continue research and development to solve economic and technical challenges of technologies that may support long-term sustainability and efficient waste management and do not contribute to nuclear proliferation.

The primary mission of DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) is to advance nuclear power as a resource capable of meeting the Nation's energy, environmental, and national security needs.

This is accomplished by resolving technical, cost, regulatory, and safety issues while ensuring nonproliferation and security through research, development, and demonstration, as appropriate. The development of advanced nuclear reactor technologies and fuel cycles, as well as improvements in the operation of the existing domestic fleet of nuclear power plants, are important aspect of assuring that nuclear power will remain a viable, clean, and sustainable energy option for the United States energy needs for generations to come.

DOE-NE works in concert with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to ensure the safe, secure, and responsible expansion of nuclear power both domestically and around the world. As part of this, the United States works to protect the American people, our allies, and our partners from nuclear and national security threats. Reducing, eliminating, and securing nuclear and radioactive materials is central to U.S. policies, strategies, and programs for preventing their unauthorized acquisition and misuse.

DOE-NE currently supports research and development activities to evaluate the technology options and economics for recycling valuable components of irradiated nuclear fuel. Technical scopes include used nuclear fuel (UNF) from current fleet and advanced reactor designs. The term UNF (or “used fuel”) is synonymous with the term “spent nuclear fuel.” The legal definition of “spent nuclear fuel” is provided by Section 2 (23) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended (NWPA). DOE-NE undertakes these activities in support of the Administration’s objectives to regain the U.S.’s technological leadership position in the global nuclear industry and to achieve the United States’ energy security. DOE-NE recognizes that continued efforts in line with NSM-19 policy guidance will be necessary to assure U.S.

leadership in the research, design, and development of advanced recycling technologies, and to assess options as technologies and economics evolve.

The activities to be funded under this NOFO support the broader government-wide approach to advance nuclear fuel cycle technologies to promote the nuclear energy portfolio within the U.S.

which will maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice.

B. Program Goals and Objectives Recovering and recycling the remaining fissile content and other valuable components from used fuel has the potential to reduce costs on the front and back end of the nuclear fuel cycle.

On the front end, effective recovery and recycle of the fissile content could reduce the need for mined natural uranium. On the back end, effective recovery and reuse of the residual fissile content has the potential to reduce the amount of high-level waste generated. The term “high-level waste” is synonymous with the term “high-level radioactive waste” as defined in section 2(12) of the NWPA.

The fundamental objective of this NOFO is to engage with the U.S. industry to continue assessing research and development efforts, on a cost-shared basis, to de-risk the technical costs and technology uncertainties of used nuclear fuel recycle processes and technologies and economics under the high standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation. The cost-shared, research and development-related fuel cycle projects that will be funded by this NOFO must demonstrate a significant impact on increasing the technical maturity of both the integrated design and radioactive material management plan as well as the secure operation of the applicant’s proposed nuclear fuel recycle process or evaluate and provide the necessary regulatory assistance and framework to successfully meet the licensing requirements to assess options as technologies and economics evolve. Consistent with standing U.S. policy under NSM- 19, projects under this NOFO will be strictly limited to R&D related activities.

The Office of Materials and Chemical Technologies in the DOE-NE will be responsible for directing and managing projects supported by this NOFO. Material Recovery and Waste Form Development (MRWFD) program supports research and development (R&D) on advanced fuel recycle technologies that have the potential to improve resource utilization and energy generation, reduce waste generation, and limit proliferation risk. The MRWFD program funds fundamental and applied R&D activities that meet the Office of Nuclear Energy goals of establishing U.S. leadership in nuclear technologies that promote long-term sustainability, efficient waste management, and integrated security. Research efforts include development of simplified chemical and physical recycle processes (e.g., advanced aqueous, fluoride volatility, electrochemical or hybrids) that maximize reuse, minimize waste streams and residual waste materials, and meet the safety, security, and safeguards, and nonproliferation expectations of the United States.

The U.S. Government works to mitigate nuclear risks through an integrated approach that combines efforts to eliminate weapons-usable nuclear material through removal or disposition, the maintenance of robust physical security and nuclear material accountancy for existing materials, efforts to counter the theft, diversion, smuggling, and other illicit use of nuclear materials, and an urgent focus on addressing the challenges posed by emerging technologies that may add to the accumulation of weapons usable nuclear materials globally.

Applicants may submit one application under this NOFO as a primary applicant. Each application submitted by a single U.S. nuclear industry entity must describe a unique project within the scope described in this NOFO, with distinct applicability to industry needs.

C. Expected Performance Goals Applications are expected to lead directly to advances in the innovation and competitiveness of broad options for domestic used nuclear fuel recycling processes. The scope of this NOFO is purposely generic to allow U.S. industry stakeholders to propose well-defined and fully integrated process flowsheets and strategic R&D activities that will assess options as technologies and economics evolve. Awards for these projects will be made in the form of cost-shared cooperative agreements with a nuclear industry partner.

Cost-shared cooperative agreements supporting technology development will be awarded directly to selected U.S. industry applicants to support a broad range of research and development activities including:

• Advancing the technologies and processes with respect to reducing costs including in depth evaluation and innovative strategies that enable reducing the overall technology complexity.

• Implementing process flowsheets and technologies without producing a separated plutonium stream throughout the recycling schemes.

• Increasing the technical readiness level (TRL) of key process operations and interfaces to enable an integrated engineering-scale demonstrations of low-TRL process operations to de-risk the design and operation of an integrated recycle processes.

• Maturing of cross-cutting issues such as de-bundling and de-cladding technologies to accomplish simplified recycling process and off-gas management.

• Accelerating the development of integrated processes to enable quantitative transferring of material between process operations and to reduce the ultimate volume of nuclear waste to be dispositioned.

• Incorporating safety, security and safeguards by design approaches, including to address nuclear material control and accounting challenges.

Applicants should incorporate an integrated (1) near-term materials transportation and storage strategy, and (2) long-term waste disposition options and plan throughout the recycling technologies that are being proposed.

As part of the whole-of-government approach to advance equity and encourage worker organizing and collective bargaining,4 5 this NOFO and any related activities will seek to encourage meaningful engagement and participation of workforce organizations, including labor unions, as well as underserved groups and disadvantaged communities, including Federally Recognized Indian Tribes. Consistent with Executive Order (EO) 14008,6 this NOFO is designed to help meet the goal that 40% of the benefits of the Administration’s investments in clean energy and climate solutions be delivered to disadvantaged communities7, as defined 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.

D. Applications Specifically Not of Interest The following types of applications will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be reviewed or considered (Please also refer to the Responsiveness Review section below):

• Applications that fall outside the technical parameters specified in Program Purpose above and the Expected Performance Goals section above.

• Applications for proposed technologies that are not based on sound scientific principles (e.g., violates the laws of thermodynamics).

E. Statement of Substantial Involvement DOE anticipates awarding cooperative agreements under this NOFO, which include a statement of DOE’s “substantial involvement” in the work performed under the resulting awards. For cooperative agreements, DOE does not limit its involvement to the administrative requirements of the award.

Instead, DOE has substantial involvement in the direction and redirection of the technical aspects of the project. DOE’s substantial involvement in resulting awards may include the following:

A. DOE shares responsibility with the recipient for the management, control, direction, and performance of the project.

B. DOE may intervene in the conduct or performance of work under this award for programmatic reasons. Intervention includes the interruption or modification of the conduct or performance of project activities.

C. DOE participates in major project decision-making processes.

4 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.

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

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

7 Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 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 Addendum M- 23-09, DOE recognizes disadvantaged communities as the census tracts identified as disadvantaged by the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), located at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/, as well as all Federally Recognized Tribes (whether or not they have land).

See https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf. DOE’s Justice40 Implementation Guidance is located at https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022- 07/Final%20DOE%20Justice40%20General%20Guidance%20072522.pdf.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/02/16/executive-order-on-further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/04/26/executive-order-on-worker-organizing-and-empowerment/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf 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

F. Statutory Authority The programmatic authorizing statute is the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (HR 4366), and § 951

(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as codified at 42 U.S.C. § 16271(a). Additionally, 42 U.S.C. § 16274 applies.

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

G. Energy, Equity and Environmental Justice Considerations The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) is committed to advancing environmental justice as a core component of our mission. Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, underscores our responsibility to integrate environmental justice into every aspect of our work at

NE.

As part of our efforts to integrate environmental justice into our work and in compliance with Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which established the Justice40 Initiative,8 the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) strives to contribute to the President’s goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments – including investments in clean energy and energy efficiency; clean transit; affordable and sustainable housing; training and workforce development; the remediation and reduction of legacy pollution; and the development of clean water infrastructure – flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The goal is to spur economic development and job creation in disadvantaged communities throughout the U.S., through effective teams and/or partnerships with institutions, located in a disadvantaged community that may receive funding support from the project. In support of the Justice40 Initiative, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) developed the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) tool to identify disadvantaged communities. CEJST can be found at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5.9 Applicants are encouraged to use CEJST to illustrate how their project supports disadvantaged communities.

NE also strives to advance energy justice through effective teams and/or partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and other Minority- Serving Institutions (MSIs). Information on MSIs can be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html#tips. This information predominately covers institutions that have been awarded grants through the Department of Education and does not include all institutions that may meet the definition of an MSI. The Office of Science has compiled a similar list of institutions: https://science.osti.gov/grants/Applicant-and-Awardee-Resources/Institution-

8 Established by Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, the Justice40 Initiative sets the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments in climate, clean energy, and other areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Consistent with Justice40 guidance, M- 21-28 and M-23-09, DOE recognizes disadvantaged communities as the census tracts defined and identified as disadvantaged by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), located at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/, as well as all Federally Recognized Tribes (whether or not they have land).

9 OMB, CEQ, & CPO, M-23-09, Addendum to the Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative, M-21-28, on using the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) (Jan. 27, 2023), https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/ https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5 https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html#tips.

https://science.osti.gov/grants/Applicant-and-Awardee-Resources/Institution-Designations https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/M-21-28.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/M-21-28.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf

Designations. These lists are not meant to represent an exhaustive summary of MSIs but will be used as a starting point for self-identifying MSIs. If applicants believe that their institution qualifies as an MSI and is not identified in either of these lists, please contact neup@inl.gov with an explanation for how the university meets the conditions of being considered an MSI.

Applicants are encouraged to describe how the establishment of their consortia will develop resources and programming that will specifically support disadvantaged communities and/or MSIs.

What is a Disadvantaged Community?

According to Executive Order 14008, a disadvantaged community is one that has been historically marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment in housing, transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and health care. A community qualifies as “disadvantaged” if the census tract is above the threshold for one or more environmental or climate indicators and the tract is above the threshold for the socioeconomic indicators, or if they are a Federally Recognized Tribe whether or not they have land as defined by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/.

What is an underrepresented community?

According to the Equity Executive Orders: 13985, 14020, and EO 14091, an “underrepresented” community refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander persons and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; women and girls;

LGBTQI+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons who live in U.S.

Territories; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and individuals who belong to multiple such communities. Further, according to the National Science Foundation's 2023, report titled, Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities, (https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf23315/report) the U.S. STEM workforce has gradually diversified between 2011 and 2021, with increased representation from these underrepresented communities.

However, Hispanic workers represented 15% of the total STEM workforce in 2021, and Asian and Black workers were 10% and 9%, respectively. American Indians and Alaska Natives together made up less than 1% of the U.S. population and STEM workforce in 2021. DOE seeks to inspire underrepresented Americans to pursue careers in energy and support their advancement into leadership positions.

(https://www.energy.gov/articles/introducing-minorities-energy-initiative).

https://science.osti.gov/grants/Applicant-and-Awardee-Resources/Institution-Designations mailto:neup@inl.gov mailto:neup@inl.gov https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/ https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf23315/report https://www.energy.gov/articles/introducing-minorities-energy-initiative

Section IX: Other Information

IV. Application Content and Form

This section includes application information specific to this NOFO Part 1. Refer to the NOFO Part 2, Application Content and Form for standard information that applies to all DOE NOFOs such as formatting and content requirements, and funding restrictions.

A. Summary The application process includes multiple submission phases: letter of intent and application.

Application Submission Phase Eligibility for Submission

Letter of Intent Required to be submitted by the specified due date and time to be eligible to submit an application.

Application Must be submitted by the specified due date and time to be eligible for comprehensive merit review.

B. Letter of Intent Applicants are required to submit a letter of intent by January 21, 2025. This letter should include the name of the applicant, the title of the project, the name of the Project Manager/Director, estimated project cost, and a one-page project abstract. The required letters of intent will be used by DOE to organize and expedite the merit review selection process. The letter of intent should be sent by email to fordaj@id.doe.gov. In the subject line type: Letter of Intent for DE-FOA-0003364.

The project abstract must contain a one page summary of the proposed activity and be suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained document that identifies the name of the applicant; the project manager(s)/directors/key senior persons; the project title; a list of major deliverables; the scope and objectives of the project; a description of the project, including major tasks (phases, planned approach, etc.) and methods to be employed; the potential impact of the project (i.e., benefits, outcomes). This document must not include any proprietary or sensitive business information, as NE may make it available to the public after awards are made.

C. Application Content Requirements Each application must be limited to a single concept. Applications must conform to the following requirements and must not exceed the stated page limits. Please refer to the NOFO Part 2, Application Content and Form for a complete list of application requirements. Detailed guidance on the content and form of NOFO-specific requirements is provided following the Summary of Application Requirements table below.

1. Covered Individual Definition, Designation, and Responsibility Several of the Application Content Requirements listed below and in the NOFO Part 2 are required of covered individuals.

mailto:fordaj@id.doe.gov

For the purposes of this NOFO, a Covered Individual means an individual who (a) contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work of a project proposed for funding by DOE, and (b) is designated as a covered individual by DOE.

DOE designates as covered individuals any principal investigator (PI); project director (PD); co-principal investigator (Co-PI); co-project director (Co-PD); project manager; and any individual regardless of title that is functionally performing as a PI, PD, Co-PI, Co-PD, or project manager. Status as a consultant, graduate (master’s or PhD) student, or postdoctoral associate does not automatically disqualify a person from being designated as a “covered individual” if they meet the definition in (a) above.

The applicant is responsible for assessing the applicability of (a) above, against each person listed on the application. Further, the applicant is responsible for identifying any such individual to DOE for designation as a covered individual, if not already designated by DOE as described above.

The applicant’s submission of a current and pending support disclosure and/or biosketch/resume for a particular person serves as an acknowledgement that DOE designates that person as a covered individual.

DOE may further designate covered individuals during award negotiations or the award period of performance.

2. Summary of Application Requirements

Name of Document Format Signature Required

Required From

Conflict of Interest Statement Certification Conflict of Interest Disclosure (if applicable) (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

PDF

Primary Applicant, must flow down to Sub-recipients

SF-424 Research & Related Form Yes Primary Applicant Research and Related Other Project Information Form Primary Applicant

Project Abstract (1 page) (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 7. Project Summary/Abstract)

PDF

Primary Applicant

Project Narrative (20 page limit) (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 8. Project Narrative. A separate attachment is not needed for 9. Bibliography & References Cited. This is part of the Project Narrative File.)

PDF

Primary Applicant

Project Management Plan (20 page limit) (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

PDF

Primary Applicant

Resumes for Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) (2 page limit each) PDF Primary Applicant and

Collaborators

Required From

(Attach Resume / Vitae – Technical Expertise and Qualifications to Biographical Sketch field)

Benefits of Collaboration (4 page limit) (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

PDF

Primary Applicant

Capabilities (5 page limit) (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments. Separate attachments for 10. Facilities & Other Resources and 11. Equipment are not needed.

These are part of the Capabilities attachment.)

PDF

Primary Applicant

Research & Related Budget (Total Fed + Non- Fed) PDF Primary Applicant and

Sub-recipient Work Proposal(Budget) for DOE National Laboratory Contractor or FFRDC, if applicable (If applicable, attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

PDF Yes

Primary Applicant and Sub-recipient(s)

Budget Justification (Attach to Research & Related Budget (Total Fed + Non-Fed), L. Budget Justification)

PDF

Primary Applicant and Collaborators

Current and Pending Support (5 page limit) (Attach to Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded))

PDF Yes Primary Applicants and Collaborators

Authorization for DOE/NNSA FFRDCs, if applicable (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

PDF Yes

Primary Applicants and Collaborators

Project/Performance Site Location (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

PDF

All sites performing work

Certification Regarding Lobbying/Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (If applicable, attach to SF 424, 18. SFLLL)

PDF Yes Primary Applicant

Certifications and Assurances (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

Form Yes Primary Applicant

SF 328 or Evidence of Facility Clearance (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

Form/oth er Yes

Primary Applicant and All non-FFRDC

Letters of Support or Commitment (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

PDF Yes As Applicable

Required From

Project Commitment to Energy Justice and Energy Equity (Attach to Research and Related Other Project Information, 12. Other Attachments)

PDF

Optional

Transparency of Foreign Connections PDF Primary Applicant Impacted Indian Tribes…