FundOpp_DE-FOA-0002907_Amd_000002.pdf

Questions about this FOA? Email mesc_foa2907@netl.doe.gov Problems with OCED Exchange? Email OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov

Include FOA name and number in subject line.

Department of Energy (DOE)

Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC)

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program (Section 40209)

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0002907

FOA Type: Modification 000002 Assistance Listing Number: 81.253

FOA Issue Date: 2/13/2023 FOA Amendment 000001 Issue Date: 3/8/2023 FOA Amendment 000002 Issue Date: 6/2/2023 Informational Webinar: 2/21/2023 2:00pm ET Submission Deadline for Concept Papers: 3/14/2023 5:00pm ET Submission Deadline for Full Applications: 6/8/2023 5:00pm ET Expected Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments: 8/1/2023 5:00pm ET Expected Timeframe for DOE Selection Notifications: November 2023 Expected Timeframe for Award: January – March 2024

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

• To apply to this FOA, applicants must register with and submit application materials through OCED Exchange at https://OCED-exchange.energy.gov, the online application portal used by MESC for this Program.

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

mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov mailto:OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/

Questions about this FOA? Email mesc_foa2907@netl.doe.gov.

Problems with OCED Exchange? Email OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov Include FOA name and number in subject line.

Modifications

Modification 000001 changes to the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) are HIGHLIGHTED in the body of the FOA.

Mod. No. Date Description of Modification

000001

03/08/2023

Updates to Section I. includes:

- Information pertaining to the NREL Technical

Assistance Program;

Updates to Section III. include:

- Clarifications regarding eligibility under III.A.i; and;

- Clarifications regarding compliance criteria under

III.C.

Updates to Section IV. include:

- Clarification to the “Background/Resources Addendum in Section C.;

- Adjustments to the requirements of the Full Application Content Requirements in Section D.i.;

- Inclusion of Section D. xix Census Tract Evidence of Filing (if applicable) and Section D. xx. Required Eligibility Certification Form and Addendum; and

- Adjustments to Section E. Post Selection Information Requests

Updates to the Appendices include:

- Incorporation of “Appendix H – Required Eligibility Certification Form and Addendum”

000002

06/02/2023

Update Section V.B. to add a merit review procedure reference mailto:OCED-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov

NOTE: Subawardees/subrecipients at all tiers must also obtain an UEI from the SAM and provide the UEI to the Prime Recipient before the subaward can be issued.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM): Each applicant (unless the applicant is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110) is required to: (1) Be registered in the SAM at https://www.sam.gov before submitting its application; (2) provide a valid UEI number in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DOE is ready to make a federal award, the DOE will determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

GSAFSD Tier 0 Knowledge Base - Validating your Entity.

Registration Requirements

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

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

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

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

- Validating your Entity.

mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov mailto:OCED-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0058422&sys_kb_id=1b5f22581b2115102fe5ed7ae54bcb4e&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0058422&sys_kb_id=1b5f22581b2115102fe5ed7ae54bcb4e&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0058422&sys_kb_id=1b5f22581b2115102fe5ed7ae54bcb4e&spa=1

UEI: Applicants must obtain an UEI from the SAM to uniquely identify the entity. The UEI is available in the SAM entity registration record.

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

Grants.gov: Applicants must register with Grants.gov in order to receive automatic updates, in the event that Amendments to this FOA are posted. However, please note that applications will not be accepted through Grants.gov.

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

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/register.faces.

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

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

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

In addition:

o Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the UEI for the organization in the UEI field while adding a profile.

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

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html.

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

NOTE: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature.

mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov mailto:OCED-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/register.faces https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

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

FedConnect: In the event that an application is selected for negotiation of award, Applicants must be registered with FedConnect to receive the award. For more information regarding registration with FedConnect review the FedConnect Ready, Set, Go! Guide at:

https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.

pdf.

OCED Exchange: Applicants must register through the OCED Exchange. OCED Exchange website:

https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• OCED Exchange: All application submissions are to be made via the OCED Exchange at https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/. To gain access to the OCED Exchange system, the applicant must first register and create an account on the main OCED Exchange site. This account will allow the user to register for any open OCED FOAs that are currently in OCED Exchange. It is recommended that each organization or business unit, whether acting as a team or a single entity, use only one account as the contact point for each submission.

Applicants should also designate backup points of contact so they may be easily contacted if deemed necessary.

Applicants will receive an automated response when the Application is received; this will serve as a confirmation of OCED receipt. Please do not reply to the automated response.

A “User Guide” for the OCED Exchange can be found on the OCED website at https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx after logging in to the system.

To receive notices via email regarding an FOA in OCED Exchange, such as amendments to the announcement or the posting of new questions and answers from OCED Exchange, you must initiate an application submission to the FOA of interest. Please note that you must finalize and submit your application before the specified due date and time to be considered for award.

mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf

QUESTIONS

Upon the issuance of a FOA, DOE personnel are prohibited from communicating (in writing or otherwise) with applicants regarding the FOA except through the established question and answer process as described below. Specifically, questions regarding this FOA must be submitted to: mesc_foa2907@netl.doe.gov.

Questions and comments concerning this FOA shall be submitted not later than three (3) business days prior to the application due date. Please note, feedback on individual concepts will not be provided through Q&A.

NOTE: Please be as clear and concise when asking a question about the FOA and be as specific as possible about the topic area to which your question refers. If it is not clear DOE will be required to ask for additional information and clarity on the question to provide an accurate response which will take additional time.

All questions and answers relating to the content of this FOA will be posted in OCED exchange.

Specifically, under the FOA Documents, there will be an Excel file labeled “FOA 2907 Q&A” which will contain questions and responses that have been released to date. The Q&A will be updated periodically as DOE receives questions and has provided responses (Financial Opportunities:

Funding Opportunity Exchange (energy.gov)). Please note that you must first select this specific FOA Number in order to view the questions and answers specific to this FOA. DOE will attempt to respond to a question within three (3) business days unless a similar question and answer has already been posted on the website. It is recommended that you register as soon after release of the FOA as possible to have the benefit of all responses. Applicants are encouraged to review previously issued Questions and Answers prior to the submission of questions.

Questions related to the registration process and use of the OCED Exchange website should be submitted to: OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov.

mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov mailto:OCED-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov subject line.

i

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

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Context

i. Program Purpose and Strategic Goals

B. Topic Areas

i. Topic Area 1: Building New Facilities

ii. Topic Area 2: Re-Equipping or Expanding Existing Facilities

iii. Teaming Partner List

C. Applications Specifically Not of Interest D. Community Benefits Plan: Job Quality and Equity E. Authorizing Statute F. Notice of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-Specific Requirements G. Technical Assistance Program

II. Award Information

A. Award Overview

i. Estimated Funding

ii. Period of Performance

iii. New Applications Only

B. DOE Funding Agreements

i. Cooperative Agreements

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

iii. Grants

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

i. Restricted Eligibility

ii. Individuals

iii. Priority Eligibility for Minority-Owned Firms

iv. Domestic Entities

v. Foreign Entities

vi. Incorporated Consortia

vii. Unincorporated Consortia

B. Cost Sharing

i. Legal Responsibility

ii. Cost Share Allocation

iii. Cost Share Types and Allowability

iv. Cost Share Contributions by FFRDCs

v. Cost Share Verification

vi. Cost Share Payment

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

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

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Application Process subject line.

ii

i. Additional Information on OCED Exchange B. Application Forms C. Content and Form of the Concept Paper D. Content and Form of the Full Application

i. Full Application Content Requirements

i. Technical Volume

ii. Environmental Considerations Summary

iii. Resumes

iv. Letters of Commitment

v. Community Partnership Documentation

vi. SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance

vii. Budget Justification Workbook

viii. Summary for Public Release

ix. Summary Slides

x. Subrecipient Budget Justification (if applicable)

xi. Authorization for non-DOE/NNSA or DOE/NNSA FFRDCs (if applicable)

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

xiii. Waiver Requests (if applicable)

xiv. Data Management Plan

xv. Community Benefits Plan: Job Quality and Equity

xvi. Current and Pending Support

xvii. Locations of Work

xviii. Potentially Duplicate Funding Notice

xix. Census Tract Evidence of Filing Addendum (if applicable)

xx. Required Eligibility Certification Form and Addendum

E. Content and Form of Replies to Reviewers Comments F. Post Selection Information Requests G. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) H. Intergovernmental Review I. Submission Dates and Times J. Funding Restrictions

i. Allowable Costs

ii. Pre-Award Costs

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

iv. Construction

v. Foreign Travel

vi. Equipment and Supplies

vii. Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

viii. Davis-Bacon Act Requirements

ix. Lobbying

x. Risk Assessment

xi. Invoice Review and Approval

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

xiii. Affirmative Action and Pay Transparency Requirements

xiv. Foreign Collaboration Considerations

V. Application Review Information

A. Technical Review Criteria

i. Concept Papers

ii. Full Applications

iii. Criteria for Replies to Reviewer Comments

B. Standards for Application Evaluation C. Other Selection Factors subject line.

iii

i. Program Policy Factors D. Evaluation and Selection Process

i. Overview

ii. Pre-Selection Clarification

iii. Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters

iv. Selection

E. Anticipated Notice of Selection and Award Negotiation Dates

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

i. Ineligible Submissions

ii. Concept Paper Notifications

iii. Full Application Notifications

iv. Successful Applicants

v. Alternate Selection Determinations

vi. Unsuccessful Applicants

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Registration Requirements

ii. Award Administrative Requirements

iii. Foreign National Participation

iv. Subaward and Executive Reporting

v. National Policy Requirements

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

vii. Flood Resilience

viii. Applicant Representations and Certifications

ix. Statement of Federal Stewardship

x. Statement of Substantial Involvement

xi. Intellectual Property Provisions

xii. Reporting

xiii. Go/No-Go Review

xiv. Conference Spending

xv. Indemnity

xvi. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements

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

xviii. Participants and Collaborating Organizations

xix. Current and Pending Support

xx. U.S. Manufacturing Commitments

xxi. Interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance

xxii. Fraud, Waste and Abuse

xxiii. Human Subjects Research

xxiv. Real Property and Equipment

xxv. Data Management Plan

xxvi. Cybersecurity Plan

VII. Questions/Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

A. FOA Modifications B. Government Right to Reject or Negotiate C. Commitment of Public Funds D. Treatment of Application Information E. Evaluation and Administration by Non-Federal Personnel F. Notice Regarding Eligible/Ineligible Activities subject line.

iv

G. Notice of Right to Conduct a Review of Financial Capability H. Requirement for Full and Complete Disclosure I. Retention of Submissions J. Title to Subject Inventions K. Government Rights in Subject Inventions L. Rights in Technical Data M. Copyright N. Export Control O. Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment P. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Q. Annual Independent Audits R. Informational Webinar

Appendix A – Cost Share Information

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

Appendix C – Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials

Appendix D – Environmental Considerations Summary

Appendix E – Data Management Plan

Appendix F – List of Acronyms

Appendix G – Contingency

Appendix H – Required Eligibility Certification Form and Addendum

Problems with OCED Exchange? Email OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov. Include FOA name and number in subject line.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Context The Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Awards made under this FOA will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,1 more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The BIL is a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, designed to modernize and upgrade American infrastructure to enhance United States (U.S.) competitiveness, drive the creation of good-paying union jobs, tackle the climate crisis, and ensure stronger access to economic, environmental, and other benefits for disadvantaged communities.2 The BIL appropriates more than $62 billion to the Department of Energy (DOE)3 to invest in American manufacturing and workers; expand access to energy efficiency and clean energy; deliver reliable, clean, and affordable power to more Americans; and demonstrate and deploy the technologies of tomorrow through clean energy demonstrations.

As part of and in addition to upgrading and modernizing infrastructure, DOE’s BIL investments will support efforts to build a clean and equitable energy economy that achieves a zero-carbon electricity system by 2035, and to put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 20504 to benefit all Americans.

The BIL invests appropriations of $750 million over Fiscal Years (FYs) 2022 through 2026 to establish the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program (the Program), which will support industrial projects in eligible energy communities.5

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

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

2 Pursuant to E.O. 14008 and the Office of Management and Budget’s Interim Justice40 Implementation Guidance M- 21-28, DOE has developed a definition and tools to locate and identify disadvantaged communities. These resources can be located at https://energyjustice.egs.anl.gov/. DOE will also recognize disadvantaged communities as defined and identified by the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), which can be located at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/. DOE’s current Justice40 Implementation Guidance is located at https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022- 07/Final%20DOE%20Justice40%20General%20Guidance%20072522.pdf.

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

5 As set forth in Section III.A.i. below, for purposes of this Program, an eligible energy community is defined as a census tract (a) in which, after December 31, 1999, a coal mine closed; (b) in which, after December 31, 2009, a coal-fired electricity generating unit had been retired; or (c) that is immediately adjacent to a census tract described in (a) or (b).

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

Through this FOA, the Program will provide up to $350 million in support of projects by small-and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMMs)6 to establish new or re-equip or expand existing industrial facilities in eligible energy communities to produce or recycle advanced energy property.

The activities to be funded under this FOA support BIL section 40209 and the broader government-wide approach to reinvigorating and reinvesting in the American industrial base;

establishing secure, resilient domestic energy supply chains; and revitalizing economies in energy communities to maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice.

i. Program Purpose and Strategic Goals The United States faces broad exposure to a climate crisis that threatens the American people and communities, public health, and economy.7 In responding to this crisis, the nation also encounters a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity to enhance American global competitiveness; create and sustain jobs, including well-paying union jobs; support a just transition to a more sustainable economy for American workers;

strengthen America’s communities; protect public health; and advance environmental justice.8 This Program is one part of an all-of-government approach to responding to the global climate crisis while seizing upon the opportunities created by transition to a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050.

Reinvigorating and Reinvesting in the American Industrial Base

The global market for clean energy and carbon reduction technologies is anticipated to reach a minimum of $23 trillion by 2030. Many proven clean energy technologies poised for significant market share in a global clean energy economy exist today. These include but are not limited to carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), electric vehicles, energy efficiency, energy storage, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, industrial decarbonization, nuclear, solar, and wind technologies.

BIL § 40209 (a)(2). A mapping tool displaying such census tracts is available here: MESC Energy Transitions (doe.gov).

This map can also be found under Program Resources on the Program information page: Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants | Department of Energy.

6 For purposes of this Program, a small- or medium-sized manufacturing firm (SMM) must have (1) gross annual sales of less than $100,000,000; (2) fewer than 500 employees at the plant site of the manufacturing firm; and (3) annual energy bills that total more than $100,000 but less than $2,500,000. BIL § 40209(a)(3).

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

8 Executive Order 14030, Climate-Related Financial Risk (May 20, 2021). Executive Order 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability (December 8, 20212021).

mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov mailto:OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov https://arcgis.netl.doe.gov/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=09457c326145417595287951ed376a29 https://www.energy.gov/clean-energy-infrastructure/advanced-energy-manufacturing-and-recycling-grants https://www.energy.gov/clean-energy-infrastructure/advanced-energy-manufacturing-and-recycling-grants in subject line.

The United States has the opportunity to enhance its global competitiveness and national security by building supply chains for these and emerging technologies in America, built with American labor and materials.9

This Program seeks to ensure that the domestic industrial sector – and SMMs in particular

– seize upon the opportunities at hand. SMMs account for approximately 99 percent of U.S. manufacturing enterprises, contribute more than $1 trillion in gross revenue, and provide more than five million U.S. jobs.10 But SMMs often fall behind larger firms in technology and other capital investments due to financing and knowledge challenges. By providing financial assistance to SMMs to invest in projects to build new or transition existing facilities to take advantage of opportunities created by the clean energy economy, the Program seeks to catalyze follow-on private investment and contribute to a future that is not only led by but also made in America.

In doing so, the Program also recognizes that responding to the climate crisis and seizing on the opportunities of the clean energy transition requires reconsideration not only of what, but also of how, the domestic industrial sector produces products.11 The Program seeks projects that incorporate advanced manufacturing practices that apply innovative technologies to produce new products and improve production of existing products; that train a highly skilled and diverse American workforce; that create products through economically-sound processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources; and that cut pollution and reduce carbon emissions to zero or near-zero via industrial decarbonization practices and technologies.12 By increasing secondary use and supporting manufacturing and recycling that is cleaner and more energy efficient, the Program seeks to support projects that will reduce energy costs and emissions while increasing productivity, wages, and jobs.

Establishing Secure, Resilient Domestic Clean Energy Supply Chains

In deploying Program funds, the Program will further seek to invest in projects that will contribute to the establishment of secure, resilient domestic clean energy supply chains

9 U.S. Department of Energy, America’s Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain for a Robust Clean Energy Transition: U.S.

Department of Energy Response to Executive Order 14017, America’s Supply Chains (Feb. 24, 2022) (“America’s Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain”). In the 1990s, for example, the United States pioneered and led commercial solar PV; but, in the absence of strong, systematic, and consistent policy to support the solar industry, other countries took over global leadership in solar PV manufacturing. See America’s Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain at 5.

10 U.S. Small Business Administration Manufacturing Office, https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/sba-initiatives/support-manufacturing-businesses.

11 In this respect, the Program seeks to have a complementary impact with DOE’s Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap, DOE’s Industrial Decarbonization and Emissions Reduction Demonstration-to-Deployment Program, and the Federal Buy Clean Initiative, all of which seek to reduce industrial emissions and rebuild U.S. leadership in manufacturing as countries, companies, and consumers around the world shift to low- to no-carbon commodities.

12 Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing Committee on Technology, National Science and Technology Council, National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing, October 2022.

mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov mailto:OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.energy.gov/policy/articles/americas-strategy-secure-supply-chain-robust-clean-energy-transition https://www.energy.gov/policy/articles/americas-strategy-secure-supply-chain-robust-clean-energy-transition https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/sba-initiatives/support-manufacturing-businesses https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/sba-initiatives/support-manufacturing-businesses https://www.energy.gov/eere/doe-industrial-decarbonization-roadmap https://www.energy.gov/oced/industrial-demonstrations-program https://www.sustainability.gov/buyclean/ https://www.sustainability.gov/buyclean/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/National-Strategy-for-Advanced-Manufacturing-10072022.pdf in subject line.

that are essential to providing affordable, reliable energy for the American people. The United States needs resilient, diverse, and secure clean energy supply chains to ensure economic prosperity and national security in the face of climate shocks, cyber-attacks, geopolitical and economic competition, and other threats.13

While a wide variety of advanced energy property is eligible to be produced in projects supported by the Program,14 the Program aims to increase domestic production capacity of advanced energy property that will strengthen the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States and its allies by resolving current gaps and needs and reducing dependence of the domestic energy sector industrial base on vulnerable supply chains and foreign competitors.

On February 24, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order (E.O.) 14017, “America’s Supply Chains,” in which he directed the U.S. government to undertake a comprehensive review of critical U.S. supply chains to identify risks, address vulnerabilities and develop a strategy to promote resilience. In response, DOE published “America’s Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain for a Robust Clean Energy Transition,” the first comprehensive U.S.

government plan to build an Energy Sector Industrial Base. The report is supported by deep-dive supply chain assessments highlighting key risks and opportunities across the following supply chains:

13 America’s Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain.

14 See BIL § 40209(a)(1) (defining advanced energy property as including Property designed to be used to produce energy from the sun, water, wind, geothermal or hydrothermal resources, enhanced geothermal systems, or other renewable resources; fuel cells, microturbines, or energy storage systems and components; electric grid modernization equipment or components; property designed for use in carbon capture, transport, removal, use, or sequestration / storage; equipment designed to refine, electrolyze, or blend any fuel, chemical, or product that is renewable or low-carbon and low-emission; property designed to produce energy conservation technologies (including for residential, commercial, and industrial applications); light-, medium-, or heavy-duty electric or fuel cell vehicles, electric or fuel cell locomotives, electric or fuel cell maritime vessels, or electric or fuel cell planes; technologies, components, and materials of those vehicles, locomotives, maritime vessels, or planes; and charging or refueling infrastructure associated with those vehicles, locomotives, maritime vessels, or planes; hybrid vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of not less than 14,000 pounds; and technologies, components, and materials for those vehicles; and other property designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions).

• Carbon capture materials

• Electric grid, including transformers and High- Voltage Direct Current

(HVDC)

• Energy storage

• Fuel cells and electrolyzers

• Hydropower, including pumped storage

• Neodymium magnets

• Nuclear energy

• Platinum group metals and other catalysts

• Semiconductors

• Solar photovoltaics

• Wind mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov mailto:OCED-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/America%E2%80%99s%20Strategy%20to%20Secure%20the%20Supply%20Chain%20for%20a%20Robust%20Clean%20Energy%20Transition%20FINAL.docx_0.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/America%E2%80%99s%20Strategy%20to%20Secure%20the%20Supply%20Chain%20for%20a%20Robust%20Clean%20Energy%20Transition%20FINAL.docx_0.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/America%E2%80%99s%20Strategy%20to%20Secure%20the%20Supply%20Chain%20for%20a%20Robust%20Clean%20Energy%20Transition%20FINAL.docx_0.pdf subject line.

In addition, the Administration has issued determinations under the Defense Production Act15 citing the critical need to strengthen domestic production capacity of large-capacity batteries, to increase domestic mining and processing of critical materials for the large-capacity battery supply chain,16 and to accelerate progress in establishing secure domestic supply chains for: (1) solar panel parts like photovoltaic modules and module components; (2) critical power grid infrastructure like transformers; (3) heat pumps; (4) building insulation; and (5) equipment for making and using clean-electricity-generated fuels, including electrolyzers, fuel cells, and related platinum group metals.17 These determinations further signal the need to bolster these clean energy supply chains in order to strengthen U.S. national and climate security while also reducing energy costs for American families.

Based on the above and additional analysis, DOE has identified priority needs to bolster domestic clean energy supply chains in the following areas:

Advanced Nuclear • component manufacturing Electric Grid • electric steel or alloys used in transformer cores

• continuously transposed conductors

• copper wire

• copper windings

• large power transformers (LPTs)

• pole-mounted and pad-mounted transformers

• high voltage direct current transmission lines

• LPT bushings

• conservator tanks

• conservator bladders

Hydrogen • polytetraflouro-ethylene

• electrolyte membranes

• bipolar plates

15 50 U.S.C. § 4533.

16 See Memorandum on Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (Mar. 31, 2022).

17 See Memorandum on Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, on Solar Photovoltaic Modules and Module Components (June 6, 2022); Memorandum on Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, on Transformers and Electric Power Grid Components (June 6, 2022); Memorandum on Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, on Electric Heat Pumps (June 6, 2022); Memorandum on Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, on Insulation (June 6, 2022); Memorandum on Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, on Electrolyzers, Fuel Cells, and Platinum Group Metals (June 6, 2022).

mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov mailto:OCED-eXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/03/31/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/03/31/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-solar-photovoltaic-modules-and-module-components/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-solar-photovoltaic-modules-and-module-components/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-transformers-and-electric-power-grid-components/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-transformers-and-electric-power-grid-components/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-transformers-and-electric-power-grid-components/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-electric-heat-pumps/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-electric-heat-pumps/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-insulation/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-insulation/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-electrolyzers-fuel-cells-and-platinum-group-metals/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/06/memorandum-on-presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-electrolyzers-fuel-cells-and-platinum-group-metals/ subject line.

• membrane electrodes

• gas diffusion layers

• polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers

• solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers

Solar Photovoltaic

(PV)

• polysilicon

• rolled glass

• aluminum

• ingots

• wafers

• cells

• supports

• modules

• inverters

• systems

Wind • Nd and Dy alloys

• Nd magnets

• semiconductors

• large castings

• forged rings and shafts

• wind turbines

• blades

• towers

• nacelles

• monopiles

• floating foundations

• electric balance of system hardware

Modern clean energy supply chains also typically comprise digital components, which can include firmware, software, and cloud-based services. Appropriate cybersecurity considerations should be addressed in managing risks associated with digital supply chains. Supply chain analysis remains dynamic. Public and private investments in clean energy projects and clean energy supply chains may resolve priority needs listed above and/or may demonstrate additional needs, including needs across additional eligible supply chains.

Revitalizing Economies in Energy Communities

On January 27, 2021, the President issued Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, to direct federal agencies to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of the climate crisis and seize the opportunity that tackling climate change subject line.

presents. This Executive Order established an Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant communities and Economic Revitalization (Interagency Working Group) to coordinate the identification and delivery of Federal resources to revitalize the economies of coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities. In doing so, it recognized that:

Mining and power plant workers drove the industrial revolution and the economic growth that followed and have been essential to the growth of the United States.

As the Nation shifts to a clean energy economy, Federal leadership is essential to foster economic revitalization of and investment in these communities, ensure the creation of good jobs that provide a choice to join a union, and secure the benefits that have been earned by workers.18

Projects supported under this FOA must take place in energy communities—defined by statute as a census tract where a coal mine has closed since December 31, 1999, a coal-fired power plant has closed since December 31, 2009, or an immediately adjacent census tract.19 Consistent with this geographic requirement included in the BIL, the Program will seek to invest in projects that strengthen place-based economic development strategies and that utilize existing assets in these communities. In doing so, DOE aims to contribute to restoration of local tax bases, stronger, more resilient communities, improved public health, and transition for dislocated workers.

As investment in the global clean energy economy continues to accelerate, regional economic development strategies and economic clusters are emerging that hold potential to augment and multiply the economic contributions of individual projects in energy communities. Working collaboratively with the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization and with the U.S.

Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, DOE will seek to align investments made under this FOA with regional economic development priorities, recognizing that sustained economic revitalization is most likely to flow from long-term, place-based, coordinated, and collaborative economic development strategies that leverage Federal funding in coordination with other public and private sector resources.

In support of a resilient transition for energy communities, the Program further seeks projects that utilize and bring value from existing assets in energy communities. Those may include, but need not be limited to, efforts to turn idled properties, such as brownfields, into new hubs for economic growth, and that utilize existing industrial sites and infrastructure. Projects should further invest in dislocated workers. Reinvigorating

18 Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 27, 2021).

19 BIL § 40209 (a)(2).

subject line.

and reinvesting in the American industrial base in this moment of opportunity offers considerable benefits for American workers. Manufacturing jobs, and especially those in advanced technologies, provide better pay, more consistent hours, and stronger worker protection than the labor market as a whole and have broad impacts on jobs in other sectors.20 Projects funded under this Program should include training dislocated workers for jobs in the new economy and creating family-sustaining jobs with high labor standards, including paying prevailing wages and offering the free and fair chance to join a union.

As part of the whole-of-government approach to advance equity and encourage worker organizing and collective bargaining,21,22,23 and in alignment with BIL section 40209, this FOA and any related activities will seek to encourage meaningful engagement and participation of workforce organizations, including labor unions, as well as underserved communities and underrepresented groups, including consultation with Tribal Nations.24 Consistent with Executive Order 14008,25 this FOA is designed to help meet the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain investments in clean energy and climate solutions flow to disadvantaged communities and to drive the creation of accessible good-paying jobs with the free and fair chance for workers to join a union.26

B. Topic Areas All work for projects selected under this FOA must be performed in the United States. See Section IV.J.iii. and Appendix B.

Through this FOA, the Program will support projects by SMMs to establish new or re-equip or expand existing industrial facilities in eligible energy communities to produce or recycle advanced energy property. Eligible advanced energy property is defined pursuant to BIL Section 40209(a)(1) and further defined by DOE as:

20 Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing Committee on Technology, National Science and Technology Council, National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing, October 2022.

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

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

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

24 EO 13175, November 6, 2000 “Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments”, charges all executive departments and agencies with engaging in regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with Tribal officials in the development of federal policies that have Tribal implications.

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

26 While projects under the Program must take place in eligible energy communities, the Program also intends to support the Justice40 initiative’s goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits from Federal investments in climate and clean energy flow to Justice40 communities. Resources that can be used to identify Justice40 communities are provided in footnote 2. In addition, Justice40 communities that overlap with eligible energy communities can be found using the filtering tool in the eligible energy communities map available here.

mailto:MESC_FOA2907@netl.doe.gov https://arcgis.netl.doe.gov/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=09457c326145417595287951ed376a29 subject line.

• Property designed to be used to produce energy from the sun, water, wind, geothermal deposits (within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. § 613 (e)(2)), or other renewable resources. Examples of eligible property include solar panels and their specialized support structures; wind turbines, towers, floating offshore platforms, and related equipment; power electronics designed for use with eligible solar or wind property; equipment to concentrate sunlight to generate heat for industrial processes or to convert it to electricity; geothermal turbines and heat pumps; hydropower turbines; and other products directly used to generate electrical and/or thermal energy from renewable resources, as well as the specialized components, subcomponents, and materials incorporated into any such eligible property, including equipment for sensing, communication, and control.