FundOpp_DE-FOA-0003016_Amd_000002.pdf

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management

(FECM)

University Turbine Systems Research (UTSR) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0003016

FOA Type: Modification 000002 Assistance Listing Number: 81.089

FOA Issue Date: 09/07/2023 Modification 000001 Issue Date: 10/04/2023 Modification 000002 Issue Date: 11/14/2023 Submission Deadline for Full Applications: 12/05/2023 11:59 PM ET

Expected Date for Selection Notifications: 03/05/2024 Expected Date for Award: 04/30/2024

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Modifications

Mod. No. Date Description of Modification 000001 10/05/2023 The purpose of this Modification is to:

1) Extend the Application Due Date to 12/05/2023. As a result, the Expected Date for Selection Notification and Expected Date for Award has also been extended.

2) Add details to the Areas of Interest 1, 2, and 3 within pages 12 through 15 of Section I.C.

3) Subsection xxxiv. R&D Community Benefits Plan (April 2023) of Section IV on page 40 is updated to add application information for Applicants.

000002 11/14/2023 1) The purpose of this Modification is to:

The Budget Justification file document is now included as an Attachment to the FOA.

2) The following language was removed from page 27: “References must be included as footnotes or endnotes in a font size of 10 or larger. Footnotes and endnotes are counted toward the maximum page requirement.”

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Registration Requirements

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

➢ SAM Applicants must register with SAM at https://www.sam.gov/ prior to submitting an application in response to this FOA (unless the applicant is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110). Designating an Electronic Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) and obtaining a special password called an MPIN are important steps in SAM registration. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. The applicant must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or application under consideration. More information about SAM registration for applicants is found at:

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=650d493e1bab7c105 465eaccac4bcbcb.

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

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

➢ UEI Applicants must obtain 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.

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

https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=650d493e1bab7c105465eaccac4bcbcb https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=650d493e1bab7c105465eaccac4bcbcb https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0058422&sys_kb_id=1b5f22581b2115102fe5ed7ae54bcb4e&spa=1

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

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister

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

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

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

In addition:

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

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

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

NOTE: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role;

this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

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

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

To track your role request, refer to:

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

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.

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html mailto:support@grants.gov

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➢ FedConnect.net - Applicants must register with FedConnect to submit questions.

FedConnect website: www.fedconnect.net.

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

http://www.fedconnect.net/

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Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Authorizing Statutes B. Background/Description

i. Background and Purpose

ii. Research and Development Community Benefits Plan (April 2023)

C. Objectives/Topic Areas/Areas of Interest D. Applications Specifically Not of Interest

II. Award Information

A. Type of Application B. Type of Award Instrument C. Award Overview

iii. Estimated Funding, Number of Awards, Anticipated Award Size, and Maximum DOE Share

iv. Estimated Project Period of Performance per Topic Area/Area of Interest

III. Eligibility Information

A. General B. Eligible Applicants

i. Restricted Eligibility

ii. Individuals

iii. Domestic Entities

iv. Domestic Public Entities (excluding Federal entities)

v. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers and National Laboratories

vi. Federal Entities

vii. Foreign Entities

viii. DOE/NNSA FFRDC Participation in Project Teams

C. Cost Sharing

ix. Cost Share Requirements

x. Legal Responsibility

xi. Cost Share Allocation

xii. Cost Share Types and Allowability

xiii. Cost Share Verification

xiv. Cost Share Contributions by FFRDCs

D. Compliance Criteria E. Responsiveness Criteria F. Number of Submittals Eligible for Review G. Questions Regarding Eligibility

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Form and Content Requirements B. Full Applications

xv. Application Package

xvi. Content and Form of Full Application

xvii. SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance

xviii. Project/Performance Site Location(s)

xix. Other Attachments Form

xx. Project Narrative File – Mandatory Other Attachment

xxi. Summary for Public Release File (April 2023)

xxii. Project Management Plan

xxiii. Resume File (April 2023) xxiv.SF 424A Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (SF424) File

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xxv. Budget Justification File xxvi.Subaward Budget Justification (if applicable)

xxvii. Budget for DOE/NNSA FFRDC/NLs or non-DOE/NNSA FFRDC/NLs, (if applicable) xxviii. Authorization for DOE/NNSA FFRDC/NLs or non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs/NLs (if applicable) xxix.Environmental Questionnaire

xxx. Cost Share Commitment Letters (if applicable) xxxi.SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

xxxii. Waiver Requests (if applicable) (April 2023) xxxiii. Data Management Plan

xxxiv. R&D Community Benefits Plan (April 2023)

xxxv. Current and Pending Support (April 2023)

xxxvi. U.S. Competitiveness xxxvii. Transparency of Foreign Connections xxxviii. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice

xxxix. Subrecipient Commitment Letter(s) from OEM(s) and/or Government Agency (required if proposed as a subrecipient) C. Post Selection Information Requests (April 2023) D. Submission Dates and Times E. Intergovernmental Review F. Other Submission and Registration Requirements

xl. Registration Process xli. Where to Submit xlii. Full Application Proof of Timely Submissions xliii. Electronic Authorization of Applications and Award Documents

G. Funding Restrictions (April 2023) H. Pre-Award Costs I. Pre-Award Costs Related to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Requirements J. Performance of Work in the United States (Foreign Work Waiver) (April 2023) xliv. Requirement xlv. Failure to Comply xlvi. Waiver

K. Foreign Travel L. Equipment and Supplies M. Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects (April 2023)

V. Application Review Information

A. Review Criteria

i. Compliance/Responsiveness Review

ii. Full Application Merit Review Criteria

B. Other Selection Factors

i. Program Policy Factors

C. Other Review Requirements xlvii. Risk Assessment (May 2023) xlviii. Recipient Responsibility and Qualifications (May 2023)

D. Review and Selection Process

i. Merit Review

ii. Selection

iii. Discussions and Award

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Notices xlix. Ineligible Submissions

l. Full Application Notifications

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B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

li. Award Administrative Requirements lii. Unique Entity Identifier Requirements and System for Award Management (April 2023) liii. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements liv. Foreign National Participation (April 2023)

lv. Export Control (April 2023) lvi. Statement of Federal Stewardship lvii. Statement of Substantial Involvement lviii. Environmental Review in Accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) lix. Conference Spending

lx. Interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance lxi. Participants and Collaborating Organizations lxii. Current and Pending Support lxiii. Fraud, Waste and Abuse (April 2023) lxiv. Human Subjects Research (April 2023) lxv. Flood Resilience (April 2023) lxvi. Real Property and Equipment

C. Reporting lxvii. Reporting Requirements lxviii. Subaward and Executive Reporting

D. Applicant Representations and Certifications lxix. Lobbying Restrictions lxx. Nondisclosure and Confidentiality Agreements Representations lxxi. Corporate Felony Convictions and Tax Liabilities Representations (March 2014)

VII. Questions/Agency Contacts

A. Questions B. Agency Contact

VIII. Other Information

A. Modifications B. Government Right to Reject or Negotiate C. Commitment of Public Funds D. Treatment of Application Information (April 2023) E. Evaluation and Administration by Non-Federal Personnel F. Intellectual Property Developed Under This Program (September 2021) G. Energy Data eXchange (EDX) Requirements (December 2022) H. Notice Regarding Eligible/Ineligible Activities I. Notice of Right to Conduct a Review of Financial Capability J. Notice of Potential Disclosure Under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) K. Requirement for Full and Complete Disclosure L. Retention of Submissions M. Protected Personally Identifiable Information N. Annual Compliance Audits O. Accounting System P. Indirect Rates Q. Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (April 2023) ..78 R. Prohibition Related to Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs (April 2023) S. Implementation of Executive Order 13798, Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (November 2020)

IX. Appendices

Appendix A – Cost Share Information

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Appendix B – Waiver Requests: Foreign Entity Participation and Performance of Work in the United States .88 lxxii. Waiver for Performance of Work in the United States (Foreign Work Waiver)

Appendix D – Statement of Project Objectives Template

Appendix E – Project Management Plan Template

Appendix F – Data Management Plan

Appendix G – Technology Readiness Levels

Appendix H – Technology Maturation Plan

Appendix I – R&D Community Benefits Plan Guidance

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I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Authorizing Statutes

The programmatic authorizing statutes are Public Law (PL) 95-91, DOE Organization Act, and PL 109-58, Energy Policy Act 2005.

Awards made under this announcement will fall under the purview of 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200 as amended by 2 CFR Part 910.

B. Background/Description

i. Background and Purpose

Given its potential to help address the climate crisis, enhance energy security and resilience, and create economic value, interest in producing and using clean hydrogen is intensifying both in the United States and abroad. Zero- and low-carbon hydrogen is a key part of a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to achieve a sustainable and equitable clean energy future. The United States is stepping up to accelerate progress through historic investments in clean hydrogen production, midstream infrastructure, and strategically targeted research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) in this critical technology. See the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for details.

As outlined in the DOE Clean Hydrogen Commercial Liftoff report, the U.S. clean hydrogen market is poised for rapid growth, accelerated by DOE Hydrogen Hub funding, multiple tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act including the hydrogen production tax credit, DOE’s Hydrogen Shot, and decarbonization goals across the public and private sectors. Hydrogen can play a role in decarbonizing up to 25% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Electricity generation using clean hydrogen also supports achieving the administration’s goal of 100% carbon pollution free electricity by 2035.

The University Turbine Systems Research (UTSR) Program encompasses a portfolio of gas turbine-focused university projects which address a wide variety of technical topics (including combustion, aerodynamics/heat transfer, and advanced materials topics) by conducting cutting edge R&D. Technical topics are relevant to research goals of the US DOE and the gas turbine industry and support advanced technologies that can increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and provide additional performance benefits.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/95th-congress/senate-bill/826 https://www.congress.gov/bill/95th-congress/senate-bill/826 https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/6/text https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/us-national-clean-hydrogen-strategy-roadmap.pdf https://liftoff.energy.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230523-Pathways-to-Commercial-Liftoff-Clean-Hydrogen.pdf https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-shot 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/

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Given the extensive interest in hydrogen-based electricity generation, topics in this FOA focus on fundamental and applied research to further advance the use of hydrogen as a gas turbine fuel.

ii. Research and Development Community Benefits Plan (April 2023)

DOE is committed to investing in research and development (R&D) innovations that deliver benefits to the American public and leads to commercialization of technologies and products that foster sustainable, resilient, and equitable access to clean energy.

Further, DOE is committed to supporting the development of more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplaces to help maintain the nation’s leadership in science and technology.

To support the goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy, projects funded under this Funding Opportunity Announcement are expected to invest in America’s workforce. To ensure these objectives are met, applications must include a R&D Community Benefits Plan (R&D Community Benefits Plan) that addresses the three objectives stated above. See Section IV, “Application and Submission Information, R&D Community Benefits Plan” and the “R&D Community Benefits Plan” Appendix for more information on the R&D Community Benefits Plan content requirements.

C. Objectives/Topic Areas/Areas of Interest

The objective of this FOA is to solicit and competitively award university-based R&D projects that address and resolve fundamental scientific challenges and applied engineering technology issues associated with thermal management of combustors and hot gas path components for gas turbines. Specifically, R&D projects will conduct fundamental and applied research to develop advanced materials and advanced hot gas path components which utilize these advanced materials, advanced cooling architectures, and advanced manufacturing methods.

The FOA will seek to solicit and competitively award laboratory/bench-scale R&D in the following areas of interest (AOI):

AOI 1: Fundamental Materials Development for Hot Gas Path Hydrogen Turbine Components AOI 2: Applied Materials Development for Hot Gas Path Hydrogen Turbine Components AOI 3: Fundamental Materials Development for Hydrogen Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs)

(1) AOI 1: Fundamental Materials Development for Hot Gas Path Hydrogen Turbine Components

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AOI 1 seeks fundamental R&D to develop and evaluate turbine hot gas path materials for gas turbines with fuel flexibility from 100% natural gas up to 100% hydrogen. The goal of AOI1 is to produce knowledge, data, and understanding that can be utilized to enable improved capabilities for hot gas path component design in gas turbines using hydrogen containing fuels.

Applications are being sought for fundamental laboratory or bench-scale research for materials that will have improved capabilities for withstanding much higher temperatures for hot gas path components (e.g., with turbine inlet temperatures exceeding 3,100°F). In addition, applications will consider improvement of other properties of materials including thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, corrosion resistance, toughness, creep resistance, yield strength and durability as compared to conventional materials used in components of turbines with particular attention to the effects that hydrogen fuels may have. Applications of interest could consider, but are not limited to, the development of new material formulations, processing methods, and computational tools.

Successful applications must address fundamental knowledge gaps associated with materials exposed to combustion products from hydrogen containing fuels and should propose to evaluate these phenomena under relevant lab conditions.

R&D subjects of interest for AOI1 include but are not limited to:

• Development of new alloys (high entropy alloys, refractory metals, single crystal alloys, etc.)

• New formulations of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) or improvements to existing CMC systems

• Coating materials (thermal barrier coatings, environmental barrier coatings, improved bond coats, etc.)

• Computational tools to evaluate and optimize advanced materials under relevant environments

• New processing methods that improve critical material properties

The Applicant must clearly explain how the proposed R&D will contribute to improved thermal management of hot gas path components (including combustors) in gas turbines operating on fuel compositions ranging from 100% natural gas to 100% hydrogen. It must also clearly explain how the proposed technology could represent a significant advancement over existing commercial technology.

(2) AOI 2: Applied Materials Development for Hot Gas Path Hydrogen Turbine Components

AOI 2 is focused on development of turbine hot gas path components which can utilize advanced cooling architectures and advanced materials/manufacturing technologies. Successful applications will include lab or bench-scale R&D to develop

DE-FOA-0003016, 000001 Page 13 of 129 and evaluate these advanced components in a relevant environment for gas turbines with fuel flexibility ranging from 100% natural gas up to 100% hydrogen.

Applicants must justify their selection of advanced materials, advanced cooling architectures, and manufacturing methods on the basis that the resulting component could be designed and mass produced for a gas turbine exceeding 3,100°F turbine inlet temperature. Applications must demonstrate how the advanced cooling technology coupled with an innovative materials/manufacturing method could be a practical solution to maintain the life of rotating and stationary hot gas path components. Applications should emphasize achieving transformational performance and efficiencies while also being pragmatic from a cost-effective and manufacturability perspective to be considered for future commercialization in higher-temperature gas turbine components. Applicants should form teams with appropriate areas of expertise in advanced cooling, advanced materials, and advanced manufacturing. Strategic leveraging and collaboration with industry is also encouraged.

R&D subjects of interest for AOI2 include but are not limited to:

• Materials processing for advanced materials and manufacturing

• Utilization of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence tools for design and manufacturing of turbine hot gas path components

• Application of new alloys (high entropy alloys, refractory metals, single crystal alloys, etc.)

• Application of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs)

• Application of coating materials (thermal barrier coatings, environmental barrier coatings, improved bond coats, etc.)

• Computational tools to evaluate and optimize the application of advanced cooling architectures using advanced materials/manufacturing methods under relevant environments

The Applicant must clearly explain how the proposed R&D will contribute to improved thermal management of hot gas path components (including combustors) in gas turbines operating on fuel compositions ranging from 100% natural gas to 100% hydrogen. It must also clearly explain how the proposed technology could represent a significant advancement over existing commercial technology.

Applicants must address the cooling technology, materials, and manufacturing method(s) being proposed and explain how the proposed experimental method(s) are well-suited for evaluating the proposed technology.

(3) AOI 3: Fundamental Materials Development for Hydrogen Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs)

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Area of Interest 3 (AOI3) seeks fundamental R&D to evaluate and / or mitigate thermal and mechanical stresses associated with the operation of hydrogen fueled rotating detonation engines for the purpose of land-based power generation. The goal of AOI3 is to produce knowledge, data, and understanding of the risk associated with material fatigue and thermal / mechanical stresses in RDEs operating on hydrogen fuels and strategies for minimizing the risk through material selection and design improvements that would maintain any achieved performance benefits.

Rotating Detonation Combustion (RDC) creates a unique opportunity for gas turbine engine designers as it has a combined effect on cycle efficiency through high turbine inlet temperatures, as well as pressure gain achieved through combustion. However, this also compounds the challenges associated with RDC-Turbine integrated systems as RDC is an inherently unsteady process. To maximize cycle output for conventional gas turbine engines, designers seek to operate at the highest possible combustion and turbine inlet gas temperatures (exceeding 3,100oF) while avoiding material failure. However, as RDC is an inherently unsteady process, achieving high spatially averaged turbine inlet temperatures could mean even higher intermittent gas temperatures inside the combustor, and high-pressure pulses associated with the detonation wave could impose additional mechanical stresses (especially at higher temperatures) that would not be present in conventional steady gas turbine combustion. While it is hypothesized that the high-speed pulses (kHz) associated with RDC may not permit the material time to respond to individual waves, high-speed heat flux measurements suggest periodic variations in heat transfer to the body of the combustor does occur. However, the long-term implications of high-speed variations in mechanical and thermal stresses to the materials surrounding the hot-gas path are not well understood.

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are often used along the hot gas path in gas turbine applications in order to operate at higher turbine inlet temperatures. Existing research on thermal and mechanical stresses associated with RDC is limited, and the impacts of RDC on TBC in both the combustor and components along the downstream hot gas path have not been considered.

Applications are being sought for fundamental experimental and/or computational studies to explore the surface response of realistic materials (both metals and ceramic / ceramic matric composites) and thermal barrier coatings to the mechanical and thermal stresses associated with rotating detonation combustion fueled by hydrogen. Turbine designers often rely on high (HCF) and very-high cycle fatigue (VHCF) testing to better understand long-term implications for materials used along the hot gas path. However, it is unclear if utilizing existing testing methodologies would be relevant for RDC-Turbine integrated environments.

Responsive applications must consider the number of cycles (at RDC relevant conditions) to failure for various (turbine relevant) materials at multiple locations along the hot gas path. Researchers must also provide insight into the exacerbation

DE-FOA-0003016, 000001 Page 15 of 129 of these failure modes by utilizing hydrogen as the fuel. While this study is not intended to explore new materials (see AOI 1), consideration may be given to proposed approaches to mitigate the thermal and mechanical stresses on the combustor and downstream hot-gas path for RDC-turbine integrated systems.

Successful applications must address fundamental knowledge gaps associated with hot gas path material response to thermal and mechanical stresses associated with rotating detonation combustion for RDC-turbine integrated systems. Proposed studies experimental and/or computational) should be performed under relevant lab conditions.

R&D subjects of interest for AOI3 include, but are not limited to:

• Characterizing the fluid and thermal boundary layers along the hot gas path for a proposed RDC-turbine integrated system subject to single and simultaneously occurring multiple detonation waves.

• Experimental and / or computational determination of mechanical and thermal response of turbine relevant materials (metals and CMC) to stresses at amplitudes and frequencies associated with RDC with hydrogen fuels. This would consider the microstructural response of materials including the determination of surface versus internal fatigue failure for conventionally and / or additively manufactured components.

• Experimental and / or computational determination of mechanical and thermal response of thermal barrier coatings to stresses at amplitudes and frequencies associated with RDC with hydrogen fuels.

• Methodologies for reducing mechanical and thermal stresses associated with RDC to conditions comparable to existing state-of-the-art gas turbine engines with consideration given to the use of hydrogen fuels while maintaining performance benefits stemming from the application of RDC.

• Methodologies for projecting long-term material performance characteristics for hot gas path components used in RDC-turbine systems.

The Applicant must clearly explain how the proposed R&D will contribute to improved thermal management and component fatigue of hot gas path components in RDC-gas turbine integrated systems operating on hydrogen fuels for industrial and land-based power turbines. They must also clearly explain how the proposed knowledge generation could represent a significant step to advance the technology readiness level of RDC-gas turbine integrated systems.

D. Applications Specifically Not of Interest

The following types of applications will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be reviewed or considered (See Section III, Eligibility Information; Responsiveness Criteria):

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• Submissions that fall outside the technical parameters specified in Section I, “Funding Opportunity Description; Objectives/Topic Areas/Areas of Interest” of the FOA, including but not limited to:

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

o Area of Interest 1:

▪ Research that does not consider the effects of hydrogen fuels on hot gas path materials

▪ Research that contains only screening/literature review of existing materials o Area of Interest 2:

▪ Fundamental materials R&D

▪ Research that focuses on only a single aspect of component development (i.e. cooling, materials, or manufacturing) without consideration of the other two aspects

▪ Research that focuses only on the development of components for natural gas fired turbines without consideration of hydrogen fuel flexibility.

▪ Technology that could only considered in theory without the prospect of industry adoption for commercial production.

o Area of Interest 3:

▪ Research that does not focus on materials issues directly related to RDC-turbine integrated systems operating on hydrogen fuels.

▪ Research that that does not consider relevant hot gas path materials for industrial turbines operating on hydrogen fuels.

▪ Research that does not consider thermal and mechanical stresses associated with one or more detonation waves at amplitudes and frequencies comparable to existing state-of-the art RDEs.

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II. Award Information

A. Type of Application

DOE will accept only new applications under this announcement.

B. Type of Award Instrument

Cooperative Agreements DOE anticipates awarding cooperative agreements under this funding opportunity announcement (See Section VI, “Award Administration Information; Statement of Substantial Involvement”).

C. Award Overview

iii. Estimated Funding, Number of Awards, Anticipated Award Size, and Maximum DOE Share

DOE expects to make Federal funding available for new awards under this FOA as follows:

Topic Areas/Areas of Interest with Cost Share

Total Value Anticipated Individual Award Size

Area of Interest DOE Share

Cost Share

Total

Anticipated No. of

Awards Maximum

DOE

Share*

Cost Share**

Total

1 Up to 4 800,000/80 200,000/20 1,000,000 2 Up to 4 800,000/80 200,000/20 1,000,000

6,400,000/80 1,600,000/20 8,000,000 Up to 4 800,000/80 200,000/20 1,000,000

Total 6,400,000/80 1,600,000/20 8,000,000 Up to 8

DOE may issue one, multiple or no awards.

APPLICATIONS WHICH EXCEED THE “MAXIMUM DOE SHARE OF AWARD”

SPECIFIED ABOVE WILL BE CONSIDERED NONCOMPLIANT (SEE SECTION III,

“ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION; COMPLIANCE CRITERIA”). DOE WILL NOT

REVIEW OR CONSIDER NONCOMPLIANT APPLICATIONS.

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DOE may establish more than one budget period for each award and fund only the initial budget period(s). Funding for all budget periods, including the initial budget period, is not guaranteed. Funding for all awards and future budget periods are contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated by Congress for the purpose of this program and the availability of future-year budget authority.

iv. Estimated Project Period of Performance per Topic Area/Area of Interest

Projects are expected to be 36 months in duration. Projects selected under this FOA are expected to be low risk and may involve various long-term tests;

therefore, the projects will not have decision points or budget periods, since inclusion of decision points or budget periods could result in unnecessary funding or contractual issues that negatively impact long term tests.

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III. Eligibility Information

A. General

To be considered for substantive evaluation, an applicant‘s submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If the application does not meet these initial requirements, it will be considered non-responsive, removed from further evaluation, and ineligible for any award.

B. Eligible Applicants

i. Restricted Eligibility

In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126, competition, eligibility for award is restricted to Domestic Institutions of Higher Education and University- Affiliated Research Institutions. Subcontracting to other types of entities will be limited, in aggregate, to 20 percent of the total proposed project. The Determination of Restricted Eligibility for the UTSR Program was signed on 10/19/2023 and is valid for Fiscal Years 2021-2025.

Subrecipient and/or Subcontracting effort that is proposed for entities other than a Domestic Institution of Higher Education and/or University-Affiliated Research Institution is limited, in aggregate, to 20 percent of the total proposed project costs.

ii. Individuals

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient.

iii. Domestic Entities

For-profit entities and nonprofits that are incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular State or territory of the United States are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient.

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.

iv. Domestic Public Entities (excluding Federal entities)

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State, local, and tribal government entities are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient.

Entities banned from doing business with the United States government such as entities debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participating in Federal programs are not eligible.

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.

Federal entity eligibility is discussed below.

v. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers and National Laboratories

DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and National Laboratories (NL) are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient (only) but are not eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient. Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs and National Laboratories are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient.

NETL is not eligible for award under this announcement and may not be proposed as a subrecipient on another entity’s application. An application that includes NETL as a prime recipient or subrecipient will be considered non-responsive.

Authorization. The cognizant contracting officer for the DOE/NNSA FFRDC/NL or the non-DOE/NNSA Federal agency sponsoring the FFRDC/NL contractor must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC/NL on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted with the application. The use of a FFRDC/NL must be consistent with its authority under its award and will not place the laboratory in direct competition with the domestic private sector.

The following wording is acceptable for this authorization:

"Authorization is granted for the [Name] Laboratory to participate in the proposed project. The work proposed for the laboratory is consistent with or complimentary to the missions of the laboratory, will not adversely impact execution of the [DOE/NNSA/or FEDERAL AGENCY]

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Value/Funding: DOE will NOT fund DOE/NNSA FFRDCs participating as a subrecipient through the DOE field work authorization process. DOE will NOT fund non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs through an interagency agreement with the sponsoring agency. Therefore, the prime 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 prime recipient under its DOE award. Such an agreement must be entered into before any project work begins.

Cost Share: 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.

Responsibility. The applicant, if successful, 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 applicant and the FFRDC/NL.

vi. Federal Entities

Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient.

vii. Foreign Entities

Foreign entities, whether for-profit or otherwise, are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient under this FOA.

viii. DOE/NNSA FFRDC Participation in Project Teams

DOE/NNSA FFRDC project team members funded directly by DOE must work with their fellow project team members under a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA), unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer, to ensure accountability for project work and appropriate management of intellectual property (IP), e.g., data protection and background IP.

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C. Cost Sharing

ix. Cost Share Requirements

Cost Share 20% The cost share must be at least 20% of the total allowable costs for research and development projects (i.e., the sum of the Government share, including FFRDC/NL costs if applicable, and the recipient share of allowable costs equals the total allowable cost of the project) and must come from non- Federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law. See 2 CFR part 200.306 as amended by 2 CFR part 910.130 for the applicable cost sharing requirements.

DOE understands that projects selected under this FOA may require the use of existing data. For purposes of this FOA, DOE will consider data that is commercially available at an established market price to be an allowable cost under the project (either as DOE share or non-federal cost share) but DOE will not consider in-kind data (e.g., data, owned by an entity, that is not routinely sold commercially but is instead donated to the project and assigned a value) to be an allowable cost under the project, including as Recipient cost share. Estimation methods used by the Recipient to assign a value to in-kind data cannot be objectively verified by DOE and therefore will not be accepted by DOE as an allowable cost under any project selected from this FOA. Consequently, DOE will not recognize in-kind data costs in any resulting approved DOE budget.

To assist applicants in calculating proper cost share amounts, DOE has included a cost share information sheet and sample cost share calculation in the “Cost Share Information” Appendix of this FOA.

x. Legal Responsibility

Applicants will be bound by the cost share proposed in their applications and incorporated into their award.

The cost share requirement applies to the project as a whole, including work performed by members of the project team other than the Prime Recipient.

The Prime Recipient is legally responsible for paying the entire cost share.

The Prime Recipient’s cost share obligation is expressed in the Assistance Agreement as a static amount in U.S. dollars (cost share amount) and as a percentage of the Total Project Cost (cost share percentage). If the funding agreement is terminated prior to the end of the project period, the Prime

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Recipient is required to contribute at least the cost share percentage of total expenditures incurred through the date of termination.

The Prime Recipient is solely responsible for managing cost share contributions by the Project Team and enforcing cost share obligation assumed by Project Team members in subawards or related agreements.

xi. Cost Share Allocation

Each Project Team is free to determine how best to allocate the cost share requirement among the team members. The amount contributed by individual Project Team members may vary, as long as the cost share requirement for the project as a whole is met.

xii.Cost Share Types and Allowability

Every cost share contribution must be allowable under the applicable Federal cost principles, as described in Section IV, “Application and Submission Information; Funding Restrictions”. In addition, cost share must be verifiable upon submission of the Full Application. Cost share may be provided in the form of cash or cash equivalents, or in-kind contributions. Cost share must come from non-federal sources (unless otherwise allowed by law), such as project participants, state or local governments, or other third-party financing. DOE Loan Guarantee, cannot be leveraged by applicants to provide the required cost share or otherwise support the same scope that is proposed under a project.

Cost share may be provided by the prime recipient, subrecipients, or third parties (entities that do not have a role in performing the scope of work).

Vendors/contractors may not provide cost share. Any partial donation of goods or services is considered a discount and is not allowable.

Cash contributions include, but are not limited to: personnel costs, fringe costs, supply and equipment costs, indirect costs and other direct costs.

In-kind contributions are those where a value of the contribution can be readily determined, verified and justified but where no actual cash is transacted in securing the good or service comprising the contribution. Allowable in-kind contributions include but are not limited to:

the donation of volunteer time or the donation of space or use of equipment.

Project teams may use funding or property received from state or local governments to meet the cost share requirement, so long as Federal Government did not provide the funding to the state or local government.

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The Recipient may not use the following sources to meet its cost share obligations including, but not limited to:

• Revenues or royalties from the prospective operation of an activity beyond the project period;

• Proceeds from the prospective sale of an asset of an activity;

• Federal funding or property (e.g., Federal grants, equipment owned by the Federal Government); or

• Expenditures that were reimbursed under a separate Federal

Program.

Project Teams may not use the same cash or in-kind contributions to meet cost share requirements for more than one project or program.

Cost share contributions must be specified in the project budget, verifiable from the Prime Recipient’s records, and necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of the project. As all sources of cost share are considered part of total project cost, the cost share dollars will be scrutinized under the same Federal regulations as Federal dollars to the project. Every cost share contribution must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Contracting Officer and incorporated into the project budget before the expenditures are incurred.

Applicants are encouraged to refer to 2 CFR 200.306 as amended by 2 CFR

910.130 for additional cost sharing requirements.

Please refer to the “Cost Share Information” Appendix of the FOA.

xiii. Cost Share Verification

Applicants are required to provide written assurance of their proposed cost share contributions in their Full Applications.

Upon selection for award negotiations, applicants are required to provide additional information and documentation regarding their cost share contributions. Please refer to the “Cost Share Information” Appendix of the

FOA.

xiv. Cost Share Contributions by FFRDCs

Because FFRDCs and NLs are funded by the Federal Government, costs incurred by FFRDCs and NLs generally may not be used to meet the cost

DE-FOA-0003016, 000001 Page 25 of 129 share requirement. FFRDCs and NLs may contribute cost share only if the contributions are paid directly from the contractor’s Management Fee or another non-Federal source. In such instance, the FFRDC and NLs must certify in writing that the cost share comes from non-Federal sources.

D. Compliance Criteria

A review of all submitted documents and information is performed to determine if the submissions are in compliance with the FOA requirements. All submitted information and documents must meet all Compliance Criteria listed below to be eligible for review or the submission will be considered noncompliant. DOE will NOT review or consider noncompliant submissions.

Full Applications are deemed compliant if:

• The Full Application complies with the maximum DOE share of the individual award size in Section II, “Award Information; Award Overview” of the FOA;

• The Full Application complies with the content and form requirements in Section IV, “Application and Submission Information; Form and Content Requirements,” and Section IV, “Application and Submission Information;

Full Applications” of the FOA; and

• The applicant successfully uploaded all required documents and clicked the “Submit” button in Grants.gov by the deadline stated in the FOA. DOE will not extend the submission deadline for applicants that fail to submit required information by the applicable deadline due to server/connection congestion.

E. Responsiveness Criteria

A review of all submitted documents and information is performed to determine if the submissions are responsive to the FOA requirements. All submitted information and documents must meet all of the Responsiveness Criteria listed below to be eligible for review or the submission will be considered non-responsive. DOE will NOT review or consider non-responsive submissions.

Full Applications are deemed responsive if:

- The application meets the technical requirements as described in the “Objectives/Topic Areas/Areas of Interest” contained in Section I, “Funding Opportunity Description” of the FOA; and

- The Applicant/application meets the Eligibility Criteria in Section III, “Eligibility Information” of the FOA.

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Only compliant/responsive applications will be eligible for a comprehensive merit review.

F. Number of Submittals Eligible for Review

Applicants may submit multiple applications under each area of interest of this FOA;

HOWEVER, applicants may not submit duplicate applications under multiple topic areas of interest. Put simply, each submitted application should be distinct and tailored to the specific area of interest.

G. Questions Regarding Eligibility

DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant.

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IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Form and Content Requirements

All submissions must conform to the following form and content requirements, including maximum page limits (described below) and must be submitted as specifically stated.