FundOpp_DE-FOA-0003250.pdf

Template Version November 2023

EERE T 540.117-01: Funding Opportunity Announcement

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Fiscal Year 2024 Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Technology

Integration (TI) Funding Opportunity Announcement

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0003250 FOA Type: Initial

Assistance Listing Number: 81.086

FOA Issue Date: 2/12/2024 Submission Deadline for Concept Papers: 3/12/2024 5:00 p.m. ET Anticipated Date for Concept Paper Notifications 4/2/2024 Submission Deadline for Full Applications: 4/30/2024 5:00 p.m. ET Expected Date for EERE Selection Notifications: 8/5/2024 Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: August-November 2024

• Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent and a Concept Paper by 5:00 p.m. 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 EERE eXCHANGE at https://eere-eXCHANGE.energy.gov, EERE’s online application portal.

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

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) - Each applicant (unless the applicant is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110) is required to: (1) register in the SAM at https://www.sam.gov before submitting an application; (2) provide a valid UEI number in the application; and (3) maintain an active SAM registration with current information when the applicant has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/

Questions about this FOA? Email DE-FOA-0003250@netl.doe.gov.

Problems with EERE eXCHANGE? Email EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov.

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complied with the requirements by the time DOE is ready to make a federal award, DOE will determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

NOTE: Due to the high number of UEI requests and SAM registrations, entity legal business name and address validations are taking longer than expected to process.

Entities should start the UEI and SAM registration process as soon as possible. If entities have technical difficulties with the UEI validation or SAM registration process they should use the HELP feature on SAM.gov. SAM.gov will address service tickets in the order in which they are received and asks that entities not create multiple service tickets for the same request or technical issue. Additional entity validation resources can be found here: GSAFSD Tier 0 Knowledge Base - Validating your Entity.

mailto:DE-FOA-0003250@netl.doe.gov mailto:EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0058422&sys_kb_id=1b5f22581b2115102fe5ed7ae54bcb4e&spa=1

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i

Table of Contents

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

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Context

i. Background and Purpose

ii. Technology Space and Strategic Goals

iii. Teaming Partner List

B. Topic Areas of Interest C. Applications Specifically Not of Interest D. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion E. Authorizing Statutes

II. Award Information

A. Award Overview

i. Estimated Funding

ii. Period of Performance

iii. New Applications Only

B. EERE 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. Domestic Entities

ii. Foreign Entities

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

i. Additional Information on EERE 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

ii. SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance

iii. Technical Volume

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ii

iv. Resumes

v. Letters of Commitment

vi. Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO)

vii. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan

viii. Budget Justification Workbook

ix. Summary for Public Release

x. Summary Slide

xi. Subrecipient Budget Justification (if applicable)

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

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

xiv. SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

xv. Waiver Requests (if applicable)

xvi. Current and Pending Support

xvii. Locations of Work

xviii. Transparency of Foreign Connections

xix. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice

E. Post Selection Information Requests F. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) G. Submission Dates and Times H. Intergovernmental Review I. Funding Restrictions

i. Allowable Costs

ii. Pre-Award Costs

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

iv. Construction

v. Foreign Travel

vi. Equipment and Supplies

vii. Build America Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

viii. Lobbying

ix. Risk Assessment

x. Invoice Review and Approval

xii. Affirmative Action and Pay Transparency Requirements

xiii. Foreign Collaboration Considerations

V. Application Review Information

A. Technical Review Criteria

i. Concept Papers

ii. Full Applications

B. Standards for Application Evaluation C. Other Selection Factors

i. Program Policy Factors D. Evaluation and Selection Process

i. Overview

ii. Pre-Selection Clarification

iii. Recipient Responsibility and Qualifications

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

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iii

iv. Applicants Selected for Award Negotiations

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. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements

xvi. Real Property and Equipment

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

xviii. Participants and Collaborating Organizations

xix. Current and Pending Support

xx. Interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance

xxi. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

xxii. Human Subjects Research

VII. Questions/Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

A. FOA Modifications B. Government Right to Reject or Negotiate C. Commitment of Public Funds D. Treatment of Application Information E. Evaluation and Administration by Non-Federal Personnel F. Notice Regarding Eligible/Ineligible Activities G. Notice of Right to Conduct a Review of Financial Capability H. Requirement for Full and Complete Disclosure I. Retention of Submissions J. Rights in Technical Data K. Copyright L. Export Control M. Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment N. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) O. Annual Independent Audits

Appendix A – Cost Share Information

Appendix B – Sample Cost Share Calculation for Blended Cost Share Percentage

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

Appendix D – Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

Appendix E – List of Example Justice40 Metrics

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iv

Appendix F – List of Acronyms

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I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Context

i. Background and Purpose Building a clean and equitable energy economy and addressing the climate crisis is a top priority of the Biden Administration. This FOA will advance the Biden Administration’s goals to achieve carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and to “deliver an equitable, clean energy future, and put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by no later than 2050“1 to the benefit of all Americans. The Department of Energy is committed to pushing the frontiers of science and engineering, catalyzing clean energy jobs through research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D), and ensuring environmental justice and inclusion of underserved communities.

This FOA supports the administration goals laid out above by awarding funding to projects across the country that advance deployment of efficient and sustainable transportation technologies. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, accounting for 33% of national emissions in 2021.2 Achieving the Biden Administration’s goals of net-zero emissions by 2050 will require dramatic energy efficiency and emissions improvements in vehicles and the overall transportation system.

The deployment and demonstration activities to be funded under this FOA will support the government-wide approach to the climate crisis by driving the innovation that can lead to the deployment of clean energy technologies, which are critical for climate protection. Specifically, this FOA will advance decarbonization of the transportation sector by funding innovative approaches to address pressing transportation efficiency and equity needs. Where possible, applicants are encouraged to align proposed project activities with the U.S.

National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization | US Department of Transportation.

About the Vehicle Technologies Office

The Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) will play a leading role in decarbonizing the transportation sector and address the climate crisis by driving innovation and deploying clean transportation technologies, all while maintaining transportation service quality and safety. VTO funds research, development, demonstration, 1 Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,” January 27, 2021.

2 Based on 2022 EPA data, dated May 30, 2023.

mailto:DE-FOA-0003250@netl.doe.gov https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/climate-and-sustainability/us-national-blueprint-transportation-decarbonization https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/climate-and-sustainability/us-national-blueprint-transportation-decarbonization https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/climate-and-sustainability/us-national-blueprint-transportation-decarbonization

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and deployment (RDD&D) of new, efficient, and clean mobility options that are affordable for all Americans. VTO leverages the unique capabilities and world-class expertise of the National Laboratory system to develop new innovations in vehicle technologies, including: advanced battery technologies; advanced materials for lighter-weight vehicle structures and better powertrains; energy-efficient mobility technologies (including automated and connected vehicles as well as innovations in efficiency-enhancing connected infrastructure); innovative powertrains to reduce greenhouse gas and criteria emissions from hard to decarbonize off-road, maritime, rail, and aviation sectors; and technology integration that helps demonstrate and deploy new technology at the community level. Across these technology areas and in partnership with industry, VTO has established aggressive technology targets to focus RDD&D efforts and ensure there are pathways for technology transfer of federally-supported innovations into commercial application.

About the Technology Integration Program

VTO's Technology Integration Program supports a broad technology portfolio that includes alternative fuels, energy efficient mobility systems and technologies, and other efficient advanced technologies that can reduce transportation energy costs for businesses and consumers. The program provides objective, unbiased data and real-world lessons learned to inform future research needs and support local decision making. It also includes projects to disseminate data, information, and insight, as well as online tools and technical assistance to cities, towns, and rural areas working to implement community-driven solutions based on local needs, opportunities, and markets.

Justice40 Goals

Activities funded under this FOA will support the federal Justice40 Initiative (Justice40). As described on DOE’s Justice40 Initiative website https://www.energy.gov/justice/justice40-initiative, Justice40 directs that 40% of benefits from Covered Programs flow to “disadvantaged communities.”

OMB’s Interim Implementation Guidance defines a community as either:

(1) Geographic: a group of individuals living in geographic proximity (such as census tract), or (2) Common condition: a geographically dispersed set of individuals (such as migrant workers or Native Americans), where either type of group experiences common conditions. For the “geographic” definition of community, pursuant to the Interim Implementation Guidance and OMB guidance M-23-09, DOE recognizes as disadvantaged those census tracts identified by the White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), which is located at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/. For the “common condition” definition of community, federally recognized tribal lands mailto:DE-FOA-0003250@netl.doe.gov https://www.energy.gov/justice/justice40-initiative https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/

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and U.S. territories are categorized as disadvantaged in accordance with OMB’s Interim Implementation Guidance.

Benefits to disadvantaged communities include (but are not limited to) measurable direct or indirect investments or positive project outcomes that achieve or contribute to the following in DACs: (1) a decrease in energy burden;

(2) a decrease in environmental exposure and burdens; (3) an increase in access to low-cost capital; (4) an increase in high-quality job creation, the clean energy job pipeline, and job training for individuals; (5) increases in clean energy enterprise creation and contracting (e.g., minority-owned or disadvantaged business enterprises); (6) increases in energy democracy, including community ownership; (7) increased parity in clean energy technology access and adoption;

and (8) an increase in energy resilience.

ii. Technology Space and Strategic Goals This FOA seeks applications to address outreach, education, technical assistance, workforce training, and other innovative demonstration or deployment projects that advance the mission of an affordable, equitable, and decarbonized transportation system. Detailed technical descriptions of the specific Areas of Interest are provided in the sections that follow.

iii. Teaming Partner List

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

The Teaming Partner List will be available on EERE eXCHANGE and will be regularly updated to reflect new teaming partners who provide their organization’s information.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: View the Teaming Partner List by visiting the EERE eXCHANGE homepage and clicking on “Teaming Partners” within the left-hand navigation pane. This page allows users to view published Teaming Partner Lists.

To join the Teaming Partner List, submit a request within eXCHANGE. Select the appropriate Teaming Partner List from the drop-down menu and fill in the following information: Investigator Name, Organization Name, Organization Type, Topic Area of Interest, Background and Capabilities, Website, Contact Address, Contact Email, and Contact Phone.

DISCLAIMER: By submitting a request to be included on the Teaming Partner List, the requesting organization consents to the publication of the above-referenced information. By facilitating the Teaming Partner List, DOE is not endorsing, Include FOA name and number in subject line.

sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals and organizations that are identifying themselves for placement on this Teaming Partner List. DOE will not pay for the provision of any information, nor will it compensate any applicants or requesting organizations for the development of such information.

B. Topic Areas of Interest

Topic Area of Interest Topic Area of Interest Title

1 Clean Cities Outreach, Engagement, and Technical Assistance

2 Training on Zero Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Technologies for Critical Emergency Response Workers

3 Clean Transportation Demonstration and Deployment

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Area of Interest 1: Clean Cities Outreach, Engagement, and Technical Assistance

Introduction In partnership with DOE, Clean Cities coalitions work locally in urban, suburban, and rural communities to advance the affordable, convenient, and energy efficient movement of people and goods. The Clean Cities mission is to advance the nation’s environment, energy security and economic prosperity through collaboration with communities by building partnerships with public and private stakeholders that create equitable deployment of clean transportation solutions for all. The Clean Cities vision is a decarbonized transportation future for all communities. Clean Cities coalitions pursue this mission and vision through the following goals:

• Goal 1. Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to accelerate transportation decarbonization through outreach and engagement activities;

• Goal 2. Provide stakeholders targeted technical assistance and training leveraging DOE resources to advance transportation decarbonization; and

• Goal 3. Facilitate transportation decarbonization through vehicle and infrastructure planning, barrier reduction, and deployment.

Objective The objective is to fund projects that strengthen Clean Cities coalitions’ ability to achieve the Clean Cities mission, vision, and goals, by enabling coalitions to undertake high-impact activities. Project activities must emphasize bringing zero emission vehicles and infrastructure to local communities in alignment with the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Successful applications should demonstrate significant impact on transportation emissions reduction.

Requirements Project approach must include coalition outreach, engagement, and technical assistance with stakeholders in at least one of the following priority focus areas:

1. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleet stakeholders;

2. Non-road transportation stakeholders in the off-road, rail, marine, aviation, and port sectors;

3. Underserved communities pertaining to local transportation and energy priorities rooted in pillars of energy and environmental justice (EEJ);

4. Tribal communities pertaining to tribal transportation and energy priorities rooted in best practices for Tribal collaboration;

5. Electric utilities and utility regulators to advance transportation electrification; or

6. Authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) to develop plans leading to infrastructure deployment and address barriers to transportation electrification and such as codes, permitting, and other local policies;

Project approach may include:

1. Planning activities to advance transportation decarbonization on a regional or state level such as infrastructure, workforce, or resiliency planning.

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2. Implementation of a green fleet recognition or certification program;

3. Organization and facilitation of technical training and/or technical education sessions regarding alternative fuel vehicles, their appropriate use, infrastructure, and safety issues; and

4. Collaboration with DOE national laboratories.

Clean Cities technical assistance activities include but are not limited to:

• Technical Analysis: Using tools, resources, self-assessment toolkits, etc. to help fleets, potential end-users, and/or decision makers understand alternative fuel transportation choices; conducting fleet emissions analysis.

• Financial Analysis: Provide assistance with total cost of ownership analysis;

understanding financial resources such as grants, loans, and incentives; and conducting economic or market analysis.

• Program Assistance: Share program best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations; provide project or program design input.

• Policy & Planning Assistance: Provide consultation for strategic planning processes such as state, municipal, and utility decisions; review draft policies; advise on best practices for codes and permitting.

Acceptable project costs for these activities include, but are not limited to: staff time, vendor costs, supplies, event space rental, training materials, hiring experienced individuals/trainers, travel costs, and other relevant, allowable, reasonable, and applicable costs.

Applications must include metrics for tracking coalition impact related to the Clean Cities mission and vision as well as Justice40 metrics. Example metrics include:

Priority Focus Areas Metrics

Quantity of Stakeholders or Communities Targeted for Coalition Outreach, Engagement, and Technical Assistance Activities

Priority Focus Area Total Quantity

Minimum Quantity Representing a Disadvantaged

Community (DAC) Medium Duty (MD)/Heavy Duty (HD) fleets Non-road transportation stakeholders in the off-road, rail, marine, aviation, and port sectors

Underserved communities (not including tribes) Tribal communities Electric utilities and utility regulators AHJs

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Special Requirements

1. Applications must allocate at least 75% of the total project budget to DOE-designated

Clean Cities coalitions or their host organizations; and

2. Applicants must provide table(s) describing planned performance metrics.

Teaming Arrangements

1. Project teams must include at least two DOE-designated Clean Cities coalition (https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/); and

2. Project teams involving multiple Clean Cities coalitions forming statewide partnerships, regional partnerships, or other strategic collaborations of Clean Cities coalitions are encouraged. However, applicants should ensure each participating Clean Cities coalition has adequate project budget plan, execute, and sustain the proposed activities and staffing levels.

Special Deliverables Recipients are required to provide supplemental quarterly reporting data needed to calculate Justice40 Initiative metrics measuring the benefits that flow to disadvantaged communities. DOE will provide a reporting template to project awardees. Please see Appendix E for a list of examples Justice40 metrics related to the Areas of Interest described in this announcement.

Applications Discouraged Projects that focus efforts on development of tools/resources that duplicate resources already available from DOE and/or DOE labs are not acceptable for this Area of Interest.

https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/

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Area of Interest 2: Training on Zero Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Technologies for Critical Emergency Response Workers

Introduction Zero emission vehicles and associated infrastructure deployments are expanding nationwide, with millions of vehicles now in operation in communities large and small. Considerable past work has been done to develop comprehensive training materials to educate local first, second, and third responders on proper procedures for responding to emergency situations involving zero emission vehicles and infrastructure. However, the reach of these materials is limited and often localized at a time when the need for trained responders is increasing. Opportunities exist for leveraging new opportunities for virtual and in-person training sessions to reach critical audiences with valuable interactive training material and development of collaborative plans to mitigate and respond to risk.

Objective The objective of this area of interest is to provide risk mitigation, training, and education of first responders and emergency response professionals to address situations involving zero emission vehicles and infrastructure technologies.

This area of interest targets the development of local, state, regional, or national outreach, awareness, and partnership building efforts. Existing training materials, curricula, websites, online tools, and other relevant information resources previously developed in cooperation with EERE or accepted by EERE should be leveraged to the maximum extent possible. Projects can develop training in areas where gaps exist in current training curricula, including adapting curricula to fit other related stakeholder groups such as, but not limited to, fire marshals, emergency/disaster planners, homeland security offices, departments of transportation, and insurance companies. Projects must approach development and dissemination strategically by involving multiple stakeholder groups that have the expertise and authority to recommend parameter/codes for infrastructure (i.e., suggesting optimized Electric Vehicle (EV) charging in parking garages with risk mitigation); immediate emergency response techniques; make-safe and towing best practices; and development and/or deployment of local/regional stranded energy management plans.

Projects are encouraged to provide in-person training workshops or build partnerships to incorporate existing online training materials into training programs and encourage widespread reach of these training sessions. Projects addressing communities that are among the top zero emission vehicle markets in the United States are highly encouraged.

Requirements

1. A description of the specific audiences (e.g., firefighters, tow-truck drivers, fire marshals etc.), regions (e.g., regional, national, corridors etc.), and technologies (e.g., light-duty electric vehicles, DC fast charging stations, etc.) to be targeted by the project. This

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includes how related stakeholder groups will be enabled to comment and inform the project.

2. A description of the project area’s status related to zero emission emergency prevention, emergency response, and stranded energy management.

3. A description of project partners, including critical partners such as Clean Cities coalitions and educational/training organizations. Partners shall have defined roles in the project that will generate expertly planned responses with widespread coordination ranging from preventative measures to stranded-energy storage and disposition.

4. Intended training outcomes, including specifics on the number and type of audiences to be reached and level of expertise to be achieved through training.

5. A description of existing information resources to be used in the project.

6. A description of any training materials to be developed to address gaps, with specific information on why new materials are being developed.

7. A plan for project activities that establishes the steps to be undertaken to complete project objectives and identifies resources to be used to achieve objectives (e.g., training facilities, subject matter expertise, etc.).

8. A plan for replicability and continuation of the training and education activities upon the completion of the project, including what information will be publicly available at the conclusion of the project.

Projects are encouraged to develop a website to host public resources, recommendations, curricula, and other products that are free for the public.

VTO highly encourages project teams that include the following partners:

• Government Offices responsible for maintaining emergency response policies and procedures (i.e., state fire marshal offices).

• Entities responsible for disaster and emergency response and/or planning.

• One or more Clean Cities coalitions

(https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/locations/).

• Educational/training institutions with specific expertise in developing and delivering online and/or in-person training curricula.

Special Deliverables Recipients must provide supplemental quarterly reporting data needed to calculate Justice40 Initiative metrics measuring the benefits that flow to disadvantaged communities. DOE will provide a reporting template to project awardees. Please see Appendix E for a list of examples Justice40 metrics related to the Areas of Interest described in this announcement.

https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/locations/

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Applications Discouraged Applications that include the following are highly discouraged:

• Training that promotes one specific brand or product.

• Only academic studies of curricula gaps and plans for future training.

• Curricula that will be solely proprietary at the conclusion of the project.

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Area of Interest 3: Clean Transportation Demonstration and Deployment

Introduction The Technology Integration Program and its Clean Cities coalition partners have a broad portfolio of potential technology options with the opportunity to address pressing transportation efficiency and equity needs.

Objective The objective of this area of interest is to explore novel solutions to transportation and related clean energy challenges through small-scale demonstration and deployment projects not otherwise addressed in this FOA. This could include projects to address challenges unique to their geographic areas and solutions with potential for replication in other areas across the country, or other ways to accelerate clean transportation deployment. DOE encourages projects with the largest potential impact on transportation emissions reduction. Projects of interest include but are not limited to:

1. Projects with innovative approaches to decarbonize transportation;

2. Projects that address mobility needs of local underserved regions or populations;

3. Projects that focus on the advancement of zero-emissions medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicle technologies;

4. Projects that implement transportation fuels, vehicles, systems, and technologies that have positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, such as those that implement renewable fuels and renewable energy sources (ex: solar/wind power) into transportation systems;

5. Projects that implement advanced technologies or alternative fuels in off-road, marine, rail, and other non-road applications. For example, ships and rail projects can have very high GGE reduction per vehicle by adopting alternative fuels, renewable blends and/or advanced technologies those which develop roadmaps for decarbonization in local Clean Cities regions;

6. Projects that focus on transitioning high-impact heavy-duty fleets to new fuels and technologies that reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas and criteria emissions;

7. Projects which improve transportation affordability and reduce emissions by accelerating or enabling widespread access to affordable alternative and renewable fuels; and

8. Projects that holistically drive adoption of clean energy technologies across jurisdictions.

Requirements

1. Identify the specific challenge to be addressed and the target audience for the technical solution to be implemented;

2. Identify specific technologies, approaches, or activities that align with the Area of

Interest objectives described above;

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3. Define project team roles and responsibilities as well as funding for specific tasks that Clean Cities coalitions and partners will undertake; and

4. Address replicability through a project structure that produces results and insights useful to others across the country; project teams must provide for public release a final technical report that documents project information, analyses, and insights.

Special Deliverable Recipients must provide supplemental quarterly reporting data needed to calculate Justice40 Initiative metrics measuring the benefits that flow to disadvantaged communities. DOE will provide a reporting template to project awardees. Please see Appendix E for a list of examples Justice40 metrics related to the Areas of Interest described in this announcement.

Teaming Arrangements The project team must include at least one active and DOE designated Clean Cities coalition with a significant role (at least 10% of the Federal portion of the project budget). A list of active coalitions can be found at: https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/locations/.

VTO highly encourages project teams and strategic partners such as the following:

1. Clean Cities Coalitions;

2. Consortia comprised of multiple Clean Cities coalitions

(https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/locations/);

3. Local/regional/state governments;

4. Metropolitan planning organizations;

5. Community-based organizations that focus on the needs and perspectives of underserved communities;

6. Transit;

7. Transportation network providers;

8. Vehicle, fuel, energy, and infrastructure providers;

9. Utility companies; and

10. Fleets and other end-user groups.

Applications Discouraged Applications that include the following are highly discouraged:

1. Promotion of a specific brand, product, or invention;

2. Inclusion of novelty vehicles and recreational or sport vehicles;

3. Subsidies for fuel cost;

4. Rebates or tax incentives; and

5. Purchase of land.

All work under EERE funding agreements must be performed in the United States. See Section IV.I.iii. and Appendix C.

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

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

and I.B. of the FOA.

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

• AOI 1

o Applications that do not allocate at least 75% of the project budget to DOE-designated Clean Cities coalitions or their host organizations.

o Project teams that do not include at least two DOE-designated Clean Cities coalition.

o Projects that include demonstration of any pre-commercial technology or deployment of any vehicles or fueling infrastructure.

• AOI 3

o Project teams that do not include at least one active and DOE designated Clean Cities coalition with a significant role (at least 10% of the Federal portion of the project budget).

o Projects in the research and development phase (not yet available for demonstration and/or deployment).

D. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

It is the policy of the Biden Administration that:

The Federal Government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity3 for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. Affirmatively advancing equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity is the responsibility of the whole of our government. Because advancing equity requires a systematic approach to embedding fairness in decision-making processes, executive departments, and agencies (agencies) must recognize and work to redress inequities in their policies and programs that serve as barriers to equal opportunity.

3 The term “equity” means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

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By advancing equity across the Federal Government, we can create opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone.4

As part of this whole of government approach, this FOA seeks to encourage the participation of underserved communities5 and underrepresented groups.

Applicants are highly encouraged to include individuals from groups historically underrepresented6,7 in STEM on their project teams. As part of the application, applicants are required to describe how diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives will be incorporated in the project. Specifically, applicants are required to submit a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan that describes the actions the applicant will take to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, support people from underrepresented groups in STEM, advance equity, and encourage the inclusion of individuals from these groups in the project; and the extent the project activities will be located in or benefit underserved communities. [See Section IV.D.vii.]. The plan should include at least one SMART (Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-Related) milestone per budget period supported by metrics to measure the

4 Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” (Jan. 20, 2021).

5 The term “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list of in the definition of “equity.” E.O. 13985. For purposes of this FOA, as applicable to geographic communities, applicants can refer to economically distressed communities identified by the Internal Revenue Service as Qualified Opportunity Zones; communities identified as disadvantaged or underserved communities by their respective States; communities identified on the Index of Deep Disadvantage referenced at https://news.umich.edu/new-index-ranks-americas-100-most-disadvantaged-communities/, and communities that otherwise meet the definition of “underserved communities” stated above.

6 According to the National Science Foundation’s 2019 report titled, “Women, Minorities and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering”, women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minority groups—blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, and American Indians or Alaska Natives—are vastly underrepresented in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields that drive the energy sector.

That is, their representation in STEM education and STEM employment is smaller than their representation in the U.S. population. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf19304/digest/about-this-report For example, in the U.S., Hispanics, African Americans and American Indians or Alaska Natives make up 24 percent of the overall workforce, yet only account for 9 percent of the country’s science and engineering workforce. DOE seeks to inspire underrepresented Americans to pursue careers in energy and support their advancement into leadership positions.

https://www.energy.gov/articles/introducing-minorities-energy-initiative 7 See also. Note that Congress recognized in section 305 of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017, Public Law 114-329:

(1) [I]t is critical to our Nation’s economic leadership and global competitiveness that the United States educate, train, and retain more scientists, engineers, and computer scientists; (2) there is currently a disconnect between the availability of and growing demand for STEM-skilled workers;

(3) historically, underrepresented populations are the largest untapped STEM talent pools in the United States; and (4) given the shifting demographic landscape, the United States should encourage full participation of individuals from underrepresented populations in STEM fields.

https://news.umich.edu/new-index-ranks-americas-100-most-disadvantaged-communities/ https://news.umich.edu/new-index-ranks-americas-100-most-disadvantaged-communities/ https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf19304/digest/about-this-report https://www.energy.gov/articles/introducing-minorities-energy-initiative

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success of the proposed actions. This plan will be evaluated as part of the technical review process.

Further, Minority Serving Institutions8, Minority Business Enterprises, Minority Owned Businesses, Woman Owned Businesses, Veteran Owned Businesses, or entities located in an underserved community that meet the eligibility requirements (See Section III.) are encouraged to apply as the prime applicant or participate on an application as a proposed partner to the prime applicant. The Selection Official may consider the inclusion of these types of entities as part of the selection decision

E. Authorizing Statutes The programmatic authorizing statute are Public Law (P.L.) 102-486, Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992, as amended by P.L. 109-58, EPAct 2005, Section 911, as amended (codified at 42 U.S.C. § 16191) and Sections 801 and 805, as amended (codified at 42 U.S.C. § 16154), and P.L. 110-140. Additional citations for these authorities include the following:

• Title VII, Subtitles B, C, D of EPACT 2005 (42 U.S.C. §§ 16061-16093)

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

II. Award Information

A. Award Overview

i. Estimated Funding EERE expects to make a total of approximately $15,000,000 of federal funding available for new awards under this FOA, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. EERE anticipates making approximately 12-18 awards under this FOA. EERE may issue one, multiple, or no awards. Individual awards may vary between $500,000 and $2,500,000.

EERE may issue awards in one, multiple, or none of the following Areas of Interest:

8 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Other Minority Institutions as educational entities recognized by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Education, and identified on the OCR's Department of Education U.S. accredited postsecondary minorities’ institution list. See https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html.

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html

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Area of Interest Number

Area of Interest Title

Anticipat ed

Number of

Awards

Anticipated Minimum

Award Size for Any One Individual

Award (Fed Share)

Anticipated Maximum Award Size for Any One Individual

Award (Fed Share)

Approximate Total

Federal Funding

Available for All Awards

Anticipated Period of

Performance (months)

1 Clean Cities Outreach, Engagement, and Technical Assistance

5 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $5,000,000 24-36

2 Training on Zero Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Technologies for Critical Emergency Response Workers

2-3 $1,600,000 $2,500,000 $5,000,000 24-36

3 Clean Transportation Demonstration and Deployment

5-10 $500,000 $1,000,000 $5,000,000 24-36

ii. Period of Performance

EERE anticipates making awards that will run from 24 up to 36 months, comprised of a single budget period.

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

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

i. Cooperative Agreements

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

Through cooperative agreements, EERE provides financial or other support to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by federal statute. Under cooperative agreements, the government and prime recipients share responsibility for the direction of projects.

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EERE has substantial involvement in all projects funded via cooperative agreement. See Section VI.B.x. of the FOA for more information on what substantial involvement may involve.

ii. Funding Agreements with Federally Funded Research and

Development Center (FFRDCs)9 In most cases, FFRDCs are funded independently of the remainder of the project team. The FFRDC then executes an agreement with any non-FFRDC project team members to arrange work structure, project execution, and any other matters.

Regardless of these arrangements, the entity that applied as the prime recipient for the project will remain the prime recipient for the project. See Section III.E.

iii. Grants Although EERE has the authority to provide financial support to prime recipients through grants, EERE generally does not fund projects through grants. EERE may fund a limited number of projects through grants, as appropriate.

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

The National Energy Technology Laboratory is ineligible to apply to this FOA due to its role in creating the announcement.

A. Eligible Applicants

i. Domestic Entities The proposed prime recipient and subrecipient(s) must be domestic entities. The following types of domestic entities are eligible to participate as a prime recipient or subrecipient of this FOA:

1. Institutions of higher education;

2. For-profit entities;

3. Nonprofit entities; and

4. State and local governmental entities and federally recognized Indian

Tribes (Indian Tribes).

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

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

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

and have a physical place of business in the United States.

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

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

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

Entities banned from doing business with the U.S. government such as entities debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participating in federal programs 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.

ii. Foreign Entities In limited circumstances, EERE may approve a waiver to allow a foreign entity to participate as a prime recipient or subrecipient. A foreign entity may submit a Full Application to this FOA, but the Full Application must be accompanied by an explicit written waiver request. Likewise, if the applicant seeks to include a foreign entity as a subrecipient, the applicant must submit a separate explicit written waiver request in the Full Application for each proposed foreign subrecipient.

Appendix C lists the information that must be included in a foreign entity waiver request. The applicant does not have the right to appeal EERE’s decision concerning a waiver request.

B. Cost Sharing

Applicants are bound by the cost share proposed in their Full Applications if selected for award negotiations.

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Area of Interest (AOI) Number Area of Interest (AOI) Title Recipient Cost Share (%)

1 Clean Cities Outreach, Education and Technical Assistance

2 Training on Zero Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Technologies for

Critical Emergency Response Workers

3 Clean Transportation Demonstration and Deployment

To help…