FundOpp_DE-FOA-0003514.pdf

Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity

Part 1

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Fiscal Year 2025 Vehicle Technology Office Program Wide Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003514

Concept Paper Due: April 1, 2025 Application Due: June 18, 2025

Table of Contents

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Key Facts

1. Funding Details

2. Period of Performance

B. Executive Summary C. Agency Contact Information

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

1. Domestic Entities

2. Foreign Entity Participation

B. Limitation on Number of Concept Papers and Applications Eligible for Review C. Cost Sharing

1. Cost Share Requirements

D. Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs Eligibility Criteria as a Subrecipient

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Program Purpose B. Program Goals and Objectives C. Expected Performance Goals D. Teaming Partner List E. Topic Areas F. Applications Specifically Not of Interest G. Statement of Substantial Involvement H. Statutory Authority I. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Plan

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORM

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

1. Covered Individual Definition, Designation, and Responsibility

2. Summary of Application Requirements

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3. Technical Volume

D. Funding Restrictions

1. Build America Requirement for Infrastructure Projects

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. Required Registrations

1. eXCHANGE

B. Application Package

1. eXCHANGE

C. Submission Date and Times D. Intergovernmental Review

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Standards for Application Evaluation B. Responsiveness Review C. Review Criteria

1. Compliance Criteria

2. Technical Review Criteria

D. Other Selection Factors

VII. SELECTION AND AWARD NOTICES

VIII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Real Property and Equipment

2. Rights in Technical Data

3. Cost Share Payment

B. Helpful Websites C. Questions and Support

1. Questions

2. Support

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

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Notice of Funding Opportunity Part 1 Before You Begin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Section III: Program Description

Section I: Basic Information

I. Basic Information

A. Key Facts

Issuing Agency

Department of Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office

Funding Opportunity Title Fiscal Year 2025 Vehicle Technologies Office Program Wide Funding Opportunity

Announcement Type Initial

Funding Opportunity Number

DE-FOA-0003514

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreements

Assistance Listing Number

81.086

Funding Opportunity Description

The research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities to be funded under this NOFO will improve transportation by driving the innovation that can lead to the accelerated deployment of advanced technologies while also significantly improving U.S.

competitiveness. This will lead to benefits including increased safety and reliability of batteries, more convenient travel options, decreased cost of driving, increased vehicle and system efficiency, and a more secure supply chain. Specifically, this NOFO is seeking innovative solutions for on-road and off-road vehicles in the areas of improved battery technology for both light- and heavy-duty applications, smart charging infrastructure, sustainable farming, workforce development, and demonstration and deployment of these new technologies.

Program Goals & Objective(s) This NOFO seeks applications to address improved battery technology for both light- and heavy-duty applications, smart charging infrastructure, sustainable farming, workforce development, and demonstration and deployment of these new innovative technologies. The research and development work performed under this program will lead to economic and environmental benefits including extended battery reliability, improved battery packaging, decreased cost of driving, increased vehicle and system efficiency, and a competent workforce serving the

KEY DATES

Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date:

[Month Day, Year]

Concept Paper Deadline:

[Month Day, Year]

Application Deadline:

[Month Day, Year]

Anticipated Selection Notification Date:

[Month, Year]

Anticipated Award Date:

[Month Day, Year]

KEY DATES

Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date:

January 17, 2025

Concept Paper Deadline:

April 1, 2025

Application Deadline:

June 18, 2025

Anticipated Selection Notification Date:

November 5, 2025

Anticipated Award Date:

February 13, 2026

Version 1.0 Page 6 of 69 transportation sector. Detailed technical descriptions of the specific Topic Areas are provided in the sections that follow.

Topic Areas

• Topic Area 1: Technologies for Enhanced Lithium-ion Cell Safety

• Topic Area 2a: Low-Cost Production of Lithium

• Topic Area 2b: Lithium Metal Surface Protection

• Topic Area 3a: Ultra-Long-Cycle Life Li-Ion Batteries for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks

• Topic Area 3b: Standardized Battery Module Design for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks

• Topic Area 4: Thermal Technologies for Zero

Emission Vehicles

• Topic Area 5: Optimized Grid Planning for Electric

Vehicles Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure

• Topic Area 6: CROP - Co-located Renewable-Fuel and Off-road Vehicle Pilots

• Topic Area 7: Vehicle Life Cycle Analysis Baseline

• Topic Area 8: Quality Improvements of Battery

Busbar Joining

• Topic Area 9: Electric Vehicle Workforce

Development

• Topic Area 10: Vehicle Technology Integration –

Open Topic

Eligible Applicants Domestic Entities:

1. Institutes of higher education;

2. For-profit entities;

3. Non-profit entities;

4. State and local government entities and Indian tribes; and

5. Consortia of entities as described above in 1 through 4.

DOE Federally Funded Research & Development Center’s (FFRDC’s) and non-DOE FFRDCs and Federal Research Agencies are eligible to apply for funding as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient. Refer to eligibility section.

eXCHANGE URL and Helpdesk https://eere-exchange.energy.gov ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/ mailto:ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov

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1. Funding Details

Multiple Topic Areas Approximate total available funding including all topic areas: $88,000,000

Topic Area 1: Technologies for Enhanced Lithium-ion Cell Safety

• Approximate total available funding: $12,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: 3-5

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $2M-$4M

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

• Approximate award project period: up to 36 months

• Anticipated length of budget periods: 12 months

Topic Area 2a: Low-Cost Production of Lithium

• Approximate total available funding: $7,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: 2-3

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $2M-$4M

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

Topic Area 2b: Lithium Metal Surface Protection

• Approximate total available funding: $8,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: 2-3

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $3M-$6M

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

Topic Area 3a: Ultra-Long-Cycle Life Li-Ion Batteries for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks

• Approximate total available funding: $12,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: up to 4

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: Up to $3M

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

Topic Area 3b: Standardized Battery Module Design for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks

• Approximate total available funding: $8,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: up to 2

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: Up to $4M

• Minimum cost share required: 50% of the total project costs

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Topic Area 4: Thermal Technologies for Zero Emission Vehicles

• Approximate total available funding: $4,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: 1-2

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $2M-$4M

• Minimum cost share required: 20% of the total project costs for the first two years; 50% of the total project costs in the final year for the demonstration

Topic Area 5: Optimized Grid Planning for Electric Vehicles Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure

• Approximate total available funding: $2,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: 1-2

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $1M-$2M

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

• Approximate award project period: 24 to 36 months

Topic Area 6: CROP – Co-located Renewable Fuel and Off-road Vehicle Pilots

• Approximate total available funding: $6,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: 3-4

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $1.5M-$2M

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

• Approximate award project period: 12 to 18 months

Topic Area 7: Vehicle Life Cycle Analysis Baseline

• Approximate total available funding: $3,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: 2

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $1M-$3M

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

• Approximate award project period: up to 24 months

Topic Area 8: Quality Improvements of Battery Busbar Joining

• Approximate total available funding: $6,000,000

• Approximate number of awards: 2-4

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $1.5M-$3M

• Minimum cost share required: 20% of the total project costs for the R&D phase; 50% of the total project costs for the demonstration phase

• Approximate award project period: 12 to 36 months

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Topic Area 9: Electric Vehicle Workforce Development

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

• Approximate number of awards: 4-6

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $1.6M-$2.5M

• Minimum cost share required: 0% cost share required

• Approximate award project period: 24 to 36 months

• Anticipated length of budget periods: 1-comprehensive budget period

Topic Area 10: Vehicle Technology Integration – Open Topic

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

• Approximate number of awards: 5-10

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $1M-$2M

• Minimum cost share required: 50% of the total project costs

• Anticipated length of budget periods: 1-comprehensive budget period

2. Period of Performance

For Topic Areas 1-8: DOE anticipates making awards, comprised of multiple budget periods. If applicable, project continuation will be contingent upon DOE’s Go/No-Go decision. For a complete list and more information on the Go/No-Go review, see the NOFO Part 2, Award Administration Information. Funding for all budget periods, including the initial budget period, is not guaranteed.

For Topic Areas 9-10: DOE anticipates making awards comprised of one budget period. Project continuation will be contingent upon several elements, including satisfactory performance and DOE’s Go/No-Go decision. For a complete list and more information on the Go/No-Go review, see the NOFO Part 2, Award Administration Information.

B. Executive Summary The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is issuing on behalf of the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) entitled “Fiscal Year 2025 Vehicle Technologies Office Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement.”

This NOFO supports a bold approach to increase American economic competitiveness, upgrade, and modernize infrastructure, and build a clean energy economy to the benefit of all Americans through improved battery technology for both light- and heavy-duty applications, smart charging infrastructure, sustainable farming, workforce development, and demonstration and deployment of these new technologies. The Department of Energy is committed to pushing the frontiers of science and engineering, catalyzing domestic jobs through research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D), and ensuring affordable and low emission energy is available to all communities in America.

The RDD&D activities to be funded under this NOFO will support innovation to reduce the energy and cost needed to move goods and people across the US, providing more options for consumers and businesses that can lead to the accelerated deployment of advanced technologies while also significantly improving US competitiveness. This will lead to benefits including increased safety and

Version 1.0 Page 10 of 69 reliability of batteries, more convenient travel options, decreased cost of driving, increased vehicle and system efficiency, and a more secure supply chain. Specifically, this NOFO is seeking innovative solutions for on- and off-road vehicles in the areas of improved battery technology for both light- and heavy-duty applications, smart charging infrastructure, sustainable farming, workforce development, and demonstration and deployment of these new technologies.

C. Agency Contact Information Office of Vehicle Technologies U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave SW Washington, D.C. 20585

NOFO Contact Information For questions relating to this specific NOFO, please send emails to DE-FOA-0003514@NETL.DOE.GOV.

Please be clear and concise when asking a question under the NOFO and be as specific as possible to which Topic Area you are asking the question. If it is not clear, DOE will be required to ask for additional information and clarity on the question to provide an accurate response, which will take additional time.

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

mailto:DE-FOA-0003514@NETL.DOE.GOV

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Section II: Eligibility

II. Eligibility

To be considered for substantive evaluation, an applicant’s submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If the application does not meet these eligibility requirements, it will be considered ineligible and removed from further evaluation and ineligible for any award. DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this NOFO must be submitted. The decision whether to apply in response to this NOFO lies solely with the applicant. The information included here is specific to eligibility requirements for this NOFO. For eligibility requirements applicable to all NOFOs, please consult the NOFO Part 2, Eligibility.

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

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

• Institutions of higher education;

• For-profit organization;

• Nonprofit organization;

• State and local governmental entities;

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

Act, 25 U.S.C. § 53041; and

• Consortia of entities as described in the bullets above.

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

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

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

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

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

Recipients must only be legally formed in the United States and have a physical location for business operations in the United States.

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

Foreign Entity Participation A foreign entity is eligible to apply for funding as a recipient if it designates in the application a subsidiary or affiliate incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a state or territory of the United States to be the recipient. The application must state the nature of the corporate relationship between the foreign entity and domestic subsidiary or affiliate.

Foreign entities may request a waiver of the requirement to designate a subsidiary in the United States as the recipient in the application (i.e., a foreign entity may request that it be the recipient). To do so, the applicant must submit an explicit written waiver request in the application.

NOFO Part 2, Application Content Requirements lists the information that must be included in a request to waive this requirement. The applicant does not have the right to appeal DOE’s decision concerning a waiver request.

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

• DOE FFRDCs2 are eligible to apply for funding as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a recipient.

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

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

• National Energy Technology Laboratory (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 recipient or subrecipient will be considered non-responsive.

Performance of Work in the United States All work for the awards under this NOFO must be performed in the United States. To request a waiver of this requirement, the applicant must submit an explicit waiver request in the application. Absent an

2 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/

Version 1.0 Page 13 of 69 approved waiver, such costs will not be allowable under the award. The NOFO Part 2, Application Content Requirements lists the requirements for submission of a foreign work waiver request.

Ineligible Participants

• The following entities are ineligible for participation in this NOFO as a recipient, subrecipient, or subcontractor.

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

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

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

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

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

B. Limitation on Number of Concept Papers and Applications Eligible for Review

An entity may submit more than one concept paper and associated application to this NOFO if each describes a unique, scientifically distinct project concept and an eligible concept paper was submitted for each Full Application.

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

https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList

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1. Cost Share Requirements Cost Share 20% The cost share must be at least 20% of the total project costs3 for research and development.4

Cost Share 50% The cost share must be at least 50% of the total project costs5 for demonstration projects.6

Cost Share 20% - R&D Phase and 50% - Demonstration Phase The cost share must be at least 20% of the total project cost during the R&D phase and at least 50% of total project costs for the Demonstration Phase.

Cost Sharing Not Required Cost sharing is not required for education projects under this NOFO.

Tribes and Tribal Nations Tribes and Tribal Nation applicants are required to provide only a minimum 10% cost share pursuant to EERE’s blanket cost share reduction, applicable to NOFOs issued after October 3, 2024, entitled by Determination to Reduce Non-Federal Cost Share Requirements for Tribes and Tribal Nations Applying for Funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Please reference the table below for cost shares associated with each Topic Area.

Topic Area Number Topic Area Name Required Cost Share7 (%)

1 Technologies for Enhanced Lithium-ion Cell Safety 20% R&D

2a Low-Cost Production of Lithium 20% R&D

2b Lithium Metal Surface Protection 20% R&D

3a Ultra-Long-Cycle Life Li-Ion Batteries for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks 20% R&D

3b Standardized Battery Module Design for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks 50% Demonstration

4 Thermal Technologies for Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) 20% - R&D Phase 50% - Demonstration Phase

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

4 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109-58, sec. 988. Also see 2 CFR 200.306 and 2 CFR 910.130 for additional cost sharing requirements.

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

6 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109-58, sec. 988. Also see 2 CFR 200.306 and 2 CFR 910.130 for additional cost sharing requirements.

7 For estimating purposes, use the percentage selected in Section II.A.5 below. Do not factor in any cost share above the minimum unless it is required for applicants to this NOFO.

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5 Optimized Grid Planning for Electric Vehicles (EVs) Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure 20% R&D

6 CROP - Co-located Renewable-Fuel and Off-road Vehicle Pilots 20% R&D

7 Vehicle Life Cycle Analysis Baseline 20% R&D

8 Quality Improvements of Battery Busbar Joining 20% - R&D Phase 50% - Demonstration Phase

9 Electric Vehicle Workforce Development 0% Education

10 Vehicle Technology Integration – Open Topic 50% Demonstration

D. Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs Eligibility Criteria as a Subrecipient

As long as they have no conflict, DOE and non-DOE FFRDCs may be proposed as a subrecipient on another entity’s application subject to the following guidelines:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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All DOE FFRDCs are required to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement8 (CRADA) or, if the role of the DOE FFRDC is limited to technical assistance and intellectual property is not anticipated to be generated from the DOE FFRDC’s work, a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA), with at least the recipient. A fully executed CRADA or TAA must be in place or be compliant with a Master Scope of Work process prior to the FFRDC starting work directly allocable to the FA award.

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

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

Limit on FFRDC Effort The FFRDC effort, in aggregate, shall not exceed the total project cost threshold identified in the table below.9

Topic Area Number Topic Area Name Aggregate Project Cost

Threshold for FFRDC (%)

1 Technologies for Enhanced Lithium-ion Cell Safety 25%

2a Low-Cost Production of Lithium 25%

2b Lithium Metal Surface Protection 25%

3a Ultra-Long-Cycle Life Li-Ion Batteries for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks 25%

3b Standardized Battery Module Design for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks 25%

4 Thermal Technologies for Zero-Emission Vehicles 25%

5 Optimized Grid Planning for Electric Vehicles (EVs) Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure 25%

6 CROP - Co-located Renewable-Fuel and Off-road Vehicle Pilots 20%

7 Vehicle Life Cycle Analysis Baseline 25%

8 Quality Improvements of Battery Busbar Joining 20%

9 Electric Vehicle Workforce Development 20%

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

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

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10 Vehicle Technology Integration – Open Topic 25%

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III. Program Description

A. Program Purpose This NOFO improves transportation sector innovation competitiveness and reduces pollution from the transportation sector. Transportation is critical to the nation’s economy, carrying people and freight as well as providing access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The transportation sector accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the energy sector. The average U.S. household spends over 15% of its total family expenditures on transportation, making it the most expensive spending category after housing. Low-income people spend more on transportation, as high as 30% of their household income.

Providing better and cleaner transportation options that are affordable for all Americans is the core objective of the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). The RDD&D activities to be funded under this NOFO will support the government-wide approach to improving transportation by driving innovation that can lead to the deployment of clean energy technologies, which are critical for national competitiveness and reducing pollution. Specifically, this funding opportunity is seeking innovative solutions for on-road and off-road vehicles to improve battery technology, develop and accelerate charging infrastructure, and demonstrate innovative technologies.

As part of the whole-of-government approach to advance equity across the Federal Government, we create opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone. As part of this approach, these anticipated funding opportunities will encourage the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups. Applicants are highly encouraged to include individuals from groups historically underrepresented in STEM on their project teams.

B. Program Goals and Objectives This NOFO seeks applications to address improved battery technology for both light- and heavy-duty applications, smart charging infrastructure, sustainable farming, workforce development, and demonstration and deployment of these and other new innovative technologies. The research and development work performed under this program will lead to economic and environmental benefits including extended battery reliability, improved battery packaging, decreased cost of driving, increased vehicle and system efficiency, and a competent workforce serving transportation sector. Detailed technical descriptions of the specific Topic Areas are provided in the sections that follow.

C. Expected Performance Goals Performance goals and targets will be determined by the applicant in alignment with target requirements or quantitative metrics of interest outlined in this NOFO on a per-topic basis. Baseline data will be provided by the applicant to serve as a reference point for project progress. Data collection to occur by monitoring completion of project milestones relevant to the specified performance goals and targets.

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

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

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

Select the appropriate Teaming Partner List from the drop-down menu, and fill in the following information: Investigator Name, Organization Name, Organization Type, Topic Area, Background and Capabilities, Website, Contact Address, Contact Email, and Contact Phone.

DISCLAIMER: By submitting a request to be included on the Teaming Partner List, the requesting organization consents to the publication of the above-referenced information. By facilitating the Teaming Partner List, DOE is not endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals and organizations that are identifying themselves for placement on this Teaming Partner List.

DOE will not pay for the provision of any information, nor will it compensate any applicants or requesting organizations for the development of such information.

E. Topic Areas Topic Area

Number Topic Title

1 Technologies for Enhanced Lithium-ion Cell Safety 2a Low-Cost Production of Lithium 2b Lithium Metal Surface Protection 3a Ultra-Long-Cycle Life Li-Ion Batteries for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks 3b Standardized Battery Module Design for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks 4 Thermal Technologies for Zero-Emission Vehicles 5 Optimized Grid Planning for Electric Vehicles Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure 6 CROP - Co-located Renewable-Fuel and Off-road Vehicle Pilots 7 Vehicle Life Cycle Analysis Baseline 8 Quality Improvements of Battery Busbar Joining 9 Electric Vehicle Workforce Development

10 Vehicle Technology Integration – Open Topic

Topic Area 1: Technologies for Enhanced Lithium-ion Cell Safety

Introduction As more and more electric vehicles (EVs) enter the roadways, concerns over vehicle safety remain a top priority. While EVs report fewer fire incidents per mile driven compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, challenges in containing and putting out these fires pose a major challenge. One of the primary factors leading to EV fires is the risk of thermal runaway in EV batteries. Thermal runaway

Version 1.0 Page 20 of 69 events pose a challenge due to several factors including: lack of training for emergency responders, repair shops, and storage facilities for battery related fires; risk of idle EVs catching fire during storage/charging inside of homes and parking structures; and significant financial burden to battery and EV manufacturers related to recalls caused by battery fires. Therefore, to increase EV safety perception and derisk the EV transition, enhanced battery safety is a top priority for advanced battery chemistry and cell designs.

This topic area addresses the development of technologies to improve the abuse tolerance of Li-ion cells used in plug-in electric vehicles, specifically cells with graphite anodes and mass-produced cathodes.

Objective Technologies of interest should offer improvements on abuse tolerance parameters at the cell level, such as, but not limited to: total heat release, rate of heat release, reduction in cell-to-cell propagation and/or the flammability of ejected cell materials. Successful applications will improve the abuse tolerance of individual cells, ultimately reducing the likelihood of cascading effects of EV fires.

The cells used to demonstrate improved abuse tolerance should be at least 5Ah and should have energy densities and performances appropriate to plug-in electric vehicle requirements.

The technology will have to meet life performance equivalent to commercial cells. Moreover, the proposed technology must have the potential to achieve cell performance and abuse testing results identified in the table below:

Performance Targets for Next-Generation Li-Ion Batteries

Beginning of Life Characteristics at 30°C Cell Level Useable Specific Energy @ C/3 250Wh/kg

Overcharge Testing

European Council for Automotive R&D

(EUCAR) 2

Overheat Testing

EUCAR 2

External Short Circuit Testing No event

Cost <$80/kWh* *$100/kWh at the pack level

Anticipated technology approaches include, but are not limited to:

• Nonactive components of the cell

• Cathode materials. Commercially relevant cathode materials, Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

5 and above. A TRL of 5 is defined as a technology at laboratory scale, similar system validation in relevant environment

• Active material coatings

• Electrode coatings

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• Electrolytes. Electrolyte ionic conductivity must be similar to conventional carbonate-based electrolyte conductivity at 30°C

• Cell mechanical design

• Any combination of the above

General Requirements Applications must:

• Include plans to demonstrate baseline cells abuse tolerance results and life performance results.

• Include plans to demonstrate improvements of abuse tolerance parameters using abuse tests such as the following:

o Overheat o Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC) o Fractional Thermal Runaway Calorimeter (FTRC) o Overcharge o External Short Circuit o Nail Penetration

• Identify the cell components’ composition/construction of the entire cell including, mechanical design (if innovative), active and non-active components with a focus on the developed technology.

• Describe the materials and component optimization pathway that achieves cell abuse performance requirements.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the major issues and barriers impeding the use of the proposed cell design, and how the particular barrier(s) will be overcome during the proposed project.

• Identify performance targets that represent the highest risk for achievement during the project and the strategies to mitigate these risks.

• Model cell to cell propagation in a battery pack.

• Describe the testing and diagnostics to be performed to understand performance and life issues for the targeted technology:

o Indicate if data is from half-cells or paired with a graphite material.

o Full cell data is preferred, however in the event only half-cell data is available coulombic efficiency must be included.

o Include the electrode loading (mAh/cm2), electrolyte amount and N/P ratio of all cell performance data.

o Indicate what temperature the experiments were performed at as well as the upper and lower voltage used for cycling the cell.

o Include detailed procedures for abuse testing.

• Include plans to annually participate in the VTO Annual Merit Review in Washington, DC and an annual U.S. DRIVE Electrochemical Energy Storage Technical Team Meeting in Southfield, MI.

• For both the Project Progress Cells (PPCs) and Project Completion Cells (PCCs), the cells delivered to DOE will be tested according to the protocol provided below:

Cell Testing Protocol

Number of Cells Test Type Test Protocol 3 Cycle Life C/3 cycle life at 30°C 3 Calendar Life 100% SOC at 45°C

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3 Overcharge* Overcharge Testing at 30°C

3 Overheat** Overheat Testing

3 External Short Circuit*** External Short Circuit Testing at 30°C *The Overcharge protocol will be specified by the applicant in consultation with DOE.

** The Overheat protocol will be specified by the applicant in consultation with DOE.

*** The External Short Circuit protocol will be specified by the applicant in consultation with DOE.

USABC testing is recommended. Please use the following link to review USABC testing procedures:

https://uscar.org/usabc/. If the developer has their own established testing procedures a discussion can happen between DOE and Awardee upon negotiations.

Teaming Arrangements None specified.

Special Deliverables In addition to the deliverables required in the Federal Assistance Reporting Requirements Checklist, the following deliverables are required for awards made under this topic:

• Eighteen (18) PPCs of ≥5 Ah delivered to a to-be-designated DOE testing laboratory for performance testing at midpoint of the project length. Anode material is limited to graphite.

• Eighteen (18) PCCs of ≥5 Ah delivered to a to-be-designated DOE testing laboratory for performance testing at the end of the project. Anode material is limited to graphite.

• Report and associated data resulting from at least thirty (30) days of PPC retained cell testing following test protocols approved by the DOE. This data will be shared with the testing lab.

• Include plans to obtain at least 30 days of cycle life and calendar life test data from the retained cells prior to shipment of the deliverable cells to DOE.

• Report and associated data resulting from at least thirty (30) days of PCC retained cell testing following test protocols approved by the DOE. This data will be shared with the testing lab.

Note: All final cell deliverables must be equal or greater than 5Ah; larger than 5Ah cells are preferred but not required. It is acceptable to deliver cells that do not meet performance targets, as long as the cell components (electrodes with similar active material content, porosity, thickness, loading, etc. and separator thickness) in the delivered cells, when scaled to automotive size (40Ah or greater) are capable of meeting the targets: i.e., an applicant will not be penalized for packaging inefficiencies of small cells, but needs to deliver cells with automotive relevant electrodes, separators, and electrolyte volume. If the deliverable cells do not meet performance targets, a model validating the proposed scaling factors will also be required for interim, and final cells.

All deliverable cells shall be provided to DOE for validation testing at a designated DOE National Laboratory. Non-Destructive Performance Validation testing will be conducted on the cells to validate performance. This testing will be conducted outside the Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO) for the cooperative agreement and therefore should not be addressed in the SOPO nor included in the total estimated project costs associated with the application. Test procedures for the delivered cells will be agreed to between the Applicant, the test lab, and the government. Participation by a DOE National Laboratory in test planning and execution will be addressed by a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) between the national laboratory and the end item manufacturer. Test procedures will be provided by https://uscar.org/usabc/

Version 1.0 Page 23 of 69 the Applicant and shall incorporate specifications and limits supplied by the manufacturer for the specific technology such as voltage and current limits, state of charge, charging, temperature recommendations, number of test sequences, and/or other relevant test conditions as appropriate. The results of the DOE national laboratory testing may be documented in a publicly releasable Summary Test Report (approved by both DOE and the Applicant prior to release) that validates performance of the deliverables relative to the end item performance targets as well as the technology deployment impact relative to DOE strategic goals. The Summary Test Report will be approved by, and delivered to, DOE (Vehicle Technologies Office) and end item manufacturer. Test cells or special test equipment supplied by the end item manufacturer for the purposes of the test will be returned at the conclusion of testing at no cost to the Applicant or the project.

Applications Not of Interest Applications that propose:

• electrolyte with lower ionic conductivity than conventional carbonate-based electrolytes (5mS/cm) at 30°C

• an anode material other than graphite

• a sodium-ion chemistry

• oxide- and sulphide-based electrolytes

Topic Area 2a: Low-Cost Production of Lithium

Introduction As lithium-metal-based batteries continue to evolve, there are concerns about the supply and cost of lithium metal. The United States depends heavily on lithium imports since there are no domestic production facilities currently operating. Imported lithium ingots are typically extruded into thick foil (>40 micron) to manufacture anodes for lithium batteries. For applications that require much thinner lithium foil, lithium can be vapor deposited directly on the current collector or on a plastic substrate for later use.

Currently, lithium is produced by the electrolysis of a lithium chloride and potassium chloride (LiCl + KCl) eutectic mixture at temperatures between 420°C and 550°C. Not only is this process highly energy-intensive due to the high-temperature requirements for the molten salts, but it also has a low production yield due to the low coulombic efficiency of the chemical reaction (2LiCl 2Li + Cl2). In addition, the reaction releases toxic chlorine gas, which requires treatment to address environmental concerns. The lithium produced through this method is of technical grade (98% purity) and must undergo further refining to achieve battery-grade purity (99.9%), adding to overall production costs.

Objective This topic seeks innovative approaches for producing battery-grade lithium at a lower cost, with reduced energy consumption, improved production yield, and minimal environmental impact compared to the current process. These new methods should harness U.S. lithium resources to bolster supply chain resilience for next-generation batteries that rely on metallic lithium as the anode material. Projects should clearly describe the R&D innovations in the proposed application, including the process cost, energy use, purity, and final lithium cost.

General Requirements Compared to the current process (described in the introduction), the new process should demonstrate:

• A lower cost (at least 25% savings), Version 1.0 Page 24 of 69

• An improved coulombic efficiency (>70%),

• A lower operating temperature (< 500oC), and

• The product should be free from other metal impurities, surface should be free of any oxide layer and salt precipitation, with no cracks in the ingot, and no visually observable contamination.

Special Deliverables A working lab-scale prototype that demonstrates lithium production (100 grams per batch) and meets the requirements listed above.

Applications Not of Interest Applications that propose direct lithium extraction (that extracts lithium salt from brine on an adsorbed material) are not of interest and will not be reviewed.

Topic Area 2b: Lithium Metal Surface Protection

Introduction Scientists have long sought to harness the benefits of a lithium metal anode. With its high theoretical capacity and low redox potential, lithium metal is highly suitable for pairing with next-generation, high-capacity cathode materials, such as sulfur or air.