FY_2023_Scientific_Infrastructure_Support_for_CINR_FOA.pdf

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

U. S. Department of Energy

Idaho Operations Office

Fiscal Year 2023

Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated

Innovative Nuclear Research

Funding Opportunity Announcement:

DE-FOA-0002733

Announcement Type: Initial

CFDA Number: 81.121

Informational Webinar: August 9 – 11, 2022

(video links and presentations will be available at www.NEUP.gov)

Issue Date: September 16, 2022

Application Due Date: November 29, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time http://www.neup.gov/

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research

Page ii of vii

Registration Requirements

There are several one-time actions applicants must complete in order to submit an application in response to this Announcement (e.g., obtain Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, register with the

System for Award Management (SAM), and create an account on the NEUP.gov website at:

www.NEUP.gov. Applicants, who are not registered with SAM, should allow up to five weeks to complete this requirement. It is suggested that the process be started as soon as possible.)

The applicant must complete or have already completed the following actions:

1. Obtain a UEI number. UEI website: http://www.sam.gov/.

2. Register with the SAM. SAM website: http://www.sam.gov/. For more information about SAM registration for applicants please refer to: https://www.sam.gov/content/entity-landing

3. Create an account on the NEUP.gov website, using the “Sign In” tab in the top right hand corner. To create an account: 1) click “Create a new account”; 2) fill out the required information and click “Create User”; and 3) fill out the information in the “My Information” section.

Questions

Questions regarding the content of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) must be submitted using the contact information found at Part VII, Section B, of this FOA. DOE will try to respond to a question within three (3) business days, unless a similar question and answer have already been posted on the website.

Application Preparation

Applicants must prepare the application package and application forms from the NEUP.gov website: www.NEUP.gov.

Additional instructions are provided in Section IV of this FOA.

Application Submission

Instructions and a copy of the FOA can be found at www.NEUP.gov.

Electronic applications and instructions are available at the NEUP website. To access these materials:

(1) go to www.NEUP.gov; (2) select “Sign In” from the top right hand corner of the screen; (3) enter your user credentials; (4) select “Applications” from the menu; and (5) click on “Create New

Application” for the type of application you are creating. Apply at www.NEUP.gov. If you have any questions about your registration, contact the INR Integration Office at 208-526-7804 or at neup@inl.gov.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/content/entity-landing https://neup.inl.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx http://www.neup.gov/ http://www.neup.gov/ mailto:neup@inl.gov

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

A.1. Background and Objectives

A.2 Major DOE-NE Funded Research Programs

RELATED COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITES

Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support D.1 Statement of Objectives

D.2 General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support for Universities Statement of Objectives

PART II – AWARD INFORMATION

TYPE OF AWARD INSTRUMENT

ESTIMATED FUNDING

B.1 University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support

B.2 General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support B.2.1 University General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM AWARD SIZE

EXPECTED NUMBER OF AWARDS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

TYPE OF APPLICATION

PART III – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

COST SHARING

COST MATCHING FOR GENERAL SCIENTIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE (GSI) SUPPORT

APPLICATIONS

OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

NSUF Partner Facilities

PART IV – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

DOCUMENT FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

LETTER OF INTENT AND PRE-APPLICATION

C.1 Letter of Intent

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C.2 Pre-applications

CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION

D.1 SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance

D.2 Project/Performance Site Location(s)

D.3 Project Summary/Abstract File

Project Narrative File

Project Team Curriculum Vitae (CV)

SF-424A Excel, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs File

Budget Justification File

Vendor Quotes

Cost Sharing

Past, Current, and Pending Support

Interim Conflict of Interest Policy (Required for All Applicants)

SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Required for All Applicants)

Certifications and Assurances

SUBMISSIONS FROM SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

F.1 Letter of Intent Due Date

F.2 Pre-application Due Date

F.3 Application Due Date

INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

H.1 Prohibition related to Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs

H.2 Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

OTHER SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

I.1 Where to Submit

I.2 Application Validity Timeframe

PART V – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

CRITERIA

Initial Review Criteria

Merit Review Criteria A.2.1 University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure A.2.2 University General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support

Other Selection Factors

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

B.1 Merit Review

B.2 Selection

B.3 Discussions and Award

ANTICIPATED NOTICE OF SECTION AND AWARD DATES

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PART VI – AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

AWARD NOTICES

Notice of Selection

Notice of Award

ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

B.1 Administrative Requirements

B.2 System For Award Management And Unique Entity Identifier Requirements

B.3 Subaward and Executive Reporting

B.4 Special Terms and Conditions and National Policy Requirements

B.5 Nondisclosure And Confidentiality Agreements Representations (JUNE 2015)

NO-COST TIME EXTENSIONS

REPORTING

PART VII – QUESTIONS/AGENCY CONTACTS

QUESTIONS

AGENCY CONTACT

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

PART VIII – OTHER INFORMATION

AMENDMENTS

GOVERNMENT RIGHT TO REJECT OR NEGOTIATE

COMMITMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

PROPRIETARY APPLICATION INFORMATION

EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION BY NON-FEDERAL PERSONNEL

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEVELOPED UNDER THIS PROGRAM

NOTICE REGARDING ELIGIBLE/INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

CONFERENCE SPENDING

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

Materials Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CINR Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research

COI Conflict of Interest

DE Department of Energy (FOA Number)

DOE Department of Energy

FC R&D Fuel Cycle Research and Development

FFATA Federal Funding and Transparency Act of 2006

FOA Funding Opportunity Announcement

FSRS FFATA Subaward Reporting System

FY Fiscal Year

GSI General Scientific Infrastructure

HBCU Historically Black Colleges and Universities

HPC High-Peformance Computing

INL Idaho National Laboratory

MSI Minority-serving Institution

NE Office of Nuclear Energy

NEAMS Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation

NEID Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Database

NEUP Nuclear Energy University Program

NS&E Nuclear Science & Engineering

NSUF Nuclear Science User Facilities

OMI Other Minority Institutions

PDF Adobe Portable Document Format

PI Principal Investigator

RC RD&D Reactor Concepts Research, Development and Demonstration

R&D Research and Development

SAM System for Award Management

SF Standard Form

UEI Unique Entity Identifier

U.S. United States

Page vii of vii

CHECKLIST FOR AVOIDING COMMON ERRORS

Item Issue

Page Limits Strictly followed throughout application, including particular attention to:

- Project Summary/Abstract File

- Project Narrative File

- Project Team Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Protected Personally Identifiable Information None present in the application

Project Summary / Abstract Name of applicant, Principal Investigator (PI), PI’s institutional affiliation(s), project title, objectives of the project, description of the project, potential impact, and major participants

Budget Use current negotiated indirect cost and fringe benefit rates

Budget Justification (attached to budget) Justify all requested costs

Vendor Quotes (Referenced costs (catalog pricing) or other basis for estimate)

Submit vendor quotes for any single item over $5,000

Current and Pending Support Ensure complete listing of all activities, including brief abstract of scope of work for all items listed, regardless of source of funding

Certifications and Assurances Ensure that signatures are completed for both sections of the certifications and assurances documentation (typically, three

(3) signatures are required).

Font Size Pay particular attention to required font format and sizes, typically, Times New

Roman, 11 pt. font.

Forms Use associated links for any/all forms.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART I

PART I – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is for General Scientific Infrastructure Support for

Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research and University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure

Support for the U.S. nuclear research community. It is referred to in this document as the

“Infrastructure FOA.”

A.1. Background and Objectives

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) provides funding to support crosscutting nuclear energy research and development (R&D) and associated infrastructure support activities to develop innovative technologies that offer the promise of dramatically improved performance for advanced reactors and fuel cycle concepts, while maximizing the use of DOE resources and the sustainability of the existing light water reactor fleet.

The development of nuclear energy-related infrastructure and basic capabilities in the research community is necessary to promote R&D that supports nuclear science and engineering (NS&E), DOE-NE’s mission, and the Nation’s nuclear energy challenges. Accordingly, DOE intends to facilitate the education and training of nuclear scientists, engineers, and policy-makers through graduate and undergraduate study, two-year programs, and R&D that is relevant to the Department and the U.S. nuclear energy industry in general.

The Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) supports university-based infrastructure and R&D in key NE program-related areas:

• Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FC R&D);

• Reactor Concepts Research, Development and Demonstration (RC RD&D); and

• Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS)

The infrastructure support requested should be individual, discrete, and definable items or capabilities that will:

• Support, maintain, or enhance the institution’s capacities to attract and teach high quality students interested in nuclear energy-related studies;

• Build the institution’s research or education capabilities; or

• Enhance the institution’s capabilities to perform R&D that is relevant to DOE-NE’s mission.

The request should focus on a single, synergistic goal, or capability. Applicant must demonstrate the educational or R&D connection between requested pieces of equipment. Applications made of several uncorrelated equipment requests are not of interest. A request should not duplicate existing capabilities.

NE reserves the right to respond to potential shifts in priorities during FY 2023 that may be driven by events, policy developments, or Congressional/budget direction. DOE-NE will factor such considerations into decisions related to the timing and scale of award announcements associated with this FOA.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART I

A.2 Major DOE-NE Funded Research Programs

To review DOE-NE R&D capabilities in the United States, refer to the Nuclear Energy Infrastructure

Database (NEID), available at https://nsuf-infrastructure.inl.gov (account login required). Information on the current DOE-NE research programs can be found at DOE-NE’s website: https://energy.gov/ne.

RELATED COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITES

Utilization of equipment acquired as a result of this Infrastructure FOA may have the potential to enhance or benefit currently funded or proposed DOE-NE R&D projects.

Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF)

DOE-NE provides nuclear energy researchers access to world-class capabilities to facilitate the advancement of nuclear science and technology through the NSUF. Access to the capabilities of the

NSUF is granted through a separate competitive proposal process. The NSUF provides state-of-the-art experimental irradiation testing and post-irradiation examination facilities, as well as technical assistance in design and analysis of reactor experiments at no cost to the user. This access allows university, national laboratory, and industry researchers and their collaborators to build on current knowledge to better understand the complex behavior of materials and fuels in the radiation environment of a nuclear reactor.

The NSUF at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and its partner facilities represent a prototype laboratory for the future. This unique model is best described as a distributed partnership with each facility bringing exceptional capabilities to the relationship, including reactors, beamlines, state-of-the-art instruments, hot cells, and most importantly, expert mentors. Together, these capabilities and people create a nation-wide infrastructure that allows the best ideas to be investigated, using the most advanced capabilities. Information about existing capabilities within the NSUF can be found on the website (nsuf.inl.gov) or a more general overview of capabilities throughout the world can be found in the NEID available at https://nsuf-infrastructure.inl.gov.

Awarding of infrastructure grants through this FOA is one of the methods to expand the NSUF to serve more users. The role that a requested capability might play should be emphasized in an application. If the NSUF determines the new equipment/capability adds significant value to DOE, the host institution may be invited to join the NSUF partnership so the equipment is available to other researchers. As the

NSUF focuses on investigating the effects of irradiation on nuclear fuels and materials, applications for capabilities that can accommodate work with radioactive/irradiated materials (>5mr/hr @ 30 cm, beta/gamma only) will be given higher priority.

The NSUF provides access to high-performance computational (HPC) resources at INL at no charge to users. Consequently, applications requesting to purchase scientific computing equipment (such as institutional clusters, HPC nodes, etc.) will not be entertained. See nsuf.inl.gov or hpc.inl.gov for information on accessing HPC resources through the NSUF.

To apply to any of the areas in this FOA, the applicant is required to demonstrate the ability and willingness to join the NSUF as a partner should NSUF offer an invitation.

• Visit the NSUF website https://nsuf.inl.gov and contact nsuf@inl.gov for information on becoming an NSUF partner.

https://nsuf-infrastructure.inl.gov/ https://energy.gov/ne http://nsuf.inl.gov/ http://hpc.inl.gov/ https://nsuf.inl.gov/ mailto:nsuf@inl.gov

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART I

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

DOE is seeking applications under the Infrastructure FOA in the following areas:

1. University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support; and

2. General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support for Universities

Number of applications allowed:

• One application per reactor under the University Research Reactor Upgrade Infrastructure

Support; and

• One application can be submitted under GSI.

For example, if a university operates two (2) research reactors, it may submit a total of three applications under this FOA (one for each reactor for a total of two under the University Research

Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support area and one under the GSI area for a total of three applications).

Note: An application to either of these FOA areas is restricted to equipment for activities supporting research, teaching, and education, such as the purchase, set-up, and vendor installation costs for equipment and instrumentation, as well as building modifications that immediately support the installation and operation of the equipment. The following costs are not allowed under this FOA:

• The application cannot include hiring or other human capital costs;

• Indirect costs are not allowed;

• The application cannot include the cost of routine operation and maintenance of equipment;

• Installation costs for equipment and instrumentation that are beyond the vendor's standard installation cost are not allowed;

• Institution-specific costs, not specific to the equipment or instrumentation, are the responsibility of the applicant. For example, if a vendor needs to meet safety and health requirements to access the campus or a facility, then these costs are the responsibility of the applicant; and

• Funds are restricted to equipment for activities supporting research, teaching, and education.

Upgrades to increase operational profit or support for commercial activities are not allowed.

Note: DOE has initiated a priority effort to develop and maintain a national R&D framework to achieve NE’s research missions, requiring an integrated approach involving people, tools, facilities, and knowledge, tied to strategic partnerships. Experimental infrastructure (i.e., tools and facilities) is a critical piece of this framework. However, these capabilities, especially radiological and nuclear facilities, required to handle nuclear material, are expensive to build and maintain. Therefore, thoughtful management of new capability procurement is required, while also providing researchers with an effective mechanism to obtain access to unique nuclear energy research facilities.

Accordingly, although requests for infrastructure support in response to this FOA are not restricted, DOE reserves the right to consider the results of its ongoing evaluation of priorities as part of the award selection process.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART I

University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support

D.1 Statement of Objectives

This section describes the objectives for University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support.

This area of the FOA supports the DOE-NE program missions as previously described in Part I, Section A.1, Background and Objectives.

The following research reactors are eligible to submit applications under this section of the FOA:

1 Idaho State University 13 The Ohio State University

2 Kansas State University 14 University of California, Davis

3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 15 University of California, Irvine

4 Missouri University of Science &

Technology 16 University of Florida

5 North Carolina State University 17 University of Maryland, College Park

6 Oregon State University 18 University of Massachusetts, Lowell

7 Pennsylvania State University 19 University of Missouri, Columbia

8 Purdue University 20 University of New Mexico

9 Reed College 21 University of Texas at Austin

10 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 22 University of Utah

11 Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center 23 University of Wisconsin, Madison

12 Texas A&M University 24 Washington State University

Each institution is permitted to submit a single, separate application for each research reactor that it operates.

Purposes of the program, include:

1. Upgrade and improve U.S. university nuclear research and training reactors: Applications should be directed to the upgrade of the research reactor or to the purchase/maintenance of equipment and instrumentation for activities related to the safety, performance, control, or operational reliability of the research reactor, including security/safety enhancements required by the federal/state/local regulatory agencies; or

2. Equipment and instrumentation that significantly improve or expand the research, instruction, training capabilities, or operating capabilities related to DOE-NE program missions (e.g., utilization or handling of radiological or radioactive materials) of the research reactor facility, including radiation detection and measurement equipment; and

3. Contribute to strengthening the academic community’s nuclear engineering infrastructure.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART I

Please note the following:

• The primary purpose of this FOA is the safety, security, and operational reliability of the university research reactors (Item 1, Purpose of the program, above). Applications addressing those needs will be given highest priority.

• A high priority for this FOA is the procurement of spare parts and associated hardware for research reactor control consoles. These systems are vital for continued safe and reliable reactor operation. Due to the small market, one vendor has announced in 2019 that it will be exiting the market in 2024, and other vendors may not be reliable suppliers. Replacements often take months from order to delivery. Applications to support continued long-term operation of the university research reactor by purchasing spare parts, subsystems, channels, and detectors will be highly regarded.

• DOE-NE reserves the right to award portions of a request so that available funding can have the highest impact for the research reactor community.

• Infrastructure requests that support the sharing and use of equipment and instrumentation by multiple campuses of a university or multiple universities are encouraged.

Requests for equipment and associated upgrades, specifically for general scientific laboratories, are addressed in Part I, Section C.2 of this FOA.

D.2 General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support for Universities

Statement of Objectives

Part I, Section C.2 describes the objectives of GSI support for the DOE-NE program missions as previously described in Part I, Section A.1, Background and Objectives. Additionally, universities can submit applications that support DOE-NE’s mission and objectives by specifically supporting or improving the instructional mission of the university.

Universities are permitted to submit one single application to GSI support section of this FOA area per institution.

General requirements:

• Under this FOA, applications can be submitted for equipment, software, instrumentation, and associated non-reactor upgrade requests that support nuclear energy-related R&D or education.

• Funding requests may include, but are not limited to, equipment and instrumentation for specialized facilities, classrooms, and teaching laboratories, and non-reactor NS&E research.

• Infrastructure requests that support the sharing and use of equipment and instrumentation by multiple campuses of a university, multiple universities, or with national laboratories are encouraged.

• Equipment and associated upgrades specifically for university research reactors are the subjects of the University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support opportunity discussed in Part I, Section C.1.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART II

PART II – AWARD INFORMATION

Note: The following requirements apply to all FOA areas, unless specific requirements are identified.

TYPE OF AWARD INSTRUMENT

DOE anticipates awarding grants to universities.

ESTIMATED FUNDING

The estimated amounts identified for each FOA area is contingent upon Congressional appropriations and is subject to significant change.

B.1 University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support

DOE currently estimates that it will fund approximately $2.5 million in awards for University

Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructur Support.

B.2 General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support

B.2.1 University General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support

DOE currently estimates that it will fund approximately $2.5 million in awards for University GSI support.

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM AWARD SIZE

• For the two FOA areas, the maximum amount of funding available for an individual award under this area is identified as the FOA ceiling, and the minimum amount of funding available for an individual award under this area is identified as the floor. The ceilings and floors are listed below:

Anticipated

Minimum and

Maximum Award

Size

Federal Floor

(i.e., the minimum amount for an individual award made under this announcement)

Federal Ceiling

(i.e., the maximum amount for an individual award made under this announcement)

Anticipated

Awards

Cost Share/

Cost Match

Requirement

University Research

Reactor Upgrades

Infrastructure Support

None $5,000,000 Several smaller awards that are no more than

$1,500,000/each

No Cost Share/

No Cost Match

University General

Scientific

Infrastructure Support

None $5,000,000 Average award will be

$250,000 for the total project period

No Cost Share/

1:1 Cost Match

>$250k*

*For details, refer to Part III.C - Cost Matching for General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI) Support

Applications

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART II

EXPECTED NUMBER OF AWARDS

The estimated amounts, identified for each FOA area, are contingent upon Congressional appropriations and are subject to change. However, at this time, DOE anticipates making numerous awards under each FOA area, depending on the quality of the submissions and availability of funds.

DOE reserves the right to make no awards under this announcement.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

DOE anticipates making awards with an estimated project period of one (1) year, beginning October 1, 2023. Additional time, if needed, may be requested and justified in the application.

TYPE OF APPLICATION

DOE will accept only new applications under this announcement.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART III

PART III – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Note: The following requirements apply to all FOA areas, unless specific requirements are identified.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Universities and Colleges: In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126(b), eligibility for award is restricted to

U.S. universities and colleges.

In addition, NE strives to ensure energy justice and is fully committed to broadening the inclusion and contribution of those communities that have been historically underserved within its programs.

Minority-serving institutions (MSIs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities

(HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), or institutions located in a disadvantaged community, are highly encouraged to apply to this FOA.

Information on Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) can be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html#tips. This information predominately covers institutions that have been awarded grants through the Department of Education and does not include all institutions that may meet the definition of an MSI. This resource is not an exhaustive list of minority-serving institutions.

For purposes of identifying MSIs in NE’s application system, NE is using a directory based off of 2020

U.S. Department of Education data compiled by Rutgers University’s Center for MSIs, which can be found here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/2022eligibilitymatrix.xlsx. This list is also not an exhaustive list of MSIs but will be used as a starting point for auto-identifying MSIs.

If applicants believe that their institution qualifies as an MSI and is not listed, please contact neup@inl.gov with an explanation for how the university meets the conditions of being considered an

MSI.

COST SHARING

For university participants, cost sharing is not required, but is encouraged.

COST MATCHING FOR GENERAL SCIENTIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE (GSI)

SUPPORT APPLICATIONS

To maximize the use of available DOE-NE funding, cost matching is required for universities on a 1:1 dollar match for requested amounts in excess of $250,000 for applications under the General Scientific

Infrastructure (GSI) Support for research or teaching. For example, if a $300,000 project is proposed, cost matching requirements apply to $50,000 of this amount (the amount over $250,000), and the recipient would be required to contribute $25,000. This requirement may not be waived. There is no cost matching requirement for University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastrucutre Support Awards.

For cost match, applicants may include the following costs as allowable in accordance with the applicable cost principles:

a. Cash;

b. Personnel costs;

c. The value of a service, other resource, or third party in-kind contribution determined in accordance with the applicable circular of the Office of Management and Budget [Note: In-https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Foffices%2Flist%2Fope%2Fidues%2Feligibility.html%23tips&data=05%7C01%7CAnna.Podgorney%40inl.gov%7C09966166ecf14700e46008da852233a1%7C4cf464b7869a42368da2a98566485554%7C0%7C0%7C637968680215395909%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YoJeZjMg%2FXyS09AL2vqYp5cbpRwMZgCSoxCO%2BfhD%2BhU%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ed.gov%2Fabout%2Foffices%2Flist%2Fope%2Fidues%2F2022eligibilitymatrix.xlsx&data=05%7C01%7CAnna.Podgorney%40inl.gov%7C09966166ecf14700e46008da852233a1%7C4cf464b7869a42368da2a98566485554%7C0%7C0%7C637968680215395909%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hp%2FLtrX2gk0%2FfaFQU0DPxloO%2BRnh%2BIVgu6PkfKVLtpI%3D&reserved=0 mailto:neup@inl.gov

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART III kind contributions, like any other cost, need to be incurred during the award project period

(e.g., DOE cannot give credit for costs incurred prior to the award, including prior development costs, unless otherwise authorized by the applicable cost principles)];

d. Indirect costs or facilities and administrative costs; and

e. Any funds received under the power program of the Tennessee Valley Authority (except to the extent that such funds are made available under an annual appropriation act).

Applicants shall not include:

a. Revenues or royalties from the prospective operation of an activity beyond the time considered in the award;

b. Proceeds from the prospective sale of an asset of an activity; and

c. Other appropriated Federal funds.

OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

NSUF Partner Facilities

To apply to any of the areas in this FOA, the applicant is required to demonstrate the ability and willingness to join the NSUF, as a partner, should the NSUF offer an invitation.

• Visit the NSUF website (https://nsuf.inl.gov) and contact nsuf@inl.gov for information on becoming an NSUF partner.

• If the NSUF determines the new equipment/capability adds significant value to DOE, the equipment/capability may be invited to join the NSUF so the equipment is available to other researchers. Information about existing capabilities within the NSUF can be found on the website (nsuf.inl.gov) or a more general overview of capabilities throughout the world can be found in the NEID available at NSUF-infrastructure.inl.gov.

mailto:nsuf@inl.gov

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART IV

PART IV – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Note: The requirements apply to all FOA areas, unless specific requirements are identified.

ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

Electronic applications and instructions are available at the NEUP.gov website. To access these materials: (1) go to www.NEUP.gov; (2) select “Sign In” from the top right hand corner of the screen;

(3) enter your user credentials; (4) select “Applications” from the menu; and (5) click on “Create New

Application” for the type of application you are creating. Apply at www.NEUP.gov.

DOCUMENT FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

All non-budget documentation (use templates where provided) is to be prepared using standard 8.5” ×

11” paper with 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, right), using a font size no smaller than Times New

Roman 11 point. This is a requirement for all pages included in the document, (i.e., table of contents, references, etc.). The preferred file format is Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) for all documents except for spreadsheets. All spreadsheets are to be uploaded in Excel file format to the online application. Do NOT lock any cells in the spreadsheet.

Applicants must comply with all pertinent page limitations. Any text (including references and data tables) in a document that does not adhere to the requirements listed above (except graphics, graphs, charts, and equations) will be removed from the document and will not be reviewed. DOE reserves the right to dismiss applications that violate formatting requirements. Signature blocks must be signed by the designated official.

Documents should be saved using the document naming suggestion at the bottom of each document description. The tracking ID will automatically be generated by the application system and can be found at the top of the application form under “Tracking ID.”

DOE reserves the right to dismiss applications, which it deems, after initial review, to lack enough detail for reviewers to adequately judge technical merit. Applications submitted with corrupted, incomplete, or incorrect files may be dismissed without further review.

LETTER OF INTENT AND PRE-APPLICATION

C.1 Letter of Intent

Letters of Intent are not required.

C.2 Pre-applications

Pre-applications are not required.

CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION

Applicants must complete the mandatory forms, and any applicable optional forms (e.g., Disclosure of

Lobbying Activities) in accordance with the instructions on the forms and the additional instructions below. Files attached to the forms must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) and merged into a single PDF file, unless otherwise specified in this announcement.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART IV

D.1 SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance

Complete all required fields in accordance with the pop-up instructions on the form. The correct form to use is the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 (OMB 4040-0004), which is available at:

www.NEUP.gov or through the link, SF-424. The list of certifications and assurances referenced in

Field 21 can be found on the DOE Financial Assistance page at: http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/financial-assistance/financial-assistance-forms under

Certifications and Assurances.

Save form as “FY 2023 SF424 Fed Assist (Insert Tracking ID#).pdf.”

D.2 Project/Performance Site Location(s)

Insert the primary site where the work will be performed. If a portion of the project will be performed at any other site(s), identify the site location(s) in the blocks provided.

Note: the Project/Performance Site Congressional District is entered in the format of the two-digit state code followed by a dash and a three-digit Congressional district code (i.e., VA-001). Hover over the field in the form for additional instructions.

Use the Next Site button to expand the form to add additional Project/Performance Site Locations.

Save form as “FY 2023 Performance Site (Insert Tracking ID#).pdf.”

D.3 Project Summary/Abstract File

The one (1) page project summary/abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained document that identifies the name of the applicant, the project director/principal investigator(s), the project title, the objectives of the project, a description of the project, including methods to be employed, the potential impact of the project (i.e., benefits, outcomes), and major participants (for collaborative projects). Do not include any proprietary or sensitive business information in this document, because, if an award is made, the Department may make it available to the public.

Page limit: 1-page, Save this information in a file named "FY 2023 Summary Abstract (Insert

Tracking ID#).pdf.”

Project Narrative File

The project narrative must not exceed eight (8) printed pages, including cover page, table of contents, charts, graphs, maps, photographs, references, and other pictorial presentations while complying with the document format instructions in Part IV, Section B. Applicants must comply with all pertinent page limitations.

DOE reserves the right to dismiss applications that violate formatting requirements. Signature blocks must be signed by the designated official. EVALUATORS WILL REVIEW ONLY EIGHT PAGES, AS SPECIFIED ABOVE. Do not include any Internet addresses (URLs) that provide information necessary to review the application. See Part VIII, Section D, for instructions on how to mark proprietary application information.

Page limit: 8-pages, Save the information in a single file named " FY 2023 Project Narrative (Insert

Tracking ID#).pdf.”

https://neup.inl.gov/SitePages/Related_Documents.aspx https://neup.inl.gov/SiteAssets/AboutUs/RandDFullAppDocs/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/financial-assistance/financial-assistance-forms http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/financial-assistance/financial-assistance-forms

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART IV

The project narrative must include the following:

1. Narrative Cover Page containing the following information:

a. Name of organization;

b. Announcement number;

c. FOA Opportunity Title (e.g., University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support or

General Scientific Infrastructure Support);

d. Technical and business points-of-contact for the applicant, denoting the names, titles, addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers, and electronic mail addresses;

e. Principal Investigator’s (PI’s) name, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address, and organization name/unit; and

f. Names of team members or partnerships.

2. Project Objectives

This section should provide a clear, concise statement of the specific objectives/aims of the proposed project, including the following:

a. Briefly describe the NS&E program(s) at your school. If you do not have a current program, describe your plans to establish such a program;

b. Provide a narrative that describes how your application will further NS&E R&D and education;

c. Discuss the proposed objectives and goals for use of the equipment;

d. Discuss how the request enables the university's learning mission;

e. Discuss how the request fills institutional and/or national infrastructure gaps, and complements existing infrastructure and personnel capabilities; and

f. Discuss ties to the DOE-NE mission and/or NSUF.

g. Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects: Include a short statement on whether the project will involve the construction, alteration, and/or repair of infrastructure in the United

States. See Appendix A for applicable definitions and other information to inform this statement

3. Merit Review Criterion Discussion

The section should be formatted to address each of the merit review criterion and sub-criterion listed in greater detail in Part V, Section A.2, as well as A.3. Applicants shall provide sufficient information to enable reviewers to evaluate the application in accordance with the merit review criteria and other selection factors.

4. Project Timetable and Description of Work

This section should outline as a function of time, year by year, all the important activities or phases of the project, including any activities planned beyond the project period. Successful applicants must use this project timetable to report progress. This section should also include a scope of work and execution plan with detail appropriate to the complexity of the project. This will form the basis for the Project Implementation merit review listed in Section V, A.2.1.3 and A.2.2.3.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART IV

Applicant must demonstrate the educational or R&D connection between requested pieces of equipment. Applications made of several uncorrelated equipment requests are not of interest.

5. Relevance and Outcomes/Impacts

This section is a justification for the proposed project and should explain the relevance of the effort to the mission of DOE-NE and the expected outcomes and/or impacts. This section should include a clear statement of the importance of the project in terms of the utility of the outcomes and the target community of beneficiaries. List all applicable DOE-NE funded R&D projects in this section.

Specifically list any DOE-NE R&D program relevance.

6. Roles of Participants

Describe the capabilities and qualifications of the PI and application team to accomplish the proposed work. This should include personnel information for any expertise required to accomplish the proposed project. References should be specific to individuals. The PI should state explicitly whether there is any expertise that must be acquired to complete the project and the plan to acquire the expertise (new hires, consultants, etc.).

7. Facilities and Other Resources

Identify the facilities (e.g., office, laboratory, computer, etc.) to be used at each performance site listed, and, if appropriate, indicate their capacities, pertinent capabilities, relative proximity, and extent of availability to the project. Describe only those resources that are directly applicable to the proposed work. Provide any information describing the other resources available to support the project such as machine and electronics shops.

8. Equipment

a. List important items of equipment synergistic to the proposed capability and, if appropriate, note the location and pertinent capabilities of each.

b. Describe comparable equipment, if any, already at your organization or within the DOE complex, and explain why it cannot be used. Review the NEID available at https://nsuf-infrastructure.inl.gov for information about existing capabilities.

9. Utilization

a. Provide a narrative that describes how your application will allow for researcher usage, both within the institution and by other entities.

b. Provide a measure of the amount of use expected for the requested equipment and instrumentation by both the proposing institution and others within the research community.

c. If there is a preexisting capability, provide a description of how readily accessible and/or currently utilized the resource is by other entities.

Project Team Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Applicants must provide a CV for the PI. CVs are limited to a 2-page maximum. CV must include the following:

• Contact Information.

• Education and Training: Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training. Identify institution, major/area, degree, and year.

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART IV

• Research and Professional Experience: Beginning with the current position, list, in chronological order, professional/academic positions with a brief description.

• Publications: Provide a list of up to 10 publications most closely related to the proposed project. For each publication, identify the names of all authors (in the same sequence in which they appear in the publication), the article title, book or journal title, volume number, page numbers, year of publication, and website address if available electronically.

• Patents, copyrights, and software systems developed may be provided in addition to or substituted for publications.

• Synergistic Activities: List no more than 5 professional and scholarly activities related to the effort proposed.

CVs should be provided for all staff providing significant and required expertise on the project, following the instructions provided above.

o 2-page limit. Save each CV as a separate file titled, “FY 2023 CV ‘Insert PI Name’ (Insert

Tracking ID#).pdf.”

SF-424A Excel, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs File

Applicants must provide a separate budget for each year of support requested, and a cumulative budget for the total project period. Use the SF-424A Excel, "Budget Information - Non Construction

Programs" form on the DOE Financial Assistance Forms page at http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/financial-assistance/financial-assistance-forms.

Applicants may request funds under the appropriate Object Class Categories, as long as the item and amount are necessary to perform the proposed work, meet all the criteria for allowability under the applicable Federal cost principles, and are not prohibited by the funding restrictions in this announcement (see Part IV, Section G).

Save this information in a single file named "FY 2023 Budget SF424A (Insert Tracking ID#).xls."

Budget Justification File

Applicants must justify the costs proposed in each Object Class Category/Cost Classification category. Provide an equipment list with the following information:

Equipment. Provide the following:

a. Identify clearly the equipment (e.g., description, manufacturer part number, etc., if known);

b. Explain how the proposed equipment meets the definition of “equipment” at 2 CFR

200.33, as opposed to items of supply;

c. Explain the need for the equipment to accomplish the project;

d. Indicate the unit cost and quantity for each item to be purchased; and

e. Explain how the cost estimates for equipment purchases are established, are determined to be fair and reasonable, and are consistent with applicant institution’s established procurement procedures (compliant with 2 CFR 200.17-200.326). Include available supporting documents such as quotes or catalog pricing for the proposed equipment.

http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/financial-assistance/financial-assistance-forms http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/financial-assistance/financial-assistance-forms

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART IV

If cost sharing is proposed, applicants must have a letter from each third party contributing to the cost sharing (i.e., a party other than the organization submitting the application), stating that the third party is committed to providing a specific minimum dollar amount of cost sharing. The budget justification file should also identify the following information for each third party contributing cost sharing: 1) the name of the organization; 2) the proposed dollar amount to be provided; 3) the amount as a percentage of the total project cost; and 4) the proposed cost sharing - cash, services, or property.

Note: there are restrictions on the use of funds under this FOA:

1. The application cannot include hiring or other human capital costs;

2. Indirect costs are not allowed, except as specified in this FOA;

3. The application cannot include the cost of routine operation and maintenance of equipment;

4. Installation costs for equipment and instrumentation that are beyond the vendor’s standard installation cost are not allowed;

5. Institution-specific costs, not specific to the equipment or instrumentation, are the responsibility of the applicant. For example, if a vendor needs to meet safety and health requirements to access the campus or a facility, these costs are the responsibility of the applicant;

6. Funds are restricted to equipment for activities supporting research, teaching, and education; and

7. Upgrades to increase operational profit or support for commercial activities are not allowed.

Save the budget justification information in a single file named “FY 2023 Budget Justification (Insert

Tracking ID#).pdf.”

Vendor Quotes

Submit vendor quotes, referenced costs (catalog pricing), or other basis for estimate for any single item over $5,000. This is required even though the applicant may intend to submit the contract for open bids following the award.

Save file as “FY 2023 Vendor Quotes (Insert Tracking ID#).pdf.”

Cost Sharing

If cost sharing is proposed, applicants must have a commitment letter from each third party contributing to the cost sharing (i.e., a party other than the organization submitting the application), stating that the third party is committed to providing a specific minimum dollar amount of cost sharing.

Save file as “FY 2023 Commitment Letter (Insert Tracking ID#).pdf.”

Past, Current, and Pending Support

Identify funding that is pending or has been awarded, for similar activities related to nuclear infrastructure/curriculum within the last three years. Please identify by source and amount requested/awarded.

Save this information in a file named “FY 2023 Support (Insert Tracking ID#).pdf.”

Fiscal Year 2023 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research PART IV

Interim Conflict of Interest Policy (Required for All Applicants)

a. Policy

The DOE interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance (COI Policy) can be found at Financial Assistance Letter No. FAL 2022-02 | Department of Energy. This policy is applicable to all non-Federal entities applying for, or that receive, DOE funding by means of a financial assistance award (e.g., a grant, cooperative agreement, or technology investment agreement) and, through the implementation of this policy by the entity, to each Investigator who is planning to participate in, or is participating in, the project funded wholly or in part under the DOE financial assistance award.