FY25 Infrastructure Revitalization NOFO Part 2 - DE-NOFO-0003314 MOD 001.pdf

Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity

Part 2

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office

Fiscal Year 2025 University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003314

Application due: February 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

This is Part 2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The NOFO Part 2 is intended as a companion document to the NOFO Part 1. The NOFO Part 1 describes the specific DOE programmatic goals and evaluation criteria, eligibility, and other components that are specific to each funding opportunity.

Part 2 includes fixed DOE requirements that generally do not change from NOFO to NOFO. This document includes standard information for the application phase and describes expectations for award negotiations and post-award requirements for selected applications.

Applicants should review both the NOFO Part 1 and the NOFO Part 2 prior to applying.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Part 2 Table of Contents

I. GET REGISTERED

SAM.gov Registration Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Grants.gov Registration NEUP.gov

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Cost Sharing

1. Legal Responsibility

2. Cost Share Allocation

3. Cost Share Types and Allowability

4. Unallowable Cost Share Sources

5. Cost Share Contributions by FFRDCs

6. Cost Share Verification

7. Cost Share Calculation Examples

B. Other Eligibility Information

1. Questions Regarding Eligibility

2. Entity of Concern Prohibition

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Application Use

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Informational Webinar

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORM

A. Application Format Summary B. Application Content Requirements

1. Conflict of Interest (COI) Acknowledgement

2. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424 R&R)

3. Research & Related Other Project Information

4. Project Summary/Abstract File (use provided template on application site)

5. Project Summary Slide

6. Technical Volume File

7. Resumes for Research and Development (R&D) NOFOs

8. Senior/Key Personnel (Covered Individual)

9. Other Collaborators and Personnel

10. Current and Pending Support

11. Digital Persistent Identifier (PID)

12. Research Security Training Requirement

13. Benefit of Collaboration

14. Required Infrastructure Capabilities

15. Letters of Commitment and Support

16. Impacted Indian Tribes Documentation (if applicable)

17. Research and Related (R&R) Lead Budget Form

18. Budget Justification

19. Vendor Quotes

20. Subrecipient Budget Form

21. Subrecipient Budget Justification

22. Work Proposal for DOE FFRDC

23. Authorization for Non-DOE or DOE FFRDCs (if applicable)

24. Coordination and Management Plan

25. Lobbying Activities

26. Transparency of Foreign Connections

27. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice

28. Project/Performance Site Location(s)

D. Funding Restrictions

1. Allowable Costs

2. Pre-Award Costs

3. Performance of Work in the U.S. Requirement

4. Foreign Travel

5. Lobbying

6. Equipment and Supplies

7. Davis-Bacon Act Requirements

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Standard Evaluation and Selection Processes

1. Overview

2. Pre-Selection Clarification

3. Recipient Responsibility and Qualifications

4. Due Diligence Review for Research, Technology and Economic Security

5. Evaluation and Administration by Non-Federal Personnel

6. Selection

VII. SELECTION AND AWARD NOTICES

A. Selection Notices

1. Ineligible Submissions

2. Application Notifications

3. Applicants Selected for Award Negotiations

4. Alternate Selections

5. Applicants Not Selected for Award Negotiations

B. Post-Selection Information Requests

1. Example Information Requests

2. Entity Risk Assessment

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

4. Flood Resilience

5. Trafficking in Persons

6. Operations Workforce Continuity Plan

C. Award Notices

VIII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Award Administrative Requirements

2. Subaward and Executive Reporting

3. National Policy Requirements

4. Applicant Representations and Certifications

5. Statement of Federal Stewardship

6. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements

7. Interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance

8. Whistleblower Protections

9. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

10. Participants and Collaborating Organizations

11. Current and Pending Support

12. Prohibition Related to Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs

13. Foreign Collaboration Considerations

14. U.S. Manufacturing Commitments

15. Subject Invention Utilization Reporting

16. Intellectual Property Provisions

17. Technology Protection Plan

18. Data Management Plan

19. Conference Spending

20. Invoice Review and Approval

21. Cost Share Payment

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

23. Affirmative Action and Pay Transparency Requirements

24. Human Subjects Research

B. Reporting

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Government Right to Reject or Negotiate B. Commitment of Public Funds C. Treatment of Application Information D. Notice Regarding Eligible/Ineligible Activities E. Notice of Right to Conduct a Review of Financial Capability F. Requirement for Full and Complete Disclosure G. Retention of Submissions H. Title to Subject Inventions I. Government Rights in Subject Inventions J. Copyright K. Export Control L. Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment M. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) N. Annual Independent Audits O. Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects; Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials Produced in the U.S P. Acronyms

Section I: Get Registered

I. Get Registered

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 are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up to date. All registrations are free.

SAM.gov Registration You must have an active account with SAM.gov, the System for Award Management (SAM). This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

• What is it? SAM is a federal procurement database. All entities that want to do business with the federal government MUST be registered in SAM.

• Existing SAM registrations must be updated annually.

• Duration to complete: can take several weeks.

• Registration Link: https://sam.gov/content/home o Note: Subrecipients are not required to obtain an active SAM registration but must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier.

• HELP: https://sam.gov/content/help Applicants must allow several weeks for the SAM process to complete. All registrations rely on completion of the SAM registration. (START Early)

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

• What is it? UEI is a non-proprietary identifier that has replaced the Federal Government use of

Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number effective April 4, 2022.

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

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

• Duration to complete: can take several weeks.

• Registration Link: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

• HELP: https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp

Grants.gov Registration You must have an active Grants.gov registration to receive automatic updates when modifications to this NOFO are posted. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

• What is it? Website used to enable federal grant-making agencies to notify potential applicants of funding opportunities. Please note that letters of intent, concept papers, and applications will not be accepted through Grants.gov (see eXCHANGE information below).

• Step-by step instructions for applicants at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants

• Duration to complete: can take several days.

• Registration Link: https://grants.gov

• HELP: https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/index.htm#t=GetStarted%2FGetStarted.htm https://sam.gov/content/home https://sam.gov/content/home https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://grants.gov/ https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/index.htm#t=GetStarted%2FGetStarted.htm

Section I: Get Registered

NEUP.gov Register and create an account at www.NEUP.gov. 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.

If you have any questions about NEUP site registration, application processes, eligibility, or application document requirements contact the Innovative Nuclear Research (INR) Integration Office at 208-526- 4854 or at neup@inl.gov.

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 should be identified as specified in the application instructions. When such information is included in the application, it is furnished to the federal government in confidence, 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.

https://www.neup.gov/ https://www.neup.gov/ mailto:neup@inl.gov

Section II. Eligibility

II. Eligibility

Please refer to the NOFO Part 1, Eligibility for the eligibility criteria specific to your application. This section includes additional information to help applicants understand the standard eligibility requirements across all DOE NOFOs.

A. Cost Sharing This section contains additional information to help applicants understand federal cost sharing requirements. Please refer to the NOFO Part 1, Eligibility—Cost Sharing for the cost sharing criteria specific to your application.

1. Legal Responsibility Although the cost share requirement applies to the entire project, including work performed by members of the project team other than the recipient, the recipient is legally responsible for paying the entire cost share. The recipient’s cost share obligation is expressed in the Assistance Agreement as a static amount in U.S. dollars (cost share amount) and as a percentage of the Total Project Cost (cost share percentage). If the funding agreement is terminated prior to the end of the project period, the recipient is required to contribute at least the cost share percentage of total expenditures incurred through the date of termination.

The recipient is solely responsible for managing cost share contributions by the project team and enforcing cost share obligation assumed by project team members in subawards or related agreements.

2. Cost Share Allocation Each project team is free to determine how best to allocate the cost share requirement among the team members. The amount contributed by individual project team members may vary, as long as the cost share requirement for the entire project is met.

3. Cost Share Types and Allowability Cost share must meet requirements set forth in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.306 and 910.130, and cost principles set forth in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.400-476 and 2 C.F.R. §§ 910.352. In addition, cost share must be verifiable upon submission of the full application. Cost share may be provided in the form of cash or cash equivalents, or in-kind contributions. Cost share must come from non-federal sources (unless otherwise allowed by law), such as project participants, state or local governments, or other third-party financing. DOE Loan Guarantees cannot be leveraged by applicants to provide the required cost share or otherwise support the same scope that is proposed under a project.

Cost share may be provided by the recipient, subrecipients, or third parties (entities that do not have a role in performing the scope of work). Vendors/contractors may not provide cost share. Any partial donation of goods or services is considered a discount and is not allowable.

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

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-IX/part-910/subpart-B/section-910.130 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR1f52baf5ea70fff/section-200.400 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-IX/part-910/subpart-D/section-910.352

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

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

Funding or property received from state or local governments may be used to meet the cost share requirement, so long as the federal government did not provide the funding to the state or local government.

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

4. Unallowable Cost Share Sources The recipient and subrecipient(s) may not use the following sources to meet cost share obligations:

• Cost share derived from federal sources (unless otherwise authorized by law).

• Cost share that does not meet:

o Requirements set forth in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.306 and 910.130;

o Cost principles set forth in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.400-476 and 2 C.F.R. §§ 910.352;

o For State Energy Programs, refer to 10 C.F.R. §§ 420.

• Cost share derived from the DOE loan program.

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

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

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

• Expenditures that were reimbursed under a separate federal program.

• Cash or in-kind contributions used to meet cost share requirements for another federal project or program;

• Existing data as an in-kind contribution (e.g., data owned by an entity, that is not routinely sold commercially but is instead donated to the project and assigned a value);

• In general, deferred or avoided costs such as unrealized tax credits; or

• If applicable, other items as identified by DOE Programs and as specified in the applicable NOFO

Part 1, Eligibility—Cost Sharing.

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

5. Cost Share Contributions by FFRDCs Because FFRDCs are funded by the federal government, costs incurred by FFRDCs generally may not be used to meet the cost share requirement. FFRDCs may contribute cost share only if the contributions are paid directly from the contractor’s Management Fee or another non-federal source.

6. Cost Share Verification Applicants are required to provide written assurance of their proposed cost share contributions in their applications. If selected for award negotiations, applicants are required to provide additional information and documentation regarding their cost share contributions. Please refer to the NOFO Part 1, Eligibility—Cost Sharing for specific requirements.

7. Cost Share Calculation Examples Cost sharing is calculated as a percentage of the Total Project Cost. FFRDC costs must be included in Total Project Costs.

Example 1, Standard Cost Share Calculation The following is an example of how to calculate cost sharing amounts for a project with $1 million in federal funds with a minimum 20% non-federal cost sharing requirement:

• Formula: Federal share ($) divided by federal share (%) = Total Project Cost

Example: $1,000,000 divided by 80% = $1,250,000

• Formula: Total Project Cost ($) minus federal share ($) = Non-federal share ($) Example: $1,250,000 minus $1,000,000 = $250,000

• Formula: Non-federal share ($) divided by Total Project Cost ($) = Non-federal share (%) Example: $250,000 divided by $1,250,000 = 20%

Example 2, Blended Cost Share Calculation The following example shows the math for calculating required cost share for a project with $2 million in federal funds, with four tasks requiring different non-federal cost share percentages:

Task Proposed Federal Share

Federal Share % Recipient Share %

Task 1 (R&D) $1,000,000 80% 20% Task 2 (R&D) $500,000 80% 20% Task 3 (Demonstration) $400,000 50% 50% Task 4 (Outreach) $100,000 100% 0%

Federal share ($) divided by federal share (%) = Task Cost

Each task must be calculated individually as follows:

Task 1

• $1,000,000 divided by 80% = $1,250,000 (Task 1 Cost)

• Task 1 Cost minus federal share = non-federal share

• $1,250,000 - $1,000,000 = $250,000 (non-federal share)

Task 2

• $500,000 divided 80% = $625,000 (Task 2 Cost)

• Task 2 Cost minus federal share = non-federal share

• $625,000 - $500,000 = $125,000 (non-federal share)

Task 3

• $400,000 / 50% = $800,000 (Task 3 Cost)

• Task 3 Cost minus federal share = non-federal share

• $800,000 - $400,000 = $400,000 (non-federal share)

Task 4

• Federal share = $100,000

• Non-federal cost share is not mandated for outreach = $0 (non-federal share)

The calculation may then be completed as follows:

Tasks $ Federal Share

% Federal Share

$ Non-Federal Share

% Non-Federal Share

Total Project Cost

Task 1 $1,000,000 80% $250,000 20% $1,250,000 Task 2 $500,000 80% $125,000 20% $625,000 Task 3 $400,000 50% $400,000 50% $800,000 Task 4 $100,000 100% $0 0% $100,000 Totals $2,000,000 $775,000 $2,775,000

Blended Cost Share %

• Non-federal share ($775,000) divided by Total Project Cost ($2,775,000) = 27.9% (non-federal)

• Federal share ($2,000,000) divided by Total Project Cost ($2,775,000) = 72.1% (federal)

B. Other Eligibility Information Refer to NOFO Part 1, Eligibility—Eligible Applicants for NOFO-specific eligibility information. The information below is standard for DOE NOFOs.

1. Questions Regarding Eligibility DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to the NOFO Part 1 must be submitted. The decision to apply in response to the NOFO Part 1 lies solely with the applicant.

2. Entity of Concern Prohibition

Prohibition DOE is prohibited by law from funding any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or loan of $10 million or more in DOE funds to Entities of Concern. In addition, such entities (including an individual that owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with an Entity of Concern) are prohibited from receiving any funds or performing work under any award involving Department activities authorized under Division A or B of Public Law 117-167, subject to certain penalties. See section 10114 of Public Law 117-167 (42 USC 18912) and section 310 of Public Law 118-42 and other applicable law for additional information.

By submitting an application to this NOFO, the applicant is certifying that neither the applicant nor any of the project participants qualify as Entities of Concern.

Definitions Entity of Concern is defined as in section 10114 of Public Law 117-167 (42 USC 18912), also known as the CHIPS and Science Act, as any entity, including a national, that is—

(A) identified under section 1237(b) of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; Public Law 105–261);

(B) identified under section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (10 U.S.C. 113 note; Public Law 116– 283);

(C) on the Entity List maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce and set forth in Supplement No. 4 to part 744 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations;

(D) included in the list required by section 9(b)(3) of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–145; 134 Stat. 656); or

(E) identified by the Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence and the applicable office that would provide, or is providing, covered support, as posing an unmanageable threat—

(i) to the national security of the United States (U.S.); or

(ii) of theft or loss of U.S. intellectual property.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Application Use

Any use of artificial intelligence in the creation of any part of an application for this NOFO must be appropriately attributed. Even with the use of artificial intelligence, each applicant is responsible for and is representing to the U.S. Government that the information in its application documents is accurate, that the applicant is fully capable of performing the work described in the application, and that the submission of the application does not and will not infringe or violate any rights of any third party or entity.

Section III. Program Description

III. Program Description

Refer to NOFO Part 1, Program Description for all information related to the specific NOFO goals, objectives, and topic areas, if any.

A. Informational Webinar Refer to the NOFO Part 1, Basic Information—Key Dates to determine if DOE plans to conduct an informational webinar while the NOFO is open.

If applicable, DOE will conduct an informational webinar during the NOFO process. It will be held after the initial NOFO release but before the due date for concept papers or the application if concept papers are not required.

Attendance is not mandatory and will not positively or negatively impact the overall review of any applicant submissions. The webinar will be open to all potential applicants who wish to participate.

Applicants should refrain from asking questions or communicating information that would reveal confidential and/or proprietary information specific to their project.

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Section IV. Application Content and Form

IV. Application Content and Form

This section contains supplemental information to help applicants understand the application content and form requirements outlined in the NOFO including detailed information on the content and naming conventions of the application content. Please refer to the NOFO Part 1, Application Content and Form section for the application contents and form specific to your application.

Note that some of the required application elements below have separate requirements for Research and Development (R&D) versus non-R&D NOFOs. Refer to the NOFO Part 1, Application Content Requirements section for specific instructions.

A. Application Format Summary All submissions must conform to the form and content requirements described below. Refer to the NOFO Part 1, Application Content and Form for the page limits.

Format Requirements

Parameter Requirement

File Format Portable Document Format (PDF) unless stated otherwise

Language English

Paper Size 8.5" x 11"

Margins Not less than 1" (>= 1") on every side

Font Calibri typeface, a black font color, and a font size of 11-point or larger (except in figures or tables, which may be 10-point font). A symbol font may be used to insert Greek letters or special characters, but the font size requirement still applies.

References References must be included as footnotes or endnotes in a font size of 10 or larger. Footnotes and endnotes are counted toward the maximum page requirement.

Tracking ID Number A tracking ID number will be assigned to the application once an applicant begins the application process and saves the application.

Once saved, the tracking ID number will be generated at the bottom of the application. The tracking ID number must be included with all application documents. Specifically, the control number must be prominently displayed on the upper right corner of the header of every page and included in the file name (i.e., Tracking ID Number_Applicant Name_Application).

Page Numbers Page numbers must be included in the footer of every page.

Each submission must not exceed the specified maximum page limit, including cover page, charts, graphs, maps, and photographs when printed using the formatting requirements set forth above and single spaced.

Page Count Limitations If applicants exceed the maximum page limitations, DOE will review only the authorized number of pages and disregard any additional pages.

The following information is intended to address issues typically encountered during the application process. If you have any questions about NEUP.gov site registration, or require technical assistance, contact the Innovative Nuclear Research (INR) Integration Office at neup@inl.gov.

Additional Application Information

Deadlines for Submission

NEUP.gov is designed to enforce the deadlines specified in this NOFO. The “Save” and “Submit” buttons will automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines.

Submission Difficulties

Applicants who experience technical difficulties with submission PRIOR to the NOFO deadline should contact NEUP@inl.gov for assistance.

Application Forms To access application forms and instructions available on NEUP.gov, select the appropriate call under “My Applications.”

Size Limitations The maximum file size that can be uploaded to NEUP.gov is 100MB. Files larger than 100MB cannot be uploaded and hence cannot be submitted for review. If a file is larger than 100MB but is still within the maximum page limit specified in the NOFO, it must be broken into parts and denoted to that effect. For example: "TechnicalVolume_Part_1", "TechnicalVolume_Part_2".

DOE will not accept late submissions that resulted from technical difficulties due to uploading files that exceed 100MB.

B. Application Content Requirements The NOFO Part 1, Application Content Requirements identifies which of the following application documents are required including the program-specific requirements such as the technical volume and specified page limits. Each application must be limited to a single concept and must not exceed the stated page limits.

DOE provides detailed guidance on the content and form of each component below.

1. Conflict of Interest (COI) Acknowledgement The DOE interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance (COI Policy) can be found at https://www.energy.gov/management/department-energy-interim-conflict-interest-policy-requirements-financial-assistance. 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 on participating in, or is participating in, the project funded wholly or in part under the DOE financial assistance award. DOE’s interim COI Policy establishes mailto:neup@inl.gov https://www.energy.gov/management/department-energy-interim-conflict-interest-policy-requirements-financial-assistance https://www.energy.gov/management/department-energy-interim-conflict-interest-policy-requirements-financial-assistance standards that provide a reasonable expectation that the design, conduct, and reporting of projects funded wholly or in part under DOE financial assistance awards will be free from bias resulting from financial conflicts of interest or organizational conflicts of interest. The applicant is subject to the requirements of the interim COI Policy and within each application for financial assistance, the applicant must certify that it is or will be by the time of receiving any financial assistance award, compliant with all requirements in the interim COI Policy. The applicant must flow down the requirements of the interim COI Policy to any subrecipient non-Federal entities.

The applicant is required to disclose, manage, and report conflicts of interest as per the DOE interim COI Policy. Check the appropriate box on the application form certifying compliance with the COI Policy. If any disclosures need to be made, upload a COI document to the COI disclosure area of the application form.

Save file as: FY25 COI [Tracking ID#].pdf

2. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424 R&R)

Applicants must complete the SF-424, R&R form: Application for Federal Assistance, which is available here, and on the application site. The list of certifications and assurances can also be found on the site noted above. Complete all required fields in accordance with the instructions on the form.

Please ensure that the dates (Block 17) and dollar amounts (Block 18) on the SF-424 are for the complete project period and not just the first project year, first phase, or another subset of the project period.

Effective January 1, 2020, the System for Award Management (SAM) is the central repository for common government-wide certifications and representations required of Federal grants recipients. As registration in SAM is required for eligibility for a federal award and registration must be updated annually, Federal agencies use SAM information to comply with award requirements and avoid increased burden and costs of separate requests for such information, unless the recipient fails to meet a federal award requirement, or there is a need to make updates to their SAM registration for other purposes.

Save file as: FY25 SF424 [Tracking ID#].pdf

3. Research & Related Other Project Information Applicants shall complete items 1-6 on the R&R Other Project Information from available at NEUP.gov, and upload a completed PDF copy of the form. Items 7-12 will be completed in the application form and do not need to be completed here.

Save document as: FY25 R&R Other [Tracking ID#].pdf

4. Project Summary/Abstract File (use provided template on application site)

The two (2) 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 applicant name, names of major participants, the project title, the objectives of the project, and 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 https://neup.inl.gov/content/uploads/14/2024/07/RR_SF424_5_0-V5.0-161.pdf https://neup.inl.gov/content/uploads/14/2024/07/RR_OtherProjectInfo_1_4-V1.4-2.pdf 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. The required template can be found here.

Summary of Public Release Content

Applicant Name Provide the legal name of the applicant.

Major Participant Names List all significant project participants and their roles.

Lead Project Manager / Principal Investigator(s) Provide names and titles.

Project Title Provide the title for the planned project.

Project Objectives Identify the overarching project objectives aligned with requirements set forth in the NOFO.

Project Description The description must include methods to be employed, the potential impact of the project (e.g., benefits, outcomes).

Publicly Releasable (Unlimited Rights) This document must not include any proprietary or business-sensitive information, as DOE may make it available to the public after selections are made.

Page Limit Clarification The summary must not exceed the stated page limit when printed, using standard 8.5” x 11” paper with 1” margins (top, bottom, left, and right) with font not smaller than 12-point.

Save template as: FY25 Summary Abstract [Tracking ID#].pdf

5. Project Summary Slide

The one (1) slide project summary file must contain the following information: a graphical summary to illustrate the proposed consortium activities, a one sentence project summary, list of key project goals and a summary of the project impact. The summary slide should be a self-contained document that also clearly identifies the name of the prime applicant, the project director/principal investigator(s), the project title, partner and participating institutions, project period, and the budget request and cost-share (if applicable). 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.

https://neup.inl.gov/content/uploads/14/2024/07/Infrastructure-Abstract-Template-1.docx

Summary Slide Content Project Title Provide the title for the planned project.

Prime Applicant Provide the legal name of the applicant.

PI/LPM and Key Personnel Information Provide names and titles.

Requested DOE Funds Identify Federal funds requested for the project.

Proposed Cost Share Provide the amount of cost share contribution.

Technology Summary Describe the technology to be developed.

Technology Impact Describe the impact of the proposed technology if the project is successful.

Project Goals Identify the overarching project goals.

Key Graphics Illustrations, charts and/or tables Key Idea / Takeaway Describe the key takeaway that you would like to provide to the DOE.

Save file as: FY25 Summary Slide [Tracking ID#].pdf

6. Technical Volume File

Applicant shall provide a written narrative addressing project execution strategy. The technical volume must not exceed twenty-five (25) printed pages, including cover page, table of contents, charts, graphs, maps, photographs, references, other pictorial presentations, and must include all information in the table below, while complying with all document format instructions. The applicant should consider the weighting of each technical review criteria outlined in NOFO Part 1, Application Review Information, Technical Review Criteria when preparing the Technical Volume.

Applicants must provide sufficient citations and references to the primary research literature to justify the claims and approaches made in the Technical Volume. However, DOE and reviewers are under no obligation to review cited sources.

The Technical Volume should clearly describe and expand upon information provided in the Project Summary/Abstract File.

Technical Narrative Content Requirements

SECTION/

PAGE LIMIT

25 Page Limit

Cover Page The cover page should include the project title, the specific NOFO Topic Area being addressed (if applicable), both the technical and business points of contact (including the Administrative Officer, if applicable), names of all team member organizations, names of covered individuals and their organizations, the project location(s), and any statements regarding confidentiality.

Project Overview (Approximat ely 10% of the Technical Volume)

The Project Overview should contain the following information:

• Background: The applicant should discuss the background of its organization, including the history, successes, and current research and development status (i.e., the technical baseline) relevant to the technical topic being addressed in the Full Application.

• Project Goal: The applicant should explicitly identify the targeted improvements to the baseline technology and the critical success factors in achieving that goal.

• DOE Impact: The applicant should discuss the impact that DOE funding would have on the proposed project. Applicants should specifically explain how DOE funding, relative to prior, current, or anticipated funding from other public and private sources, is necessary to achieve the project objectives.

Technical Description, Innovation, and Impact (Approximat ely 30% of the Technical Volume)

The Technical Description should contain the following information:

• Relevance and Outcomes: The applicant should provide a detailed description of the technology or focus area, including the scientific and other principles and objectives that will be pursued during the project. This section should describe the relevance of the proposed project to the goals and objectives of the NOFO, including the potential to meet specific DOE technical targets or other relevant performance targets. The applicant should clearly specify the expected outcomes of the project.

• Feasibility: The applicant should demonstrate the technical feasibility of the proposed technology and capability of achieving the anticipated performance targets, including a description of previous work done and prior results. This section should also address the project’s access to necessary infrastructure (e.g., transportation, water, electricity transmission), including any use of existing infrastructure, as well as to a skilled workforce.

• Innovation and Impacts: The applicant should describe the current state-of-the-art in the applicable field, the specific innovation of the proposed technology or focus area, the advantages of proposed technology over current and emerging technologies, and the overall impact on advancing the state-of-the-art/technical baseline if the project is successful.

Workplan (Approximat ely 40% of the

The Workplan includes a summary of the Project Objectives, Technical Scope, Project Tasks, and Milestones. The Workplan should contain the following information:

Technical Volume)

• Project Objectives: The applicant should provide a clear and concise (high-level) statement of the goals and objectives of the project as well as the expected outcomes.

• Technical Scope Summary: The applicant should provide a summary description of the overall work scope and approach to achieve the objective(s). The applicant should describe the specific expected end result of each performance period, including milestones.

• Task Description Summary: The Workplan should provide a high-level description of tasks, milestones, and deliverables required to accomplish the final project goal(s)with a hierarchy of performance period (approximately annual), task and subtasks. The Workplan shall contain a concise description of the specific tasks to be conducted over the life of the project. The description shall be a full explanation and disclosure of the project being proposed (i.e., a statement such as “we will then complete a proprietary process” is unacceptable).

• Milestone Summary: The Workplan should provide a summary of appropriate milestones throughout the project to demonstrate success. A milestone may be either a progress measure (which can be activity based) or a SMART technical milestone. SMART milestones should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely, and must demonstrate a technical achievement rather than simply completing a task. Unless otherwise specified in the NOFO, the minimum requirement is that each project must have at least one milestone per quarter for the duration of the project with at least one SMART technical milestone per year (depending on the project, more milestones may be necessary to comprehensively demonstrate progress). The applicant should also provide the means by which the milestone will be verified.

• End of Project Goal: The Workplan should include a summary of the end of project goal(s). At a minimum, each project must have one SMART end of project goal.

• Project Schedule (Gantt Chart or similar): The applicant should provide a schedule for the entire project, including task and subtask durations, and milestones.

• Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects: The narrative must, include a short statement on whether the project will involve the construction, alteration, and/or repair of infrastructure in the U.S. Build America, Buy America | Department of Energy for applicable definitions and other information to inform this statement.

• Project Management: The applicant should discuss the team’s proposed management plan, including the following:

• The overall approach to and organization for managing the work;

• The roles of each project team member;

• Any critical handoffs/interdependencies among project team members;

• The technical and management aspects of the management plan, including systems and practices, such as financial and project management practices;

https://www.energy.gov/management/build-america-buy-america https://www.energy.gov/management/build-america-buy-america

• The approach to project risk management, including a plan for securing a qualified workforce and mitigating risks to project performance including but not limited to community or labor disputes;

• A description of how project changes will be handled;

• If applicable, the approach to Quality Assurance/Control;

• How communications will be maintained among project team members.

• Market Transformation Plan: The applicant should provide a market transformation plan, including the following:

• Identification of target market, competitors, and distribution channels for proposed technology along with known or perceived barriers to market penetration, including a mitigation plan;

• Identification of a product development and/or service plan, commercialization timeline, financing, product marketing, legal/regulatory considerations including intellectual property, infrastructure requirements, data dissemination, and product distribution.

Technical Qualificatio ns and Resources (Approximat ely 20% of the Technical Volume)

The Technical Qualifications and Resources should contain the following information:

• A description of the project team’s unique qualifications and expertise, including those of key subrecipients;

• A description of the project team’s existing equipment and facilities, or equipment or facilities already in place on the proposed project site, that will facilitate the successful completion of the proposed project; include a justification of any new equipment or facilities requested as part of the project;

• Relevant, previous work efforts, demonstrated innovations, and how these enable the applicant to achieve the project objectives;

• The time commitment of the key team members to support the project;

• A description of the technical services to be provided by DOE/NNSA FFRDCs, if applicable;

• The skills, certifications, or other credentials of the construction and ongoing operations workforce;

• For multi-organizational projects, describe succinctly:

• The roles and the work to be performed by the project covered individuals at the prime and sub levels;

• Business agreements between the applicant and sub;

• How the various efforts will be integrated and managed;

• Process for making decisions on technical direction;

• Publication arrangements;

• Intellectual property issues; and

• Communication plans.

Save file as: FY25 Technical Volume [Tracking ID#].pdf

7. Resumes for Research and Development (R&D) NOFOs A resume provides information reviewers can use to evaluate an individual’s skills, experience, and potential for leadership within the scientific community. Applicants must submit a resume or biographical sketch (see description below the table) for each Principal Investigator or Lead Project Manager, Senior/Key Personnel, and all covered individuals as defined in the NOFO Part 1, Application Content and Form—Application Content Requirements, Covered Individual Definition, Designation and Responsibility.

DOE reserves the right to not proceed with merit reviews for incomplete applications. Applicants must screen resumes to ensure that they do not contain PII such as personal addresses, personal landline/cell phone numbers, and personal emails.

Resumes must include the following information, at a minimum:

Resume Requirements (Research & Development Activities) Contact Information

Phone, email, and address

Education & Training

Provide name of institution, major/area, degree, and year for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training

Research & Professional Experience

Beginning with the current position, list professional/academic positions in chronological order with a brief description. List all current academic, professional, or institutional appointments, foreign or domestic, at the applicant institution or elsewhere, whether remuneration is received, and, whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary

Awards & Honors

List any notable awards and honors received

Publications 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. An abbreviated style such as the Physical Review Letters (PRL) convention for citations (list only the first author) may be used for publications with more than 10 authors

Synergistic Activities

List up to five professional and scholarly activities related to the proposed effort;

Additional Criteria

There should be no lapses in time over the past 10 years or since age 18, whichever period is shorter.

As an alternative to a resume, it is acceptable to use the biographical sketch format approved by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The biographical sketch format may be generated by the Science Experts Network Curriculum Vita (SciENcv), a cooperative venture maintained at SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (nih.gov) also available at Common Form for Biographical Sketch (nsf.gov). The use of a format required by another agency is intended to reduce the administrative burden to researchers by promoting the use of common formats.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/ https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/researchprotection/commonform_biographicalsketch.pdf https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/researchprotection/commonform_biographicalsketch.pdf

Save Individual Resumes as: FY25 CV [Last Name] [Tracking ID#].pdf

8. Senior/Key Personnel (Covered Individual)

Technical expertise and qualifications are to be provided for individual participants, whether the participant is receiving funding or not (including consultants or national laboratory personnel). All participants making a defined, material contribution that is critical to the success of the project must be listed as collaborators on the application. Applicants must have the full consent of all collaborators prior to submitting the application.

9. Other Collaborators and Personnel All other partners (and/or their recipient institutions) not receiving any funding over the life of the cooperative agreement should be listed (including all international collaborators). If international partners are providing funding, please indicate the amount in US currency.

10. Current and Pending Support Current and pending support is intended to allow the identification of potential duplication, overcommitment, potential conflicts of interest or commitment, and all other sources of support. As part of the application, the Principal Investigator or Lead Project Manager and all covered individuals as defined in the NOFO Part 1, Application Content Requirements—Covered Individual Definition, Designation, and Responsibility at the applicant and subrecipient level must provide a list of all sponsored activities, awards, and appointments, whether paid or unpaid; provided as a gift with terms or conditions or provided as a gift without terms or conditions; full-time, part-time, or voluntary; faculty, visiting, adjunct, or honorary; cash or in-kind; foreign or domestic; governmental or private-sector;

directly supporting the individual’s research or indirectly supporting the individual by supporting students, research staff, space, equipment, or other research expenses.