IRA 50123 Competitive FOA_11.15.24_FINAL_MOD0003.pdf

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i

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Office of State and Community Energy Programs

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022: State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Competitive Grant

Program Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0003316

FOA Type: Mod 0003 Assistance Listing Number: 81.041

FOA Issue Date: 03/28/2024 Informational Webinar: 04/04/2024

3:00pm ET

Submission Deadline for Letter of Intent: 11/15/2024 5:00 p.m. ET

Submission Deadline for Full Applications: 01/15/2025 5:00 p.m. ET

Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications: 04/25/2025 Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: 04/28/2025 –

6/30/2025

• Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by 5 p.m. ET on the due date listed above to be eligible to submit a Full Application.

• To apply to this FOA, applicants must register with and submit application materials through Infrastructure eXCHANGE at https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov, the online application portal for the DOE Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP).

• Applicants must designate primary and backup points-of-contact in Infrastructure eXCHANGE with whom SCEP will communicate to conduct award negotiations. If an application is selected for award negotiations, it is not a commitment to issue an award. It is imperative that the applicant/selectee be responsive during award negotiations and meet negotiation deadlines.

Failure to do so may result in cancellation of further award negotiations and rescission of the selection.

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• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) - Each applicant (unless the applicant is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110) is required to:

(1) register in the SAM at https://www.sam.gov before submitting an application; (2) provide a valid UEI number in the application; and (3) maintain an active SAM registration with current information when the applicant has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DOE is ready to make a federal award, DOE will determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

NOTE: Due to the high number of UEI requests and SAM registrations, entity legal business name and address validations are taking longer than expected to process. Entities should start the UEI and SAM registration process as soon as possible. If entities have technical difficulties with the UEI validation or SAM registration process, they should use the HELP feature on SAM.gov. SAM.gov will address service tickets in the order in which they are received and asks that entities not create multiple service tickets for the same request or technical issue.

Additional entity validation resources can be found here: GSAFSD Tier 0 Knowledge Base - Validating your Entity.

Modifications All modifications to the FOA are HIGHLIGHTED in the body of the FOA.

Modification Number Date Description of Modifications 0001 5/8/2024 1. Extend the Letter of Intent submission deadline on FOA page 1;

2. Revise the Letter of Intent submission process in FOA Section V.C; and

3. Increase the Resume page limit in FOA Section

V.D.iii.

0002 06/24/2024 1 Extend the Letter of Intent submission deadline on FOA page 1.

2 Extend the Full Application submission deadline on FOA page 1.

3 Update the Expected Date for DOE Selection

Notifications on FOA page 1.

4 Update the Expected Timeframe for Award

Negotiations on FOA page 1.

5 Lower the Statement of Work page limit from

75 pages to 60 pages Reduce the Statement of Work (SOP) page limit from 75 ages to 60, as shown in FOA Section V.D.ii., to align with the table in that section.

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0003 11/15/2024 1. Update sections I., V.D.i., and VII.B.xvii, Current and Pending Support document is a requirement of the full application.

2. Update percentages in section V.D.ii of the Statement of Work.

Contents

I. OVERVIEW OF KEY INFORMATION

II. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

B. PROGRAM PURPOSE

C. PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND STRATEGIC GOALS

D. TEAMING PARTNER LIST (OPTIONAL)

E. TOPIC AREAS

i. Topic Area One: Training Small Contractor Firms

ii. Topic Area Two: Innovative, Effective, and Equitable Workforce Development Programs

F. APPLICATIONS SPECIFICALLY NOT OF INTEREST

G. COMMUNITY BENEFITS PLAN: JOB QUALITY AND EQUITY

H. STATUTES

III. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD OVERVIEW

i. Estimated Funding

ii. Period of Performance

iii. New Applications Only

B. DOE FUNDING AGREEMENTS

i. Grants

IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

i. Eligible Applicants

ii. Domestic Entities

B. COST SHARING

i. Legal Responsibility

ii. Cost Share Allocation

iii. Cost Share Types and Allowability

iv. Cost Share Verification

v. Cost Share Payment

C. COMPLIANCE CRITERIA

D. RESPONSIVENESS CRITERIA

E. LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF FULL APPLICATIONS ELIGIBLE FOR REVIEW

F. QUESTIONS REGARDING ELIGIBILITY

V. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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A. APPLICATION PROCESS

i. Additional Information on Infrastructure eXCHANGE

B. APPLICATION FORMS

C. CONTENT AND FORM OF THE LETTER OF INTENT

D. CONTENT AND FORM OF THE FULL APPLICATION

i. Full Application Content Requirements

ii. Statement of Work

iii. Resumes

iv. Letters of Commitment

v. Community Partnership Documentation

vi. Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO)

vii. SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance

viii. Budget Justification Workbook

ix. Summary for Public Release

x. Summary Slide

xi. Subrecipient Budget Justification (if applicable)

xii. SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (required)

xiii. Open-Source Software Distribution Plan

xiv. Community Benefits Plan: Job Quality and Equity

xv. Community Benefits Plan Budget Justification

xvi. Locations of Work

xvii. Transparency of Foreign Connections

xviii. Potentially Duplicative Funding Notice

E. POST SELECTION INFORMATION REQUESTS

F. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)

G. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

H. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

I. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

i. Allowable Costs

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

iii. Foreign Travel

iv. Equipment and Supplies

v. Build America Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects

vi. Lobbying

vii. Risk Assessment

viii. Invoice Review and Approval

ix. Prohibition Related to Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Programs

x. Affirmative Action and Pay Transparency Requirements

xi. Foreign Collaboration Considerations

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. TECHNICAL REVIEW CRITERIA

i. Full Applications

B. STANDARDS FOR APPLICATION EVALUATION

C. OTHER SELECTION FACTORS

i. Program Policy Factors

D. EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

i. Overview

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ii. Recipient Responsibility and Qualifications

iii. Selection

E. ANTICIPATED NOTICE OF SELECTION AND AWARD NEGOTIATION DATES

VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

i. Ineligible Submissions

ii. Full Application Notifications

iii. Applicants Selected for Award Negotiations

iv. Alternate Selection Determinations

v. Unsuccessful Applicants

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

i. Registration Requirements

ii. Award Administrative Requirements

iii. Foreign National Participation

iv. Subaward and Executive Reporting

v. National Policy Requirements

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

vii. National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

viii. Flood Resilience

ix. Applicant Representations and Certifications

x. Statement of Federal Stewardship

xi. Reporting

xii. Conference Spending

xiii. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statements

xiv. Real Property and Equipment

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

xvi. Participants and Collaborating Organizations

xvii. Current and Pending Support

xviii. Interim Conflict of Interest Policy for Financial Assistance

xix. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

C. QUESTIONS/AGENCY CONTACTS

D. OTHER INFORMATION

i. FOA Modifications

ii. Government Right to Reject or Negotiate

iii. Commitment of Public Funds

iv. Treatment of Application Information

v. Evaluation and Administration by Non-Federal Personnel

vi. Notice Regarding Eligible/Ineligible Activities

vii. Notice of Right to Conduct a Review of Financial Capability

viii. Requirement for Full and Complete Disclosure

ix. Retention of Submissions

x. Title to Subject Inventions

xi. Government Rights in Subject Inventions

xii. Rights in Technical Data

xiii. Copyright

xiv. Export Control

xv. Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

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xvi. Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

xvii. Annual Independent Audits

xviii. Informational Webinar (Optional)

xix. Expenditure Prohibitions and Limitations

APPENDIX A – COST SHARE INFORMATION

APPENDIX B – SAMPLE COST SHARE CALCULATION FOR BLENDED COST SHARE PERCENTAGE

APPENDIX C – REQUIRED USE OF AMERICAN IRON, STEEL, MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS, AND CONSTRUCTION

MATERIALS BUY AMERICA REQUIREMENTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

APPENDIX D - JUSTICE40 INITIATIVE PLAN

APPENDIX E – OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE

APPENDIX F – LIST OF ACRONYMS

APPENDIX G - ORGANIZATION OVERVIEWS

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I. Overview of Key Information

Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Program Overview: The State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants competitive program will provide Grant funding to States for the purpose of training, testing, and certifying residential energy contractors.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Section 50123 established the State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants, hereafter referred to as Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC).1 This program seeks to accomplish three goals: (1) reduce the cost of training contractor employees by providing workforce development tools for contractors, their employees, and individuals including, but not limited to, subsidizing available training, testing certifications, and licenses for high-quality jobs; (2) provide testing and certifications of contractors trained and educated to install home energy efficiency and electrification technologies and deliver residential energy efficiency and electrification improvements; and (3) fund states to partner with nonprofit organizations to develop and implement a State sponsored workforce program that attracts and trains a diverse set of local workers to deliver the influx of new federally-funded energy efficiency and electrification programs—including the IRA-funded Home Efficiency Rebates Program, Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (Home Energy Rebates Programs)2; and Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit.3

Eligible Applicants: In accordance with the IRA Section 50123, funding is only available to States, the District of Columbia, and a United States Insular Area (as that term is defined in section 50211 of the IRA).4 These eligible entities are referred to throughout this FOA as “States”. No other entity types may be considered for this funding. In accordance with 2 CFR Part 910.126 and DOE Program Rule 10 CFR Part 420, eligibility for these awards is restricted to State Energy Offices.

Funding Overview: The IRA appropriated $200 million for State Energy Offices to develop and implement a program to train, test, and certify residential energy contractors through section 50123(a).

For this competitive program, DOE is making up to $40 million in TREC funds available to states to complement the previously announced TREC formula funding.5 DOE may issue one, multiple, or no awards under this FOA. Individual awards may vary between $250,000 and $5,000,000. DOE expects to

1 42 U.S.C. 18795b(b)(1)-(3).

2 42 U.S.C. 18795, 42 U.S.C. 18795.

3 Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) (https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit).

4 As referenced in IRA section 50111, section 50211 defines a United States Insular Area to mean American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.

5 In July 2023, DOE announced the first round of TREC funds through a formula to states as part of an administrative and legal requirements document (ALRD): ALRD for State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor.

Training Grants Program | U.S. Department of Energy (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/ira- 50123-alrd-contractor-training-program_modification.pdf).

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Email InfrastructureEXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov make awards over $2 million only in exceptional cases. DOE anticipates making approximately ten (10) to thirty (30) awards under this FOA. DOE reserves the right to determine the final award amount of selected eligible States.

Cost Matching: Cost match is not required for these awards. DOE encourages States to consider how they could leverage philanthropic and private sector funding to advance their goals and amplify the impact of the IRA funding. If cost match is proposed, it must be included in the budget and budget narrative. All sources of cost match are considered part of total project costs, and the cost match dollars will receive oversight under the same Federal regulations as Federal dollars. DOE may consider proposed cost share as a program policy factor in determining which Full Applications to select for award negotiations, as described in Section VI.C.i. Appendix A contains additional information on cost share.

Period of Performance: The expected Period of Performance is 48 months and includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities. DOE will consider applications that contain justification for a period of performance longer or shorter than 48 months.

Application Components: Eligible applicants seeking a Grant through this program must submit a proposed training curriculum for TREC participants and contractor firms; plans to connect TREC participants and contractor firms with opportunities to deliver the Home Energy Rebates Programs and audit tax credits; identify the certification(s) that those participants and contractor firms will receive on completion of that training program; describe the expected per-individual cost of training; submit a plan for connecting participants and contractor firms with employment and project opportunities; and include any additional information required by this FOA.

The application consists of the following requirement documents, as detailed in FOA Section VI:

Application Requirements FOA Section Reference

Statement of Work Content Requirements

• Cover Page

• Project Overview

• TREC Project Plan

• Statement of Project Objectives, Activities, and Workplan

• Technical Qualifications and Resources

• Sustainability Plan

• Community Benefits Plan and Community Benefits Plan Budget

Justification

Section V.D.ii.

Budget Forms Standard Form-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) Section V.D.vii Budget Justification Workbook Section V.D.viii.

Summary Assets Summary/Abstract for Public Release Section V.D.ix.

Summary Slide Section V.D.x.

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Other Forms Certifications regarding Lobbying (SF-LLL Disclosure Form to report lobbying) NEPA Statements of Work (SOWs)

Section V.D.xii.

Current and Pending Support Section VII.B.xvii

Questions/Agency Contacts:

Questions relating to the Infrastructure eXCHANGE website should be directed to InfrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov.

Interested applicants should reach out to the SCEP Workforce Development Team with any FOA-specific questions: TRECgrants@hq.doe.gov.

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II. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background and Context The Office of State and Community Energy Programs is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Awards made under this FOA will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act.6

On August 16, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law, making the single largest investment in addressing climate change through clean energy technologies. The IRA is a historic $369 billion investment that will modernize the American energy system. The DOE estimates that this law will help lower economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 2005 levels by 2030.

The IRA will fund incentives that lower emissions in the power sector, industrial facilities, buildings, and transportation. These programs will also offer workforce development for high-quality jobs; lower energy costs for homes and businesses; invest in energy communities that host(ed) fossil energy infrastructure; and support domestic manufacturing of clean energy technologies.7

The IRA appropriated $200 million for State Energy Offices to develop and implement a program to train, test, and certify residential energy contractors. The State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants, hereafter referred to as Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC), will prepare a qualified and diverse energy efficiency workforce to deliver billions of dollars in local, utility, state, and federally funded incentives, such as the Home Efficiency Rebates Program, Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (Home Energy Rebates Programs)8; and Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit. Trained contractors will help residents upgrade or repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; improve building envelopes; electrify appliances; and install other energy-saving technologies. TREC-funded education and training programs will equip contractors, and their employees, with industry recognized certifications and the soft skills necessary to bring these technologies to all community members. These home energy upgrades will lower utility bills and increase home comfort for families across the United States. TREC-trained participants and contractor firms will deliver energy efficiency and electrification measures that cut emissions and decarbonize the residential building sector.

B. Program Purpose SCEP provides funding and technical assistance to states, local, and Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community partners. SCEP supports place-based clean energy projects that create jobs, catalyze local economic development, reduce energy costs, and avoid pollution.9 SCEP is issuing this FOA to support clean energy workforce development programs. This IRA funding opportunity will support States in this effort with funding available through September 20, 2031.

6 Inflation Reduction Act, Public Law 117-169 (August 16, 2022) (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text).

7 Inflation Reduction Act Factsheet | Department of Energy (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022- 08/8.18%20InflationReductionAct_Factsheet_Final.pdf).

8 42 U.S.C. 18795, 42 U.S.C. 18795.

9 SCEP at a Glance: Saving Energy and Money for American Homes, Communities, Businesses and Industries (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/SCEP-Overview-Fact-Sheet-FY23_0.pdf).

mailto:TRECgrants@hq.doe.gov mailto:InfrastructureEXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/8.18%20InflationReductionAct_Factsheet_Final.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/8.18%20InflationReductionAct_Factsheet_Final.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/8.18%20InflationReductionAct_Factsheet_Final.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/SCEP-Overview-Fact-Sheet-FY23_0.pdf

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Specifically, this provision funds States to:

1. Reduce the cost for contractors to acquire requisite skills by subsidizing available training, testing and certifications and developing training tools that contractors, their employees, and new entrants can access. Funding may be used to compensate contractors for the time required to take training and testing, as well as for the cost of the training, testing, certifications, and licenses for high-quality jobs.10

2. Provide testing and certifications for contractors trained and educated to install home energy efficiency and electrification technologies and deliver residential energy efficiency and electrification improvements.

3. Partner with nonprofit organizations to develop and implement a State sponsored workforce program that attracts and trains a diverse set of local participants to deliver the influx of new federally-funded energy efficiency and electrification programs—including the IRA-funded Home Energy Rebates Programs.11

For this competitive program, DOE is making up to $40 million in TREC funds available to states to complement the previously announced TREC formula funding.12 This competitive FOA for up to $40 million is designed to complement the $150 million in TREC formula funds that DOE announced on July 17, 2023, through an administrative and legal requirements document.13 These funds are intended to help states build a workforce qualified to scale delivery of energy efficiency and electrification upgrades, associated with the $8.8 billion IRA Home Energy Rebates Programs. Potential activities under the IRA 50123 FOA that support the Home Energy Rebates Programs could include, but are not limited to:14

• Training contractors to meet qualifications and certification requirements to join a state qualified contractor list.

• Training contractors how to use a state- or federally issued tool15 for contractors to identify disadvantaged communities in order to target their outreach to these communities.

• Training contractors how to conduct home energy assessments, including how to determine heating and cooling needs under the Home Efficiency Rebate Programs.

10 As defined by the Department of Labor’s Good Jobs Principles: Good Jobs Principles | dol.gov (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/goodjobs/Good-Jobs-Summit-Principles-Factsheet.pdf).

11 42 U.S.C. 18795, 42 U.S.C. 18795.

12 In July 2023, DOE announced the first round of TREC funds through a formula to states as part of an administrative and legal requirements document (ALRD). ALRD for State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants Program | U.S. Department of Energy (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/ira- 50123-alrd-contractor-training-program_modification.pdf).

13 ALRD for State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants Program - Modified 10/6/2023 (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/IRA-50123-ALRD_published-modification_10-12-23.pdf).

14 The Home Efficiency Rebate Program Sample Application Responses and Guidance contains many of these ideas, among others, for coordinating Home Efficiency Rebate Program delivery with contractor training activities. Home Efficiency Rebates Program: Sample Application Responses and Guidance (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/50121 Sample Application Responses Revised.pdf).

15 DOE recognizes as disadvantaged those census tracts identified by the White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) (https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov) and Federally Recognized Tribes and Tribal entities mailto:TRECgrants@hq.doe.gov mailto:InfrastructureEXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/goodjobs/Good-Jobs-Summit-Principles-Factsheet.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/ira-50123-alrd-contractor-training-program_modification.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/ira-50123-alrd-contractor-training-program_modification.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/IRA-50123-ALRD_published-modification_10-12-23.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/50121%20Sample%20Application%20Responses%20Revised.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/50121%20Sample%20Application%20Responses%20Revised.pdf https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/50121%20Sample%20Application%20Responses%20Revised.pdf https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/ https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/

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• Training contractors about the relationship between a building’s envelope and heating and cooling systems, including how the sequencing of different improvements can impact the overall home.

• Training contractors, auditors, or others to become Home Energy Score Assessors and provide certificates to homeowners as required by the Home Efficiency Rebates Program.16,17

• Training contractors to understand invoicing requirements for the Home Energy Rebates Programs.

• Training contractors on Home Energy Rebates Programs’ Quality Assurance and Quality Control requirements and protocols.

• Training contractors to use diagnostics during assessments (to help identify appropriate improvements) as well as while completing retrofits (to ensure proper installation).

• Integrating employment placement for certified contractors to deploy the rebates program.

C. Program Overview and Strategic Goals This FOA seeks applications to prepare energy contractors to install energy efficiency and electrification technologies in homes. Detailed technical descriptions of the specific Topic Areas are provided in the sections that follow.

This FOA seeks applications to address skills and labor shortages by focusing on the following goals:

1. Train small contractors and their employees to effectively deliver the Home Energy Rebates Programs.

2. Reduce barriers to trainings and certifications for those in rural and underserved communities.

3. Support State Energy Office partnerships with non-profits to design and implement community-focused workforce development program models.

4. Implement innovative, replicable workforce development program models for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades.

5. Provide training for contractor firms that offer high-quality jobs with family-sustaining wages, benefits, and career pathways with opportunities for worker advancement.

DOE will use TREC competitive funds to increase access to energy efficiency opportunities for underrepresented workers and businesses. The energy efficiency workforce is disproportionately male, comprising of 73% men compared to 53% in the national workforce. Compared to the overall energy sector, the energy efficiency workforce has lower proportions of workers of two or more races (4% compared to 5%), Asian workers (6% compared to 7%), and Hispanic or Latino workers (17% compared to 18%). The energy efficiency workforce also has a lower portion of Black or African American workers than the national workforce, but the same as the overall energy workforce (9% compared to 13%). In no energy sub-sector are Black and African American workers represented proportionally to their representation in the overall U.S. workforce. Slightly more workers request accommodation for a

16 Home Energy Score | Department of Energy (https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/home-energy-score).

17 42 U.S.C. 18795.

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Email InfrastructureEXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov disability in energy efficiency than in the overall energy workforce (3% compared to 2%), underscoring the importance of offering such accommodations to energy efficiency workers with disabilities.18 As part of the whole-of-government approach to advance equity and encourage worker organizing and collective bargaining,19,20,21 and in alignment with IRA Section 50123, this FOA and any related activities seek to encourage meaningful engagement and participation of workforce organizations, including labor unions, as well as underserved communities and underrepresented groups, including Indian Tribes.22

Consistent with Executive Order 14008,23 this FOA is designed to help meet the goal that 40% of the benefits of the Administration’s investments in clean energy and climate solutions be delivered to disadvantaged communities, as defined by the Department24 pursuant to the Executive Order, and to drive creation of accessible, good-paying jobs with the free and fair chance for workers to join a union.

DOE encourages States to partner with nonprofit organizations to develop and implement TREC programs. Doing so can help States leverage and support nonprofit’s expertise in order to deliver innovative, effective, and equitable training programs. Potential activities under the IRA 50123 FOA that support State partnerships with nonprofit organizations could include, but are not limited to:

• Designing and implementing TREC programs.

• Recruiting small contractor firm engagement in TREC programs.

• Mapping out how residential energy efficiency work in a state can fit into a career pathway with employer-validated credentials and relevant trainings in the state.

• Assessing job quality in residential energy efficiency jobs in order to place trainees with employers that offer high-quality jobs.

• Identifying underserved community members to recruit into TREC programs.

• Identifying existing and/or developing new retention initiatives, like wraparound services, support services, professional development resources, incentives, stipends, participant wages, etc.

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

18 These data reflect 2022 workforce demographics. 2023 U.S. Energy Employment Report | Department of Energy (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/2023%20USEER%20REPORT-v2.pdf).

19 EO 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” January 20, 2021.

20 EO 14025, “Worker Organizing and Empowerment,” April 26, 2021.

21 EO 14052, “Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” November 18, 2021.

22 EO 13175, November 6, 2000, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,” charges all executive departments and agencies with engaging in regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with tribal officials in the development of federal policies that have tribal implications.

23 EO 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,” January 27, 2021.

24 DOE recognizes as disadvantaged those census tracts identified by the White House Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) (https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov).

mailto:TRECgrants@hq.doe.gov mailto:InfrastructureEXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/2023%20USEER%20REPORT-v2.pdf https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/

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

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

To join the Teaming Partner List for this FOA, submit a request within eXCHANGE and submit the following information:

1. Organization Name;

2. Organization Type;

3. General Business Email Address (that does not include an individual’s name to protect again

Personal Identifiable Information (PII)specifically used for this Teaming Partners List);

4. Area of Technical Expertise;

5. Brief Description of Capabilities; and

6. Area of Interest (including interest in Topic Area One and/or Topic Area Two above).

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

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

E. Topic Areas This FOA includes two topic areas: 1) Training Small Contractor Firms and 2) Innovative, Effective, and Equitable Workforce Development Programs. Applicants must submit one application for one topic area through this FOA.

i. Topic Area One: Training Small Contractor Firms State Energy Offices may use funding to train and certify small contractor firms and their employees to deliver energy efficiency and electrification improvements. DOE will fund States to support existing small contractor firms through training and certifications so that the contractor firm employees can deliver energy efficiency and electrification improvements eligible for rebates under the Home Efficiency Rebates Program or the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program.25

Potential program activities could include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting socially-disadvantaged contractors to scale and enter a new market.26

25 42 U.S.C. 18795; 42 U.S.C. 18795a.

26 For more information regarding socially-disadvantaged businesses, please see the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website: Updates on the 8(a) Business Development program | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov) (https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program/updates-8a-business-development-program).

mailto:TRECgrants@hq.doe.gov mailto:InfrastructureEXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program/updates-8a-business-development-program https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program/updates-8a-business-development-program

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• Supporting underrepresented workers.

• Supplementing the cost for participants and contractor firms through payment for training;

scholarships to participants and contractor firms; and/or stipends for their participation.

• Providing testing and certification of participants and contractor firms to deliver home improvements and rebates.

• Engaging with nonprofit organizations to recruit small contractor firm engagement.

• Engaging non-traditional contracting firms (e.g., remodelers, siding companies) to encourage effective integration of the residential rebates in their projects.

• Training contractors on marketing and sales, including around financial analysis and payback times, so they can better understand and describe the benefits of energy efficiency and electrification technologies for consumers.

• Training contractors how to conduct home energy assessments, including how to determine heating and cooling needs under the Home Efficiency Rebates Programs.

• Training contractors about the relationship between a building’s envelope and heating and cooling systems, including how the sequencing of different improvements can impact the overall home.

• Training contractors, auditors, or others to become Home Energy Score Assessors and provide certificates to homeowners as required by the Home Efficiency Rebates Program.

• Training contractors to use diagnostics during assessments (to help identify appropriate improvements) as well as while completing retrofits (to ensure proper installation).

• Pursuing any of the activities related to the Home Energy Rebates Programs listed in Section II.B.

ii. Topic Area Two: Innovative, Effective, and Equitable Workforce Development Programs

State Energy Offices may use funding to implement innovative, effective, and equitable workforce development program models that deliver contractor training program curriculum.27 States can collaborate with nonprofit organizations to design/enhance and implement workforce development, training, certification, and employment programs that train, test, and certify underrepresented populations, new entrants to the workforce, youth ages 17-25, incumbent workers, displaced workers, and contractors to conduct home energy efficiency and electrification improvements under the Home Energy Rebates Programs.

Potential program activities could include, but are not limited to:

• Offering, or working with already existing, quality pre-apprenticeship28 with preferential entry to registered apprenticeship, and/or registered apprenticeship programs.

27 Effective workforce development program models lead to high-quality jobs with opportunities for career mobility potential, or to career advancement for existing workers.

28 The Department of Labor has identified the elements of a quality pre-apprenticeship program that can place individuals on potential career pathways to employability through a registered apprenticeship program. Explore Pre-Apprenticeship | Apprenticeship.gov (https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/explore-pre-apprenticeship) mailto:TRECgrants@hq.doe.gov mailto:InfrastructureEXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/home-energy-score https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/explore-pre-apprenticeship https://www.apprenticeship.gov/employers/explore-pre-apprenticeship

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• Implementing rural workforce development strategies to provide accessible training for residents in rural communities (e.g., mobile training centers, virtual training programs, working with local governments and/or Tribes, etc.).

• Collaborating with high schools and/or nonprofit organizations to integrate green building training and certification into career and technical education programs that lead to energy efficiency certifications.

• Supporting the goals of American Climate Corps by implementing workforce development that serves youth populations and provides participants with paid skills-based training; prepares participants to enter into a Registered Apprenticeship program (e.g. an apprenticeship readiness program with preferential or direct entry into a Registered Apprenticeship program that can meet the demand for new apprentices); and prepares participants to obtain a private or public-sector job in the field of residential energy efficiency and electrification.29

• Collaboration with Indian Tribes on training and workforce development.

All work for projects selected under this FOA must be performed in the United States. See Section V.I.ii.

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

• Applications that fall outside the technical parameters specified in sections II.A. and II.B. of the

FOA.

• Applications from entities that are not state energy offices.

• Applications that do not present plans to train residential energy contractors.

G. Community Benefits Plan: Job Quality and Equity To support the goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy, IRA-funded projects are expected to:

1. support meaningful community and labor engagement;

2. invest in America’s workforce through quality jobs;

3. advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); and

29 The American Climate Corps (ACC) is a cross-agency federal initiative to prepare and connect young people to high-quality, in-demand jobs in the clean energy, climate resilience and conservation economy. For applicants focusing on high-quality, youth-serving training models, applicants may opt in to be considered for formal program designation. ACC-designated programs will receive additional program publicity and support to source qualified program applicants. All ACC programs must meet the following core requirements: (1) provide youth (no formal age limit) with paid skills-based training; (2) do one of the following: A. prepare participants to enter into a Registered Apprenticeship program (e.g. an apprenticeship readiness program with preferential or direct entry into a Registered Apprenticeship program that can meet the demand for new apprentices) and/or B. prepare participants to obtain a private or public-sector job in the clean energy, climate resilience and conservation economy; (3) be willing to provide website and/or contact information for ACC to share with Corps members so that they can learn about the training or service program; and (4) agree to consider Corps members as candidates for participation, as appropriate. American Climate Corps | The White House ((https://www.whitehouse.gov/climatecorps/).

mailto:TRECgrants@hq.doe.gov https://www.whitehouse.gov/climatecorps/

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4. contribute to the President’s goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities (the Justice40 Initiative).30

To ensure these goals are met, applications must include a Community Benefits Plan that describes how the proposed project would incorporate the four objectives stated above.

Applicants are encouraged to submit Community and Labor Partnership Documentation from established labor and community-based organizations that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to achieve the above goals as outlined in the Community Benefits Plan. Within the Community Benefits Plan, the applicant is encouraged to provide details on how to ensure the delivery of measurable community and jobs benefits, ideally using negotiated agreements between the applicant and the community, and/or the applicant and labor unions referred to collectively here as “Workforce and Community Agreements.” These include good neighbor agreements, community benefits agreements, community workforce agreements, project labor agreements, and other collective bargaining agreements. See Section V.D.xiv. for the Community Benefits Plan content requirements.

H. Statutes The programmatic authorizing statute is IRA Section 50123 (codified at 42 U.S.C. § 18795b).

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

30 The Justice40 Initiative, established by E.O. 14008, sets a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities. Consistent with E.O. 14008 and Justice40 interim implementation guidance, M-23-09, DOE recognizes defined disadvantaged communities as the census tracts defined and identified by the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), and all Federally Recognized Tribes and Tribal entities mailto:TRECgrants@hq.doe.gov mailto:InfrastructureEXCHANGESupport@hq.doe.gov https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf

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III. Award Information

A. Award Overview

i. Estimated Funding DOE expects to make a total of up to $40,000,000 of federal funding available for new awards under this FOA, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. DOE anticipates making approximately ten (10) to thirty (30) awards under this FOA. DOE may issue one, multiple, or no awards. Individual awards may vary between $250,000 and $5,000,000 (with the target range of $2,000,000).

DOE may issue awards in one, multiple, or none of the following topic areas:

Topic Area

Number Topic Area Title

Anticipated Number of

Awards

Anticipated Minimum Award Size for Any One Individual Award

(Fed Share)

Anticipated Maximum Award Size for Any One

Individual Award* (Fed Share)

Anticipated Period of

Performance (months)

1 Training Small Contractor Firms

0-15 $250,000 $5,000,000 48 Months

2 Innovative, Effective, and Equitable Workforce Development Programs

0-15 $250,000 $5,000,000 48 Months

*DOE reserves the right to determine the final award amount.

ii. Period of Performance Awards will run a maximum of forty-eight (48) months in length and will consist of one or more budget periods ending no later than December 2029.

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

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

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iv. Grants DOE has the authority to provide financial support to prime recipients through Grants. DOE anticipates funding these projects through Grants, as appropriate.

IV. Eligibility Information

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

A. Eligible Applicants

i. Eligible Applicants In accordance with the IRA Section 50123, funding is only available to States, the District of Columbia, and a United States Insular Area (as that term is defined in Section 50211 of the IRA).31 These eligible entities are referred to throughout this FOA as “States”. No other entity types may be considered for this funding. In accordance with 2 CFR Part 910.126 and DOE Program Rule 10 CFR Part 420, eligibility for these awards is restricted to State Energy Offices.

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

1. Institutions of higher education;

2. For-profit entities;

3. Nonprofit entities; and

4. State and local governmental entities and Indian tribes.

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

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

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

31 As referenced in IRA Section 50111, Section 50211 defines a United States Insular Area to mean American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.

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

Entities banned from doing business with the U.S. government, such as entities debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded…