NOFOAFRLAFOSR20250003 Questions and Answers 05 FEB 2025.pdf

It mentions that it should involve a team of 5-7 researchers. Can they be in several institutions? If so, is it expected that one should have most members of the team belong to a single institution?

The uCoEs can have researchers from different institutions, but this is not a requirement.

Additionally, there does not need to be 5-7 institutions for 5-7 researchers.

I am writing to inquire about whether an independent research institute with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, is eligible to apply for the new Center of Excellence on Compositional Optimization, Dynamical Systems and Control (CODAC).

Per page 17 of the NOFO, nonprofit institutions dedicated to improving science, mathematics and engineering education are eligible. If that is true for your institution (as well as any other eligibility requirements in the NOFO), then you may apply.

I am reaching out to inquire if it is possible to know who the PM for this call is.

The PM was not specified in the NOFO as there should be no direct contact with the PM. This would be a violation of the acquisition process for this opportunity.

Should the white paper include any budgetary and biographical information, and in case, does it count toward the four pages?

Should the white paper include references, and in case, do they count toward the four pages.

The white paper should not include any budget information. Biographical information and references should be included with the white paper but will not count toward the page count.

Please see pages 27-28 of the NOFO for white paper requirements and ensure that the white papers reflect the evaluation criteria.

I see "proposing university" or something akin to this in several places in the CODAC announcement. Are you looking for single university teams, i.e. in the sense that all investigators and other personal or co-located at the same university? Or, can a university have a sub-contract with other universities, etc? I do see "team of universities" as well, but I want to make sure before I start contacting my colleagues across the country. Furthermore, if preference is given one way or another, vis a vis number of universities, this information would be greatly appreciated.

The uCoEs can have researchers from different institutions, but this is not a requirement.

Additionally, there does not need to be 5-7 institutions for 5-7 researchers. Subcontracting will be determined by the primary university. Researchers from multiple disciplines may be necessary to meet the needs of the uCoE, and offerors should explain why team members will be part of the team.

Is this a call for individual white paper pre-proposals of the type of individual research grants that support many of us in the systems and control community? Or is it a call for group or center proposals?

Per page 18 of the NOFO, individuals are ineligible to apply. Per page 17, you are eligible to submit an application if you are a qualified and responsible educational institution in the United States.

Educational institution means a local educational agency, college, university, or any other nonprofit institution dedicated to improving science, mathematics, and engineering education. The uCoEs can have researchers from different institutions, but this is not a requirement. There does not need to be 5-7 institutions for 5-7 researchers.

NOFO Questions and Answers

NOFOAFRLAFOSR20250003

Updated 05 FEB 2025

Sheet1