Questions and Answers for FOA # DE-NE0003487( 02-27-2025).pdf

Questions and Answers for DE-FOA 0003487 Date

Question received

Date Answer Posted

Question Answer

12/23/2024 12/30/2024

Question #1

“The following types of applications will be deemed nonresponsive and will not be reviewed or considered (Please also refer to the Responsiveness Review section below):

• Applications that fall outside the technical parameters specified in Background and Context above and the Topic Areas section above.

• Applications for proposed technologies that are not based on sound scientific principles (e.g., violates the laws of thermodynamics).

• Applications that include a significant effort to support the back end of the enriched uranium supply chain (i.e. not mining/milling, conversion, enrichment, and/or deconversion).

This FOA appears to be directed at Topic Areas which only support the enhancement of front-end fuel cycle activities (mining/milling, conversion, enrichment, and/or deconversion) as stated in Section E. Is the above statement in Section F meant to convey this as well? As written, it could be interpreted to mean that these activities are excluded.

The Innovative Technology NOFO is meant to support the enhancement of front-end fuel cycle activities that include mining/milling, conversion, enrichment and/or deconversion activities.

12/26/2024 12/30/2024

Question #2

The Notice of Funding Opportunity, Part 1, appears to provide contradictory information on the eligibility for a lead applicant on submitting responses to both Topic Areas. Section B. Limitation on Number of Applications Eligible for Review, page 10, states that “An entity

Yes, the prime applicant may submit one application for each topic area (A maximum of two applications).

The prime applicant must ensure each application meets the full scope of work for each topic area may submit only one application for each topic area contained within this NOFO.” While Page 22 states “Applicants may pick which Topic Area for which they wish to submit an application. Applications will be only accepted from each lead applicant for only one of the Topic Areas.”

Please clarify if a lead applicant can submit a proposal to both Topic Area 1 (Demonstration Projects) and Topic Area 2 (Research and Development Projects) for a combined maximum of two applications. We note that the HALEU Transportation Package FOA (DE-FOA- 0002967) Questions and Answers does permit applications for both Topic Areas.

within the Innovative Technology

NOFO.

01/01/2025 01/06/2025

Question #3

Can the HALEU Innovative Technology FOA due date be extended to March 12, 2025, a 2-week extension request?

Yes, the Due date for applications has been extended to Wednesday March 12, 2025 @ 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time

01/01/2025 01/06/2025

Question #4

The FOA mentions that DOE will be involved in the execution of these projects, but for this particular subject the involvement would have to be really extensive, including locating the project either at ORNL or at the Idaho site, and expecting DOE staff to actively assist with the regulatory aspects (a good analogy - Oppenheimer needed Groves to navigate the administrative environment).

Would such a project be responsive? Or perhaps there is some more appropriate alternative to applying to DE-FOA- 0003487, e.g. working with an established DOE contractor?

An application as described in the question, may be considered responsive. To be considered responsive, an applicant must submit its application no later than the required due date, March 12, 2025, and the applicant must complete all the required documents that are listed in NOFO part 1 and NOFO part 2. Several of the required documents and forms are included with the NOFO announcement in grants.gov.

Although not required, an applicant may include one or more federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) as part of its application. Applicants are not required to include an FFRDC in their application.

01/08/2025 01/08/2025

Question #5

NOFO Part 1, Pages 20 & 22 and NOFO, Part 2, Page 20. The information provided under Application Content and Form in Part 1 lists a Project Management Plan (5 pages). The pertinent Part 2 instructions suggest using a from available from Grants.Gov to satisfy this requirement. The same Application Content and Form instructions in Part 1 mandate the inclusion of a Project Management Plan in the Technical Volume. The relevant weighting of the evaluation criteria provided on Page 22 of Part 1 suggest this second Project Management Plan to be somewhat more detailed than that which could be communicated on the 5-page Grants.Gov form. It is unclear whether DOE is requesting one or two Project Management Plans. Please clarify this matter.

Each application should contain a single Project Management Plan (PMP). DOE recommends following the guidance outlined in Part 1 on pages 25-26, or use the PMP template that is provided in the “Attachments-HALU Innovative Technology NOFO” package found on grants.gov found under the DE- FOA-0003487 file. This will ensure the information provided in the application package meets the necessary technical requirements (refer to Section 4, Part 2. Technical Volume, starting on page 23).

01/08/2025 01/08/2025

Question #6

NOFO Part 1, Page 20. The instructions provided under Application Content and Form in Part 1 list a number of forms and documents, in addition to a Technical Volume. Is it correct to assume the Technical Volume should be submitted electronically as a stand-alone file? Should applicants submit all other forms and documents individually and separately from the Technical Volume?

Should all other forms and documents be compiled into a second volume? Please clarify submittal instructions for the Technical Volume and other requested forms and documents.

1.) Submit the Technical Volume as its own stand-alone file.

2.) Submit the rest of the required forms and documents individually or compiled into a single volume. If the required forms and documents are submitted as a single volume, ensure all included forms and documents are clearly labeled.

01/08/2025 01/08/2025

Question #7

We have an account established on Grants.gov, but cannot find any DOE

In grants.gov, the Innovative Technology NOFO is found under Opportunity Number DE-FOA- 0003487. After selecting this forms included in the NOFO solicitation package as stated. There are no documents listed under the “Package” tab. Instead, it only states, “There are currently no Opportunity Packages available for submission through Grants.gov. Please refer to the Synopsis tab and Related Documents tab for additional information about this Opportunity.” However, the bid documents are listed under the Synopsis tab. Can you please provide a link to the location of the required DOE forms?

They are not in the location specified in Part 1 of the NOFO solicitation, which states, “*DOE forms are provided as part of the NOFO solicitation package under Attachments on Grants.gov. *” opportunity, the forms and documents are accessed by clicking the blue tab titled “RELATED DOCUMENTS”. Then click the File Name “DE-FOA-0003487 (BASE).zip”. This zip file includes four volumes. One of these volumes is titled “Attachments- HALU Innovative Technology NOFO”. This volume includes 15 forms and documents required as part of the application submission.

For all other required forms or documents not included in the “Attachments-HALU Innovative Technology NOFO” volume refer to the NOFO Part 2 document for instructions on where to locate each specific form or document. The NOFO Part 2 document also explains how to complete each application form or application document.

1/08/2025 1/08/2025

Question #8

What is the last day to submit NOFO questions to DOE?

The last day to submit NOFO questions to DOE is March 02, 2025.

1/14/2025 1/14/2025

Question #9

Where do applicants submit their applications?

Submit applications via email to:

1. Primary Application Submission: Jeff Rigby-Email:

rigbyja@id.doe.gov

2. Secondary Application Submission: Mark Payne- Email:

paynemb@id.doe.gov

1/15/2025 1/15/2025

Question #10

With the requirement to submit applications by email, is there a maximum file size for email submission

The maximum email size for individual email submission is 22MB. If needed, Applications can be submitted using multiple emails.

01/20/2025 01/21/2025

Question #11

Can DOE provide an update on the impact that these Executive Orders will have on the NOFO? Is DOE considering

As of today, the NOFO has not been affected by recent Presidential Executive Orders. Also, the application due date remains the same – March 12, 2025. Updates mailto:rigbyja@id.doe.gov mailto:paynemb@id.doe.gov pausing or extending the due date until this information is developed and any modifications to the NOFO are made?

will be posted on Grants.gov should DOE receive any required changes for the NOFO.

01/17/2025

01/21/2025

Question #12

Will DOE consider extending the due for applications?

DOE is still evaluating if the application due date extension will be needed. If DOE decides to grant the application due date extension, a NOFO amendment will be posted ASAP after the decision is made.

Question #13

Per the Part 1 requirements is the ARPA-E Attachment intended as guidance for the applicant or are we required to complete and submit the ARPA-E Budget Justification Form Workbook? If the latter, how does that applicant assign each Phase of the project, annually, quarterly?

A completed budget justification workbook is required to be completed and submitted as part of the application package. The budget justification workbook is provided with the NOFO announcement on grants.gov. In the budget workbook budgets should be filled out on an annual basis.

Question #14

Will recipients be required to follow the ARPA-E requirements for submitting invoicing packages?

Yes

Question #15

Will subcontractors and subrecipients be required to follow the ARPA-E requirements for invoicing backup data?

Yes

Question #16

Will recipients be allowed the option to invoice quarterly?

Prime awardees normally submit invoices to DOE monthly. If the prime applicant wishes to invoice with a longer period than monthly, then after the award starts, the awardee will need to work with the contracting officer concerning invoice submittal details.

Question #17

With the change to email submittal, are applicants required to submit individual files for all items listed as Required Application Documents in NOFO Part 1?

All documents required for application submission must be emailed to the email address listed on NOFO part 1, page 6, no later than March 12, 2025. The application documents may be emailed individually, or as a group of documents attached in a PDF package. Please note the DOE email server can only process emails with a total of 22 MBs or less per email.

More than one email submittal may be required to submit your entire application package. Please document your email subject lines accordingly.

Question #18

Are all items listed in the Summary for Public Release document required for the email submittal? If some of those documents do not apply, how do we handle those submittals?

All documents required for application submittal must be emailed to the email point of contact listed on NOFO part 1, page 6. If there are documents not applicable to a specific application, the applicant must submit a note stating that a specific document is not applicable with a brief statement saying why the specific document is not applicable with the application package.

01/23/2025 01/23/2025

Question #19

The description of Topic Area 2 says “Approximate award project period: up to 60 months”, but later in the 1. Period of Performance, it says “… and one or more awards for Topic Area 2 with a period of performance up to two years.”

Is the period of performance 60 months or 2 years?

Within the HALEU Innovative Technology NOFO, the period of performance for topic area 1 (Demonstration) is up to 60 months/5 years and the period of performance for topic area 2 (Research & Development) is up to 24 months/2 years.

01/24/2025

01/27/2025

Question #20

What are the effects of the executive order that impact DEI initiatives, community benefits plans and Justice40 environmental initiatives? Will community benefits plans, that include DEI and Justice40 initiatives, be removed from the Transportation

NOFO?

Yes, in the next NOFO amendment the community benefits plan, DEI initiatives, Justice40, and environmental initiatives are being removed from the NOFO. This NOFO amendment will also revise the scoring criteria of the applications with the above items removed from the NOFO.

01/25/2025

Question #21

The Innovative Technology NOFO requires a 50% cost share and submittal of the SF-424 budget excel file. Are

Submit your application documents, which include the SF424A, with all costs for the project listed on this document. If you have an FFRDC support cost, it doesn’t need to be applicants to assume that the total budget submitted in the SF-424 file is divided exactly in half for the federal and cost share applications?

listed on the SF424A document but must be included as part of the total project cost. The cost share requirement is based on 50% of the total project cost, which includes FFRDC cost if applicable. The funds for the FFRDC will not be obligated on the award but will be shown on the DOE budget document as part of the total project cost and as part of the DOE cost share amount.

Question #22

What is the status of the BIL/IRA funding that the Transportation NOFO is based on?

Executive Order entitled, “Unleashing American Energy”, was signed on January 20, 2025.

Section 7(a) of this order directed a pause for the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). DOE has not received specific directions related to this NOFO. Until such direction is provided, DOE will continue through the NOFO process. No awards will be made until DOE has been given approval to disperse funds. If anything should change in the future regarding BIL/IRA funding, DOE will provide an update to this answer.

01/27/2025 01/28/2025

Question #23

Section III, D. 6, requires the applicant to “Provide an early Go/No Go decision point to allow DOE to meet its potential obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Work in this first phase may only include scope that would be allowable interim actions under NEPA (see 40 CFR 1502.2(f) and 10 CFR 1021.211). The applicant should also be prepared to provide technical information to DOE during this phase to support a NEPA decision.”

DOE does not yet know what NEPA documents will be necessary for the Innovative Technology NOFO.

DOE will decide which NEPA documents are required based on the Offeror’s Environmental Report received as part of the application package. The HALEU EIS was specifically created for the procurement of HALEU and would not cover this specific action.

DOE issued a final HALEU Environmental Impact Statement for the Department’s proposed action to acquire HALEU through procurement from commercial sources to facilitate the establishment of commercial HALEU fuel production. Does this review cover this NOFO? Will a separate programmatic NEPA be required, and if so, what is the expected timing for DOE to complete a separate NEPA determination?

01/29/2025 01/30/2025

Question #24

We were also curious if you could provide some clarification on whether the NOFO scope includes fuel fabrication. We initially understood the NOFO to include all steps of the front-end fuel cycle development. However, Section F says, “applications that include significant effort to support the back end of the enriched uranium supply chain (i.e., not mining/milling, conversion, enrichment, and/or deconversion)” is not of interest. Would projects focused on TRISO pebble production then be disqualified?

DOE has a vested interest in all aspects of the front-end cycle, including fuel fabrication, though DOE recognizes that fuel fabrication and Mining/Milling could be a lower priority. DOE is looking for applications that address technology gaps, enhance existing processes for producing HALEU, and promote the advancement of new technologies that could reduce risk, increase production, or reduce costs.

01/31/2025 02/03/2025

Question #25

Can you clarify the deadline for applications to the HALEU Supply Chain Innovative Technologies NOFO?

The deadline for applications in 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time on March 12th, 2025.

02/03/2025 02/03/2025

Question #26

Would we be able to use DOE’s Other Transaction Authority (OTA) if we wanted to negotiate for a milestone-based contract?

DOE’s OTA will not be used with this NOFO.

02/11/2025 02/12/2025

Question #27

It will be proposed that a national laboratory (FFRDC) build a pilot scale facility, in accordance with the applicant’s design specifications and detailed design, to handle HALEU

It involves a combination of both scope and cost. The scope and risk for the applicant should be considered significantly greater than that of the FFRDC. Regarding costs, contributions can satisfy the requirements; however, since the material in a demonstration project. Due to the costs associated with equipment procurement, fabrication, and operation that must be performed by the FFRDC, the majority of costs in the proposal will be incurred by the FFRDC. However, it is the judgement of the applicant that the scope of the applicant will be more significant than that of the FFRDC.

Therefore, clarification is requested regarding the statement in “Limit on FFRDC Effort” in NOFO Part 1 that “the FFRDC scope should not be more significant than the applicants’ scope.” Is this limit strictly based on assigned scope between applicant and FFRDC or does cost become a factor in that decision? If cost is part of this decision, cost share requirements could be satisfied through cash contributions by the applicant. If cost is the deciding factor, will DOE consider requests to waive this limit in light of the need to have the proposed HALEU work performed at a national laboratory that is licensed to handle such material and that has been involved in previous HALEU development work with the applicant?

associated cost are close to 50%, It is deemed a waiver. DOE would be open to reviewing a waiver for applicants, contingent on cost being close to 50%. DOE must review the details before making a decision on the waiver. The waiver to DOE should clearly articulate the role of FFRDC, as well as the scope and risk involved .

02/22/2025 02/24/2025

Question #28

Given the recent Executive Orders, our INL collaborator is currently unable to complete the FFRDC Form. Would it be possible to delay the deadline for this NOFO until signature authority is restored by the new administration?

Because of new Administration Executive Orders, applicants may experience delays in getting an FFRDC Field Work Proposal and/or the FFRDC Contracting Officer Authorization letter from the FFRDC.

If the applicant is not able to submit the above documents with their application package the applicant may submit the two above documents to the DOE after the application due date. In the application package submit a note stating you are waiting for the FFRDC to submit the above documents to you, and then you will forward the two documents to DOE soon after receiving the documents.

Ensure your application package accounts for an estimate of the anticipated FFRDC costs if an FFRDC will be supporting your project.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #29

Would an FFRDC be considered a lead in this grant (DE-FOA-0003487) or a ‘sub’. If the later, how can information about our technical capability be shared with an external collaborator?

FFRDCs cannot be the lead/prime and can only be a subrecipient.

Collaborators (whether a prime or sub recipient) need to coordinate their efforts directly with the

FFRDC.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #30

Should the reference in the NOFO Workplan instructions be to the Project Management Plan (PMP) instead of the SOPO? The PMP template specifically includes requirements for a WBS and Task Descriptions.

The purpose of the Project Management Plan (PMP) is to explain the applicant’s Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), while the Summary Of Project Objectives (SOPO) contains only a summary of the applicant’s WBS.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #31

Should the reference in the NOFO Workplan instructions and Go/No-Go Decision points and End of Project Goal be to the Project Management Plan (PMP) instead of the SOPO? The PMP template specifically includes requirements for an Integrated Project Schedule (IMS) and a Milestone Summary

The Project Management Plan (PMP) shows details and explanations for the applicant’s Workplan instructions, Integrated Project Schedule (IMS) and project milestones Go/No-Go Decision Points and Project End Goals. The purpose of the SOPO is to show summary statements.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #32

Please clarify where in the Application letters of commitment should be included.

Letters of commitment are sent to DOE with the applicant’s application. See NOFO part 2, page 15 for specific instructions concerning Letters of Commitment.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #33

We suggest the section in the Technical Volume for "Project Management Plan" (p.24-25) be removed, and that the page limit for the separately required Project Management Plan be increase to 20 pages to adequately cover all of the information specified in Attachment 3

The project management plan and the requirements will remain the same as described in NOFO part 1, page 24 and NOFO part 2, page 19.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #34

Can the Applicant assume they can provide summary-level responses for items in the "Workplan" section of the Technical Volume that are already detailed in the separate PMP document as long as a specific reference to the appropriate PMP section and paragraph is provided?

The details of the applicant’s work plan are to be provided in the technical volume. Applicants are to reference the technical volume in their PMP if needed due to space limitations.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #35

Will the government waive the requirement to provide Transparency of Foreign Connections” until either award or award negotiations?

No, Transparency of Foreign Connections is required with the application submittal and cannot be waived.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #36

Part 1 of the NOFO requires the delivery of documents for "Current and Pending Support", "Digital Persistent Identifier", and "Research Security Training Requirement". NOFO part 2 instructions indicates these are only appropriate for R&D efforts.

Please confirm that applications for Topic Area 1 (Demonstration) are not required to provide these documents.

Applicants are to provide documents for “Current and Pending Support", "Digital Persistent Identifier", and "Research Security Training Requirement" that are consistent with application requirements in order for DOE to review a complete application package.

02/22/2025 02/26/2025

Question #37

The table in NOFO Part 1 under "Summary of Application Requirements" lists "[10]" as the page limit for R&D resumes.

Does this represent a total of 10 pages across all resumes, or does it apply to individual resumes?

Each individual resume is limited to 10 pages or less, preferably less.

02/22/2205 02/26/2205

Question #38

The SOPO template provided as Attachment 2 of the FOA includes a Section III "Project Management". The information required in this section is completely duplicative of the information already provided in the

The SOPO remains the same as defined in NOFO Part 1 and NOFO part 2. Applicants may reference documents like the PMP in their SOPO, as needed, to complete their SOPO within page limitations as defined by the NOFO Part 1.

required PMP and parts of the "Technical Volume".

Since the SOPO document is limited to 5 pages (thus precluding adequate discussion of the Project Management subjects therein), we suggest that the Section III be removed as a required section of the SOPO.

02/26/2025 02/27/2025

Question #39

In the subject NOFO Part 1, page 22 of 43, the page limit for the Technical Volume (Topic Area 1: Demonstration) is 50 pages and the Project Management Plan (PMP) is expected to be approximately 30% of that, or 15 pages. However, the Summary of Application Requirements on page 20 of 43 specifies that the PMP is limited to 5 pages. In the judgement of this applicant, addressing the information required to be included in the PMP (pages 24-25 of 43) will far exceed 5 pages.

Would it be acceptable to submit a PMP that exceeds 5 pages in order to meet the Technical Volume content and volume requirements for “Project Management Plan”?

Page limits for documents included in the NOFO will remain as they are listed within the NOFO. The information provided should be concise. The page limits provide sufficient space for applicants to explain their plans while also making it possible for reviewers to complete effective reviews of submitted applications.

Submit applications via email to: