Questions and Answers for FOA # DE-NE0003487(01-06-2025).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 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.

area 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.