Questions and Answers for Fuel Cycle Research and Development NOFO rev. 01.pdf

Questions and Answers for Fuel Cycle Research and Development NOFO

February 10, 2025

1. Please provide clarity on the words in II.D.1, “The scope of work to be performed by the FFRDC should not be more significant than the scope of work to be performed by the applicant.“ The program goals and objectives heavily lend themselves to radiological work, which at an FFRDC will generally necessitate a considerable portion of a $5M project budget. Does this requirement refer to: (1) Quantity of tasks, (2) Quantity of budget, (3) Depth of technical work and steering, or (4) Something else?

This refers to the quantity of the overall budget.

2. Please provide clarity on the project budget limits.

• As long as the minimum 20% cost share is met, is there a limit on the total project cost?

No

• Does the per-award $5M maximum refer to the federal portion, or to the total project cost?

It refers to the Federal portion.

3. Will there be a webinar on February 4th for Q&A around this solicitation? If so, is there a sign-up page?

The webinar is cancelled.

4. When the document indicates that the FFRDC scope "cannot be more significant than the applicant", does that apply to the total FFRDC pool and Applicant Pool, or does it specify only the prime recipient?

e.g. FFRDC 1 ($1m), FFRDC 2 ($1m), Prime Applicant ($1m), and Co-Applicant Customers ($1m) - would it be interpreted as which of the following:

FFRDC 1 ($1m), FFRDC 2 ($1m), Prime Applicant ($1m), Co-Applicant Customers ($1m) FFRDC ($2m) and Applicant team ($2m) FFRDC ($2m), Prime Applicant ($1m), Co-Applicant Customers ($1m) FFRDC 1 ($1m), FFRDC 2 ($1m), Applicant Team ($2m)

It would apply to the total applicant pool against total FFRDC pool. The second example listed above would be most appropriate.

5. Regarding the Fuel Cycle Research and Development to Assess Options as Technologies and Economics Evolve (FOA# DE-FOA-0003364) opportunity, are public institutions of higher education eligible to be the prime recipient? Texas A&M University manages several nuclear facilities and research centers, whose faculty may be in interested in this opportunity if the university is eligible.

No, the NOFO restricted eligibility to U.S. owned nuclear industry entities.

6. Could you please provide some guidance/clarification related to what needs to be submitted with our team’s application to request a foreign work waiver?

The NOFO Part 1 incorrectly referenced a process to request a waiver for the Performance of Work in the United States requirement. Section II: Eligibility of the NOFO will be amended as follows:

Performance of Work in the United States All work for the awards under this NOFO must be performed in the United States. Waiver requests will not be accepted.

7. The wording differs slightly between the bottom row of the checklist table in I.B, and the last paragraph of II.A.2.

a. Is it required to have or have applied for a facility security clearance prior to proposal submittal (or during the project), or is it suitable just to submit an SF-328 along with the proposal package?

Applicants do not have to submit and receive the Facility Clearance(FCL) prior to submission of their application but will need to have it processed prior to award. The applicant will need to submit the SF-328 with the application package.

b. If it is indeed required to apply for this clearance by the proposal due date in February, does DOE have an accelerated means to accept this application, rather than proceeding with NRC-NSIR in accordance with 10 CFR Part 95?

The SF-328 will begin the process of the FCL and based on where the companies will have access to any classified information will determine the type of FCL. A non-possessing FCL would be granted if all work, access, and storage of information is conducted at an already cleared facility. If companies are required to possess any of the information, a possessing FCL would be required.