Amendment No. 1 to RFX-2026-10006 - CMAP 3.pdf

F Request for Proposal for Modification No. RFX-2026-10006

Amendment No. 01

Date: 06/08/2026

ISSUED BY:

National Laboratory of the Rockies 15013 Denver West Parkway Golden, CO 80401

PROJECT NAME: “Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership Direct Funding Opportunity”

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth below. The hour and date specified for receipt of offers

[ X] is not extended. [ ] is extended to Proposal Submission Due Date: 07/02/2026 2:00 Mountain Time

FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AMENDMENT MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT REMAIN UNCHANGED AND IN FULL FORCE

AND EFFECT.

Subcontract Administrator: Kyndall Jackson

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL UPDATE

The Request for Proposal Package is hereby modified to replace the third bullet point on page 4 with the following:

“Provides energy services to an area where the current residential price of electricity is 26.17 cents per kWh, that is, 150% of national average (using 17.65 cent per kWh based on the January 2026 Energy Information Administration’s U.S. Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Residential Customers5 ) ; 125% of state average cost for the state in which the project will be deployed (based on February 2026 (or more recent). Energy Information Administration Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Residential Customers1) or justification that retail power cost is not an accurate assessment of high electricity costs (e.g. economic damages resulting from down time). For Topic Area 5, estimated price of power for potential microgrid being assessed (exclusive of outside support).”

Additionally, the paragraph found towards the top of page 7 of the RFP, is modified to remove “and non-U.S. based technical services”.

Although only required for Topic Area 5, offerors for all topic areas are encouraged to include any offeror-owned materials, supplies, or equipment as price participation (cost share). Additionally, offerors are encouraged to cover new equipment, and software as part of their price participation or cost share as these expenses cannot be covered by award funding.

1 U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, January 2026. Table 5.6.A. Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, residential electricity costs.

https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a

The following are responses to questions received regarding the subject Request for Proposal (RFP) No.

RFX-2026-10006. Please note that some questions may have been edited to address duplicate questions or to protect business-sensitive information provided in the original questions. The essences of the original questions are not affected. Questions are in no particular order.

Procedural

1. Should proposals be emailed to Kyndall.Jackson@nlr.gov?

NLR Response: Yes

2. When do you expect to announce awards and distribute funding?

NLR Response: Selections are anticipated to be announced in Fall (Oct/Sept) of 2026 with negotiations taking place thereafter.

3. Who are the primes?

NLR Response: The “primes” are the organizations that are eligible to lead submission of a proposals. There are specific eligibility criteria for the different topic areas that are identified in the request for proposal. These are also summarized in Attachment 5: C-MAP Eligibility Verification which must be submitted under the proposal. If selected for an award, the prime will function as a subcontractor to National Laboratory of the Rockies through a deliverable-based fixed firm subcontract. Other organizations and individuals can be included on the project team, named within the proposal, but the prime will be responsible for managing those relationships, agreements, and any associated payments.

4. Where can the webinar recording be accessed?

NLR Response: The RFP webinar recording will be posted publicly at www.energy.gov/c-map

5. Does a Tribe sending in a proposal need to include a Council Resolution?

NLR Response: Council Resolutions are not required in response to the RFP, though such documentation as well as letters of support, commitment, or other memos may be included to demonstrate expertise and teaming, as outlined in the Qualitative Merit Criteria.

6. Is my project idea a good one?

NLR Response: The National Laboratory of the Rockies cannot provide direct recommendations in relation to a specific proposal. Please review Attachment 5: C-MAP Eligibility Verification of the Request for Proposal; going through this checklist should help clarify if an organization and specific project is eligible. A careful review of the five topic areas, including the specific tasks, deliverables and outcomes that are described in Attachment No. 1: Statement of Work of the proposal is encouraged. If an offeror would like to discuss potential projects, C-MAP program partners are available for minor consultations: Alaska Center for Energy and Power at University of Alaska Fairbanks (POC: Christie Haupert clhaupert@alaska.edu); Renewable Energy Alaska Project (POC:

Steve Cleary scleary@realaska.org); Sundance LLC (POC: Kayla Copeland kcopeland@sundance-inc.net); Island Institute (POC: Skye Butterson-Dunn sbuttersondunn@islandinstitute.org) mailto:Kyndall.Jackson@nlr.gov https://www.energy.gov/c-map

If more detailed technical assistance would be helpful, you may also submit an application for C- MAP Microgrid Support Services. NLR tracks and screens applications on a rolling basis and matches eligible applicants to an implementing partner at the appropriate level of support.

Awarded funds and allowable costs

7. Is there a cost share for this funding opportunity?

NLR Response: For Topic Area 5, a minimum price participation (cost share) of 20% is required. Price participation is defined as a percentage of the total allowable and allocable costs under this subcontract, which may be met by contributions by the offeror and/or by contributions from the offeror’s lower-tier offeror(s) or supplier(s) at no cost to NLR. All costs must be allowable and allocable under the terms of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and DOE Acquisitions Regulations (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-31). Offerors are encouraged to cover new equipment, software, and legal services as part of their price participation or cost share as these expenses cannot be covered by award funding. Although only required for Topic Area 5, offerors for all topic areas are encouraged to include and specifically identify any offeror-owned materials, supplies, or equipment as price participation (cost share).

8. One of the slides stated that there was a 400k max award amount for topic area 4. Is that correct?

NLR Response: Yes, the maximum award for Topic Area 4 is $400k.

9. How will BABA [Build America, Buy America] compliance be supported for this funding?

NLR Response: Equipment should not be purchased with award funds, which sidesteps issues around Build America, Buy America (BABA). Award funding can be used to support the identification of equipment, its installation, commissioning, etc., but these are not covered by

BABA.

10. Any support on area permitting and equipment purchase?

NLR Response: Project funds can be used to cover permitting, though not legal expenses. The C- MAP program can also provide limited permitting guidance through Lab and partner-provided technical assistance. Equipment, however, cannot be provided through C-MAP direct funding. C- MAP direct funding can cover costs related to the purchase, such as permitting, design, installation, commissioning, but C-MAP funds may not cover the purchase of the equipment itself.

11. If I recall correctly, the last round could not actually buy or install things but instead could fund designs. Is this true for this opportunity as well? If true, the funds cannot be used to buy equipment, can they be used to e.g. upgrade software and pay for contractual support for same?

NLR Response: Equipment - or any material with a useful life longer than the subcontract period of performance - cannot be provided through C-MAP direct funding. CMAP funds also cannot be used to cover legal expenses or software licenses. These expenses can be included within the proposal to provide context of the larger effort but must be identified as applicant or otherwise funded. C-MAP direct funding can cover costs related to the purchase, such as any labor, travel, or other expenses related to the installation or commissioning – but not the https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.cloud.microsoft%2Fpages%2Fresponsepage.aspx%3Fid%3Dfp3yoM0oVE-EQniFrufAgHdFp-611npHi0paPBoG42BUOFJESFpYQ1FIVzAwV0tSQTVXS1NUTzFONy4u%26route%3Dshorturl&data=05%7C02%7CIan.Baring-Gould%40nlr.gov%7C7b0342bdccd44bc9143d08debc410326%7Ca0f29d7e28cd4f5484427885aee7c080%7C0%7C0%7C639155184603115367%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OPG%2BOhx0PaS1qa30EA6UpYmNvZyzH193jma6qgAu154%3D&reserved=0 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-31 purchase of the equipment itself. Equipment rental may be supported.

12. Can the grant’s funds only be used for studies? Or can they be used for capital expenditures?

NLR Response: Funds provided through the C-MAP solicitation are not a grant, they will be implemented through a deliverable-based fixed firm subcontract with the proposing prime. Funds can be used for more than studies but should not be used to purchase equipment, software, or legal expenses. Funding obtained through the proposal can be used for expenses related to developing and implementing a specific microgrid project, including, but not limited to, site visit travel and diagnostic assessments, engineering and design work, installation and commissioning of equipment, but not the purchase of that equipment.

13. For the 'Microgrid Development' topic area specifically, what is the allowable balance between funding the actual hardware (e.g., localized solar/storage assets or microgrid controllers) versus funding detailed engineering designs and financial assessments?

NLR Response: The solicitation should not be used to purchase equipment. Funding can be used for expenses related to developing and implementing a specific microgrid project, including design work, financial planning, installation, and commissioning, anything in relation to that implementation process, but not purchasing that equipment.

14. If a tribal entity would like to participate, would they be able to assist in funding the project as well?

NLR Response: Yes. Within the proposal, which responds to the Statement of Work and Qualitative Merit Criteria, identify how C-MAP funds will be used. Additional information, including applicant or otherwise funded actions or anticipated next steps are welcome to be included in the proposal to provide context and demonstration of impact but should be clearly identified with respect to the C-MAP project scope. Although only required for Topic Area 5, offerors for all topic areas are encouraged to include any offeror-owned materials, supplies, or equipment as price participation (cost share). Additionally, offerors are encouraged to cover new equipment, software, or legal services as part of their price participation or cost share as these expenses cannot be covered by award funding.

15. Is equipment purchased allowed to be considered as cost share?

NLR Response: Yes. Offerors are encouraged to cover new equipment, software, or legal services as part of their price participation or cost share as these expenses cannot be covered by award funding.

16. Is manufacturing of prototypes and field trials covered under the CMAP offering?

NLR Response: Although this will be dependent on the specifics of the project, probably not. Equipment - or any material with a useful life longer than the subcontract period of performance - cannot be purchased through C-MAP direct funding. It is likely that the final product, the prototype or parts of that prototype, such as controllers or motors, would be considered equipment and could not be purchased through the subcontract. Funding can be used for expenses related to developing and testing microgrid solutions, including labor related to design work, other research or validation steps, or installation, so the field trials could be covered within a C-MAP project. However, it should be noted that the C-MAP is focused on demonstrating meaningful improvements in the costs, energy quality and energy reliability of the energy system for the applicant organization. A field validation of prototype technology is less likely to demonstrate meaningful long-term benefits to the applicant, which would impact proposal scoring.

Eligibility

17. It looks like the first round were awarded in western US (Rockies). Is this round of funding limited to certain region(s)?

NLR Response: This solicitation is expanded to all U.S. States. U.S. Territories are not eligible as a prime offeror under this solicitation (RFP).

18. Could you clarify the eligibility around the cost of power for project locations, there seem to be overlapping criteria?

NLR Response: The cost of energy at the project location is an important eligibility criterion. A project location is eligible if it provides energy services to an area where the residential price of electricity is above 150% of national average based on the most recent published data from the U.S. DOE Energy Information Agency. In January 2026, this was 26.17 cents per kWh based on an average cost of 17.65 cent per kWh or 125% of state average cost for the state in which the project will be deployed. These criteria are designed to support both high-cost regions of the country and high-cost regions in each state. The most recent data from EIA should be used. If costs are believed to be higher than the listed cost, this should be explained within the proposal. Full utility costs, including associated fees and taxes, should be used to determine eligibility. The cost of power should be listed in Attachment 3 – Community and Microgrid Specifications – 2026.

19. Please confirm if an application from Puerto Rico is excluded from the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP) program?

NLR Response: U.S. Territories are not eligible as a prime offeror under this solicitation.

20. Would Puerto Rico still be considered under Topic Area 3?

NLR Response: U.S. Territories are not eligible as a prime offeror under this solicitation.

21. Is this available for the US Territory of American Samoa?

NLR Response: No, U.S. Territories are not eligible as a prime offeror under this solicitation.

22. For eligibility purposes, would U.S. territories qualify or would it be limited to states?

NLR Response: Projects in U.S. Territories do not qualify, the project must be in the U.S. States. U.S.

Registered companies or organizations in U.S. territories could prime a proposal for Topic Area 5.

23. Can a non-profit 501c6 be an applicant?

NLR Response: Yes, organizations of 501c6 status are eligible as prime offeror of this award.

24. Does a tribally chartered college that may hold 501(c)(3) non-profit status qualify as an eligible prime offeror under the "non-profit entities" category? If not, would a proposal structured with a tribal nation as the prime offeror and the college as a named subcontractor/technical lead be an acceptable teaming arrangement?

NLR Response: Nonprofit colleges are eligible as a prime offeror or may be part of a project team in response to a community- or partner-identified need. Any federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribe is also eligible to be a prime or lower-tier subcontractor.

25. Is tribal identification required? Is so, how so?

NLR Response: There is no requirement that a Tribe be involved in a C-MAP project. Review Attachment 5 of the Request for Proposal (C-MAP Eligibility Verification) as this checklist should help clarify which organizations and specific projects are eligible; Attachment 5 must be returned with the proposal, allowing primes to justify their eligibility.

26. Are electric utilities allowed to participate?

NLR Response: Not-for-profit energy providers, including energy cooperatives, are eligible to prime Topic Areas 1-4. Private companies (and utilities) are eligible for Topic Area 5. Private utilities are not directly eligible for Topic Areas 1-4 but could partner with and/or serve as a lower-tier subcontractor for an eligible partner that may prime a proposal.

27. Are U.S Coast Guard facilities eligible for funding under this CMAP award?

NLR Response: A U.S. Coast Guard or other government facility could be the focus of an award. If the facility is served by a microgrid that’s managed by a nonprofit (energy cooperative) or other eligible entity, it may be considered within proposals for Topic Area 1-4. Specifically, a government facility may constitute a large load that has relevance for Topic Area 2, if power is served by a local microgrid seeking to make improvements and whose operator meets eligibility criteria. Lastly, if the facility is served by a proposed or existing microgrid owned by a U.S. business, Topic Area 5 may be applicable. Federal governmental entities, including U.S. Coast Guard, are not eligible as a prime offeror for an award, however, they may support or be a lower-tier subcontractor on a proposal.

28. What is “Remote”? Would a Tribe in Southern California which has a small reservation with a population under 10,000 with poor service and high costs qualify?

NLR Response: Yes, although offerors should ensure all criteria outlined in the RFP and Attachment 5: C-MAP Eligibility Verification are fulfilled. If currently an islanded microgrid, the proposal should address how poor service and high costs will be addressed; if currently grid-connected, the proposal should articulate the cost and quality of current service, including the frequency and duration of energy outages, and describe the development of a microgrid that addresses poor power quality and high energy costs.

29. Are communities with 10,000 residents and under eligible? Does this apply to Tribes?

NLR Response: An eligible community microgrid should operate in a rural or remote “city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants.” For the purposes of the solicitation, the population would refer to the local jurisdiction in which the project is to be focused, not the population of the whole tribe. In determining population, the most recent relevant data from the U.S. Census Bureau can be used. Census data includes several geographic designations, with defined places or county subdivisions likely to be the most useful to designate population areas within a larger unincorporated area. If the Tribal land and power system are located within an area with population greater than 10,000, it is not eligible.

30. In determining whether a tribe qualifies as “rural and remote” based on the RFP’s language, “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Public Law No: 117-58 (11/15/2021), Section 40103(c) defines rural or remote areas as a “city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants” does the “area” mean the reservation or does it mean a broader area? As some reservations have small populations and poor and expensive service but are surrounded by more populated areas, we are not sure if these reservations are “rural and remote”.

NLR Response: The intent is to improve energy services in areas with poor energy quality and high cost where microgrid technologies are already being used or are likely to be a low-cost solution. In more densely populated areas, microgrids are not likely to be a cost-effective solution to address cost or power quality concerns, but there are likely examples where this may be the case. In determining population, the most recent relevant data from the U.S. Census Bureau can be used.

Census data includes several geographic designations, with defined places or county subdivisions likely to be the most useful to designate population areas within a larger unincorporated area. In many cases reservations are defined as their own designated places by the Census. If the geographic designation has a population of less than 10,000, this should suffice for eligibility consideration, though an articulation of why the applicant feels it meets that defined criteria could also be included.

31. Regarding the microgrid opportunity, in reviewing the compliance regulations can facilities located within the postal boundaries of a named town, but serving a broader rural manufacturing ecosystem in the whole county, should rural eligibility be assessed based on the incorporated city population or the specific community/census geography served by the proposed microgrid?

NLR Response: The intent is to improve energy services in areas with poor energy quality and high cost where microgrid technologies are already being used or are likely to be a low-cost solution. In more densely populated areas, microgrids are less likely to be a cost-effective solution to address cost or power quality concerns, but there are likely examples where this may be the case. In determining population, the offeror (prime/proposer) may articulate which geography and associated Census data they are using to determine eligibility and if the geographic designation has a population of less than 10,000, this should suffice for eligibility consideration; concurrently, the offeror may identify who is served by the proposed or existing microgrid and how it achieves the primary goals of C-MAP.

32. Is there a map or tool that can tell a community whether they are eligible or not? It is not clear what the definition of "remote areas of the U.S." is for eligibility purposes.

NLR Response: The most recent relevant data from the U.S. Census Bureau can be used in determining eligibility. Census data includes several geographic designations, with defined places or county subdivisions likely to be the most useful to designate population areas within a larger unincorporated area. If the geographic designation has a population of less than 10,000, this should suffice for eligibility consideration, though an articulation of why the applicant feels it meets that defined criteria could also be included. Review Attachment 5 of the RFP (C-MAP Eligibility Verification), as this checklist should help clarify if an organization and specific project is eligible.

33. Regarding work with a nonprofit that does solar installations and workforce development, which does installations on tribal land. How might this nonprofit apply together with tribal customers for this funding opportunity?

NLR Response: Both the non-profit and a tribal entity are eligible to apply under C-MAP as the prime or be considered as a partner in a project. Proposed projects should identify advancements, including improvements to costs, power reliability and quality alongside potential workforce development and operational improvements, to a specific microgrid (or microgrids depending on the topic area) and include involvement of microgrid utilities/ operators.

34. Can the CMAP grant be applied to a rooftop solar array for a gaming facility?

NLR Response: Funds provided through the C-MAP solicitation are not a grant and will be implemented through a deliverable-based fixed firm subcontract with the offeror (prime/proposer) of a selected proposal. Equipment, or any material with a useful life longer than the subcontract period of performance, cannot be provided through C-MAP direct funding. These expenses can be included within the proposal to provide context for the larger effort but must be identified as applicant or otherwise funded. All projects must also focus on the deployment or improvement of a microgrid energy system. Attachment 5: C-MAP Eligibility Verification should be consulted to determine it the proposed energy system meets the defined eligibility criteria.

35. Is a Hawaii Hydro resiliency project eligible for this funding?

NLR Response: Eligible projects should be intended to improve power cost and reliability in addition to resilience. This solicitation is not intended to support projects that focus strictly on energy resilience, such as resiliency hubs or other emergency service focused facility resiliency efforts. The project should also be part of an isolated microgrid or at a location where a grid connected microgrid would address repeated and prolonged power outages. If these considerations are met, a hydro project in Hawai’i would qualify if other eligibility criteria were met.

36. Does Topic Area 5 allow international co-applicants or technical advisors?

NLR Response: The prime offeror must be a U.S. business. Other organizations in the project team, including lower-tier subcontractors, may be non-U.S. entities. International entities may also contribute through price participation (cost share).

37. Can we submit a proposal for Topic area 3 as well as Topic area 5?

NLR Response: Yes, prime offerors may submit up to one proposal within each topic area.

Collaborators or lower-tier subcontractors may be part of multiple proposals. Proposal submissions should address individual topic areas. Do not submit proposals that combine topic areas.

38. Can private industry be considered an offeror?

NLR Response: Yes, private industry can be the prime offeror for Topic Area 5. Private industry can participate as a lower-tier subcontractor, but cannot be the prime offeror for Topic Areas 1-4.

Topic Areas and Technical Assistance

39. Can universities participate in the call by providing research/implementation know-how/validation (technical assistance), and can this be in line (no overlap) with NLR.

NLR Response: Not-for-profit Universities are eligible as a prime offeror or maybe part of a project team in response to a community- or partner-identified need. This solicitation is not focused on research; it is intended to support communities and industries in implementing, improving, and expanding upon their microgrid systems. Having a university as part of a project team would not jeopardize an awarded project from receiving additional technical assistance through the C- MAP project. National labs and other partner organizations (including universities) which have already been subcontracted to support the C-MAP program through facilitation, technical assistance, outreach, or other services are not eligible to receive funds through the C- MAP direct funding opportunity (awards made through this RFP).

40. Slides 14 and 18 of the webinar mention that DOE national laboratories can deliver project-related technical assistance to C-MAP awardees. For a National Lab that has developed a relevant in-house capability (for example, a microgrid sizing and dispatch optimization tool already applied to rural microgrid case studies) what is the recommended way to make that capability available to C-MAP applicants and awardees? Should an offeror proactively contact NLR, wait to be named by an applicant in their proposal, or both?

NLR Response: National labs should contact NLR directly to support the C-MAP program with any relevant in-house capability. National laboratories are not eligible to prime an award and should not be included as funded sub-recipients within the proposal. If known, project teams may make a specific request for technical assistance within their proposal, including identifying existing or preferred partners. Cost of potential technical assistance should not be included in the project budget but may be outlined within the proposal. An explanation of why the need and what specific support the project team requires should be explicitly described; that explanation should fit within the proposal narrative and Statement of Work and will be evaluated with consideration for need and total C-MAP funds available for project-related technical assistance. Additional factors for evaluation are described in Section 8 of the RFP. Additionally, existing microgrid-related resources can be made available publicly through the C-MIX by sending an email with information to: cmap@nlr.gov.

41. For a phased project scenario, the first phase could be fully funded with $300K. If the second phase is well over the max, would an offeror have to provide evidence of funding security for the full project, or can it work on that simultaneously? Should the offeror submit for phase 1 only?

NLR Response: Projects related to the C-MAP are focused on providing technical support in the development of appropriate microgrid energy systems. Either or both phases of the project could be proposed and documentation of a source for full project funding is not required. The expectation of the C-MAP project is that the design work completed under a C-MAP award would help document the benefits of the proposed project and could be used to obtain project funding. C- MAP project funds cannot be used for the purchase of equipment, such as batteries or diesel engines, but can cover costs related to the design, installation, and commissioning of equipment purchased by the recipient. The proposal should respond to the Statement of Work and Qualitative Merit Criteria, clearly outlining the actions to and project team who will implement the project that would be supported by C-MAP funds, if awarded. Additional information, including applicant or otherwise funded actions or anticipated next steps may be included in the proposal to provide context and impact but should be clearly identified.

42. In considering drafting a proposal near an existing microgrid partially financed by a DOE loan, does C-MAP look favorably on proposals that create regional synergies and shared learnings with existing DOE-funded tribal projects? Is there some way an offeror could get help facilitating this synergy?

NLR Response: Yes. Topic area 1 is focused specifically on the creation of regional synergies and incorporating regional learning. Incorporating this thinking into projects under other topic areas would be appropriate. C-MAP projects may propose to synergize with existing microgrid development efforts, including those supported by DOE funds, but should clearly identify how scopes are distinct and C-MAP funds will support new, unique efforts which advance microgrid(s) and address energy costs, reliability, and security. While C-MAP supports peer knowledge exchange, replication of microgrid success, and a partnership approach, outside of potential engagement through the defined C-MAP program parters (see question 6) the program does not facilitate project team building in support of a potential solicitation proposal.

43. The 2026 solicitation places a strong emphasis on integrating microgrids with large energy consumers, explicitly mentioning industrial sites. Does C-MAP consider large tribal commercial enterprises—such as a large casino on a reservation—to fit this definition of an anchor load, or is the focus strictly on traditional industrial operations?

NLR Response: The proposal specifically calls out Large Load Energy Consumers. The absence of a specific definition is intentional to allow the proposing party to identify the situation they are considering. Any large energy consumer should qualify for Topic Area 2 or Topic Area 5. The goal of topic area 2 is to help support power providers working with large consumers of energy with the overall goal of improving energy affordability, reliability, and security within the power system.

mailto:cmap@nlr.gov

44. In which topic area would cybersecurity apply?

NLR Response: Cybersecurity could be covered under any of the topic areas as appropriate. For example, if multiple communities wanted to develop a system-wide cybersecurity approach, this could be Topic Area 1. If a specific energy cooperative wanted to look at new cybersecurity protocols for their microgrid and could demonstrate an improvement in cost or reliability, this would be covered under Topic Area 4.

45. Topic 4 seems ideal for operational technology cybersecurity; would that be correct?

NLR Response: Yes, for an operating microgrid that would be correct. Cybersecurity could be covered in other topic areas as well.

46. Please address intentional islanding of renewable energy for disaster resilience. Many utilities, electrical engineers, electricians, and inspectors have a firm grasp on anti-islanding. IEE-1547:2018 now distinguishes between unintentional islanding and intentional islanding, but not all utilities are aware of the change.

NLR Response: Although not addressed explicitly within the call for proposals, engineering work completed under Topic Areas 2, 3, and 4 relating to the implementation of a grid-edge microgrid would be expected to consider intentional islanding. This solicitation is not intended to support projects that focus strictly on energy resilience, such as resiliency hubs or other emergency service-focused facility resiliency efforts. Resilience may be addressed in grid-edge conditions, but projects should address the wider affordability, reliability, and security aspects of the project. All projects should target improvements to microgrids in rural and remote areas which are either permanently islanded or which currently or plan to island to improve energy costs, reliability, and power quality to the customers they serve.

Other

47. Provide clarification on the tasks expected under Topic Area 3? The summary description indicates that detailed design is included (which aligns with the requirement that preliminary design or assessments already be completed). However, the actual task list only references conceptual design, followed by “performance assessment” and “construction specification.” Confirm whether “construction specification” is intended to encompass detailed/final design deliverables (e.g., Issued for Construction drawings), or if a separate detailed design task is expected?

NLR Response: The intent of Topic Area 3 is to support eligible organizations to get to a final design for a potential microgrid development or re-development project. The tasks are written expecting that the awardee would be writing a technical specification that would be part of a construction bid packet, which leads to the description and associated deliverable covered within Task 7: Construction Specification. If the awardee was planning to develop the project themselves, following the completion of the award, it would be appropriate to frame this deliverable as a final engineering or construction design. If a change to the framing of Task 7 seems warranted, the offeror should clarify this new framing as part of their proposal.

48. Should a proposal narrative explicitly outline the anticipated technical assistance needed, or is that scope strictly determined by the DOE after the award?

NLR Response: If technical assistance is anticipated during the proposal phase, an explanation of the need and what specific support the project team requires should be explicitly described within the proposal. That explanation should fit within the proposal narrative and Statement of Work. If technical assistance needs arise after an awarded project begins, that may be scoped at that time. In both cases, scope will consider availability of resources to serve the identified technical assistance across the program.

49. Does C-MAP prioritize funding individual solutions, or integrated initiatives that can deploy multiple solutions across sectors?

NLR Response: Topic Areas 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all developed around individual solutions. Topic Area 1 is the only effort that is specifically focused at engaging multiple systems or communities. Impact and Replication Potential beyond the single project should be considered in every proposal and is one component of the Qualitative Merit Criteria, among others. Proposals will be evaluated according to the Qualitative Merit Criteria outlined in Section 6 of the RFP.

50. Are there opportunities within C-MAP to scale projects across multiple regions or countries after initial validation?

NLR Response: Topic Area 1 specifically targets Regional Microgrid Coordination, enabling advancement and benefits across up to five microgrids within the C-MAP project. Willingness to disseminate findings is also a requirement within the eligibility criteria. Impact and Replication Potential beyond the single project should be considered in every proposal and is one component of the Qualitative Merit Criteria, among others. Other program offerings within the C-MAP program also support scale and replicability of microgrid solutions.

51. Regarding an innovative generation technology that is being piloted with a university microgrid as a POC. Will this application be responsive to this solicitation? Can an offeror meet with a program staff member to review a microgrid solution before making the decision to respond?

NLR Response: Prime applicants should meet eligibility criteria and proposed projects should directly respond to the Statement of Work and Qualitative Merit Criteria as specified in the RFP. Microgrid Support Services one-time consultation and C-MAP subcontracted program partners are available to field other inquiries. If an offeror would like to discuss potential contributions to the program or response to the solicitation, C-MAP program partners are available for minor consultations: Alaska Center for Energy and Power at University of Alaska Fairbanks (POC: Christie Haupert clhaupert@alaska.edu); Renewable Energy Alaska Project (POC: Steve Cleary scleary@realaska.org); Sundance LLC (POC: Kayla Copeland kcopeland@sundance-inc.net); Island Institute (POC: Skye Butterson-Dunn sbuttersondunn@islandinstitute.org)

52. Are there existing C-MAP partner organizations seeking technical partners for this round?

NLR Response: While C-MAP supports peer knowledge exchange, replication of microgrid success, and a partnership approach, the program is not responsible for project team building in response to the direct funding solicitation (this RFP).

53. How can I get in touch with someone from Cohort 1 who would be able to provide insight into an application for Microgrid Development on tribal land?

NLR Response: C-MAP does not facilitate direct outreach to project teams in Cohort 1, but project descriptions can be found at energy.gov/c-map.

54. Regarding a new technology with step change efficiency and power density to replace diesel generators for resilient and backup, but that does not have a remote community partner, can NLR help find one or help find the right microgrid parter to incorporate the solution?

NLR Response: While C-MAP supports peer knowledge exchange, replication of microgrid success, and a partnership approach, the program is not responsible for project team building in response to the direct funding solicitation (this RFP). If an offeror would like to discuss potential avenues for disseminating microgrid solutions, C-MAP program partners are available for minor consultations: Alaska Center for Energy and Power at University of Alaska Fairbanks (POC: Christie Haupert clhaupert@alaska.edu); Renewable Energy Alaska Project (POC: Steve Cleary scleary@realaska.org); Sundance LLC (POC: Kayla Copeland kcopeland@sundance-inc.net); Island Institute (POC: Skye Butterson-Dunn sbuttersondunn@islandinstitute.org) Please visit the C-MAP website to see options for Microgrid Support Services or share resources with cmap@nlr.gov.

55. Are there established/commercialized generation technologies that are not supported or may negatively impact the competitiveness of a project/application?

NLR Response: None have been identified.

56. Can a National Lab contribute methodology case studies (e.g., from prior rural microgrid projects) to the C-MIX Resource Library, and if so, what is the submission process?

NLR Response: Yes, please contact cmap@nlr.gov.

57. Do you have a list of vetted subs that would be of interest to bring on the project?

NLR Response: No. Although it is preferred to have a full project team for submission, it is also acceptable to identify a specific need or set of skills within the proposal but state that specific supplies of these services will be identified upon award, through subcontracting of a competitive identification process. C-MAP program partners may be able to provide regional specific subcontractors with experience with microgrid or rural energy development and are available for minor consultations: Alaska Center for Energy and Power at University of Alaska Fairbanks (POC: Christie Haupert clhaupert@alaska.edu); Renewable Energy Alaska Project (POC:

Steve Cleary scleary@realaska.org); Sundance LLC (POC: Kayla Copeland kcopeland@sundance-inc.net); Island Institute (POC: Skye Butterson-Dunn sbuttersondunn@islandinstitute.org) Please visit the C-MAP website to see options for Microgrid Support Services or share resources with cmap@nlr.gov.

mailto:cmap@nlr.gov