SSAA NOFO DE-FOA-0003242 FINAL.docx

SSAA FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT: DE-FOA-0003242

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF DEFENSE PROGRAMS

STEWARDSHIP SCIENCE ACADEMIC ALLIANCES PROGRAM

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO) NUMBER:

DE-FOA-0003242

NOFO TYPE: INITIAL

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 81.112

Prepared by the Office of Partnership and Acquisition Services (NA- PAS), Specialty Acquisition Branch (NA-PAS-311)

Contents

HOW TO APPLY

1. Electronic Delivery The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration requires all applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov.

Applicants must complete a series of registrations and enrollments to submit applications in response to this NOFO. Applicants not currently registered with SAM.gov and Grants.gov should allow at least four weeks to complete these requirements. You should start the process as soon as possible. You may not be able to use your preferred Internet browser: Each system has its own requirements.

2. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. Instructions: Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DOE/NNSA funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

Organizations must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration which provides a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants (those submitting on their own behalf) are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, they need only refer to steps 2 and 3 below.

Applicants must register with SAM at https://www.sam.gov/. More information about SAM registration for applicants is found at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/transcript/Quick_Guide_for_Grants_Registrations.pdf. SAM maintains a complete user guide at:

Grants.gov Online Help Applicants must provide a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to complete their registration in www.SAM.gov. An applicant’s TIN is an EIN assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In limited circumstances, a Social Security Number (SSN) assigned by the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be used as a TIN. You may obtain an EIN from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but SAM registration may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Organization registration instructions can be found on Grants.gov here: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

1) Register with SAM: All organizations (entities) applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

2) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov. Follow the on-screen instructions provided on the registration page.

3) Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant submitting on their own behalf. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations, you can have a profile for each organization under one Grants.gov account. In such cases, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all your grant profiles. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) for the organization in the UEI field. If you are an individual applicant submitting on your own behalf, you do not need a UEI to add the profile. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration/add-profile

4) EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC is then expected to log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration/ebiz-poc-authorizes-profile-roles

5) Applicants must register with FedConnect at www.FedConnect.net. The full, binding version of assistance agreements will be posted to FedConnect.

Recipients must register with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System at https://www.fsrs.gov. This registration must be completed before an award may be made you are advised to register while preparing your application.

6 ) Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration/track-profile-role-status

b. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC of the organization must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

3. How to Submit an Application to DOE/NNSA via Grants.gov Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement (NOFO), you can create individual instances of a workspace.

For an overview of applying on Grants.gov using Workspaces, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview/

1) Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

2) Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

a. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility

b. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

c. Complete SF-424 Fields First: These forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant’s name, address, and SAM UEI. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

3) Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

4) Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-training Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the DOE/NNSA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

4. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

a. Online Submission. All applications must be received by 23:59:59 PM Eastern time on the date listed on the cover of this NOFO. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When DOE/NNSA successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by DOE/NNSA.

Applicants using unreliable internet connections should be aware that the process of completing the Workspace can take some time. Therefore, applicants should allow enough time to prepare and submit the application before the package closing date.

Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received submission message in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application.

5. List of Required Application Forms

A list of required forms and files required to be submitted by applicant and subrecipient is included under this notice of funding opportunity announcement.

6. Public Access

Awards made under this NOFO are subject to DOE’s Public Access Plan (https://www.energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan). Full-text version of scientific publications must be made publicly accessible at no charge to readers.

7. Statutory Authority

Section 646 of Public Law 95-91, U.S. Department of Energy Organization Act Section 901, et seq. of Public Law 109-58, Energy Policy Act of 2005

8. Applicable Regulations

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, codified at 2 CFR 200 U.S. Department of Energy Financial Assistance Rules, codified at 2 CFR 910.

9. Program Statement Commitment

The DOE/NNSA is fully and unconditionally committed to fostering safe, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work, research, and funding environments that value mutual respect and personal integrity. Discrimination and harassment undermine DOE/NNSA’s ability to achieve its mission by reducing productivity, discouraging, or inhibiting talent retention and career advancement, and weakening the integrity of the DOE/NNSA enterprise overall. DOE/NNSA does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, including sexual or non-sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, violence, threats of violence, retaliation, or other disruptive behavior in the federal workplace, including DOE/NNSA field site offices, or at national laboratories, scientific user facilities, academic institutions, other institutions receiving DOE/NNSA funding, or other locations where activities funded by DOE/NNSA are carried out.

SECTION I - FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Description Summary

The Department of Energy’s (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Defense Programs, directs research and development activities to maintain the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. This nuclear deterrent remains a vital part of our national security infrastructure. It maintains strategic stability, deters potential adversaries, and reassures our allies and partners of our security commitments. Since 1992, the United States has observed the moratorium on underground nuclear testing while significantly decreasing the size of its nuclear arsenal. National Policy required NNSA and its weapons laboratories to institute the science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP) to ensure the safety, security, and effectiveness of the stockpile, while allowing the country to pursue a variety of nonproliferation and disarmament goals. The SSP combines sophisticated experiments, highly accurate physics modeling, and improved computational power to simulate and predict nuclear weapon performance over a wide range of conditions and scenarios.

The Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) Program was established in 2002 to support state-of-the-art research at U.S. academic institutions in areas of fundamental physical science and technology of relevance to the SSP mission. The SSAA Program provides the research experience necessary to maintain a cadre of trained scientists and engineers at U.S. universities to meet the nation’s current and future SSP needs, with a focus on those areas not supported by other federal agencies. It supports the DOE/NNSA’s priorities both to address the workforce specific needs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to support the next generation of professionals who will meet those needs.

The Office of Defense Programs announce their interest in receiving applications for new or renewal financial assistance awards for research grants in the SSAA Program. Researchers seeking renewals of their current SSAA grant should apply to this NOFO. The research areas of interest in the SSAA Program for this announcement are properties of materials under extreme conditions and material processing, low energy nuclear science, and radiochemistry.

B. Program Objectives

The objectives of the SSAA Program are to:

· Support the U.S. scientific and engineering community by funding basic research activities at universities that are of relevance to stockpile stewardship goals.

· Provide opportunities for intellectual challenge and collaboration by promoting scientific interactions between the academic community and scientists at the DOE/NNSA National Laboratories; and

· Develop and maintain a long-term recruiting pathway supporting the DOE/NNSA laboratories by training and educating the next generation of scientists in fundamental research of relevance to stockpile stewardship goals, increasing the visibility of the DOE/NNSA scientific activities to the U.S. academic communities.

C. Technical Scope and Topical Research Areas

The DOE/NNSA will consider applications for university-led research which can address one or more of the fundamental areas of physical sciences and engineering outlined below. Proposals should have an appropriate balance between advancing theory and understanding, simulation, and experimental efforts, and be of relevance to the NNSA Defense Program’s stockpile stewardship mission. Proposals that advance theory and physical modeling should have a strong, demonstrable connection to experimental efforts.

1. Topic Research Area # 1: Properties of Materials under Extreme Conditions and Material Processing

Research proposals are solicited in the area of fundamental material properties under conditions of material processing and material response under extreme conditions. The research in materials under extreme environments and conditions of processing is fundamentally a multi-disciplinary subject, incorporating physics (e.g., condensed matter, shock), chemistry, materials science, and numerous engineering disciplines.

Extreme conditions include material response when subjected to one or more of the following: high-pressure (>1GPa), high-temperature, or high loading rate (>104 per second). The breadth of this topical research area includes, but is not limited to:

· Material Properties under Extreme Conditions Experimental investigations of quasi-static high pressure and dynamically driven materials and interrogation of their properties under conditions of high-pressure, high-temperature, high-strain and/or high-strain-rate. Of particular interest are experimental techniques that access and probe dynamic compression phenomenon with novel time-resolved optical and x-ray probes.

Materials properties of interest include thermodynamic properties (equation-of-state, high-pressure phase diagram, pressure-induced phase transformation, etc.), mechanical constitutive properties (plasticity and strength, failure, fracture, etc.), microstructure effects, and those materials characteristics that impact behaviors such as anisotropy. Experiments that isolate effects due to phase kinetics from the underlying equation-of-state (EOS) are of particular importance. Materials in high temperature (near melt), high pressure and strain-rate regimes where constitutive properties (strength, damage, failure, phase change, etc.) may be important.

Experimental investigations of the physics of hydrodynamic instabilities, mixing, and the evolution of interfaces under these conditions may also be considered.

· Energetic Materials Characterization of physics and chemistry related to energetic materials (i.e., initiation and detonation) as well as processing to control energetic material microstructure. Of particular interest are developing methodologies to map structure – property – performance relationships of common energetics. Proposals centered on high explosives synthesis will not be considered.

· Advanced Manufacturing and Processing Characterizing material and metallurgical processing, and methodologies intended to increase manufacturing efficiencies and novel properties. Increase understanding of the localized effects of material processing (e.g., chemistry, microstructure) on materials response.

· Novel Characterization, Diagnostics, and Algorithms Develop and apply novel characterization methodologies, diagnostics, and algorithms toward understanding material properties and connect to performance. This may include optical, x-ray and particle measurements such as velocimetry, imaging, diffractive techniques, spectroscopy, and tomographic techniques. This may also include research in advanced detectors for neutron and x-rays and measurement techniques leading to the observation of physical phenomena at relevant temperature, density and/or strain conditions, length and time scales, and temperature measurements under extreme conditions. There is particular interest in using high brilliance x-ray sources (such as XFELs and synchrotrons) that have penetrating capabilities.

· Data Science / Machine Learning The combination of high repetition rate and tailorable drive capabilities, x-ray and laser sources, and machine learning techniques may enhance understanding of a number of material related mechanisms, processes, and phenomenologies. Machine learning combined with advanced manufacturing methodologies may lead to the discovery of novel materials with unique capabilities.

Proposals including major research themes in synthesis of energetic materials and trans-uranic elements will not be accepted.

2. Topic Research Area # 2: Low Energy Nuclear Science

Research proposals are solicited in the area of low energy nuclear science. Measurement and theory development should be done in a manner to include focus on the systematic errors in the process. The breadth of this topical area includes, but is not limited to:

· Investigations, including nuclear theory, differential, and/or integral measurements, leading to greater accuracy in the nuclear data of stable and unstable nuclei and corresponding reaction rates for neutron, gamma, and charged particle-induced reactions.

· Development of advanced simulations and measurement techniques leading to improved radiation and particle detection methods, in terms of energy, temporal, and spatial resolution.

· Physics of the fission process, including measurements or theory to understand fission fragment yields and energies, the multiplicity and distributions of the prompt neutrons and gammas, and the subsequent emissions from the fission fragment products including correlations in energy, multiplicity and direction among the emitted particles.

· Development of advanced nuclear physics experimental diagnostic methods relevant to proton, x-ray, or other radiographic techniques, or to cross section and reaction rate measurements involving unstable and radioactive nuclei.

· Physics of neutron scattering processes, including measurements or theory to understand the energy and angular dependence of elastic and inelastic reactions.

3. Topic Research Area # 3: Radiochemistry

Research proposals are solicited in the area of radiochemistry with an emphasis on studies of the heavier elements and the actinides. The breadth of this topical area includes, but is not limited to:

· Improvements in isotope production and harvesting methods, chemical separation techniques, and coordination chemistry of actinides and fission products.

· Investigations which particularly address systematic uncertainties while leading to greater accuracy in neutron- and particle- induced cross sections of the actinides.

· Production procedures and techniques to manufacture pure targets, especially short-lived nuclei including americium, for use in nuclear science measurements, including new methods and procedures for harvesting rare isotopes at radioactive ion beam facilities.

· Environmental chemistry of plutonium and other actinides and development of advanced radio-analytical methods to measure actinide elements in environmental samples that improve the knowledge of the behavior of actinides in relevant environments and scenarios.

· Development of novel detector systems to improve spectral measurement sensitivity and/or new chemistry procedures to process irradiated targets to prepare them for precision measurements.

D. Recruitment and Development of Students, Young Researchers, and Staff Scientists

Students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to spend time at the DOE/NNSA National Laboratories, participate in on-site internships, engage with National Laboratory scientists, and participate in symposia. Graduates are encouraged to seek post-doctoral or staff positions at NNSA Laboratories. It is NNSA’s desire that graduates of the grant pursue careers either at U.S. institutions, U.S. universities, or at the NNSA National Laboratories, contributing to fields of science that are Defense Program-relevant.

E. Subawards / Subrecipients

Subawards exist when multiple institutions work together to submit one application with a designated prime awardee and multiple potential subrecipients.

A well-thought-out research plan and its associated budget(s) should leave no confusion about which institution will do which parts of the research.

Subrecipients must submit a required application package to a designated lead institution if participating in a team led by the proposing applicant/institution.

The multiple applications will be assembled into one joint collaborative application, which will be merit-reviewed as one document, with recommendations to fund or decline the application.

F. Foreign National, Export Control, and Pursuant Compliance Requirements

The SSAA Program was established, in part, to support the long-term development of U.S. human capital in the fields of science, engineering, mathematics, and technology relevant to stockpile stewardship. DOE/NNSA follows a graded approach for reviewing and approving access by foreign nationals to DOE/NNSA sites, programs, information and technologies, in accordance with DOE Order 142.3B, Unclassified Foreign National Access Program, approved January 15, 2021.

Non-US-Persons: Any individual person receiving funding support, benefiting from the resources of the grant, or involved in project research under this grant must be a U.S. Person (defined as a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residency). All non-US persons involved in the proposed work under this NOFO must be identified in Appendix 7 of the application and will be subject to approval by the SSAA Program Manager. For any personnel changes after award which include non-US persons, the Principal Investigator (PI) must request and receive written permission for non-US person involvement from the SSAA Program Manager.

The DOE/NNSA Grants Officer or the SSAA Program Manager can request, in writing, personally identifiable information (PII), such as full name, nationality, date of birth, and social security number, of individuals engaged in activities of, receiving support from, or benefiting from the resources of the grant. The DOE/NNSA SSAA Program Manager can exclude individuals from receiving funding from the grant, from using the resources provided by the grant, and from participating in grant activities.

Foreign National Site/Facility Access: Access to DOE/NNSA National Laboratories and Facilities is reviewed and approved by the sites/labs. For information when planning proposed research, PIs should be aware of and plan for policies at these sites/facilities. DOE/NNSA National Laboratories and DOE/NNSA facilities follow DOE Order 142.3B, Unclassified Foreign National Access Program, approved January 15, 2021, which defines the program for unclassified foreign national access to DOE/NNSA sites, information, technologies, and equipment. Access approvals for foreign nationals to DOE/NNSA National Laboratories and/or facilities are subject to validation and verification of the information submitted for the access request when the visit or assignment begins.

Export Control: All entities submitting applications to this NOFO must recognize the moral and legal obligations to comply with export controls laws and regulations and all other applicable security requirements to any work performed under a resulting award, which limit the transfer of technologies with potential dual use. Applicants are reminded that international activities must comply with nonproliferation, sanction, and other protocols described at https://www.export.gov

G. Open Science

DOE/NNSA is dedicated to promoting the values of openness in Federally supported scientific research, including, but not limited to, ensuring that research may be reproduced and that the results of Federally supported research are made available to other researchers. These objectives may be met through any number of mechanisms including, but not limited to, data access plans, data sharing agreements, the use of archives and repositories, and the use of various licensing schemes.

The use of the phrase “open source” does not refer to any particular licensing arrangement but is to be understood as encompassing any arrangement that furthers the objective of openness.

SECTION II - AWARD INFORMATION

A. Type of Award Instrument DOE/NNSA anticipates awarding grants under this funding opportunity announcement.

B. Type of Application DOE/NNSA will accept new and renewal applications under this announcement. Renewal applications are requests for additional funding for a period subsequent to that provided by a current award. Renewal applications compete with all other applications and must be submitted by any established due date/deadline. In preparing a renewal application, applicants should assume that reviewers will not have access to previous applications. The application should be developed as fully as though the applicant were applying for the first time. The application must include all the information required for a new project, plus the project narrative section should discuss the results from prior work. Researchers seeking renewal for any current SSAA grant should apply to this NOFO.

C. Estimated Funding Approximately $7,000,000 annually is anticipated to be available for new or renewal awards under this announcement. An increase or decrease in appropriations of funding for this program may result in additional awards being selected or less funding being available for awards. Funding for all awards and future budget periods are contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated by Congress for the purpose of this program and the availability of future-year budget authority. DOE/NNSA is under no obligation to pay for any costs associated with preparing or submitting an application.

D. Maximum and Minimum Award Size Ceiling (i.e., the maximum amount for an individual award made under this announcement):

$300,000 per year Floor (i.e., the minimum amount for an individual award made under this announcement):

$50,000 per year E. Expected Number of Awards The number of awards will depend on the availability of appropriated funds, the number of meritorious applications, the distribution of funds in each topic area determined by the DOE/NNSA selection official, the merit review results, and other policy factors and considerations. DOE/NNSA reserves the right to fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or none of the applications, not award in all Topical Areas, or make fewer awards than would be possible at the grand-total level at its sole discretion.

F. Anticipated Award Amount Per Year DOE/NNSA anticipates that awards will be in the $150,000 to $900,000 range for the total three-year project period.

G. Period of Performance DOE/NNSA anticipates making awards with an estimated project period of three years. The overall project duration will be subdivided into annual budget periods. Each project is expected to be funded through annual budget periods to coincide with DOE/NNSA decision points, where project continuation into a subsequent budget period is contingent upon satisfactory performance in each budget period and funding availability.

Continuation funding (funding for the second and subsequent budget periods) is contingent on: (1) availability of funds appropriated by Congress and future year budget authority; (2) progress towards meeting the objectives of the approved application; (3) submission of required reports; and (4) compliance with the terms and conditions of the award.

H. Limitations on SSAA NOFO Applications by Same Organization There is no limit on the number of proposals the same institution or PI can submit to this NOFO. Multiple proposals may also be submitted to each topic research area as specified in Section I.C of this NOFO. When submitting multiple proposals ensure that the same PI or supporting staff time does not exceed 100% of their time on all combined proposals and ensure that all proposals are submitted in complete form with all required attachments as specified in the NOFO. Multiple awards may be made to the same institution.

SECTION III - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants-Restricted Eligibility

In accordance with 2 CFR 910.126(b), eligibility for award is restricted to the following domestic organizations located in the United States, its territories or possessions, as follows:

1. United States (U.S.) Universities/academic institutions of higher education in any State, Federal District, or Territory of the U.S. that meets all of the following criteria:

(1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate.

(2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education.

(3) Provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor’s degree or provides not less than a 2-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree.

(4) Is accredited by a nationally or regionally recognized accrediting agency or association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted reaccreditation status by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for the granting of reaccreditation status, and the U.S. Secretary of Education has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.

2. Not-for-Profit

Non-degree-granting domestic U.S. scientific research organizations that include (but not limited to) independent museums and science centers, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and research or educational activities. These organizations must have an independent, permanent administrative organization (e.g., an office of sponsored research) located in the U.S., Federal District, U.S. Territories, or possessions, and be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

3. Principal Investigators:

For prospective applicants who are submitting financial assistance applications to this NOFO, the individual selected as the PI for the grant must be a U.S. Person defined as a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent resident; and, either:

(1) An active member of the applicant’s teaching/research faculty of a U.S. University or academic institution of higher education, or

(2) A full-time employee of a U.S.-based Company in the form of a Corporation, Partnership, Proprietorship, or a Not-for-Profit, non-degree granting domestic U.S. scientific research organization.

B. Cost Sharing Cost sharing is not required.

C. Other Eligibility Requirements

Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Collaboration Support (includes DOE/NNSA National Laboratories and other Federal Agency-Sponsored FFRDCs)

FFRDCs are not eligible for an award under this announcement. However, FFRDCs may participate as collaborators in order to:

(1) promote and sustain scientific interactions between the academic community and scientists at the FFRDC Laboratories through exchange of information and/or personnel,

(2) increase the availability of unique experimental facilities sited at the FFRDC Laboratories to the academic community, particularly for collaborations in areas of relevance to stockpile stewardship, and

(3) develop and maintain a long-term recruiting pipeline to the DOE/NNSA FFRDC’s by increasing the visibility of the DOE/NNSA scientific activities to the U.S. faculty and student communities.

FFRDCs are not eligible to receive any direct funding associated with this NOFO, except for reimbursement for use of facilities that require “user fees” in accordance with the institution’s written policies or procedures.

To affect this collaboration, a letter from an FFRDC employee who will be collaborating with the applicant must be submitted with the application. This letter must outline their understanding and role in the collaboration effort and indicate that no funds will be provided to the FFRDC from the awarded grant except for reimbursement for use of facilities that require “user fees” as stated above.

In addition to the collaboration letters, if an applicant is selected for award, the FFRDC contractor(s) participating as collaborating partners must receive prior authorization from the cognizant Federal Agency for non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs and from the cognizant Contracting Officer for DOE/NNSA FFRDCs, subject to the following guidelines:

Authorization for non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs. If selected for award, the Federal agency sponsoring the FFRDC contractor must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC contractor on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted. The use of a FFRDC contractor must be consistent with the contractor's authority under its award and must not place the FFRDC contractor in direct competition with the private sector.

Authorization for DOE/NNSA FFRDCs. If selected for award, the cognizant contracting officer for the FFRDC must authorize in writing the use of a DOE/NNSA FFRDC contractor on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted. The following wording is acceptable for this authorization.

"Authorization is granted for the [Name] Laboratory to participate in the proposed project. The work proposed for the laboratory is consistent with or complimentary to the missions of the laboratory, will not adversely impact execution of the DOE/NNSA assigned programs at the laboratory, and will not place the laboratory in direct competition with the domestic private sector."

If selected for award, the recipient is responsible for contacting the appropriate DOE/NNSA FFRDC collaborating partner(s) who should in turn obtain prior written authorization from the DOE/NNSA FFRDC Contracting Officer.

D. Applicant Responsibility

The applicant, if successful, will be the responsible authority regarding the settlement and satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues, including but not limited to, disputes and claims arising out of any agreement between the applicant and the FFRDC contractor.

E. The Master Government List of FFRDCs

List is available at:

http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/

F. DOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contracts

List is available at:

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2021/01/f82/DOE%20NNSA%20Site%20Facility%20Management%20Contracts%20-%20January%202021.pdf

SECTION IV - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to https://www.Grants.gov, select “Search Grants”, and then enter the Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003242, Select “Search”, Select the Opportunity Number on the list, then Select the “Apply” button to access the application package. Applications submitted through www.FedConnect.net will not be accepted.

B. Letter of Intent (LOI)

Due Date listed on the cover of this NOFO.

Letter of Intent Response date is listed on the cover of this announcement. Applicants who have not received a response regarding the status of their LOI by this date are responsible for contacting the SSAA program office contact to confirm this status.

A LOI is required for all applications submitted in response to this NOFO. This is a new requirement for the Stewardship Science Academic Alliances Program. To be considered eligible for an award under this NOFO, potential lead organizations are required to submit a LOI in accordance with the instructions provided below, and to receive notification from DOE/NNSA that they are invited to submit a full proposal. Applications received from an applicant who has not submitted the required LOI, or who received notification from DOE/NNSA that they are not invited to submit a full application, will be deemed non-responsive and will be rejected without further review.

In addition, the lead organization identified in the full application must be the same lead organization identified in the LOI. If an application is received for which the lead organization has changed since submission of the LOI, the application will be deemed non-responsive and will be rejected without further review. The Lead Principal Investigator (PI) should not be changed unless unavoidable and only minor edits should be made, if necessary, to the title of the project. If necessary, the applicant may make changes to other senior/key personnel and other participating institutions, although DOE/NNSA discourages extensive changes.

On the cover of the LOI include (cover will not count toward the LOI’s page limit):

· Title of project

· Lead Principal Investigator Name, Title, Email Address

· Institution

· Relevant research areas of interest from among those identified in this NOFO.

· NOFO number indicated on the cover of this NOFO.

· A table* of all senior/key personnel and collaborators involved in the project including unfunded laboratory personnel and their affiliation.

*Senior/Key Personnel and Collaborators (including unfunded laboratory personnel)

Last Name

The LOI must include:

· A clear and concise description of the proposed research which may not exceed two pages when printed using standard letter-size (8.5-inch x 11-inch) paper with 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right). The body text font must not be smaller than 11-point. Figures and references, if included, must fit within the two-page limit. If the LOI exceeds two pages, only content on the first two pages will be read and considered.

Attach to the LOI (please submit Excel file):

· A table** for each funded investigator of collaborative co-investigators including co-authors of past 48 months, co-editors of past 24 months, graduate and postdoctoral associates who have been supervised by the senior/key personnel during the past 60 months, advisors/advisees, and close associations. For publications with more than 10 authors or participants, list only those individuals in the core group with whom the PI interacted on a regular basis while the research was being done. This table should exclude all personnel at any of the institutions listed in the Senior/Key Personnel Table. This listing will not count toward the LOI’s page limit.

**Collaborator Table

The LOI must be in Microsoft Word or pdf machine-readable. The Collaboration Table must be in Excel. Do not submit a scanned image of a printed document.

The LOI should be emailed to terri.stone@nnsa.doe.gov by the due date listed on the cover of this NOFO. The subject line of the email should read “SSAA LOI” followed by the PI’s last name and the lead organization name, e.g. “SSAA LOI: Jones, University of XYZ”. Do not submit a LOI through FedConnect or Grants.gov.

The LOIs from PIs that are invited to submit a full proposal will be used to help begin planning for the application peer review process. The intent of not inviting submission of certain applications is to save the time and effort of applicants in preparing and submitting applications not responsive to this NOFO.

C. Content and Application Forms

All applicants must complete the mandatory forms and any applicable optional forms in accordance with the instructions on the forms and the additional instructions below. Files that are attached to the forms must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) unless otherwise specified in this announcement. Attached PDF files must be plain files consisting of text, numbers, and images without editable fields, signatures, passwords, redactions, or other advanced features available in some PDF-compatible software. Do not use PDF portfolios or binders.

Please note you may only use the following UTF-8 characters when naming your application attachments: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore (_), hyphen (-), space, period. You must limit the file name to 50 or fewer characters. Attachments that do not follow this rule may cause the entire application to be rejected or cause issues during processing.

To avoid interfering with the selection of peer reviewers, please do NOT include general letters of support for the proposal or list collaborators that do not have an active part in the project. General letters of support will not be used in making funding decisions.

Optional letters of collaboration for unfunded or funded collaborations may be placed in Appendix 6 (Other Attachments). Letters of collaboration should state the intention to participate, but they should not be written as recommendation or endorsement letters, which are not allowed.

Applicants and Sub-applicants can review a list of Required Application Documents required under this NOFO.

1. SF 424 (Research and Related (R&R) Application

Complete this form first to populate data in other forms. Complete all the required fields in accordance with the pop-up instructions on the form. The list of certifications and assurances referenced in Field 17 is available on the DOE Financial Assistance Forms Page at…