Question 2:
Where Can I find a a Guide to Submitting Concept Paper and Full Applications?
Answer 2:
Click Here for the Guide to Submitting Concept Papers and Full Applications.
Question 6:
How is the light utilization parameter calculated? Where can the details be found? What is the difference between general and task utilization parameters?
Answer 6:
There is no standard for light utilization. However, the table for the subtopic (and also in the Research and Development Plan) are meant to demonstrated improved delivery of general (ambient) or task level lumens over today's technology. The applicant must justify target levels that are suitable for their proposed lighting application and show improvement over current state-of-the-art.
Question 15:
Please advise on how we submit our application through the EERE Exchange as this is not a familiar process.
Answer 15:
All application submissions are to be made via the EERE eXCHANGE at http://eere.energy.gov/financing/exchange. To gain access to the EERE eXCHANGE, the applicant must first register and create an account on the main EERE eXCHANGE site. This account will then allow the user to register for any open EERE FOAs that are currently in eXCHANGE. It is recommended that each organization or business unit, whether acting as a team or a single entity, utilize one account as the appropriate contact information for each submission.
The applicant will receive an automated response when the preliminary or full application is received; this will serve as a confirmation of EERE receipt – please do not reply to the automated response. The applicant will have the opportunity to re-submit a revised preliminary or full application for any reason as long as the relevant submission is submitted by the specified deadline. A “User Guide” for the EERE eXCHANGE can be found on the EERE website http://eere.energy.gov/financing/exchange/Manuals.aspx after logging into the system.
Questions related to use of the EERE eXCHANGE website should be submitted to: EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov.
Questions related to the Funding Opportunity Announcement should be submitted to the applicable FOA email address and should be submitted not later than 3 calendar days prior to the preliminary application or full application due date. Questions submitted after that date may not allow the Government sufficient time to respond. Answers to questions will be posted on the Exchange website under this FOA. Applicants are encouraged to review the posted questions and answers daily.
Question 23:
I am working on the SF-424 application and cannot seem to find the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this announcement. Can you please let me know what the number is?
Answer 23:
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number for this announcement is: 81.087
Question 24:
Should the required summary slide be captured and uploaded in portrait format or in landscape?
Answer 24:
The summary slide should be captured and uploaded in landscape format.
Question 25:
Last year, when we submitted a concept paper to DOE, during the upload, we were suddenly asked to provide detail funding information. We had anticipated that for an invited proposal, but not for the concept paper stage. We complied as best we could. Should that happen again, what procedure should we follow since we are not prepared to submit funding information at this time?
Answer 25:
To DOE, any numbers provided at the concept paper stage are estimates and may not be as accurate as those provided in the full application. Therefore, applicants should provide the amount of information available at the time of submission.
Question 26:
Could you please tell me if the title in the concept paper can be slightly different (may be removing 1 or 2 words) than the title in the LOI?
Please note that the PI and topic area remains the same.
Answer 26:
Yes, changes to the title are allowed.
Question 27:
Is the reference section included in the 3-page limit?
Answer 27:
References are not required for at the concept paper stage. If references are included in the concept paper submission, then they would be included in the three page limit.
Question 28:
Will the concept paper reviews (and documents) be internal to DOE only, or will they be made public?
Answer 28:
The concept paper review is internal to DOE but is subject to the same Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests as all other DOE activities. In the event of a FOIA request the applicant will be contacted and allowed to redact sensitive information.
Question 31:
We missed the deadline to submit our concept paper, due to our local internet problem. We are wondering whether there is a way to make up.
Answer 31:
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept late concept paper submissions.
Question 51:
Is lithiated anode considered an intersts of AOI 6?
Answer 51:
Unfortunately, due to the competitive nature of this process, we are unable to state if a particular technology or concept is or is not of interest. Applicants should review the technical description associated with each Area of Interest (AOI) to determine an approach based on the nature and scope of the proposed technology, prior to submitting concept papers.
In accordance with the FOA, Section III. G. Questions Regarding Eligibility: "EERE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant."
EERE will not provide submission recommendations on concept papers prior to submission of a Concept paper. At that time, EERE makes an independent assessment of each Concept Paper based on the criteria in Section V.A.1 of the FOA. EERE will encourage a subset of Applicants based upon this assessment to submit Full Applications. Other Applicants will be discouraged based upon this assessment from submitting a Full Application. An applicant who receives a “discouraged” notification may still submit a Full Application. However, by discouraging the submission of a Full Application, EERE intends to convey its lack of programmatic interest in the proposed project.
See section IV. C.1 of the FOA for more information regarding the submission of concept papers. Please note that all Full Applications that pass compliance review will undergo comprehensive technical merit review according to the criteria identified in Section V.A.2 of the FOA.