Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000521
Apply for DE FOA 0000521
- The Golden Field Office in the education energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2013 Solar Decathlon and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Showcase Event" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.117 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination, Outreach, Training and Technical Analysis/Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 19, 2011 and posted on Oct 19, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 5, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), released this Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0000521) to select a single partner to host the 2013 Solar Decathlon and an associated Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy showcase event. The main purpose is to create a high-visibility public event that advances EEREs mission by demonstrating practical, community-deployable clean energy technologies and by educating the public about energy security, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means DOE expects to be substantially involved in planning and executing the project alongside the selected recipient rather than acting only as a pass-through funder.
A core expectation of the opportunity is that the host will use the Solar Decathlon as a hands-on platform for outreach and education, showing real-world applications of EERE-supported technologies and emphasizing the economic and societal benefits of clean energy adoption. Beyond awareness-raising, DOE signals that the event should act as a catalyst for local workforce development and additional renewable energy activities after the competition ends. In other words, the Decathlon is framed not just as a one-time showcase, but as a springboard for longer-term training, jobs, and market activity tied to efficiency and renewable energy in the host region.
The FOA places strong emphasis on partnership and local governmental involvement. Applicants are expected to form a hosting partnership that includes a city, state, or local government, working together to successfully stage the event and leverage it for community impact. While eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type, subject to details in the FOA), the partnership requirement indicates that proposals need credible coordination with government stakeholders who can support logistics, permitting, public engagement, and broader local planning tied to the event.
From an applicant and submission standpoint, the process runs through the EERE eXCHANGE portal. Applicants must register and submit their application electronically through that system to be considered, and DOE provides an online user guide to help with navigation and submission requirements. The opportunity was posted on October 19, 2011, with an application deadline of December 5, 2011, and it was later archived on March 5, 2012. Cost sharing is required, meaning the recipient would need to contribute non-federal resources (cash and/or allowable in-kind support) as part of the overall project budget, consistent with the rules spelled out in the full FOA.
Administrative details show the sponsoring DOE office as the Golden Field Office, with the activity category aligned to education and energy. The CFDA listing is 81.117, which covers EERE information dissemination, outreach, training, and technical analysis/assistance. The public synopsis does not specify an award floor, ceiling, or estimated total funding amount (each is listed as 0 in the source data), so the authoritative funding parameters would be found only in the full announcement. Questions and access issues were directed to the Solar Decathlon contact, Clay L. Pfrangle, reachable at solardecathlon@go.doe.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0000521, released through DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), to select a single partner to host the 2013 Solar Decathlon and an associated Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy showcase event.
2) What is the primary purpose of the award?
The purpose is to create a high-visibility public event that advances EERE's mission by demonstrating practical, community-deployable clean energy technologies and educating the public about energy security, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
3) How many awards does DOE intend to make?
DOE intends to select a single partner (one recipient/host) to stage the 2013 Solar Decathlon and the associated EERE showcase event.
4) What type of funding instrument will DOE use?
The award instrument is a cooperative agreement.
5) What does "cooperative agreement" mean in practice for this project?
A cooperative agreement typically means DOE expects to be substantially involved in planning and executing the project alongside the selected recipient, rather than acting only as a pass-through funder.
6) What is DOE expecting the host to deliver as part of the event?
A core expectation is that the host uses the Solar Decathlon as a hands-on platform for outreach and education, showing real-world applications of EERE-supported technologies and highlighting the economic and societal benefits of clean energy adoption.
7) Is the Solar Decathlon expected to have impacts beyond the competition dates?
Yes. DOE signals that the event should act as a catalyst for local workforce development and additional renewable energy activities after the competition ends, positioning the Decathlon as a springboard for longer-term training, jobs, and market activity tied to energy efficiency and renewable energy in the host region.
8) Are partnerships required to apply?
Partnership is strongly emphasized. Applicants are expected to form a hosting partnership that includes a city, state, or local government to help successfully stage the event and leverage it for community impact.
9) Does local government involvement matter even if eligibility is "unrestricted"?
Yes. While eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type, subject to details in the FOA), the stated expectation for a hosting partnership that includes a city, state, or local government indicates proposals should demonstrate credible coordination with government stakeholders.
10) Why does the FOA emphasize working with a city, state, or local government?
The description indicates government partners can support logistics, permitting, public engagement, and broader local planning tied to the event, which are important to staging a major public showcase and extending its community impact.
11) What kinds of activities does this FOA align with?
The activity category is aligned to education and energy, with the event focused on outreach and education related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy security.
12) Which DOE office is sponsoring this opportunity?
The sponsoring DOE office is the Golden Field Office, under EERE.
13) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity and what does it cover?
The CFDA listing is 81.117, which covers EERE information dissemination, outreach, training, and technical analysis/assistance.
14) Is cost sharing required?
Yes. Cost sharing is required, meaning the recipient must contribute non-federal resources (cash and/or allowable in-kind support) as part of the overall project budget, consistent with the rules in the full FOA.
15) Does the synopsis state the award amount or total available funding?
No. The public synopsis does not specify an award floor, ceiling, or estimated total funding amount (each is listed as 0 in the source data). Any authoritative funding parameters would be found in the full announcement.
16) How do applicants submit an application?
Applications must be submitted electronically through the EERE eXCHANGE portal. Applicants must register and submit through that system to be considered, and DOE provides an online user guide to assist with navigation and submission requirements.
17) What are the key dates for this FOA?
The opportunity was posted on October 19, 2011. The application deadline was December 5, 2011. The opportunity was later archived on March 5, 2012.
18) What does it mean that the FOA is archived?
Based on the provided information, archived status indicates the opportunity is no longer active for new submissions under that original posting.
19) Who should be contacted for questions or access issues?
Questions and access issues were directed to the Solar Decathlon contact: Clay L. Pfrangle at solardecathlon@go.doe.gov.
20) What is the overall outcome DOE is trying to achieve through selecting a host?
DOE is aiming for a highly visible, public-facing event that demonstrates practical clean energy technologies, educates the public, highlights benefits of clean energy adoption, and helps spark longer-term workforce development and renewable energy activity in the host region.
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| SOLAR TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR PROFESSIONALS (STEP) Apply for DE FOA 0001329 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001329 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Education Energy Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
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