Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001168
Apply for DE FOA 0001168
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Solutions to Improve the Energy Efficiency of U.S. Commercial Buildings" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.086 Conservation Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 23, 2014 and posted on Oct 23, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 20, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Individuals Independent school districts Small businesses Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Special district governments City or township governments State governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its Buildings Technology Office (specifically the Commercial Building Integration Program), issued Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0001168 titled "Advancing Solutions to Improve the Energy Efficiency of U.S. Commercial Buildings." This opportunity is focused on moving beyond early-stage research and instead accelerating the real-world, large-scale deployment of market-ready energy efficiency solutions in the U.S. commercial building sector. The core purpose is to help commercial building owners and operators overcome persistent market barriers that slow adoption of cost-effective efficiency measures, and to create a practical path for proven solutions to be used broadly across regions and building segments.
The FOA is designed around the idea that DOE and its partners have already invested in developing useful resources, tools, and solutions, and now the priority is to get those solutions implemented at scale through programs that can deliver measurable energy savings. Applicants are expected to identify the specific market barriers they intend to tackle (for example, barriers related to financing, information gaps, split incentives, transaction costs, lack of standardized processes, or limited contractor capacity), then propose a clear solution or set of solutions that addresses those barriers, and finally present a deployment plan that shows how the work will produce meaningful results. Rather than small pilots, DOE signals it is looking for proposals with significant reach; projects are expected to affect a substantial geographic area or a major market sector, with an explicit minimum threshold of at least 100 buildings for consideration.
A key emphasis is on leveraging existing channels that can accelerate adoption, such as established utility or state efficiency programs, local government initiatives, private sector service platforms, or other market actors already positioned to influence building decision-making. The FOA encourages coalitions and partnerships, meaning teams of organizations working together are seen as advantageous if they bring complementary strengths like access to building portfolios, strong delivery infrastructure, trusted relationships with owners and facility managers, technical expertise, and the ability to scale. In practice, DOE is looking for applicants that can demonstrate they understand how the commercial buildings market actually behaves and can deliver a program that reaches large numbers of facilities, not just produce a report or a one-off demonstration.
Another major requirement is sustainability after the award period. DOE wants the program or deployment approach developed during the grant to be capable of continuing without DOE funding once the project ends. That means applicants should build a credible business model or institutional structure that supports ongoing operation, whether through revenue, membership or subscription structures, utility incentives, state or local funding alignment, private sector uptake, or other durable financing and governance mechanisms. The overall intent is lasting market transformation rather than a temporary boost tied only to federal dollars.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument, which typically implies DOE will have substantial involvement during the project compared to a standard grant. Cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants must plan to contribute non-federal resources as part of the total project cost. The CFDA number associated with the program is 81.086 (Conservation Research and Development). The FOA was posted on October 23, 2014, with an application closing date of January 20, 2015, and it was later archived on April 20, 2015. Even though the listing shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0, those fields are often placeholders in summaries and applicants were expected to rely on the full FOA text for specific funding amounts, topic areas, and award ranges.
Eligibility is broad and includes state, local, and county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) nonprofits); for-profit entities (including small businesses and other for-profits); independent school districts; and even individuals. The administering office is listed as the DOE Golden Field Office. Applications were required to be submitted electronically through the EERE eXCHANGE platform (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov), which requires applicants to register and create an account before submission. For help accessing the announcement or addressing issues related to the FOA, the contact listed is Ryan N. McCleary at CBIFOA2015@ee.doe.gov.
In plain terms, this FOA targeted teams that could take proven efficiency-enabling tools or approaches and embed them into scalable programs that reach at least 100 commercial buildings, deliver measurable energy savings, and keep operating after federal support ends, all while contributing matching funds and working collaboratively with DOE under a cooperative agreement structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and number of this funding opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is DOE FOA DE-FOA-0001168, titled "Advancing Solutions to Improve the Energy Efficiency of U.S. Commercial Buildings."
Which DOE offices are sponsoring this FOA?
This FOA was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically within the Buildings Technology Office and its Commercial Building Integration Program.
What is the main goal of this FOA?
The core goal is to accelerate real-world, large-scale deployment of market-ready energy efficiency solutions in the U.S. commercial buildings sector, moving beyond early-stage research and focusing on programs that can deliver measurable energy savings at scale.
Is this FOA focused on research and development or deployment?
It is focused on deployment. DOE emphasizes moving beyond early-stage research and prioritizing the large-scale implementation of proven, market-ready solutions and resources.
What kinds of problems is DOE trying to solve through this FOA?
DOE is targeting persistent market barriers that slow adoption of cost-effective commercial building efficiency measures, such as financing barriers, information gaps, split incentives, transaction costs, lack of standardized processes, and limited contractor capacity.
Do applicants need to identify specific market barriers in their proposals?
Yes. Applicants are expected to identify the specific market barrier(s) they intend to address, propose a solution or set of solutions that directly tackles those barriers, and provide a deployment plan showing how the work will produce meaningful, measurable results.
What scale of impact is DOE looking for?
DOE signals it is looking for proposals with significant reach rather than small pilots. Projects are expected to affect a substantial geographic area or a major market sector.
Is there a minimum number of buildings required for a project?
Yes. The FOA includes an explicit minimum threshold of at least 100 buildings for consideration.
What types of solutions or approaches are expected?
The FOA is aimed at deploying market-ready energy efficiency solutions and leveraging existing DOE and partner-developed tools, resources, and solutions. Applicants should focus on practical implementation pathways that enable broad adoption rather than one-off demonstrations.
Does DOE encourage partnerships or coalitions?
Yes. The FOA encourages coalitions and partnerships, and teams of organizations may be advantageous when they bring complementary strengths such as access to building portfolios, delivery infrastructure, trusted relationships with owners and facility managers, technical expertise, and scaling capability.
What delivery channels does DOE want applicants to leverage?
The FOA emphasizes leveraging existing channels that can accelerate adoption, such as established utility or state efficiency programs, local government initiatives, private-sector service platforms, and other market actors positioned to influence commercial building decision-making.
Does DOE expect projects to continue after the award ends?
Yes. A major requirement is sustainability after the award period. DOE wants the program or deployment approach to be able to continue operating without DOE funding once the project ends.
What does DOE mean by sustainability after the award period?
Applicants are expected to present a credible business model or institutional structure for ongoing operation beyond the grant, such as revenue-based approaches, membership/subscription structures, alignment with utility incentives, state or local funding alignment, private sector uptake, or other durable financing and governance mechanisms.
What type of funding instrument will DOE use?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument.
What does a Cooperative Agreement imply for award management?
A Cooperative Agreement typically implies DOE will have substantial involvement during the project compared to a standard grant.
Is cost sharing (matching funds) required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants must contribute non-federal resources as part of the total project cost.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 81.086 (Conservation Research and Development).
When was the FOA posted, and when did it close?
The FOA was posted on October 23, 2014. The application closing date was January 20, 2015.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The FOA was archived on April 20, 2015, and the stated application deadline was January 20, 2015.
Why do some summaries show estimated funding amounts and award ranges as zero?
The listing shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0, which can be a placeholder in summary listings. Applicants were expected to rely on the full FOA text for specific funding amounts, topic areas, and award ranges.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, local, and county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) nonprofits); for-profit entities (including small businesses and other for-profits); independent school districts; and individuals.
Which DOE office is listed as the administering office?
The administering office is listed as the DOE Golden Field Office.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted electronically through the EERE eXCHANGE platform at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.
Do applicants need an account to apply through EERE eXCHANGE?
Yes. Applicants must register and create an account on EERE eXCHANGE before submitting an application.
Who is the contact for questions or issues related to the FOA?
The contact listed is Ryan N. McCleary. Email: CBIFOA2015@ee.doe.gov.
What is DOE ultimately trying to achieve through funded projects?
DOE is aiming for lasting market transformation in commercial building energy efficiency: scalable deployment across at least 100 buildings, measurable energy savings, barrier reduction, and a program structure that continues beyond federal support.
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