Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001385
Apply for DE FOA 0001385
- The DOE-GFO in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DE-FOA-0001385: SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF U.S. SMALL AND MEDIUM 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 29, 2015 and posted on Oct 29, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 01, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
DE-FOA-0001385 is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity focused on accelerating real-world, scalable energy-efficiency solutions for small and medium commercial buildings and tenant spaces. The core idea is not simply to invent new technology, but to help proven or near-ready approaches break through the practical market obstacles that keep energy-saving upgrades from being widely adopted. DOE frames this as a scale-up effort: building a clear path for market-ready solutions to be deployed broadly across the United States so that energy efficiency becomes easier, more common, and more cost-effective for this segment of the commercial building stock.
The opportunity is rooted in the scale of commercial-building energy use and the outsized role of smaller buildings. DOE cites U.S. Energy Information Administration data indicating that commercial buildings used about 18 quadrillion Btu in 2014, roughly 19 percent of total national energy use. Within that sector, small commercial buildings (under 50,000 square feet) account for more than 40 percent of commercial energy consumption, which is a major reason DOE targets this space. The FOA also highlights that many cost-effective efficiency improvements already exist and can reduce operating costs, support job creation, and strengthen local economies, but adoption remains slower than it could be because of persistent, well-documented market and structural barriers.
A major emphasis of the FOA is overcoming those barriers, especially as they show up in small and medium commercial buildings. DOE specifically calls out issues like split incentives (for example, when a landlord pays for upgrades but tenants receive the energy savings, or vice versa), information problems (asymmetrical, inadequate, or confusing information that makes it hard to choose the right upgrades), and financial friction (higher first costs, conservative investment hurdle rates, and reluctance to take on projects that do not match typical payback expectations). These challenges tend to be especially difficult in the small and medium building segment, including buildings in the 50,000 to 100,000 square foot range, where owners and operators often have fewer staff resources, less technical support, and less access to customized financing and energy management expertise than large building portfolios.
DOE positions this funding under the mission of its Building Technologies Office (BTO), within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The FOA ties directly to DOE and Administration energy-efficiency goals for buildings, including a near-term goal of 20 percent savings by 2020 and 50 percent by 2030 (as stated in the announcement). Within BTO, the Commercial Building Integration (CBI) program is described as the part of DOE that drives voluntary adoption of efficient technologies and practices, acting as a bridge between emerging technology development and broader market uptake supported by codes and standards. In that context, this FOA is meant to support practical tools, resources, and solutions that can unlock implementation at scale, rather than remaining isolated pilot efforts.
From a funding and award structure standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement, which typically means DOE expects substantial involvement during the project period (for example, coordination, milestone reviews, and active engagement rather than a hands-off grant). The award ceiling listed is $2,000,000 per award, and DOE anticipated making about 8 awards under this announcement. The activity category is Energy, and the CFDA number referenced is 81.086. The posting date and creation date are both October 29, 2015, with an application closing date of February 1, 2016 (the original and current closing date are the same in the provided data).
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that could influence adoption in the commercial market. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; individuals; for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities as clarified in the FOA’s additional eligibility text. This wide eligibility list reflects DOE’s interest in solutions that might come from public-sector programs, nonprofits, universities, or private companies, as long as the proposed work can credibly reduce barriers and drive broad adoption in the targeted building segment.
Administrative details are also straightforward: applications had to be submitted electronically through the EERE eXCHANGE portal (eere-exchange.energy.gov). Applicants were required to register and create an account in the system prior to submission, and DOE pointed applicants to the EERE eXCHANGE user guide (available after login) for step-by-step submission guidance. The full FOA text, official requirements, and instructions for submitting content-related and technical submission questions were all provided through the EERE eXCHANGE posting, with additional background resources available via DOE’s Commercial Building Integration program website.
Overall, the grant is best understood as a deployment-and-market-transformation funding opportunity: it targets the everyday, on-the-ground problems that keep energy-efficient practices from spreading through small and medium commercial buildings. DOE’s intent is to fund efforts that can be replicated and scaled nationally, helping building owners and tenants move from awareness to action by reducing friction in decision-making, financing, implementation, and verification, ultimately contributing to DOE’s long-term building energy savings targets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - DOE Funding Opportunity DE-FOA-0001385
1) What is DE-FOA-0001385?
DE-FOA-0001385 is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity aimed at accelerating real-world, scalable energy-efficiency solutions for small and medium commercial buildings and tenant spaces. The emphasis is on helping proven or near-ready approaches overcome practical market barriers so they can be deployed broadly across the United States.
2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The main goal is market scale-up: building a clear, replicable path for market-ready energy-efficiency solutions to be widely adopted in small and medium commercial buildings. The FOA focuses on removing adoption barriers so energy-saving upgrades become easier, more common, and more cost-effective in this segment.
3) Is this funding meant for inventing brand-new energy technologies?
No. The FOA is framed as a deployment-and-market-transformation effort rather than an invention-focused program. It targets the practical obstacles that keep existing, cost-effective efficiency improvements from being adopted at scale.
4) What types of buildings are targeted?
The opportunity targets small and medium commercial buildings and tenant spaces. It specifically highlights small commercial buildings under 50,000 square feet, and also notes challenges in the 50,000 to 100,000 square foot range where owners/operators often have fewer resources than large portfolios.
5) Why does DOE focus on small commercial buildings?
DOE cites U.S. Energy Information Administration data indicating commercial buildings used about 18 quadrillion Btu in 2014 (about 19 percent of total U.S. energy use). Within that sector, small commercial buildings (under 50,000 square feet) account for more than 40 percent of commercial energy consumption, which makes them a high-impact target for efficiency gains.
6) What problems is DOE trying to solve with this FOA?
The FOA is designed to overcome persistent market and structural barriers that slow adoption of energy-efficiency improvements in small and medium commercial buildings, even when upgrades are cost-effective.
7) What barriers does the FOA specifically call out?
DOE specifically highlights:
- Split incentives (for example, when a landlord pays for upgrades but tenants receive the savings, or vice versa)
- Information problems (asymmetrical, inadequate, or confusing information that makes it difficult to choose the right upgrades)
- Financial friction (higher first costs, conservative investment hurdle rates, and reluctance to pursue projects that do not align with typical payback expectations)
8) Why are these barriers especially challenging in smaller buildings?
The FOA notes that small and medium building owners/operators often have fewer staff resources, less technical support, and less access to customized financing and energy management expertise than large commercial building portfolios. That makes it harder to evaluate, finance, and implement efficiency projects.
9) Which DOE office is sponsoring this opportunity?
This FOA is associated with DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Building Technologies Office (BTO). It is also connected to BTO's Commercial Building Integration (CBI) program, which focuses on voluntary adoption of efficient technologies and practices.
10) How does this FOA fit within DOE's broader building energy goals?
The FOA ties to DOE and Administration energy-efficiency goals for buildings, including goals stated in the announcement of 20 percent savings by 2020 and 50 percent savings by 2030.
11) What does the Commercial Building Integration (CBI) program do in this context?
Within BTO, the CBI program is described as driving voluntary adoption of efficient technologies and practices and serving as a bridge between emerging technology development and broader market uptake supported by codes and standards. This FOA supports that mission by funding practical tools, resources, and solutions that unlock implementation at scale.
12) What kind of award mechanism is used?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement. That typically means DOE expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as coordination, milestone reviews, and active engagement rather than a hands-off grant structure.
13) What is the maximum funding per award?
The award ceiling listed is $2,000,000 per award.
14) How many awards did DOE anticipate making?
DOE anticipated making about 8 awards under this announcement.
15) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Energy.
16) What CFDA number is referenced?
The CFDA number referenced is 81.086.
17) When was this opportunity posted?
The posting date (and creation date) listed is October 29, 2015.
18) What was the application closing date?
The application closing date listed is February 1, 2016. The information provided indicates the original and current closing date were the same.
19) Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included a wide range of organization types, including:
- State, county, and local governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations
- Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other entities as clarified in the FOA's additional eligibility text
20) Why does the FOA include such a broad range of eligible applicants?
The FOA reflects DOE's interest in solutions that can reduce barriers and drive adoption in the commercial market, whether they come from public-sector programs, nonprofits, universities, or private companies, as long as the work can credibly support broad deployment in the targeted building segment.
21) How were applications submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through the EERE eXCHANGE portal at eere-exchange.energy.gov.
22) Did applicants need to register before submitting?
Yes. Applicants were required to register and create an account in EERE eXCHANGE prior to submission.
23) Where could applicants find submission guidance?
DOE directed applicants to the EERE eXCHANGE user guide (available after login) for step-by-step submission instructions.
24) Where were the official FOA requirements and instructions provided?
The full FOA text, official requirements, and instructions (including how to submit content-related and technical submission questions) were provided through the EERE eXCHANGE posting.
25) What kinds of outcomes is DOE aiming for with these awards?
Based on the description provided, DOE intends to fund efforts that can be replicated and scaled nationally by reducing friction in decision-making, financing, implementation, and verification for energy-efficiency upgrades in small and medium commercial buildings and tenant spaces.
26) How should this opportunity be understood at a high level?
This FOA is best understood as a deployment-and-market-transformation funding opportunity focused on the on-the-ground barriers that prevent energy-efficient practices from spreading broadly through small and medium commercial buildings.
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| RFI - Assistance in Target Setting and Strategic Planning for Renewable Energy Deployment at the State and Regional Level Apply for DE FOA 0001464 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001464 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Notice of Technical Assistance for Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency Competition Apply for DE FOA 0001479 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001479 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Synchrophasor Applications and Tools for Reliability, Market Efficiency, and Asset Management Apply for DE FOA 0001477 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001477 Agency: DOE-NETL Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Synchrophasor Applications and Tools for Reliability, Market Efficiency, and Asset Management Apply for DE FOA 0001476 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001476 Agency: DOE-NETL Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Radiochemistry Summer School Apply for DE FOA 0001463 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001463 Agency: DOE-ID Category: Energy Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| RFI - DOE R Apply for DE SOL 0008246 Funding Number: DE SOL 0008246 Agency: DOE Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RFI - DOE Infrastructure Work Scope Development Apply for DE SOL 0008318 Funding Number: DE SOL 0008318 Agency: DOE Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Innovative Concepts and Core Technology Apply for DE FOA 0001469 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001469 Agency: DOE-NETL Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| ADVANCEMENTS IN ALGAL BIOMASS YIELD, PHASE 2 (ABY2) Apply for DE FOA 0001471 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001471 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| State Energy Program 2016 Competitive Awards Apply for DE FOA 0001415 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001415 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pre-Project Planning for Advanced Combustion Pilot Plants Apply for DE FOA 0001459 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001459 Agency: DOE-NETL Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,333,333 |
| NEUP Fellowship and Scholarship Support Apply for DE FOA 0001487 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001487 Agency: DOE-ID Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent (NOI) Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies II – State Energy Strategies Apply for DE FOA 0001520 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001520 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NE Traineeship for Radiochemistry Apply for DE FOA 0001369 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001369 Agency: DOE-ID Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0001512: Accounting Conventions for Non-Combustible Renewable Energy Apply for DE FOA 0001512 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001512 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| STATE ENERGY EVOLUTION AND DIFFUSION STUDIES II - STATE ENERGY STRATEGIES (SEEDSII-SES) Apply for DE FOA 0001496 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001496 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| OIA Empowering Insular Communities Program Apply for EIC 2016 Funding Number: EIC 2016 Agency: DOI Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,971,000 |
| Establishment of an Inter-tribal Technical Assistance Energy Providers Network Apply for DE FOA 0001453 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001453 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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