Development of Supply Systems to Handle and Deliver High Tonnage Biomass Feedstocks for Cellulosic Biofuels Production | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0000060, titled "Development of Supply Systems to Handle and Deliver High Tonnage Biomass Feedstocks for Cellulosic Biofuels Production," released through DOE's Golden Field Office.

2) What is the main purpose of the FOA?

The core purpose is to accelerate expansion of the U.S. commercial cellulosic biofuels industry by funding real-world, industrial-scale biomass logistics systems. The FOA is focused on the upstream feedstock supply chain rather than the fuel conversion processes inside a refinery.

3) What kinds of projects is DOE looking for under this FOA?

DOE is seeking projects that define, design, fabricate, and demonstrate a comprehensive, end-to-end system for handling and delivering large volumes of biomass feedstocks to conversion facilities. The projects are expected to be industrial-scale demonstrations rather than purely conceptual designs or academic studies.

4) What parts of the biomass supply chain should proposals address?

Proposals are expected to address the full logistics chain in an integrated way, including harvesting methods, field collection, preprocessing (such as size reduction, densification, or other conditioning), transport (on-road or off-road), storage (including measures to reduce losses and maintain quality), and final delivery interfaces compatible with biorefineries.

5) Is this FOA about improving biofuel conversion technology inside a biorefinery?

No. The FOA is explicitly targeted at upstream biomass logistics (how feedstocks are harvested, handled, conditioned, moved, stored, and delivered), not conversion chemistry or refinery processing.

6) What does DOE mean by "high impact" biomass feedstocks?

For this FOA, "high impact" feedstocks are defined as those with an ultimate sustainable potential of at least 100 million dry metric tonnes per year. DOE is signaling interest in solutions that could scale nationally rather than remain niche or limited to a single location.

7) Does the application need to cover an end-to-end system, or can it focus on one component?

The FOA emphasizes an integrated, comprehensive, end-to-end feedstock handling and delivery system. The expectation described is that projects address the complete chain from harvest through final delivery to a conversion facility.

8) Who is eligible to apply?

Applications must come from a consortium, and that consortium must include at least one Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of industrial or agricultural equipment used in the biomass supply chain (harvest, collection, preprocessing, transport, or storage).

9) Is an OEM required on the project team?

Yes. The FOA includes a specific team-structure requirement that the applicant consortium include at least one OEM whose equipment is relevant to the biomass logistics system being proposed.

10) Why does DOE require an OEM to be part of the consortium?

Based on the FOA description, DOE is prioritizing systems that can be built, supported, manufactured, and commercialized. Including an OEM is meant to support manufacturability and commercialization rather than leaving results at the conceptual or prototype-only stage.

11) Who else can be part of the consortium besides an OEM?

The FOA notes that other likely partners may include growers or producer groups, trucking or logistics companies, universities, national laboratories, and biorefineries or conversion facilities.

12) Does the consortium need a lead applicant?

Yes. The consortium must designate one organization as the lead applicant responsible for submitting the application and coordinating the project.

13) What is DOE's expectation for speed and timeline to impact?

DOE emphasizes speed to impact and indicates that major system components proposed are expected to be operational within one to two years after project selection, with the demonstration positioned for rapid market rollout.

14) What does DOE mean by having a credible path to commercialization?

The FOA stresses that applicants should be prepared to pursue a full system demonstration and present a sound business strategy for deploying, licensing, and marketing the system and its components. The emphasis is on real-world adoption and market readiness.

15) Are applicants required to have intellectual property or manufacturing rights for the proposed system components?

Yes. Applicants must secure licensing, use, and/or manufacturing rights for any equipment or components included in the proposed system, to reduce the risk that intellectual property barriers prevent deployment.

16) What type of award instrument will DOE use?

The FOA is described as a discretionary opportunity using cooperative agreements and/or grants.

17) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is under CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development).

18) How much total federal funding did DOE anticipate for this FOA?

DOE anticipated an estimated total federal funding pool of $15,000,000 for this FOA.

19) How many awards did DOE anticipate making?

DOE anticipated making about three awards.

20) What is the maximum award size per project?

The award ceiling listed is $5,000,000 per project.

21) Is there a minimum award amount?

The minimum award floor is listed as $0.

22) Is cost sharing required?

Yes. Cost sharing is required, meaning awardees must contribute a portion of project costs from non-federal sources. The specific cost-share percentage is indicated as being detailed in the full FOA documents posted in FedConnect.

23) Where must applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted through FedConnect, and applicants are responsible for ensuring successful transmission before the deadline.

24) What are the key FOA dates listed?

The opportunity was posted on March 18, 2009. The application due date was May 18, 2009. The archive date was December 18, 2009.

25) What registrations or identifiers were needed to apply through FedConnect?

DOE noted that organizations needed to be registered to apply through FedConnect. Applicants were directed to have a DUNS number, an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) record, and in some cases the CCR MPIN to create the initial FedConnect company account.

26) How long did DOE recommend for completing registration prerequisites?

DOE advised organizations not already registered to allow at least 21 days to complete registration prerequisites.

27) Did DOE note any maintenance requirement for CCR registration?

Yes. DOE noted that CCR registrations must be renewed annually.

28) How should applicants submit content questions about the FOA?

Content questions about the announcement are to be submitted through the FedConnect portal. Registration is needed so applicants can view DOE responses.

29) How quickly would DOE generally respond to content questions?

DOE stated it would generally try to respond within three business days unless the information requested was already posted.

30) Who should be contacted for technical help with FedConnect submission issues?

Technical help for FedConnect submission issues was directed to FedConnect Support at support@fedconnect.net or 1-800-899-6665.

31) Who should be contacted for trouble accessing the full announcement or related DOE systems?

For trouble accessing the full announcement or related DOE systems, the FOA lists the IIPS HelpDesk (iipshelpdesk@e-center.doe.gov) and a DOE point of contact, Hank Eggink (hank.eggink@go.doe.gov).

32) What is DOE trying to avoid by emphasizing commercialization readiness and rights to equipment?

Based on the FOA description, DOE is attempting to reduce the risk that projects stall after selection due to lack of manufacturability, lack of a commercialization plan, or inability to deploy because licensing, use, or manufacturing rights were not secured.