Generators for Small Electrical and Thermal Systems (GENSETS) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Generators for Small Electrical and Thermal Systems (GENSETS) - ARPA-E (DE-FOA-0001198)

1) What is the GENSETS funding opportunity?

Generators for Small Electrical and Thermal Systems (GENSETS) is an ARPA-E funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0001198) that supports advanced research and development to improve small-scale generator technologies capable of producing both electricity and useful heat (combined electrical and thermal output).

2) Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy) under the U.S. Department of Energy.

3) What type of funding instrument will ARPA-E use?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This means awardees should expect an active federal partnership during the project, rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

4) What category does this program fall under?

This opportunity is in the science and technology / research and development (R and D) category.

5) What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The program is tied to CFDA 81.135 (Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy).

6) Is this notice the original funding opportunity announcement (FOA)?

No. The information provided describes a modification to the original FOA. The modification focuses on tightening and clarifying the application process and requirements.

7) What does the FOA modification change or add?

Based on the information provided, the modification:

• Adds or formalizes key deadlines (including the last date to submit questions and the deadline for full applications) and points applicants to the cover page and required documents checklist for those dates.
• Expands and clarifies technical targets in the FOA (Section I.E.).
• Adds an applicable Code of Federal Regulations citation (Section II.B.3).
• Clarifies cost-sharing rules (Section III.B).
• Revises sections on required forms, full-application content/format, and the process for replying to reviewer comments (Required Documents Checklist and Sections IV.D, IV.E, and IV.G).
• Inserts explicit evaluation criteria for full applications (Section V.A.2).
• Adds separate criteria for replies to reviewer comments (Section V.A.3), along with program policy factors (Section V.B.1).
• Adds information on full-application notifications (Section VI.A.3), administrative and national policy requirements (Section VI.B), reporting requirements (Section VI.C), class waivers (Section VIII.F), and regulations applicable to awards (Section VIII.I).

8) Why did ARPA-E issue this modification?

The modification is intended to reduce ambiguity by giving applicants clearer instructions up front and by documenting how ARPA-E will judge proposals and manage awards, including compliance obligations that come with an award.

9) What is the expected total amount of funding for the program?

ARPA-E anticipated an estimated total program funding of $25,000,000.

10) How many awards did ARPA-E expect to make?

ARPA-E anticipated about 18 awards.

11) What is the expected range of individual award sizes?

Individual awards were expected to range from $250,000 (floor) up to $10,000,000 (ceiling).

12) Is cost sharing required?

Yes. Cost sharing is required, meaning applicants must plan to cover a defined portion of total project costs with non-federal resources, consistent with the clarified guidance in the FOA (Section III.B).

13) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on October 16, 2014.

14) What was the concept paper deadline?

The concept paper deadline was December 1, 2014.

15) What was the full application closing date?

The full-application closing date listed is March 23, 2015.

16) Are there other deadlines applicants should pay attention to?

Yes. The modification adds or formalizes key deadlines, including the last date to submit questions and the deadline for full applications, and points applicants to the FOA cover page and required documents checklist for the authoritative dates.

17) How should applicants submit their application materials?

Submissions must be made through ARPA-E eXCHANGE. ARPA-E explicitly states it will not review or consider concept papers submitted through other channels.

18) Can applicants submit concept papers by email or other methods?

No. Concept papers submitted through channels other than ARPA-E eXCHANGE will not be reviewed or considered, based on the information provided.

19) Does ARPA-E provide templates for submissions?

Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the templates provided within ARPA-E eXCHANGE.

20) Is there guidance for using ARPA-E eXCHANGE?

Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the ARPA-E eXCHANGE User Guide for step-by-step submission guidance.

21) When should applicants aim to submit to avoid issues?

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit at least 48 hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical or administrative issues.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted in the listing, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types. The eligibility language references individuals, domestic entities, foreign entities, and consortia, with the instruction to consult the FOA eligibility section for the complete rules and any limitations.

23) Are foreign entities or consortia allowed to apply?

The eligibility language references foreign entities and consortia. Applicants should consult the FOA eligibility section for the full rules and any limitations.

24) How will ARPA-E evaluate full applications?

The modification inserted explicit evaluation criteria for full applications in Section V.A.2 of the FOA. The revised notice also emphasizes that ARPA-E is clarifying what it expects to see and how proposals will be judged.

25) Is there a formal process for replying to reviewer comments?

Yes. The FOA sections covering the process for replying to reviewer comments were revised (referenced as Section IV.G), and the modification adds separate evaluation criteria for replies to reviewer comments (Section V.A.3).

26) Are there program policy factors that affect selection decisions?

Yes. The modification includes program policy factors in Section V.B.1.

27) What kinds of compliance and administrative requirements should awardees expect?

The modification adds or clarifies administrative and national policy requirements (Section VI.B), reporting requirements (Section VI.C), class waivers (Section VIII.F), and the regulations that will apply to resulting awards (Section VIII.I).

28) Where can applicants find the full FOA and official application instructions?

Applicants are directed to the ARPA-E FOA site (arpa-e-foa.energy.gov) and the ARPA-E eXCHANGE portal for the full announcement and official application instructions.

29) Who should applicants contact if they cannot access the full announcement?

For access issues with the full announcement, the listed point of contact is Nicole D. Clopton at nicole.clopton@hq.doe.gov.

30) What parts of the FOA are specifically highlighted as updated or important in this modification?

The notice highlights updates to the Required Documents Checklist; application form requirements; full application content and format (Sections IV.D and IV.E); reply-to-reviewer-comment procedures (Section IV.G); technical targets (Section I.E); cost sharing (Section III.B); evaluation criteria (Sections V.A.2 and V.A.3); program policy factors (Section V.B.1); notification information (Section VI.A.3); administrative/national policy and reporting requirements (Sections VI.B and VI.C); class waivers (Section VIII.F); and applicable regulations for awards (Section VIII.I).