Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000560
Apply for DE FOA 0000560
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Manufacturing Initiative" 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 Nov 21, 2011 and posted on Jun 24, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 7, 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 Innovative Manufacturing Initiative is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) focused on cost-shared research and development for manufacturing process and materials innovations that improve industrial energy efficiency and reduce the nations energy and carbon intensity. Issued by the DOE Golden Field Office under FOA number DE-FOA-0000560 (CFDA 81.086, Conservation Research and Development), the program is aimed at advancing "transformational" manufacturing technologies that can meaningfully strengthen the competitive position of U.S. industry while supporting the clean energy economy. The work DOE is looking to fund spans Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 2 through 6, meaning projects can range from applied research through prototype development, as long as the technology is not too early (below TRL 2) or too mature (above TRL 6). The opportunity uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument and requires cost sharing or matching.
In practical terms, DOE is seeking proposals for new or significantly improved manufacturing processes, technologies, and materials that sharply cut energy use in manufacturing without creating tradeoffs that would make adoption unrealistic, such as reduced product quality, slower production throughput, or unfavorable economics. The FOA positions these innovations as a pathway to both near- and long-term national benefits, including higher manufacturing energy productivity, lower greenhouse gas emissions, revitalization of existing industrial sectors, and support for emerging industries and new products.
A major feature of this FOA is its structured, multi-phase application process that was clarified through amendments. Applicants must go through three sequential stages: a Letter of Intent (LOI) phase, a mandatory Concept Paper phase, and then the Full Application phase. Only applicants who submitted a Letter of Intent are allowed to submit a Concept Paper, and only applicants who submitted both an LOI and a Concept Paper are eligible to submit a Full Application. After DOE reviews the Concept Papers, applicants are informed whether they are encouraged or discouraged from submitting a full application. The FOA explicitly notes that submitting a full application after being discouraged is very unlikely to result in selection, so the Concept Paper acts as a real screening step rather than a formality. Throughout the process, applicants must use the control number issued during the LOI submission and include it in both the Concept Paper and Full Application.
The Concept Paper requirements are unusually specific and compliance-driven. The Concept Paper must be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE system (not by email or any other method) by the stated deadline, and the system will stop accepting uploads after the cutoff time. The Concept Paper is capped at three pages total, including the cover page and any visuals (charts, graphs, maps, photos), formatted on standard 8.5 by 11 inch pages with one-inch margins, single-spaced, and using font no smaller than 11 point. Reviewers will only evaluate the allowed page count, so anything beyond the page limit is effectively ignored. The FOA also prohibits including URLs that are necessary for the review, meaning applicants must keep all critical information inside the document itself. The file naming convention is prescribed as well, using a format like Control#InstitutionConceptPaper.pdf, and there are references to special marking procedures for proprietary information.
Content-wise, the Concept Paper is split into a one-page cover and a two-page narrative. The cover page must identify the FOA number and title, the applicant control number, the project title, and (critically) the specific subtopic number and name being addressed. Failure to clearly specify the subtopic makes the submission non-responsive and blocks the applicant from moving forward to a full application. The cover page must also list the applicant organization, the technical and business points of contact (including names, titles, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses), other key team members and subrecipient organizations, and it must state the current and intended final TRL plus the estimated budget (DOE request, cost share, and total). The budget and TRL figures must match what is entered in the eXCHANGE system, although the FOA notes that these can be edited later before the full application submission.
The two-page narrative portion must be organized around the evaluation criteria DOE will use at the Concept Paper stage. Applicants must clearly explain how the project aligns with the FOA and the chosen subtopic goals, the technical merit and innovativeness of the proposed R&D, and whether the technical approach, schedule, and budget are credible for achieving the objectives. DOE also checks that the project fits within the TRL boundaries (no earlier than TRL 2 and not later than TRL 6). Beyond technical feasibility, the Concept Paper must make the case for impact, including the potential for significant U.S. manufacturing energy productivity improvements and/or greenhouse gas reductions, the likely market opportunity and economic viability compared to existing technology, and the technical and commercial strength of the proposed team.
Several amendments in the text focus on eligibility and award limitations. One clarification sets a cap on DOE funding share for projects that span both early-stage (TRL 2-3) and later-stage (TRL 4-6) work: in those mixed-TRL cases, the maximum DOE share for the entire project cannot exceed $9,000,000. Another important eligibility expansion states that non-DOE national laboratories and non-DOE federal agencies may participate either as lead applicants or as team members, but only with additional documentation and interagency agreement arrangements. For a non-DOE national lab, the sponsoring federal agency must provide written authorization confirming the lab is allowed to participate, that the work aligns with or complements the lab mission, and that it will not disrupt DOE-assigned programs, along with the statutory authority citation authorizing the lab to perform the work. For a non-DOE federal agency, a contracting officer must provide a signed legal opinion identifying the agencies statutory authority to perform the work, explaining how the project fits within that authority, and explaining the authority to accept federal funds from another agency without supplanting funds; DOE also reserves the right to seek clarification to confirm the agency has proper authority.
The FOA is also characterized by multiple deadline extensions over time, which are central to the amendment history. The Letter of Intent deadline was extended from August 1, 2011 to September 1, 2011. The application deadline moved several times: from August 25, 2011 to October 5, 2011, then to November 17, 2011, and finally to December 7, 2011 (the current closing date listed). The Concept Paper deadline is specified as September 22, 2011 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, and it must be submitted via EERE eXCHANGE using the systems dedicated Concept Paper submission function. The FOA repeatedly emphasizes that submissions must occur through eXCHANGE and that late submissions or submissions by other means will not be accepted.
Administratively, applicants are required to submit through the EERE eXCHANGE portal (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/) and must register and create an account to participate. DOE points applicants to an online user guide for navigating the system and instructs applicants to monitor the question-and-answer postings on eXCHANGE, noting that answers may change. The listed point of contact for assistance and questions is Thomas Nucci, Grants Management Specialist, reachable via IMIFOA@go.doe.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Innovative Manufacturing Initiative (DOE FOA DE-FOA-0000560)
1) What is the Innovative Manufacturing Initiative?
The Innovative Manufacturing Initiative is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for cost-shared research and development focused on manufacturing process and materials innovations that improve industrial energy efficiency and reduce the nation's energy and carbon intensity.
2) Which DOE office issued this FOA?
This FOA was issued by the DOE Golden Field Office.
3) What is the FOA number and CFDA number for this opportunity?
The FOA number is DE-FOA-0000560. The CFDA listing referenced is 81.086 (Conservation Research and Development).
4) What kinds of projects is DOE trying to fund under this FOA?
DOE is seeking proposals for new or significantly improved manufacturing processes, technologies, and materials that sharply reduce energy use in manufacturing while avoiding unrealistic tradeoffs (for example, reduced product quality, slower production throughput, or unfavorable economics).
5) What outcomes or national benefits does the FOA emphasize?
The FOA frames these innovations as supporting higher manufacturing energy productivity, lower greenhouse gas emissions, revitalization of existing industrial sectors, and support for emerging industries and new products, while strengthening the competitive position of U.S. industry and supporting the clean energy economy.
6) What Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are eligible?
The FOA targets projects spanning TRLs 2 through 6. Projects must not be below TRL 2 or above TRL 6.
7) What funding instrument will DOE use?
The FOA uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument.
8) Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The FOA requires cost sharing or matching.
9) Is there a multi-step application process?
Yes. The process is structured into three sequential stages: (1) Letter of Intent (LOI), (2) mandatory Concept Paper, and (3) Full Application.
10) Do I have to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to continue in the process?
Yes. Only applicants who submitted a Letter of Intent are allowed to submit a Concept Paper.
11) Do I have to submit a Concept Paper to be eligible for a Full Application?
Yes. Only applicants who submitted both an LOI and a Concept Paper are eligible to submit a Full Application.
12) How does DOE use the Concept Paper stage?
DOE reviews Concept Papers and informs applicants whether they are encouraged or discouraged from submitting a Full Application. The FOA states that submitting a full application after being discouraged is very unlikely to result in selection, so the Concept Paper is a real screening step.
13) What is the control number and how is it used?
A control number is issued during LOI submission. Applicants must use that control number and include it in both the Concept Paper and the Full Application.
14) How must the Concept Paper be submitted?
The Concept Paper must be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE system using the system's Concept Paper submission function. Submissions by email or any other method are not accepted.
15) Will eXCHANGE accept Concept Papers after the deadline?
No. The FOA notes the system will stop accepting uploads after the cutoff time, and late submissions will not be accepted.
16) What is the Concept Paper deadline?
The Concept Paper deadline is September 22, 2011 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
17) What is the current closing date for the overall application deadline?
The current closing date listed for the application deadline is December 7, 2011, following multiple deadline extensions described in the FOA amendment history.
18) When was the LOI deadline, and was it extended?
Yes. The LOI deadline was extended from August 1, 2011 to September 1, 2011.
19) Were there extensions to the full application deadline?
Yes. The FOA describes several application deadline moves: from August 25, 2011 to October 5, 2011, then to November 17, 2011, and finally to December 7, 2011.
20) What is the page limit for the Concept Paper?
The Concept Paper is capped at three pages total, including the cover page and any visuals (charts, graphs, maps, photos).
21) What happens if the Concept Paper exceeds the page limit?
Reviewers will only evaluate the allowed page count. Anything beyond the page limit is effectively ignored.
22) What formatting rules apply to the Concept Paper?
The Concept Paper must use standard 8.5 x 11 inch pages with one-inch margins, be single-spaced, and use a font no smaller than 11 point.
23) Can the Concept Paper rely on external links for critical information?
No. The FOA prohibits including URLs that are necessary for the review. Applicants must include all critical information within the Concept Paper document itself.
24) Is there a required file naming convention for the Concept Paper?
Yes. The FOA specifies a naming format like Control#InstitutionConceptPaper.pdf.
25) Are there instructions about proprietary information?
Yes. The FOA references special marking procedures for proprietary information.
26) How is the Concept Paper organized?
The Concept Paper consists of a one-page cover and a two-page narrative.
27) What must appear on the Concept Paper cover page?
The cover page must identify the FOA number and title, the applicant control number, the project title, and the specific subtopic number and name being addressed. It must also list the applicant organization, the technical and business points of contact (names, titles, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses), other key team members and subrecipient organizations, and it must state the current and intended final TRL plus the estimated budget (DOE request, cost share, and total).
28) Why is listing the subtopic number and name on the cover page critical?
The FOA states that failure to clearly specify the subtopic makes the submission non-responsive and blocks the applicant from moving forward to a full application.
29) Do the TRL and budget numbers need to match what is entered in eXCHANGE?
Yes. The budget and TRL figures in the Concept Paper must match what is entered in the eXCHANGE system. The FOA also notes these can be edited later before full application submission.
30) What topics must the two-page narrative address?
The narrative must be organized around the Concept Paper evaluation criteria, including: alignment with the FOA and the chosen subtopic goals; technical merit and innovativeness of the proposed R&D; whether the technical approach, schedule, and budget are credible; confirmation the work fits within TRL 2 through 6; and impact factors such as potential manufacturing energy productivity improvements and/or greenhouse gas reductions, market opportunity and economic viability relative to existing technology, and the technical and commercial strength of the team.
31) Is there a funding cap mentioned for certain project structures?
Yes. One amendment clarifies that for projects spanning both early-stage (TRL 2-3) and later-stage (TRL 4-6) work, the maximum DOE share for the entire project cannot exceed $9,000,000.
32) Can non-DOE national laboratories participate?
Yes. The FOA states that non-DOE national laboratories may participate as lead applicants or as team members, but only with additional documentation and interagency agreement arrangements.
33) What documentation is required for a non-DOE national laboratory to participate?
The sponsoring federal agency must provide written authorization confirming the lab is allowed to participate, that the work aligns with or complements the lab mission, and that it will not disrupt DOE-assigned programs, along with a citation to the statutory authority authorizing the lab to perform the work.
34) Can non-DOE federal agencies participate?
Yes. The FOA states that non-DOE federal agencies may participate as lead applicants or as team members, but only with additional documentation and interagency agreement arrangements.
35) What documentation is required for a non-DOE federal agency to participate?
A contracting officer must provide a signed legal opinion identifying the agency's statutory authority to perform the work, explaining how the project fits within that authority, and explaining the authority to accept federal funds from another agency without supplanting funds. DOE also reserves the right to seek clarification to confirm the agency has proper authority.
36) Where do applicants apply and what account setup is required?
Applicants must submit through the EERE eXCHANGE portal at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. Applicants must register and create an account to participate.
37) Where should applicants look for updates and official answers during the application process?
DOE instructs applicants to monitor the question-and-answer postings on eXCHANGE and notes that answers may change.
38) Who is the point of contact for help with this FOA?
The listed point of contact is Thomas Nucci, Grants Management Specialist. The FOA provides the email address IMIFOA@go.doe.gov for assistance and questions.
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