Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000738
Apply for DE FOA 0000738
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Material Handling and Backup Power Targets for Early Market Fuel Cell Applications" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087 Renewable Energy Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 11, 2012 and posted on May 11, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 2012. (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 opportunity titled "Material Handling and Backup Power Targets for Early Market Fuel Cell Applications" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000738) is not a traditional grant funding announcement and does not offer money for projects. Instead, it is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its Fuel Cell Technologies Program, managed through the Golden Field Office. The purpose is strictly to gather input to support DOE program planning, particularly around what technical and cost targets should look like for fuel cells used in two early commercial markets: material handling equipment (such as forklifts and related warehouse logistics vehicles) and backup power systems (commonly used to provide electricity during grid outages for critical loads like telecommunications or other essential infrastructure).
DOE is asking stakeholders to review and comment on proposed targets related to performance, durability, and cost for these fuel cell applications, and to share information on the current state of the technology and market. The emphasis is on targets that reflect what end users actually need and expect in real-world deployments, rather than targets tailored to one particular fuel cell type or constrained by the limitations of any specific technology approach. In practice, this means DOE is trying to set benchmarks that are market-facing and application-driven: how long systems should last, how reliably they should operate, what performance levels are required, and what cost levels are necessary for broader adoption in these early markets.
Because this is an RFI, DOE makes several important disclaimers that shape how organizations should view participation. Submitting a response is voluntary and informational only; it does not represent an application for funding, and it does not create any obligation on DOE to issue a future solicitation, make awards, or take any specific action. DOE also states it will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing or submitting an RFI response, and it may not acknowledge receipt of submissions or provide individualized feedback. In other words, respondents should treat this as a chance to influence DOE thinking and future program direction, not as a competitive funding opportunity.
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may submit information (for example, fuel cell developers, component suppliers, system integrators, manufacturers, hydrogen or fueling providers, end users like warehouse operators or telecom companies, researchers, industry groups, and other stakeholders). The listing also reflects that there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which aligns with the fact that no funding is being awarded under the RFI itself. Consistent with an information-gathering notice, the estimated total funding, award ceiling, and award floor are all listed as $0.
Key dates included in the notice indicate it was posted on May 11, 2012, with a closing date of June 30, 2012, and an archive date of December 31, 2012. The full RFI was made available through the EERE Exchange website, and DOE provided a contact for access issues or questions: Christina Raines, Grants Management Specialist, reachable at MHBPtargets@go.doe.gov. Overall, the main takeaway is that DOE was seeking industry and stakeholder feedback to help define realistic, market-aligned performance, durability, and cost targets for fuel cells in backup power and material handling, with the likely intent that these targets could inform future DOE planning, metrics, and potentially later funding solicitations.
FAQs: Material Handling and Backup Power Targets for Early Market Fuel Cell Applications (DE-FOA-0000738)
What is this opportunity?
This opportunity, titled "Material Handling and Backup Power Targets for Early Market Fuel Cell Applications" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000738), is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its Fuel Cell Technologies Program (managed through the Golden Field Office). It is intended to gather stakeholder input to support DOE program planning.
Is this a grant or a funding opportunity that provides money for projects?
No. This is not a traditional grant funding announcement and it does not offer money for projects. The notice lists estimated total funding, award floor, and award ceiling as $0.
If there is no funding, what does DOE want from respondents?
DOE is seeking comments and information to help shape proposed technical and cost targets for fuel cells used in two early commercial markets: (1) material handling equipment (such as forklifts and related warehouse logistics vehicles) and (2) backup power systems (used during grid outages for critical loads such as telecommunications or other essential infrastructure).
Which applications or markets are covered by this RFI?
The RFI focuses on two early market fuel cell applications: material handling equipment (for example, forklifts and warehouse logistics vehicles) and backup power systems that provide electricity during outages for critical loads.
What kinds of targets is DOE asking stakeholders to review and comment on?
DOE is asking stakeholders to review and comment on proposed targets related to performance, durability, and cost for fuel cell systems in the specified applications.
What type of input is DOE specifically trying to gather?
DOE is looking for information about the current state of the technology and market, and stakeholder feedback on what technical and cost targets should look like for real-world deployments in material handling and backup power.
Are the targets meant to be specific to one type of fuel cell technology?
No. The RFI emphasizes targets that reflect what end users need and expect in real deployments, rather than targets tailored to one particular fuel cell type or constrained by the limitations of any specific technology approach.
What does DOE mean by "market-facing" and "application-driven" targets?
In this context, DOE is seeking benchmarks aligned with practical deployment needs for each application, such as how long systems should last (durability), how reliably they should operate, what performance levels are required, and what cost levels are necessary for broader adoption in these early markets.
Does submitting an RFI response count as an application for funding?
No. Submitting information is voluntary and informational only. It is not a funding application and it does not represent a request for DOE to fund a project.
Does DOE have to issue a future solicitation or make awards because of this RFI?
No. DOE states that responding to the RFI does not create any obligation for DOE to issue a future solicitation, make awards, or take any specific action.
Will DOE reimburse the costs of preparing or submitting a response?
No. DOE states it will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing or submitting an RFI response.
Will DOE acknowledge receipt of submissions or provide individualized feedback?
DOE notes that it may not acknowledge receipt of submissions and may not provide individualized feedback to respondents.
Who is eligible to respond to this RFI?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may submit information. Examples of potential respondents include fuel cell developers, component suppliers, system integrators, manufacturers, hydrogen or fueling providers, end users (such as warehouse operators or telecom companies), researchers, industry groups, and other stakeholders.
Is there any cost-sharing or matching requirement?
No. The listing indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which is consistent with the fact that the RFI does not award funding.
What are the key dates for this RFI?
The notice indicates it was posted on May 11, 2012, with a closing date of June 30, 2012, and an archive date of December 31, 2012.
Where was the full RFI made available?
The full RFI was made available through the EERE Exchange website.
Who is the DOE contact for access issues or questions?
The contact listed is Christina Raines, Grants Management Specialist. The provided email address is MHBPtargets@go.doe.gov.
What is the practical value of responding if no money is being awarded?
Based on the notice, the purpose of participation is to provide input that may influence DOE program planning and how DOE defines realistic, market-aligned performance, durability, and cost targets for fuel cells in material handling and backup power. The notice frames this as an opportunity to inform DOE planning, metrics, and potentially later funding solicitations, without any commitment from DOE.
Does this RFI guarantee a later funding opportunity for fuel cell projects?
No. DOE explicitly states there is no obligation to issue a future solicitation or make awards, so the RFI does not guarantee that later funding opportunities will follow.
What is the main takeaway for organizations considering a response?
The main takeaway is that this is an information-gathering RFI (not a grant) focused on collecting stakeholder feedback to help DOE set realistic, end-user-driven targets for fuel cell systems in material handling and backup power.
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