Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001466

  • The DOE-GFO in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement: Industrial Assessment Centers" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.117.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Mar 01, 2016 and posted on Mar 01, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Not Applicable. (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 $1,750,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
Apply for DE FOA 0001466

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Opportunity Summary:

The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO), released a Notice of Intent (NOI) signaling that it planned to issue a forthcoming Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs). The NOI is essentially an advance heads-up to universities and other interested parties so they can start preparing, building partnerships, and gathering information before the actual FOA is released. Importantly, the NOI itself is not an application solicitation and DOE explicitly states that no applications will be accepted under the notice, and that the details may change or the FOA may not be issued at all.

The planned FOA (referenced as Industrial Assessment Centers, DE-FOA-0001513 in the narrative) is meant to support AMO technical assistance activities focused on small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. The IAC program has two main goals. First, it aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) improve energy efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and overall competitiveness. For the purposes of this program, SMEs are defined as manufacturers with gross annual sales under $100 million, fewer than 500 employees, and annual energy bills ranging from $100,000 to $2.5 million. Second, the program is designed to address a recognized workforce problem: a shortage of engineering professionals who have practical, applied skills in energy and industrial systems.

Under this opportunity, selected IACs would be expected to deliver hands-on assessment services to eligible manufacturing facilities. That work includes analyzing facility operations and production characteristics, along with how the plant uses energy, water, and materials and how it generates waste. Based on that analysis, the IAC would identify and quantify specific improvement opportunities, such as measures to increase energy and water efficiency, reduce waste, and boost productivity. The notice also highlights that recommendations may include potential enhancements related to cyber security and associated information technologies, reflecting the reality that modern industrial efficiency and reliability often depend on connected systems and controls. A key output of each assessment is a practical report back to the facility that lays out recommendations along with estimated energy-saving potential, expected implementation costs, and simple payback periods, so plants can make informed decisions about which improvements to pursue.

A defining feature of the IAC program is its training mission. Each center is expected to provide substantial, real-world training for undergraduate and graduate engineering students. Students gain experience with industrial processes, energy assessment methods, and energy management systems, building applied skills that employers in manufacturing and energy management routinely need. Applicants are expected to describe how they will maximize the educational value of the program, not just by improving technical knowledge, but also by strengthening students business awareness and their grasp of broader industrial concepts. The NOI specifically calls out areas like industrial supply chains, sustainability challenges, and management systems, signaling that DOE wants graduates who understand how energy decisions fit into the larger operational and economic context of manufacturing.

The administrative details included in the source data frame the scope and structure of the anticipated awards. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and is expected to use cooperative agreements, which typically means DOE anticipates substantial involvement during the project period (for example, collaboration on goals, reporting, or program direction). Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education, including both public/state-controlled and private universities. The listing indicates an award ceiling of $1,750,000 and an expectation of around 30 awards, suggesting DOE was considering a nationwide network of centers rather than a small pilot.

Because this is only a notice of intent, there were no application deadlines listed (shown as not applicable), and the posting emphasizes that all information is subject to change. The notice directs interested parties to monitor the EERE Exchange website for the official FOA and explains that applicants will need to register and create an account on EERE Exchange to apply once the FOA is posted. The NOI anticipated that the FOA would appear on EERE Exchange in March 2016, and it encourages prospective applicants to use the lead time to develop partnerships, refine their technical approach, and prepare the data and planning needed to submit a competitive proposal when the formal announcement is released.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - DOE Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Notice of Intent

What is this announcement?

This is a Notice of Intent (NOI) from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO). The NOI is an advance notice that DOE planned to release a future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs).

Is the NOI an open funding solicitation?

No. DOE explicitly states that the NOI is not an application solicitation and that no applications will be accepted under the notice.

Does the NOI guarantee that a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will be issued?

No. The notice emphasizes that details may change and that the FOA may not be issued at all.

What is the planned FOA referenced in the notice?

The planned FOA is referenced in the narrative as "Industrial Assessment Centers, DE-FOA-0001513." It is intended to support AMO technical assistance activities focused on small and medium-sized manufacturing firms.

What is the IAC program designed to accomplish?

The IAC program has two main goals: (1) help small and medium-sized manufacturing firms improve energy efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness; and (2) address workforce needs by training engineering students with applied, practical skills in energy and industrial systems.

What manufacturers are considered "small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)" for this program?

For purposes of this program, SMEs are defined as manufacturers with gross annual sales under $100 million, fewer than 500 employees, and annual energy bills ranging from $100,000 to $2.5 million.

What kinds of services would Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) be expected to provide?

Selected IACs would be expected to provide hands-on assessment services to eligible manufacturing facilities, including evaluating facility operations and production characteristics, as well as energy, water, materials use, and waste generation.

What kinds of improvement opportunities would assessments identify?

Based on the assessment, IACs would identify and quantify specific opportunities such as improving energy and water efficiency, reducing waste, and boosting productivity.

Does the notice mention cybersecurity or information technology as part of recommendations?

Yes. The notice highlights that recommendations may include potential enhancements related to cybersecurity and associated information technologies, reflecting the role of connected systems and controls in modern industrial performance.

What deliverable would facilities receive after an assessment?

A key output is a practical report provided to the facility that includes recommendations and estimated energy-saving potential, expected implementation costs, and simple payback periods.

Why is student training a core part of the IAC program?

The program is designed in part to address a shortage of engineering professionals with applied skills. Each center is expected to provide substantial real-world training for undergraduate and graduate engineering students in industrial processes, energy assessment methods, and energy management systems.

What should applicants describe about their educational approach?

Applicants are expected to explain how they will maximize the educational value of the program, including strengthening students technical capabilities as well as their business awareness and understanding of broader industrial concepts.

What broader industrial concepts does the NOI call out for student development?

The notice specifically points to areas such as industrial supply chains, sustainability challenges, and management systems, signaling interest in graduates who understand how energy decisions connect to operations and economics in manufacturing.

What type of funding is anticipated?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.

What award instrument does DOE expect to use?

DOE expects to use cooperative agreements, which typically means DOE anticipates substantial involvement during the project period (for example, collaboration on goals, reporting, or program direction).

Who is eligible to apply under the anticipated FOA?

Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education, including public/state-controlled and private universities.

What is the anticipated maximum award size?

The listing indicates an award ceiling of $1,750,000.

How many awards does DOE expect to make?

The notice indicates an expectation of around 30 awards, suggesting DOE was considering a nationwide network of centers.

Are there application deadlines listed in the NOI?

No. Because this is only a notice of intent (not a solicitation), there were no application deadlines listed (shown as not applicable).

Where will the official FOA be posted?

The notice directs interested parties to monitor the EERE Exchange website for the official FOA.

Will applicants need to register somewhere to apply?

Yes. The notice explains that applicants will need to register and create an account on EERE Exchange to apply once the FOA is posted.

When did the NOI anticipate the FOA would be posted?

The NOI anticipated that the FOA would appear on EERE Exchange in March 2016.

What should interested universities do while waiting for the FOA?

The NOI encourages prospective applicants to use the lead time to prepare by developing partnerships, refining their technical approach, and gathering the data and planning needed to submit a competitive proposal if and when the formal FOA is released.

Can the program requirements change between the NOI and the FOA?

Yes. The notice emphasizes that all information is subject to change, and the FOA (if issued) will provide the official requirements.

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