Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000123
Apply for DE FOA 0000123
- The Golden Field Office in the energy recovery act sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Recovery Act Development of Algal/Advanced BiofuelsConsortia" 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 Jul 16, 2009 and posted on Jul 15, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 14, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $85,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- 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 Recovery Act Development of Algal/Advanced Biofuels Consortia funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000123) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) solicitation issued through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Office of Biomass Program, with the Golden Field Office listed as the issuing office. The main point of the FOA is to provide federal support for forming and operating consortia focused on two major research and development tracks: algae-based biofuels and advanced cellulosic biofuels. These consortia are meant to bring together multiple partners (often spanning industry, universities, national labs, and other organizations) to tackle technical barriers and speed progress toward commercially viable biofuels.
The FOA is funded in whole or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act), and it is framed around three broader DOE/EERE goals. First, it aims to increase the viability and deployment of renewable energy technologies, meaning it is oriented toward work that can move beyond early-stage ideas and help scale or de-risk pathways that could be used in real markets. Second, it is intended to spur the creation of a domestic bioindustry, which includes building U.S.-based capabilities, supply chains, and know-how around producing next-generation fuels. Third, it is explicitly tied to reducing U.S. dependence on imported oil, so the program is ultimately about enabling fuel pathways that can displace petroleum at meaningful scale over time.
From a funding mechanics standpoint, awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements, which generally means DOE anticipates having substantial involvement during the project period (for example, active project management, milestone oversight, and coordination). The opportunity includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, so applicants should expect they will need to provide non-federal cost share according to the rules and percentages specified in the full announcement. The total estimated funding available is listed as $85,000,000, with an anticipated three awards. The ceiling per award is listed as $50,000,000, and the floor is listed as $0 (in practice, award sizes typically align with the technical scope and the FOA structure, but the exact ranges and topic allocations are defined in the full FOA document).
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications contained in the FOA. That said, because the program is specifically about establishing consortia, the practical expectation is that proposals will involve coordinated teams rather than a single standalone organization, and applicants should follow whatever consortium structure, leadership plan, and partner commitment documentation the FOA requires.
A major operational detail of this opportunity is that the full FOA and the official application process run through FedConnect. Applicants are directed to locate the announcement by going to FedConnect, searching public opportunities, and filtering by Issuing Office using "Golden Field Office." Applications must be submitted through FedConnect to be considered, although organizations with system-to-system capabilities through Grants.gov may continue to submit via Grants.gov. Because submission is gated by registration, the notice strongly emphasizes starting registration early. To register in FedConnect, an applicant needs a DUNS number (including the plus-4 extension if applicable) and an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) account (noting CCR has since been replaced by SAM.gov in modern practice, but at the time of this FOA CCR was the system of record). If the registering individual is the first from their organization to create the FedConnect company account, they may also need the organization CCR MPIN, typically held by the Electronic Business Point of Contact. The FOA advises that entities not yet registered should allow at least 21 days to complete CCR and FedConnect registration steps, and it reminds already-registered entities that CCR needed annual renewal.
The FOA also sets expectations for how questions are handled. Substantive questions about the content of the announcement must be submitted through the FedConnect portal, which requires registering as an interested party to submit questions and view posted answers. DOE indicates it will generally attempt to respond within about three business days, unless the question has already been addressed in previously posted responses. For technical issues related to application submission in FedConnect, applicants are directed to FedConnect support (support@fedconnect.net and the provided phone number), while contact names and emails are also provided for assistance if there are problems accessing or linking to the full announcement.
Key dates included in the listing are a posted date of July 15, 2009, with an application closing date of September 14, 2009 (unchanged in the listing), and an archive date of November 15, 2009. The program is associated with CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development). Overall, this is a large, Recovery Act-era DOE effort designed to accelerate coordinated R and D through multi-partner consortia, with a strong emphasis on deployable algae and advanced cellulosic biofuel technologies and strict compliance with FedConnect-based submission and registration requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Recovery Act Development of Algal/Advanced Biofuels Consortia funding opportunity?
It is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Recovery Act Development of Algal/Advanced Biofuels Consortia" (DE-FOA-0000123). It supports forming and operating consortia to conduct research and development (R&D) in algae-based biofuels and advanced cellulosic biofuels.
Which DOE office is issuing and managing this FOA?
The FOA is issued through DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Office of Biomass Program. The Golden Field Office is listed as the issuing office.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The FOA provides federal support for multi-partner consortia focused on overcoming technical barriers and accelerating progress toward commercially viable biofuels, with two main tracks: algae-based biofuels and advanced cellulosic biofuels.
What kinds of projects or focus areas does this FOA emphasize?
It emphasizes consortium-based R&D efforts aimed at producing deployable, commercially viable biofuel pathways, specifically in (1) algae-based biofuels and (2) advanced cellulosic biofuels. The intent is to tackle technical barriers and move beyond early-stage concepts toward scalable solutions.
How is this FOA connected to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009?
The FOA is funded in whole or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act), reflecting a Recovery Act-era push to accelerate renewable energy technology development and domestic energy capability.
What broader goals does DOE/EERE tie to this opportunity?
The FOA is framed around three broader DOE/EERE goals: (1) increasing the viability and deployment of renewable energy technologies, (2) spurring the creation of a domestic bioindustry, and (3) reducing U.S. dependence on imported oil over time by enabling fuel pathways that can displace petroleum at meaningful scale.
What type of award does DOE expect to make under this FOA?
Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements, which generally means DOE anticipates substantial involvement during the project period (for example, active project management, milestone oversight, and coordination).
Does this opportunity require cost sharing (matching funds)?
Yes. The FOA includes a cost sharing/matching requirement, so applicants should plan to provide non-federal cost share in line with the rules and percentages specified in the full FOA.
How much total funding is expected to be available?
The total estimated funding available is listed as $85,000,000.
How many awards does DOE anticipate making?
The FOA indicates an anticipated three awards.
What are the award size limits (ceiling and floor)?
The ceiling per award is listed as $50,000,000, and the floor is listed as $0. In practice, award sizes typically align with the technical scope and the FOA structure, with exact ranges and topic allocations defined in the full FOA document.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications in the FOA.
Does an application need to be submitted by a consortium, or can a single organization apply?
The FOA is specifically aimed at establishing consortia, so the practical expectation is coordinated teams rather than a single standalone organization. Applicants should follow the consortium structure and documentation requirements described in the FOA (for example, leadership plans and partner commitment documentation).
Where do applicants find the full FOA and submit an application?
The full FOA and the official application process are handled through FedConnect. Applicants are directed to locate the announcement in FedConnect by searching public opportunities and filtering by Issuing Office using "Golden Field Office."
Is FedConnect submission required?
Yes. Applications must be submitted through FedConnect to be considered. The listing also notes that organizations with system-to-system capabilities through Grants.gov may continue to submit via Grants.gov.
What registrations are required to use FedConnect for this FOA?
Registration is required, and the notice strongly emphasizes starting early. To register in FedConnect, an applicant needs a DUNS number (including the plus-4 extension if applicable) and an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) account (CCR was the system referenced at the time of this FOA).
How long should organizations plan for registration?
Entities not yet registered are advised to allow at least 21 days to complete CCR and FedConnect registration steps.
What is the CCR MPIN and when might it be needed?
If the registering individual is the first from their organization to create the FedConnect company account, they may need the organization CCR MPIN. This is typically held by the Electronic Business Point of Contact.
Does CCR need to be renewed?
Yes. The FOA reminds already-registered entities that CCR required annual renewal.
How do applicants submit questions about the FOA content?
Substantive questions about the content of the announcement must be submitted through the FedConnect portal. This requires registering as an interested party to submit questions and view posted answers.
How quickly does DOE expect to respond to questions?
DOE indicates it will generally attempt to respond within about three business days, unless the question has already been addressed in previously posted responses.
Who should applicants contact for technical problems with FedConnect submission?
For technical issues related to application submission in FedConnect, applicants are directed to FedConnect support (support@fedconnect.net) and the provided phone number in the opportunity materials.
Are there additional contacts for issues accessing or linking to the full announcement?
Yes. The listing states that contact names and emails are provided for assistance if there are problems accessing or linking to the full announcement.
What are the key dates for this FOA?
The posted date is July 15, 2009. The application closing date is September 14, 2009. The archive date is November 15, 2009.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development).
What does "cooperative agreement" imply for project oversight?
In this FOA description, a cooperative agreement implies DOE expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as active project management, milestone oversight, and coordination with the consortium.
How should applicants locate this specific opportunity in FedConnect?
The listing instructs applicants to go to FedConnect, search public opportunities, and filter by Issuing Office using "Golden Field Office" to find the announcement.
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