Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000148
Apply for DE FOA 0000148
- The Environmental Management Consolidated Business Cen in the recovery act sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Competitive Solicitation Retrofit Ramp up and General Innovation Fund Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.128 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 19, 2009 and posted on Sep 14, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 14, 2009. (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 $75,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligibility under Topic 1 The following entities may apply under Topic 1 1. States 2. Formula eligible units of local government 3. Formula eligible Indian tribes 4. Entities eligible under Topic 2 and 5. Governmental, quasi governmental, or non governmental not for profit organizations authorized by and on behalf of entities described in 1 through 4. PLEASE NOTE Only one application may be submitted by or on behalf of entity listed in 1 through 4 above. If an entity listed in 1 through 4 intends to use Recovery Act funding to support projects performed by different parts of the entity, the projects must be consolidated into a single application. Eligibility under Topic 2 In accordance with Section 546 of EISA 2007, only the following entities may apply for financial assistance under Topic 2 Unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity a governmental, quasi governmental, or non governmental, not for profit organization authorized by and on behalf of a unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity or a consortia of units of local governments (or Tribes) that are not eligible entities. States, formula eligible units of local government, and formula eligible Indian tribes are not eligible to apply for Topic 2. PLEASE NOTE Only one application may be submitted by or on behalf of a unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity. If a unit of local government (or Indian tribe) that is not an eligible entity intends to use Recovery Act funding to support projects performed by different parts of the entity, the projects must be consolidated into a single application. See Funding Opportunity Announcement, Section III, for detailed eligibility information.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Competitive Solicitation, titled "Retrofit Ramp up and General Innovation Fund Programs" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000148), was a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discretionary grant opportunity funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It made up to $453.72 million available to support innovative energy efficiency and conservation programs led by states, local governments, and Indian tribes. The overall intent was to push communities past one-off projects and basic outreach efforts and instead fund initiatives that could scale quickly, produce measurable results, and keep operating after federal grant dollars were gone.
The competition was organized into two main topic areas. Topic 1, called the Retrofit Ramp up Program, was the larger pool, offering up to $390.04 million for sizable, implementation-ready retrofit programs. Individual awards under Topic 1 were expected to range from $5 million to $75 million, with DOE anticipating roughly 8 to 20 awards. Topic 2, called the General Innovation Fund, set aside up to $63.68 million for smaller projects, with individual awards in the $1 million to $5 million range and an expected 15 to 60 awards. Topic 2 was specifically reserved for units of local government and state-recognized tribes that were not eligible for direct EECBG formula grants under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, effectively giving smaller or otherwise non-formula jurisdictions a competitive pathway to participate.
Across both topics, DOE made clear that it was looking for programs that could transform local and regional energy markets in a lasting way. The FOA emphasized that energy efficiency and conservation should come first in the "loading order" before investments in new generation, while still leaving room for projects that combine efficiency with cost-effective renewable energy where it makes sense. The key was not planning studies or isolated demonstration efforts, but initiatives that were ready to launch, could show credible performance targets, and were structured for durability beyond the grant period through clear sustainability strategies (for example, policies, financing structures, institutional partnerships, or program revenue models that keep the work going).
Strong applications were expected to show broad collaboration and leverage. DOE specifically encouraged proposals that brought together multiple jurisdictions, regional planning organizations, and state energy offices, with an emphasis on coordinated approaches that could reach scale rather than fragmented, single-entity efforts. Applicants also needed to articulate measurable "stretch goals" and demonstrate the capability to deliver results significant enough to matter at a regional or national level. Job creation and job retention in the United States was an explicit priority consistent with Recovery Act goals.
Eligibility rules differed by topic and were strict about limiting submissions. Under Topic 1, eligible applicants included states, formula-eligible local governments, formula-eligible Indian tribes, entities eligible under Topic 2, and governmental, quasi-governmental, or nonprofit organizations applying with authorization on behalf of those eligible entities. A central administrative constraint was that only one application could be submitted by or on behalf of any eligible entity listed for Topic 1; if multiple departments or subcomponents of a government wanted funding, their proposed activities had to be consolidated into a single application. Under Topic 2, eligibility was limited to non-formula units of local government or Indian tribes, authorized governmental/quasi-governmental/nonprofit organizations applying on their behalf, or consortia made up of non-formula governments or tribes. States and formula-eligible jurisdictions were explicitly barred from applying under Topic 2, and the same "one application per eligible unit" consolidation rule applied.
The FOA did not require cost sharing or matching funds, lowering barriers for public-sector applicants trying to move quickly during the Recovery Act timeframe. The opportunity was posted September 14, 2009, with a current closing date of December 14, 2009, and it was later archived on February 19, 2010. Award sizes spanned from a $1,000,000 floor to a $75,000,000 ceiling. The associated CFDA number was 81.128 (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program). Administrative support and access issues were routed through FedConnect support, and a point of contact was provided (Karen L. Bahan, karen.bahan@emcbc.doe.gov).
FAQs: Recovery Act EECBG Competitive Solicitation (DE-FOA-0000148)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Competitive Solicitation titled "Retrofit Ramp up and General Innovation Fund Programs" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000148). It was a DOE discretionary grant funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
How much total funding was available?
DOE made up to $453.72 million available under this competitive solicitation.
What was the main purpose of the program?
The intent was to move communities beyond one-off projects and basic outreach and instead fund energy efficiency and conservation initiatives that could scale quickly, deliver measurable results, and continue operating after federal grant dollars ended.
What were the two topic areas in the competition?
The solicitation was organized into two main topic areas:
- Topic 1: Retrofit Ramp up Program
- Topic 2: General Innovation Fund
How much funding was allocated to Topic 1 (Retrofit Ramp up Program)?
Topic 1 offered up to $390.04 million for sizable, implementation-ready retrofit programs.
What were the expected award sizes and number of awards for Topic 1?
For Topic 1, DOE expected individual awards to range from $5 million to $75 million, with roughly 8 to 20 awards anticipated.
How much funding was allocated to Topic 2 (General Innovation Fund)?
Topic 2 set aside up to $63.68 million for smaller projects.
What were the expected award sizes and number of awards for Topic 2?
For Topic 2, DOE expected individual awards in the $1 million to $5 million range, with approximately 15 to 60 awards anticipated.
Who was Topic 2 reserved for?
Topic 2 was specifically reserved for units of local government and state-recognized tribes that were not eligible for direct EECBG formula grants under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, providing a competitive path for smaller or otherwise non-formula jurisdictions.
What types of projects did DOE want to fund?
DOE emphasized funding programs that could transform local and regional energy markets in a lasting way. The focus was on initiatives that were ready to launch, could present credible performance targets, and were designed to continue beyond the grant period through clear sustainability strategies.
Were planning studies or isolated demonstration projects a fit for this FOA?
The FOA emphasized that DOE was not looking for planning studies or isolated demonstration efforts, but for implementation-oriented initiatives with measurable outcomes and credible plans for durability.
What does the FOA mean by the "loading order"?
The FOA stated that energy efficiency and conservation should come first in the "loading order" before investments in new generation, while still allowing projects that combine efficiency with cost-effective renewable energy where appropriate.
What did DOE mean by "sustainability strategies" beyond the grant period?
The FOA expected applicants to describe how the program would keep operating after federal funds ended, for example through policies, financing structures, institutional partnerships, or program revenue models.
Was collaboration encouraged?
Yes. DOE encouraged proposals that showed broad collaboration and leverage, including multi-jurisdictional efforts, regional planning organizations, and state energy offices, with an emphasis on coordinated approaches that reach scale rather than fragmented single-entity efforts.
Were applicants expected to set performance targets?
Yes. Strong applications were expected to include measurable "stretch goals" and show the capability to deliver results significant enough to matter at a regional or national level.
Was job creation a priority?
Yes. Job creation and job retention in the United States was an explicit priority consistent with Recovery Act goals.
Who was eligible to apply under Topic 1?
Topic 1 eligible applicants included states, formula-eligible local governments, formula-eligible Indian tribes, entities eligible under Topic 2, and governmental, quasi-governmental, or nonprofit organizations applying with authorization on behalf of those eligible entities.
Who was eligible to apply under Topic 2?
Topic 2 eligibility was limited to non-formula units of local government or Indian tribes, authorized governmental/quasi-governmental/nonprofit organizations applying on their behalf, or consortia made up of non-formula governments or tribes.
Could states or formula-eligible jurisdictions apply under Topic 2?
No. States and formula-eligible jurisdictions were explicitly barred from applying under Topic 2.
Was there a limit on the number of applications an eligible entity could submit?
Yes. Under both topics, only one application could be submitted by or on behalf of any eligible entity. If multiple departments or subcomponents of a government wanted funding, they were required to consolidate proposed activities into a single application.
Could a governmental, quasi-governmental, or nonprofit organization apply on behalf of an eligible entity?
Yes. The FOA allowed governmental, quasi-governmental, or nonprofit organizations to apply with authorization on behalf of eligible entities (with topic-specific eligibility rules still applying).
Did the FOA require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. The FOA did not require cost sharing or matching funds.
What were the minimum and maximum award amounts across the FOA?
Award sizes ranged from a minimum of $1,000,000 to a maximum of $75,000,000.
When was the opportunity posted, and what was the closing date?
The opportunity was posted on September 14, 2009, with a closing date of December 14, 2009.
Was this opportunity later archived?
Yes. It was archived on February 19, 2010.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number was 81.128 (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program).
Where were administrative support and access issues directed?
Administrative support and access issues were routed through FedConnect support.
Who was the listed point of contact?
The point of contact provided was Karen L. Bahan (karen.bahan@emcbc.doe.gov).
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