Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000125
Apply for DE FOA 0000125
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Recovery Act Funding for Expansion of Infrastructure for Higher Ethanol Blends" 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 Aug 4, 2009 and posted on Aug 4, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 4, 2009 In order for the Biomass Program to meet programattic requirement.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $5,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- 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 Funding for Expansion of Infrastructure for Higher Ethanol Blends" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000125) is a U.S. Department of Energy grant program run through the Golden Field Office that was designed to quickly expand access to higher ethanol fuel blends, including blends up to E85 (85 percent ethanol). The basic idea is to remove practical barriers that keep drivers from using higher ethanol blends by (1) upgrading the physical fueling infrastructure where people buy fuel and (2) improving consumer understanding and confidence through outreach. The program sits within DOE's Biomass and Biorefinery Systems R&D efforts and aligns with broader federal priorities to strengthen energy security, increase fuel diversity, and cut environmental impacts from transportation energy use.
The announcement is organized around two topic areas. Topic Area 1, "Refueling Infrastructure for Ethanol Blends," supports cost-shared projects that modify, upgrade, or expand equipment at retail fueling locations so they can store and dispense gasoline/ethanol blends up to E85. In practice, this can include enabling stations to offer E85 by addressing compatible tanks, piping, dispensers, and related site components, with the goal of making higher blends available in more places where the public already fuels. Topic Area 2, "Outreach for Ethanol Blends," supports projects aimed at increasing public awareness of ethanol blends as a transportation fuel, with an emphasis on benefits, safety, and how to use these fuels appropriately. Together, the infrastructure and education components are meant to accelerate biofuel deployment by pairing availability at the pump with clearer information for consumers and stakeholders.
From a policy and impact standpoint, DOE frames the program around two strategic goals under its Energy Security theme: improving energy diversity (reducing dependence on oil and vulnerability to supply disruptions) and improving environmental outcomes (lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing negative impacts to air, water, and land associated with energy production and use). By funding both the hardware needed to dispense higher ethanol blends and the outreach needed to build familiarity and demand, the program aims to reduce fossil fuel consumption and support a broader renewable transportation fuels market.
Administratively, this was a discretionary funding opportunity offering awards in the form of Grants and Cooperative Agreements, and it carried a cost-sharing requirement (meaning recipients were expected to contribute a portion of project costs from non-federal sources). The total estimated funding available was $5.5 million, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and no stated award floor. Eligibility was listed as "Unrestricted," meaning the competition was broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.
The timeline reflected a Recovery Act-era schedule: the opportunity was posted August 4, 2009, with an application closing date of October 4, 2009, and an archive date of December 4, 2009. Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and the announcement strongly emphasized that submissions would not be considered unless the applicant was fully registered and able to submit through that system.
A significant portion of the notice focuses on the practical steps needed to apply. Applicants were required to complete several one-time registrations before submission, including obtaining a DUNS number, registering in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR, the predecessor to later federal registration systems), designating an E-Business Point of Contact, obtaining an MPIN, registering with a credential provider, and finally completing Grants.gov registration. DOE advised that organizations not already registered should budget at least 21 days to finish these steps and should start immediately, noting also that CCR registration needed annual updates. For technical questions about the submission process, applicants were directed to the Grants.gov Helpdesk (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov). Questions about the content of the announcement were routed through DOE's Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) "Submit Question" feature. The notice also flagged software compatibility considerations at the time, including the need for a compatible Adobe Reader version for Grants.gov forms, especially for users on Microsoft Vista and Office 2007.
For access and support, the opportunity provided pointers to the full Funding Opportunity Announcement via the page hosting the listing (with the FOA link located by scrolling to the bottom), and it listed contacts for difficulties accessing the full announcement or linking to the opportunity, including FedConnect support (support@fedconnect.net) and a DOE contact (Hank Eggink, hank.eggink@go.doe.gov).
FAQs: Recovery Act Funding for Expansion of Infrastructure for Higher Ethanol Blends (DE-FOA-0000125)
1) What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?
This U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Recovery Act funding opportunity was designed to quickly expand access to higher ethanol fuel blends, including blends up to E85 (85 percent ethanol). It aims to remove practical barriers to using higher ethanol blends by funding (1) upgrades to retail fueling infrastructure and (2) outreach to improve consumer understanding and confidence.
2) Which DOE office ran this program?
The program was run through DOE's Golden Field Office.
3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0000125.
4) What types of awards were offered?
DOE indicated awards would be made as Grants and Cooperative Agreements under this discretionary funding opportunity.
5) What are the two topic areas in the announcement?
The announcement is organized around two topic areas:
- Topic Area 1: Refueling Infrastructure for Ethanol Blends (cost-shared projects to modify, upgrade, or expand equipment at retail fueling locations to store and dispense gasoline/ethanol blends up to E85).
- Topic Area 2: Outreach for Ethanol Blends (projects to increase public awareness of ethanol blends, emphasizing benefits, safety, and appropriate use).
6) What kinds of projects fit under Topic Area 1 (Refueling Infrastructure)?
Topic Area 1 supports cost-shared projects that modify, upgrade, or expand equipment at retail fueling locations so they can store and dispense gasoline/ethanol blends up to E85. The description specifically points to addressing infrastructure elements such as compatible tanks, piping, dispensers, and related site components to enable stations to offer higher ethanol blends where the public already buys fuel.
7) What kinds of projects fit under Topic Area 2 (Outreach)?
Topic Area 2 supports outreach efforts aimed at increasing public awareness of ethanol blends as a transportation fuel, with an emphasis on benefits, safety, and guidance on how to use these fuels appropriately. The intent is to pair fuel availability with clearer consumer and stakeholder information.
8) Why does the opportunity combine infrastructure funding with outreach?
DOE’s approach is to accelerate biofuel deployment by pairing availability at the pump (infrastructure upgrades so higher blends can be dispensed) with education and outreach (to build familiarity, confidence, and demand among consumers and stakeholders).
9) How does DOE describe the program’s policy goals and expected impacts?
DOE frames the program under its Energy Security theme with two strategic goals: (1) improving energy diversity by reducing dependence on oil and vulnerability to supply disruptions, and (2) improving environmental outcomes by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing negative impacts to air, water, and land associated with energy production and use. By supporting higher ethanol blends, the program aims to reduce fossil fuel consumption and strengthen a renewable transportation fuels market.
10) Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The opportunity included a cost-sharing requirement, meaning recipients were expected to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
11) How much total funding was estimated to be available?
The total estimated funding available was $5.5 million.
12) What was the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling was $1,000,000.
13) Was there a minimum (floor) award amount?
No award floor was stated in the information provided.
14) Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as "Unrestricted," meaning the competition was broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full Funding Opportunity Announcement.
15) When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on August 4, 2009. The application closing date was October 4, 2009. The archive date was December 4, 2009.
16) How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The notice emphasized that submissions would not be considered unless the applicant was fully registered and able to submit through Grants.gov.
17) What registrations were required before applying through Grants.gov?
Applicants were required to complete several one-time registrations prior to submission, including:
- Obtaining a DUNS number
- Registering in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
- Designating an E-Business Point of Contact
- Obtaining an MPIN
- Registering with a credential provider
- Completing Grants.gov registration
18) How long did DOE advise applicants to budget for completing registrations?
DOE advised organizations not already registered to budget at least 21 days to complete the required registration steps and to start immediately.
19) Did any registrations require maintenance after initial setup?
Yes. The notice stated that CCR registration required annual updates.
20) Where could applicants get technical help with Grants.gov submission issues?
Applicants were directed to the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov for technical questions about the submission process.
21) How were questions about the content of the announcement handled?
Questions about the content of the announcement were routed through DOE's Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) using the "Submit Question" feature.
22) Were there any software or compatibility considerations mentioned?
Yes. The notice flagged software compatibility considerations for Grants.gov forms, including the need for a compatible Adobe Reader version. It specifically noted issues to be aware of for users on Microsoft Vista and Office 2007.
23) How could applicants access the full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)?
The opportunity listing pointed applicants to the full FOA via the page hosting the listing, noting that the FOA link could be found by scrolling to the bottom of that page.
24) Who could applicants contact if they had difficulty accessing the full announcement or linking to the opportunity?
The notice listed support contacts for access issues, including FedConnect support at support@fedconnect.net and a DOE contact, Hank Eggink, at hank.eggink@go.doe.gov.
25) How does this opportunity relate to DOE program areas?
DOE described the opportunity as sitting within its Biomass and Biorefinery Systems R&D efforts and aligning with broader federal priorities to strengthen energy security, increase fuel diversity, and reduce environmental impacts from transportation energy use.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Request for Information PV Manufacturing Initiative Apply for DE FOA 0000153 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000153 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Recovery Act Workforce Training For The Electric Power Sector Apply for DE FOA 0000152 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000152 Agency: Richland Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Support of Advanced Coal Research at U.S. Colleges and Universities Apply for DE FOA 0000146 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000146 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Support of Advanced Fossil Resource Utilization Research By Historically Black Colleges And Universities And Other Minority Institutions (HBCUs/OMIs) Apply for DE FOA 0000173 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000173 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Recovery Act Weatherization Assistance Program Training Centers And Programs Apply for DE FOA 0000220 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000220 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Energy Innovation Fuels from Sunlight Apply for DE FOA 0000214 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000214 Agency: Chicago Service Center Category: Energy Funding Amount: $122,000,000 |
| Program Year 2010 Weatherization Formula Grants Apply for DE FOA 0000216 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000216 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $15,786,616 |
| Request for Information and Notice of Pre Solicitation Workshop for Hydrogen Fuel Cells Apply for DE FOA 0000225 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000225 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enhancing Short Term Wind Energy Forecasting for Improved Utility Operations Apply for DE FOA 0000280 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000280 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Industrial Technologies Program Superior Energy Performance Program Administrator Technical Assistance Apply for DE FOA 0000246 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000246 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RECOVERY ACT (ARRA) National Park Service, Intermountain Region, Green Renewable Energy Efficient Network Apply for NPSARRANOIIMRO100520 Funding Number: NPSARRANOIIMRO100520 Agency: National Park Service Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Malawi Rural Electrification Public Private Partnership (RE PPP) Mini Grid Apply for MCC 10 0058 RFA Funding Number: MCC 10 0058 RFA Agency: Millennium Challenge Corporation Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI) Solar Demonstration Zone Project Apply for DE FOA 0000303 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000303 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fellowship/Scholarship Program Apply for DE FOA 0000304 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000304 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Weatherization Assistance Program Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Grants Apply for DE FOA 0000283 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000283 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue a FOA for the Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Readiness Advancement Initiative Apply for DE FOA 0000310 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000310 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| State Energy Program (SEP) PY 2010 Formula Award Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0000308 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000308 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Electric Sectory Cyber Security Organization Apply for DE FOA 0000245 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000245 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $16,250,000 |
| SEP Strengthening Building Retrofit Markets and Stimulating Energy Efficiency Action Apply for DE FOA 0000251 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000251 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Computational Capabilities to Develop materials for Advanced Fossil Energy Power Systems Apply for DE FOA 0000260 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000260 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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