Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000120

  • The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Recovery Act Hydroelectric Facility Modernization" 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 21, 2009 and posted on Jun 29, 2009.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 20, 2009 To meet programmatic requirements.. (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 $25,000,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
  • Industry members or industry led partnerships
Apply for DE FOA 0000120

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Opportunity Summary:

The Recovery Act Hydroelectric Facility Modernization grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000120) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) competitive funding program administered through the Golden Field Office. It was designed to accelerate practical upgrades to the nation s existing hydropower fleet by helping industry applicants develop, deploy, and test modernization projects at existing non-federal hydroelectric facilities. The central idea is to increase both the quantity of electricity generated and the value of that generation, where "value" includes improved operational performance as well as measurable environmental benefits.

Eligibility is intentionally restricted. Only hydropower industry members or industry-led partnerships are intended to apply, which means the program is not broadly open to all entity types in the way many federal grants are. The FOA emphasizes that applicants must follow the full announcement instructions exactly as posted in FedConnect to be considered for an award. The funding instrument is a grant, the opportunity category is discretionary, and it falls under the energy activity area (CFDA 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development). A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect to contribute non-federal funds or in-kind resources as required by the FOA.

Programmatically, DOE is looking for modernization work that can be implemented relatively quickly and with minimal disruption. The opportunity prioritizes projects that can be developed without significant modifications to existing dams and with minimal regulatory delay. In practice, this points toward retrofits and upgrades such as improved turbines, turbine components, and control technologies that increase efficiency, improve water-to-wire performance, and maximize generation from existing infrastructure. While the opportunity supports a range of project types, it is clearly oriented toward deployments and field demonstrations rather than purely theoretical research, with an expectation that applicants will test technologies in real operating conditions.

Environmental performance is not treated as an add-on; it is a core selection theme. DOE specifically highlights improvements such as reducing fish mortality at project sites and increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations in waters affected by project operations. Applicants are expected to show that the proposed modernization will produce better outcomes both in energy terms (more generation, higher efficiency, better operational flexibility) and in environmental terms (reduced ecological impacts or improved water quality). Projects proposing advanced technologies that improve upon commonly used technologies or standard operating practices are preferred, signaling an interest in innovation that is ready for deployment rather than early-stage concepts.

Applications must be submitted through FedConnect (with a limited exception for organizations that have system-to-system capabilities with Grants.gov, in which case submissions through Grants.gov are still accepted). The full FOA is located by going to FedConnect, searching public opportunities, selecting the issuing office as the Golden Field Office, and then locating the specific announcement. The opportunity stresses that submission through the required portal is mandatory for award consideration, so process compliance is a major part of successfully applying.

Because registration can take time, the FOA lays out the basic prerequisites for FedConnect access. Applicants need a DUNS number (including the plus-4 extension if applicable), a Central Contractor Registration (CCR) account (the predecessor to today s SAM registration), and in some cases the CCR MPIN if they are the first person from their organization establishing the FedConnect account. The FOA advises organizations to allow at least 21 days to complete CCR and FedConnect registration if they are not already registered, and notes that CCR registrations must be renewed annually.

The timeline provided in the source information reflects the original posting under the Recovery Act era: the posted date is June 29, 2009, with an application closing date of August 20, 2009, and an archive date of October 29, 2009. The listed award ceiling is $25,000,000. Questions about the content of the announcement must be submitted through the FedConnect portal (which requires registration as an interested party to view Q and A), and DOE indicates it will typically respond within about three business days unless the question has already been addressed. Technical issues with FedConnect submissions are directed to FedConnect Support (support@fedconnect.net or 1-800-899-6665), and the listing also references a DOE contact, Sara Wilson (sara.wilson@go.doe.gov), for additional assistance tied to the opportunity.

Recovery Act Hydroelectric Facility Modernization Grant (DE-FOA-0000120) FAQs

What is the Recovery Act Hydroelectric Facility Modernization grant opportunity?

It is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) competitive funding program administered through the DOE Golden Field Office. The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000120) was designed to accelerate practical upgrades to the nation's existing hydropower fleet by supporting the development, deployment, and testing of modernization projects at existing non-federal hydroelectric facilities.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The program focuses on increasing both (1) the quantity of electricity generated from existing hydropower facilities and (2) the value of that generation. In this context, "value" includes improved operational performance and measurable environmental benefits.

Who administers this funding opportunity?

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the Golden Field Office.

Is this a competitive grant or a formula award?

This is a competitive funding program and the opportunity category is discretionary.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the CFDA number and activity area for this opportunity?

The activity area is energy, listed as CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is intentionally restricted. The opportunity is intended for hydropower industry members or industry-led partnerships, rather than being broadly open to all types of entities.

Are projects required to be at non-federal hydropower facilities?

Yes. The program is specifically aimed at modernization projects at existing non-federal hydroelectric facilities.

What kinds of projects does DOE want to fund?

DOE prioritizes modernization work that can be implemented relatively quickly and with minimal disruption. The opportunity points toward practical retrofits and upgrades such as improved turbines, turbine components, and control technologies that increase efficiency, improve water-to-wire performance, and maximize generation from existing infrastructure.

Does the FOA favor deployments and demonstrations over early-stage research?

Yes. While a range of project types may be supported, the opportunity is clearly oriented toward deployments and field demonstrations rather than purely theoretical research, with an expectation that technologies will be tested in real operating conditions.

Does DOE require environmental benefits as part of the project?

Yes. Environmental performance is treated as a core selection theme. Applicants are expected to show measurable environmental improvements in addition to energy and operational improvements.

What environmental improvements are specifically highlighted?

DOE specifically highlights outcomes such as reducing fish mortality at project sites and increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations in waters affected by project operations.

Does the FOA prefer innovative technologies?

Yes. Projects proposing advanced technologies that improve upon commonly used technologies or standard operating practices are preferred, indicating interest in innovation that is ready for deployment rather than early-stage concepts.

Are significant dam modifications expected or preferred?

No. The opportunity prioritizes projects that can be developed without significant modifications to existing dams and with minimal regulatory delay.

Is there a cost share or matching requirement?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect to contribute non-federal funds or in-kind resources as required by the FOA.

Where must applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted through FedConnect. There is a limited exception: organizations that have system-to-system capabilities with Grants.gov may submit through Grants.gov, and those submissions are still accepted.

How do applicants find the full FOA announcement?

The full FOA is located in FedConnect by searching public opportunities, selecting the issuing office as the Golden Field Office, and then locating the specific announcement for DE-FOA-0000120.

How important is following the FOA instructions exactly?

It is critical. The FOA emphasizes that applicants must follow the full announcement instructions exactly as posted in FedConnect to be considered for an award. Process compliance is described as a major part of successfully applying.

What registration items are needed to access and use FedConnect for submission?

The FOA lists prerequisites including a DUNS number (including the plus-4 extension if applicable) and a Central Contractor Registration (CCR) account (the predecessor to today's SAM registration). In some cases, applicants may also need the CCR MPIN if they are the first person from their organization establishing the FedConnect account.

How long should organizations budget for CCR and FedConnect registration?

The FOA advises allowing at least 21 days to complete CCR and FedConnect registration if the organization is not already registered.

Do registrations have to be renewed?

Yes. The FOA notes that CCR registrations must be renewed annually.

What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The source information lists a posted date of June 29, 2009, an application closing date of August 20, 2009, and an archive date of October 29, 2009.

What is the award ceiling for this grant opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is $25,000,000.

How can applicants ask questions about the content of the announcement?

Questions about the content of the announcement must be submitted through the FedConnect portal. This requires registration as an interested party to view the question-and-answer information.

How quickly does DOE typically respond to questions submitted in FedConnect?

DOE indicates it will typically respond within about three business days unless the question has already been addressed.

Who should applicants contact for technical problems with FedConnect submissions?

Technical issues with FedConnect submissions are directed to FedConnect Support at support@fedconnect.net or 1-800-899-6665.

Is there a DOE contact person listed for additional assistance?

Yes. The listing references a DOE contact, Sara Wilson, at sara.wilson@go.doe.gov.

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