Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000118
Apply for DE FOA 0000118
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Recovery Act Training Program Development for Commercial Building Equipment Technicians, Building Operators, and Energy Commissioning Agents/Auditors" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.086 Conservation Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 29, 2009 and posted on Jun 29, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 1, 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 $7,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- 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.
- All types of entities are eligible to apply, except other Federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Contractors, and nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Contractors may not apply or propose as a team member/sub recipient/sub awardee on another entitys application under this OFA
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Opportunity Summary:
This funding opportunity, titled "Recovery Act Training Program Development for Commercial Building Equipment Technicians, Building Operators, and Energy Commissioning Agents/Auditors" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000118), was issued by the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically its Building Technologies Program (BTP). It was financed in whole or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which placed heavy emphasis on stimulating the economy through rapid job creation and retention. Because of that Recovery Act focus, projects that could start quickly, move efficiently, and show near-term workforce and economic impacts were positioned to receive special consideration.
The core purpose of the FOA was to build up the U.S. commercial building workforce by developing training programs aimed at three key roles: commercial building equipment technicians, building operators, and energy commissioning agents/auditors. The DOE framed this as a practical barrier to achieving high-performing, energy-efficient buildings and, ultimately, net zero energy commercial buildings. The idea was that even well-designed buildings can underperform if the people installing, operating, maintaining, and tuning systems do not have modern, energy-focused skills. By improving how building systems are run and optimized in real life, DOE expected improvements not just in energy use, but also in comfort, safety, and environmental outcomes inside buildings.
Applicants were asked to create training programs that could be implemented after the project period, using either existing curricula, newly developed curricula, or a combination of both. Beyond basic course content, DOE also signaled interest in more complete workforce infrastructure such as certification requirements and accreditation standards tied to energy-efficient practices and technologies. In other words, the FOA was not only about writing lesson plans, but also about advancing credible, standardized pathways that could raise industry competency and align training with DOE's broader net zero energy commercial building goals.
Awards were expected to be made as cooperative agreements, meaning DOE anticipated substantial involvement during the project rather than a purely hands-off grant. Total estimated funding across the FOA was $7.5 million, and the CFDA listing was 81.086 (Conservation Research and Development). There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated in the summary information, which lowered the barrier to entry for organizations that could contribute expertise but might not have significant cash match available.
Eligibility was broadly open ("unrestricted") to most entity types, with a few clear exclusions. Other federal agencies could not apply, and Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors were barred not only from applying directly but also from participating as team members, subrecipients, or subawardees on someone else's application. Also excluded were certain 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations that had engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995. Aside from those restrictions, the FOA was designed to draw from a wide pool of potential training developers and partners.
The FOA placed strong procedural emphasis on using FedConnect. Applications had to be submitted through FedConnect to be considered, and questions were required to be submitted through FedConnect as well. The announcement repeatedly directed applicants to follow the instructions in the full FOA body posted within FedConnect, including details on application preparation, program background, and merit review criteria. Key dates show the FOA was posted June 29, 2009, and closed September 1, 2009, with an archive date of October 29, 2009.
In practical terms, this opportunity was designed to rapidly expand the pipeline of skilled workers who could improve the energy performance of existing commercial buildings and help new commercial buildings reach their intended efficiency targets. The emphasis on training technicians, operators, and commissioning/auditing professionals reflects DOE's view that real-world performance depends heavily on operational know-how and verification, not just on installing efficient equipment. For access issues, FedConnect support was listed (support@fedconnect.net), and a NETL contact was provided (Juliana Heynes at juliana.heynes@netl.doe.gov), with the reminder that official questions were to go through FedConnect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "Recovery Act Training Program Development for Commercial Building Equipment Technicians, Building Operators, and Energy Commissioning Agents/Auditors" and the Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0000118.
Which agency issued this funding opportunity?
It was issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) on behalf of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Building Technologies Program (BTP).
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The main purpose is to strengthen the U.S. commercial building workforce by developing training programs for three roles: commercial building equipment technicians, building operators, and energy commissioning agents/auditors. The goal is to improve real-world building energy performance and support progress toward high-performing and net zero energy commercial buildings.
Why does the announcement reference the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009?
The funding was financed in whole or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), which emphasized rapid job creation and retention. Because of that focus, projects able to start quickly, move efficiently, and show near-term workforce and economic impacts were positioned for special consideration.
What types of training programs were applicants expected to develop?
Applicants were expected to create training programs that could be implemented after the project period. Programs could be based on existing curricula, newly developed curricula, or a combination of both.
Is this opportunity only about developing course materials?
No. In addition to curricula, DOE signaled interest in broader workforce infrastructure elements, such as certification requirements and accreditation standards tied to energy-efficient practices and technologies. The intent was to support credible, standardized pathways that raise industry competency.
Which specific job roles are targeted by this FOA?
The FOA targets training program development for: (1) commercial building equipment technicians, (2) building operators, and (3) energy commissioning agents/auditors.
What outcomes did DOE expect from improving training for these roles?
DOE expected that better training would help ensure buildings perform closer to their design intent, improving energy efficiency. The FOA also connects improved operations and optimization with benefits beyond energy, including comfort, safety, and environmental outcomes in commercial buildings.
What funding mechanism was DOE expecting to use for awards?
Awards were expected to be made as cooperative agreements, meaning DOE anticipated substantial involvement during the project rather than a fully hands-off grant arrangement.
How much total funding was estimated for this FOA?
The total estimated funding across the FOA was $7.5 million.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA listing provided in the summary information is 81.086 (Conservation Research and Development).
Was cost-sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement was stated in the summary information, which reduced the barrier for organizations that could contribute expertise but did not have significant funds available for a match.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as broadly open ("unrestricted") to most entity types, subject to specific exclusions listed in the announcement.
Who was not eligible to apply?
The announcement states that other federal agencies could not apply. In addition, certain 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 were excluded.
Are FFRDCs allowed to participate on project teams?
No. Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors were barred from applying directly and also barred from participating as team members, subrecipients, or subawardees on another applicant's project.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted through FedConnect to be considered.
How were questions about the FOA required to be submitted?
Questions were required to be submitted through FedConnect, and the announcement repeatedly directed applicants to follow the instructions in the full FOA body posted within FedConnect.
Where could applicants find the official instructions and evaluation details?
The announcement directed applicants to the full FOA body posted in FedConnect, including application preparation requirements, program background, and merit review criteria.
What were the key dates for this FOA?
The FOA was posted on June 29, 2009, closed on September 1, 2009, and had an archive date of October 29, 2009.
Why did DOE focus on technicians, operators, and commissioning/auditing professionals?
DOE emphasized that even well-designed buildings can underperform if installation, operations, maintenance, and system tuning are not carried out with modern energy-focused skills. These roles directly affect ongoing building performance and verification, not just equipment selection.
What is the practical impact this FOA was intended to have?
In practical terms, it was designed to rapidly expand the pipeline of skilled workers who can improve the energy performance of existing commercial buildings and help new commercial buildings reach intended efficiency targets, aligning with DOE's broader goals for high-performing and net zero energy commercial buildings.
Who was listed as a point of contact, and how should technical access issues be handled?
For FedConnect access issues, support@fedconnect.net was listed. A NETL contact was also provided: Juliana Heynes at juliana.heynes@netl.doe.gov. The announcement also reminded applicants that official questions were to be submitted through FedConnect.
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