Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001312
Apply for DE FOA 0001312
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information for DE FOA 0001237" 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 Feb 25, 2015 and posted on Feb 25, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by This is a Request for Information for Funding Opportunity Announcement DE FOA 0001237. Applications will not be accepted for the Request for Information.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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:
This opportunity is a Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) connected to a potential future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) identified as DE-FOA-0001237. It is being managed through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and sits in the transportation space under CFDA 81.086 (Conservation Research and Development). The basic goal of the RFI is to collect input from stakeholders on how DOE might structure a later funding program aimed at increasing deployment of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and other advanced vehicles by reducing the upfront cost barriers that keep these vehicles from wider adoption.
The RFI explains the central problem DOE is trying to address: while AFVs can provide energy security benefits through fuel diversification, improve environmental outcomes, and sometimes lower total cost of ownership over a vehicle's life, their higher purchase price compared with conventional vehicles remains a major barrier. According to the notice, those higher prices are not just a function of lower production volumes (where manufacturers spread fixed costs across fewer units). They are also driven by the practical complexity of marketing, selling, and delivering vehicles that must meet a wide range of local rules, technical requirements, and fleet-specific operating needs. In other words, even when the technology makes sense, the market friction and customization burden can keep prices higher and slow down deployment.
A key concept emphasized in the RFI is aggregate or bulk purchasing. DOE is highlighting the idea that if fleets or consumers could buy in larger quantities, or participate in coordinated purchasing initiatives, both manufacturers and buyers could benefit. Manufacturers would see more predictable demand and assured sales volume, which can support pricing improvements, production planning, and distribution efficiency. Buyers could see reduced vehicle costs and lower purchase prices, which directly addresses the "sticker price" barrier that often blocks AFV adoption even when the lifetime economics are favorable.
This announcement is not a grant competition and does not accept applications. It is strictly an information-gathering step used to shape a possible future FOA. As a result, the funding fields show no available dollars at this stage (estimated total funding is listed as 0, and both award ceiling and floor are 0). Although the listing includes "Cooperative Agreement" as the anticipated funding instrument type, that is best read as a likely structure for a future FOA rather than something available under this RFI itself. Similarly, cost sharing is listed as "No," but since this is not an application stage, the final cost-share requirements (if any) would ultimately depend on the terms of any later FOA DOE decides to release.
Eligibility for providing input is essentially open. The opportunity lists eligible applicants as "Unrestricted," meaning any type of entity can respond, subject to any clarifications that might appear in the full text on EERE Exchange. Practically, that implies DOE is inviting comments from a broad range of stakeholders who understand AFV markets and procurement, such as vehicle and component manufacturers, dealers, fleet operators, state and local governments, transit agencies, utilities, fuel providers, clean transportation coalitions, non-profits, and others involved in vehicle acquisition and deployment.
Submission instructions are straightforward and fairly specific. Responses had to be submitted by email to DEFOA0001237@netl.doe.gov and provided as an attachment in Microsoft Word format. The deadline for receipt was 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 13, 2015. The announcement directs readers to the EERE Exchange website for the full content and includes a point of contact for access issues: Maureen B. Davison, Contract Specialist, at 412-386-5163, with questions also directed to the same DEFOA0001237@netl.doe.gov address.
In short, this RFI is DOE's pre-solicitation market research step focused on reducing the upfront cost barrier to alternative fuel and advanced vehicles, particularly by exploring how aggregate purchasing and coordinated procurement could create better pricing and more reliable demand. It provides a formal channel for stakeholders to shape how a future DOE funding opportunity might be designed, but it is not itself a funding opportunity and does not accept project applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) tied to a possible future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) identified as DE-FOA-0001237. It is an information-gathering notice intended to collect stakeholder input that DOE may use to design a future funding program.
2) Is this a grant competition or a chance to apply for funding right now?
No. The notice is not a grant competition and it does not accept applications. It is strictly a step for DOE to gather input before deciding whether and how to issue a future FOA.
3) Who is managing this RFI within DOE?
The RFI is being managed through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
4) What program area does this fall under?
The opportunity sits in the transportation space and is listed under CFDA 81.086 (Conservation Research and Development).
5) What problem is DOE trying to address through this RFI?
DOE is focused on the higher upfront purchase price of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and other advanced vehicles compared with conventional vehicles. The RFI describes this higher "sticker price" as a major barrier to wider adoption, even when lifetime economics can be favorable.
6) Why does DOE say AFVs and advanced vehicles often cost more upfront?
According to the RFI, the higher prices are not only due to lower production volumes. DOE also points to market friction and complexity: marketing, selling, and delivering these vehicles can require significant customization to satisfy local rules, technical requirements, and fleet-specific operating needs.
7) What benefits of AFVs does DOE highlight in the RFI?
The RFI notes that AFVs can provide energy security benefits through fuel diversification, improve environmental outcomes, and sometimes lower total cost of ownership over the life of a vehicle. However, the upfront price can still prevent adoption.
8) What key approach does DOE emphasize to help lower upfront costs?
DOE emphasizes aggregate or bulk purchasing. The idea is that coordinated purchasing initiatives or larger quantity purchases could create more predictable demand and assured sales volume, supporting better pricing and improved distribution and production planning.
9) How could bulk purchasing help manufacturers?
The RFI suggests manufacturers could benefit from predictable demand and assured sales volume, which can support pricing improvements, production planning, and distribution efficiency.
10) How could bulk purchasing help fleets or consumers?
DOE highlights that buyers could see reduced vehicle costs and lower purchase prices through coordinated purchasing, directly addressing the upfront cost barrier that often blocks adoption.
11) What types of vehicles are in scope?
The RFI is aimed at increasing deployment of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and other advanced vehicles, with an emphasis on reducing the upfront purchase price barrier to adoption.
12) What is the connection between this RFI and a future FOA?
This RFI is a pre-solicitation, market research step. DOE is collecting input from stakeholders to help shape how a possible future FOA (DE-FOA-0001237) might be structured.
13) Does this RFI have any funding available?
No. The listing shows estimated total funding of 0, with an award ceiling of 0 and an award floor of 0. That reflects that this is not a funding opportunity and does not make awards.
14) What funding instrument is associated with this opportunity?
The listing includes "Cooperative Agreement" as an anticipated instrument type, but in the context of an RFI this should be read as a likely structure for a future FOA rather than something being offered under the RFI itself.
15) Is cost sharing required to respond to this RFI?
The listing shows cost sharing as "No." Since this is not an application stage, any cost-share requirements would ultimately depend on the terms of any future FOA DOE might release.
16) Who is eligible to respond with input?
Eligibility is listed as "Unrestricted," meaning any type of entity can provide input, subject to any clarifications in the full text on EERE Exchange.
17) What kinds of organizations does DOE appear to want to hear from?
Based on the description, DOE is inviting input from a broad range of stakeholders involved in AFV markets and procurement, including manufacturers, dealers, fleet operators, state and local governments, transit agencies, utilities, fuel providers, clean transportation coalitions, non-profits, and others involved in vehicle acquisition and deployment.
18) How were responses required to be submitted?
Responses had to be submitted by email to DEFOA0001237@netl.doe.gov and provided as an attachment in Microsoft Word format.
19) What was the deadline to submit an RFI response?
The deadline for receipt was 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 13, 2015.
20) Where can someone find the full RFI content?
The announcement directs readers to the EERE Exchange website for the full content.
21) Who is the point of contact for access issues related to EERE Exchange?
The notice lists Maureen B. Davison, Contract Specialist, as the point of contact for access issues. The phone number provided is 412-386-5163.
22) What email address is provided for questions or submissions?
The notice directs submissions and questions to DEFOA0001237@netl.doe.gov.
23) What is the main takeaway for organizations interested in funding?
This RFI does not provide funding, but it offers a formal channel to influence how DOE might design a future funding opportunity intended to reduce upfront cost barriers and accelerate deployment of AFVs and other advanced vehicles, potentially through aggregate purchasing strategies.
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