REVOLUTIONARY BIOMASS SUPPLY SYSTEMS SUPPORTING A BILLION TON BIOECONOMY VISION | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this DOE opportunity?

This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). It asks stakeholders for practical input on how the United States can mobilize and move biomass at the scale needed to support a "billion-ton" bioeconomy.

2) Is this a funding opportunity or grant program?

No. The notice is explicitly not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and it is not accepting project applications. It is an information-gathering effort for program planning and strategy development.

3) Can I submit a project application or proposal?

No. DOE is not accepting applications or project proposals under this RFI. DOE is only requesting stakeholder input and responses to the RFI questions/topics.

4) Why is DOE issuing this RFI?

DOE states that current biomass feedstock supply chains are not yet able to consistently deliver the volumes and feedstock quality needed for future bio-based fuels, power, and bioproduct industries. DOE is seeking input on what is holding biomass supply systems back and what innovations could enable reliable, cost-effective, conversion-ready biomass logistics at large scale.

5) What technical issues is DOE emphasizing?

A central theme is feedstock quality and consistency. DOE highlights challenges in delivering uniform feedstocks with predictable composition and physical specifications (such as particle shape/size and moisture content), which affect conversion facility performance, costs, yields, and handling.

6) What does DOE mean by "feedstock quality and consistency"?

In the RFI context, quality and consistency refer to having predictable incoming biomass characteristics, including composition and physical specifications like particle shape and size, as well as moisture content. DOE notes conversion facilities typically perform better when these characteristics are consistent.

7) Is DOE treating this as a farm/forest issue or a supply system issue?

DOE frames these challenges primarily as a supply system issue rather than only a farm or forest issue, pointing toward improvements in logistics, preprocessing, handling, storage, and potentially densification or stabilization approaches.

8) What kinds of solutions or innovations is DOE interested in hearing about?

DOE is looking for revolutionary or step-change improvements in biomass logistics and preprocessing technologies and the connected systems that could reliably deliver specification-grade feedstocks at scale.

9) What are "next-generation supply system architectures" in this RFI?

DOE signals interest in new ways to organize biomass supply systems. One example described is centralized processing and distribution facilities (often called feedstock depots) that aggregate biomass, preprocess it to tighter specifications, and distribute it to end users.

10) Does DOE only want the "feedstock depot" concept?

No. While feedstock depots are mentioned as an example, DOE also leaves room for alternative models, including stand-alone operations that may integrate collection, preprocessing, and delivery differently based on local resources, infrastructure, and end-market needs.

11) Will responding to this RFI lead to funding?

There is no guarantee of funding. DOE states it may choose to issue a future FOA related to the subject matter, but it also may choose not to, and the RFI itself anticipates zero awards.

12) Does submitting an RFI response improve my chances in a future competition?

No. DOE states that submitting a response does not provide any advantage or disadvantage in any future competition.

13) Does DOE have to issue a FOA after this RFI?

No. DOE does not commit to any follow-on action. The agency may choose to issue a future FOA, or it may choose not to.

14) Are any awards expected under this notice?

No. Even though some database fields may show items like an award ceiling, the RFI itself is not a funding call and anticipates zero awards because it is solely for collecting stakeholder input.

15) Who can respond (eligibility)?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any clarifications in the full text of the RFI.

16) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this RFI?

The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001603.

17) What program/category identifiers are associated with it?

DOE records describe it as a discretionary opportunity under the energy category, with CFDA 81.087.

18) When was the RFI posted and when were responses due?

The RFI was posted on June 8, 2016. Responses were due by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on June 30, 2016.

19) How were responses submitted?

Responses had to be submitted electronically by email to BETOAFSS@ee.doe.gov as attachments. Web form submissions were not accepted.

20) What file format was required?

Responses were required in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.

21) What were the formatting and length requirements?

Responses were limited to five pages and had to use 12-point font with one-inch margins.

22) Are there any email attachment size considerations?

DOE recommended compressing attachments over 25 MB to improve deliverability.

23) Do respondents have to answer every question in the RFI?

No. Respondents were encouraged to organize their input by directly addressing the RFI questions/topics and could answer as many or as few as they wanted.

24) Where can the full RFI text and detailed question set be found?

The full RFI text was made available through the EERE eXCHANGE website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov, which contains the detailed question set DOE wanted stakeholders to address.

25) Will DOE reimburse costs for preparing or submitting a response?

No. DOE states the government will not reimburse any costs incurred in preparing a response.

26) How will DOE treat responses (credit, attribution, feedback)?

DOE states responses are treated as informational and used on a non-attribution basis. DOE also notes it is not obligated to acknowledge receipt or provide feedback.

27) Does responding create any obligation for DOE or the respondent?

No. Responding does not commit DOE to any follow-on action, and DOE indicates that responding does not create a commitment to issue a FOA or make awards.

28) What does DOE say about future awards if a FOA is issued later?

DOE notes that any future awards would depend on Congressional appropriations and direction.

29) What is the main goal of the RFI in plain terms?

DOE is trying to understand what is preventing biomass supply chains from reliably delivering large volumes of conversion-ready, specification-grade feedstock, and what step-change logistics and preprocessing approaches could make that possible over the coming decades.