Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000086
Apply for DE FOA 0000086
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Solar America Cities Technical Outreach" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.117 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination, Outreach, Training and Technical Analysis/Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 2, 2009 and posted on Jun 24, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 15, 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 $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- 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 Solar America Cities - Technical Outreach funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000086) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative run through the Golden Field Office to speed up solar energy adoption by strengthening what local governments know and can act on. DOE’s core aim is to fund one or more partner organizations that can deliver practical, actionable solar information to as many local governments as possible, especially in large or high-impact local markets. Rather than focusing on building hardware directly, this opportunity is about removing the day-to-day barriers to solar deployment by improving access to timely guidance, best practices, and problem-solving support that cities and counties can put to work quickly.
The work is structured as technical outreach and information dissemination, with the expectation that the selected recipient(s) will proactively identify common solar-related questions and needs in the field and then respond at scale. The program is designed to reach multiple layers of local decision-makers and staff who influence solar permitting, planning, procurement, and community programs. Key target audiences include mayors and city council members, county officials, sustainability and environmental staff, and planners. DOE also flags additional audiences that often shape local solar outcomes, such as local businesses, utilities, schools, and relevant nonprofit organizations. A central feature of the project is creating or operating a mechanism that lets individual local governments both receive timely solar information and share what they are learning with peers, essentially building a two-way channel for knowledge transfer across jurisdictions.
This award is offered as a cooperative agreement, which signals that DOE plans to be substantially involved in the funded activities rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. In practice, that means the awardee(s) should expect close coordination with DOE, regular collaboration, and shared responsibility for ensuring the outreach products and engagement efforts produce strong results in the local-government marketplace. The funding activity category is Energy, and the CFDA listing is 81.117 (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination, Outreach, Training and Technical Analysis/Assistance), reinforcing that the emphasis is on outreach, training, and technical assistance rather than construction.
From a funding standpoint, DOE anticipated one award, with an estimated total program funding of $10,000,000. Individual awards were expected to range from $500,000 (floor) up to $5,500,000 (ceiling). The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching, which can lower the barrier for nonprofits, universities, or other organizations that might not have large pools of unrestricted funds. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement text.
Administratively, the full Funding Opportunity Announcement was posted in FedConnect, and applicants were directed to find it by searching public opportunities and selecting the issuing office as the Golden Field Office. Applications had to be submitted electronically through FedConnect to be considered, although organizations with system-to-system submission capabilities through Grants.gov could continue using that route and still be accepted. Because FedConnect registration was required, DOE emphasized planning ahead: applicants needed a DUNS number (including the plus-4 extension if applicable), an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) account (the predecessor to what is now handled through SAM), and in some cases the CCR MPIN if establishing the organization’s FedConnect account for the first time. The guidance warned that organizations not already registered should allow at least 21 days to complete registration steps, and that CCR registrations needed to be updated annually.
For questions about the opportunity itself, DOE required that content-related questions be submitted through the FedConnect portal, and applicants needed to register as an interested party to submit questions and view posted responses. DOE indicated it would typically respond within three business days unless the answer was already available. Technical submission issues were routed to FedConnect support (support@fedconnect.net and 1-800-899-6665). The opportunity was originally posted June 24, 2009, with an application closing date of October 15, 2009, and an archive date of October 24, 2009. Contact information in the listing included Nancy Kiyota (nancy.kiyota@go.doe.gov) and the FedConnect help desk for access problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Solar America Cities - Technical Outreach (DE-FOA-0000086)
What is the Solar America Cities - Technical Outreach funding opportunity?
Solar America Cities - Technical Outreach (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000086) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative administered through the DOE Golden Field Office. It is designed to speed up solar adoption by strengthening what local governments know and can act on, primarily through practical technical outreach and information dissemination rather than building solar hardware.
What is DOE trying to accomplish with this opportunity?
DOE's core aim is to fund one or more partner organizations that can deliver practical, actionable solar information to as many local governments as possible, with a particular emphasis on large or high-impact local markets. The intent is to remove day-to-day barriers to solar deployment by improving access to timely guidance, best practices, and problem-solving support that local jurisdictions can use quickly.
What types of activities are expected under this award?
The work is structured around technical outreach and information dissemination. The selected recipient(s) are expected to proactively identify common solar-related questions and needs among local governments and respond at scale by delivering guidance, best practices, and problem-solving support across jurisdictions.
Is this opportunity focused on constructing or installing solar hardware?
No. The opportunity emphasizes outreach, training, and technical assistance to reduce barriers to solar deployment. It is not primarily about directly building or installing solar hardware.
Who is the primary audience for the outreach?
The program is designed to reach multiple layers of local decision-makers and staff who influence solar permitting, planning, procurement, and community programs. Key target audiences include mayors and city council members, county officials, sustainability and environmental staff, and planners.
Are there additional audiences beyond local government officials and staff?
Yes. DOE also identifies additional audiences that often shape local solar outcomes, including local businesses, utilities, schools, and relevant nonprofit organizations.
What is the "two-way channel" or knowledge-sharing mechanism described in the opportunity?
A central feature is creating or operating a mechanism that allows individual local governments to both receive timely solar information and share what they are learning with peers. The goal is a two-way channel for knowledge transfer across jurisdictions.
What kind of award instrument will DOE use?
This award is offered as a cooperative agreement. That indicates DOE expects to be substantially involved in the funded activities rather than issuing a grant with minimal engagement.
What does DOE "substantial involvement" mean in practice?
Based on the opportunity description, recipients should expect close coordination with DOE, regular collaboration, and shared responsibility for ensuring that outreach products and engagement efforts produce strong results in the local-government marketplace.
What is the funding activity category and CFDA listing for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Energy. The CFDA listing is 81.117: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination, Outreach, Training and Technical Analysis/Assistance, reflecting the focus on outreach and technical support.
How many awards did DOE anticipate making?
DOE anticipated one award, with the opportunity described as funding one or more partner organizations to deliver the outreach effort.
What is the estimated total program funding amount?
The estimated total program funding was $10,000,000.
What is the expected size range for individual awards?
Individual awards were expected to range from $500,000 (floor) to $5,500,000 (ceiling).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may have been included in the full announcement text.
Where was the full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) posted?
The full FOA was posted in FedConnect. Applicants were directed to search public opportunities and select the issuing office as the Golden Field Office.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through FedConnect to be considered. However, organizations with system-to-system submission capabilities through Grants.gov could continue using that route and still be accepted.
What registrations or identifiers were required to apply through FedConnect?
DOE emphasized planning ahead because FedConnect registration was required. Applicants needed a DUNS number (including the plus-4 extension if applicable) and an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) account. In some cases, the CCR MPIN was needed when establishing the organization's FedConnect account for the first time.
How much time should an unregistered organization allow for required registrations?
The guidance warned that organizations not already registered should allow at least 21 days to complete registration steps.
Did DOE note any maintenance requirements for registration records?
Yes. DOE noted that CCR registrations needed to be updated annually.
How could applicants ask content-related questions about the opportunity?
DOE required that content-related questions be submitted through the FedConnect portal. Applicants needed to register as an interested party to submit questions and to view posted responses.
How quickly did DOE expect to respond to questions submitted in FedConnect?
DOE indicated it would typically respond within three business days unless the answer was already available.
Where should applicants direct technical submission issues?
Technical submission issues were routed to FedConnect support at support@fedconnect.net or by phone at 1-800-899-6665.
When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was originally posted on June 24, 2009. The application closing date was October 15, 2009, and the archive date was October 24, 2009.
Who was listed as a contact in the opportunity information?
The listing included Nancy Kiyota (nancy.kiyota@go.doe.gov) and referenced the FedConnect help desk for access problems.
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