Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000643
Apply for DE FOA 0000643
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "State Energy Program Program Year 2012 Formula Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.041 State Energy Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 21, 2012 and posted on Feb 27, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 1, 2012 For Program Year (PY) ending June 30, 2012, the application due date is May 7, 2012. For PY ending August 31, 2012, the application due date is July 2, 2012. For PY ending September 30, 2012, the application due date is August 1, 2012.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The State Energy Program (SEP) Program Year 2012 Formula Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000643, CFDA 81.041) is a U.S. Department of Energy grant announcement managed through the Golden Field Office to collect states annual SEP formula grant applications for PY 2012. The FOA functions less like a one-time competitive solicitation and more like an annual application package and set of operating instructions for states to receive their formula-based SEP funding, along with program guidance and grant management expectations. The detailed implementation guidance for PY 2012 is tied to State Energy Program Notice 12-02, included as an attachment to the FOA, which lays out what states should include in their DOE State Plan and how they should structure, run, and report on the program.
Eligibility is limited to state governments, and a cost sharing or matching requirement applies. The activity category is Energy, and the funding instrument is a Grant. While the listing shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0 (which often happens in postings where the allocation is formula-driven or depends on appropriations), the FOA makes clear through amended language that awards and any future budget periods are contingent on Congressional appropriations and the availability of future-year budget authority. In other words, states should plan for SEP formula funding as expected annual allocations, but DOE is explicitly warning that nothing is guaranteed unless and until federal funds are actually appropriated and made available.
A major focus of the amendment is administrative clarity and updated compliance language rather than changing the core purpose of SEP. The FOA updates multiple sections to add a consistent "availability of funds" statement, reinforcing that DOE can only obligate funds that Congress provides. It also adds or expands application and award requirements that reflect government-wide integrity, registration, and policy rules that were being emphasized in 2012, including certifications related to corporate legal compliance and facility lighting efficiency, plus explicit lobbying restrictions tied to the use of federal dollars.
On the application budgeting side, the amendment adds specific direction for completing the SF-424A budget workbook for non-construction programs. States are instructed to build a budget that includes (1) the new FY 2012 DOE SEP allocation, (2) any other allowable sources the state chooses to fold into the DOE State Plan, and (3) any carryover funds from prior years that are expected to remain unspent at the start of the PY 2012 period. Just as importantly, the FOA now requires states to explain the estimated carryover by the original budget categories where those funds were placed, and to attach that explanation in PAGE (or as a separate spreadsheet/document). This is meant to give DOE clearer visibility into what money is still in play, where it sits in the budget, and how it will be managed alongside the new year allocation.
The amendment also updates the FOA to include specific applicant representations and certifications introduced around March and April 2012. One is the Corporate Felony Conviction and Federal Tax Liability representation, where the applicant represents that it is not a corporation with a felony conviction within the prior 24 months (including convictions of officers or agents acting on the corporation’s behalf), and that it does not have certain delinquent federal tax liabilities that have been fully assessed and are not being paid under an agreement. The FOA defines "corporation" broadly to include entities incorporated in any U.S. state or territory (including nonprofit corporations), but not foreign corporations. This language appears both in the general applicant representations section and again under special terms and national policy requirements, signaling it is a serious eligibility/compliance condition tied to federal policy at the time.
Another added certification is the Applicant Lighting Efficiency Certification (April 2012), which applies if a selected award is in excess of $1,000,000 (counting total federal funding across all budget periods plus recipient cost share). In that case, by the end of the federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30), the recipient must upgrade facilities used for the majority of the project work by replacing covered incandescent lighting that does not meet Energy Policy and Conservation Act standards (42 U.S.C. 6295) with compliant lamps. The FOA goes into detailed definitions of what qualifies as an incandescent lamp, what spaces count as "facilities," and which reflector lamp shapes and sizes are covered, along with specific exemptions for certain lower-wattage or specific lamp types. It also clarifies that costs directly associated with compliance can be allowable and allocable under applicable cost principles (10 CFR 600), and that those costs may be included toward cost share. Applicants must identify the relevant facilities and describe and justify the costs associated with the lighting upgrades to meet the standard before the fiscal year ends.
Administrative requirements were also updated to reflect a major federal systems transition underway at the time: the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) being consolidated into the System for Award Management (SAM). The FOA instructs applicants that if CCR cannot be found at its former web address during the migration, they should use SAM (sam.gov). This is essentially a practical update to keep applicants from getting stuck when trying to satisfy registration requirements needed for awards and payments.
The "Other Information" section adds an explicit lobbying restriction: by accepting funds, recipients agree not to use award funds, directly or indirectly, to influence congressional action on legislation or appropriations pending before Congress, except for certain communications to Members of Congress permitted under 18 U.S.C. 1913. The FOA notes this is in addition to other statutory and regulatory lobbying restrictions, emphasizing that the prohibition is layered on top of existing rules rather than replacing them.
Finally, the amendment revises and clarifies key due dates. The original structure set different application due dates depending on the program year end date, and the amendment specifically changes the due date for the program year ending June 30, 2012 to May 7, 2012 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (moving it from the earlier April 30 date). The other listed due dates remain July 2, 2012 for the program year ending August 31, 2012, and August 1, 2012 for the program year ending September 30, 2012. The overall FOA current closing date is reflected as August 1, 2012, and the opportunity was archived November 1, 2012. The FOA also notes that changes in the document were highlighted in yellow and that all other portions of the announcement remained unchanged, indicating the amendment was targeted and meant to be read as a set of insertions/updates rather than a rewrite of the entire program.
FAQs: State Energy Program (SEP) Program Year 2012 Formula Grants (DE-FOA-0000643)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the State Energy Program (SEP) Program Year 2012 Formula Grants announcement (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000643, CFDA 81.041). It is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant announcement managed through the Golden Field Office to collect states' annual SEP formula grant applications for Program Year (PY) 2012.
Is this a competitive grant solicitation?
Not in the typical one-time, competitive sense. The FOA functions more like an annual application package and set of operating instructions for states to receive formula-based SEP funding, along with program guidance and grant management expectations.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments.
What is the activity category and funding instrument?
The activity category is Energy, and the funding instrument is a Grant.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies.
How is funding determined if the award amounts show as zero?
The listing shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0, which can occur when allocations are formula-driven or depend on appropriations. The FOA indicates funding is formula-based and dependent on appropriations rather than a set competitive pool with fixed award ranges.
Are SEP formula grant awards guaranteed each year?
No. The FOA includes amended language emphasizing that awards and any future budget periods are contingent on Congressional appropriations and the availability of future-year budget authority. DOE can only obligate funds that Congress provides and that are made available.
What is the main purpose of the FOA amendment described here?
The amendment focuses on administrative clarity and updated compliance language, rather than changing the core purpose of SEP. It adds consistent "availability of funds" language and expands application and award requirements reflecting 2012-era federal integrity, registration, and policy rules.
What guidance should states follow for PY 2012 implementation details?
Detailed implementation guidance for PY 2012 is tied to State Energy Program Notice 12-02, included as an attachment to the FOA. It lays out what states should include in their DOE State Plan and how they should structure, run, and report on the program.
What does the FOA require for the SF-424A budget (non-construction)?
The amendment adds specific direction for completing the SF-424A budget workbook for non-construction programs. States are instructed to build a budget that includes: (1) the new FY 2012 DOE SEP allocation, (2) any other allowable sources the state chooses to fold into the DOE State Plan, and (3) any carryover funds from prior years expected to remain unspent at the start of the PY 2012 period.
What carryover explanation is required in the application?
States must explain estimated carryover by the original budget categories where those funds were placed, and attach that explanation in PAGE (or as a separate spreadsheet/document). This is intended to give DOE clearer visibility into unspent funds, where they sit in the budget, and how they will be managed alongside the new allocation.
What is the Corporate Felony Conviction and Federal Tax Liability representation?
The FOA includes a representation that the applicant is not a corporation with a felony conviction within the prior 24 months (including convictions of officers or agents acting on the corporation's behalf), and that it does not have certain delinquent federal tax liabilities that have been fully assessed and are not being paid under an agreement.
How does the FOA define "corporation" for that representation?
The FOA defines "corporation" broadly to include entities incorporated in any U.S. state or territory (including nonprofit corporations), but not foreign corporations.
Where in the FOA do these representations/certifications appear?
This corporate felony conviction and federal tax liability language appears in the general applicant representations section and again under special terms and national policy requirements, indicating it is treated as a serious eligibility/compliance condition.
What is the Applicant Lighting Efficiency Certification?
This is an added certification (April 2012) that applies if a selected award is in excess of $1,000,000, counting total federal funding across all budget periods plus recipient cost share. In that case, by the end of the federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30), the recipient must upgrade facilities used for the majority of the project work by replacing covered incandescent lighting that does not meet Energy Policy and Conservation Act standards (42 U.S.C. 6295) with compliant lamps.
How is the $1,000,000 threshold calculated for the lighting certification?
The threshold counts total federal funding across all budget periods plus the recipient cost share.
When must lighting upgrades be completed under the lighting certification?
Upgrades must be completed by the end of the federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30), as described in the FOA.
Does the FOA define what lighting is covered and what qualifies as a facility?
Yes. The FOA provides detailed definitions of what qualifies as an incandescent lamp, what spaces count as "facilities," and which reflector lamp shapes and sizes are covered. It also notes specific exemptions for certain lower-wattage or specific lamp types.
Can lighting upgrade costs be included in the grant budget or cost share?
Yes. The FOA clarifies that costs directly associated with compliance can be allowable and allocable under applicable cost principles (10 CFR 600), and that those costs may be included toward cost share. Applicants must identify relevant facilities and describe and justify the costs associated with the lighting upgrades before the fiscal year ends.
What registration system does the FOA reference for applicant registrations?
The FOA reflects the 2012 transition from the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) to the System for Award Management (SAM). It instructs applicants that if CCR cannot be found at its former web address during migration, they should use SAM (sam.gov).
What lobbying restriction is included in the FOA?
The "Other Information" section adds an explicit restriction: by accepting funds, recipients agree not to use award funds, directly or indirectly, to influence congressional action on legislation or appropriations pending before Congress, except for certain communications to Members of Congress permitted under 18 U.S.C. 1913.
Is this lobbying restriction in addition to other rules?
Yes. The FOA states the restriction is in addition to other statutory and regulatory lobbying restrictions, emphasizing it is layered on top of existing rules rather than replacing them.
What are the application due dates mentioned in the amendment?
The amendment revises and clarifies due dates. The due date for the program year ending June 30, 2012 is changed to May 7, 2012 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (moved from April 30). Other listed due dates are July 2, 2012 for the program year ending August 31, 2012, and August 1, 2012 for the program year ending September 30, 2012.
What is the overall closing date shown for the FOA?
The overall FOA current closing date is reflected as August 1, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on November 1, 2012.
How were changes presented in the amended FOA?
The FOA notes that changes in the document were highlighted in yellow and that all other portions of the announcement remained unchanged, indicating a targeted set of updates rather than a full rewrite.
What does DOE want to see in a state's DOE State Plan for this FOA?
Based on the description provided, the FOA (through State Energy Program Notice 12-02) lays out what states should include in their DOE State Plan, and how they should structure, run, and report on the program.
Who manages this FOA within DOE?
The announcement is managed through DOE's Golden Field Office.
What does the "availability of funds" language mean for planning?
It means states may plan around expected annual SEP formula allocations, but DOE is explicitly warning that funding is not guaranteed unless and until federal funds are appropriated by Congress and made available, and DOE has the authority to obligate them.
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