Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000342
Apply for DE FOA 0000342
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Upgrading of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil (Bio oil)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087 Renewable Energy Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 6, 2010 and posted on May 27, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 9, 2010. (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:
The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Golden Field Office, released a discretionary grant funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000342) titled "Upgrading of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil (Bio-oil)" under CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development). The solicitation targets bench-scale research and development projects focused on integrated processes that upgrade biomass fast pyrolysis oil into refinery-compatible intermediates or finished hydrocarbon blendstocks. The opportunity is open to a broad range of applicants (unrestricted eligibility, subject to clarifications in the full text) and requires cost sharing or matching. It was posted May 27, 2010, created July 6, 2010, and closed July 9, 2010.
At a technical level, the FOA is looking for applicants to design and operate an integrated upgrading system that can run long enough to generate meaningful durability, catalyst life, and materials-of-construction data, while also producing a liquid product that fits into existing fuel and refinery infrastructure. The core goals are fourfold: first, demonstrate long-term processing performance that specifically addresses corrosivity challenges associated with stabilized bio-oil; second, achieve catalytic deoxygenation across the complex mixture of oxygenated compounds that make up bio-oil (a key step for improving stability, reducing acidity, and increasing energy density); third, prove either (a) production of a final liquid transportation hydrocarbon fuel that can be blended up to 30 percent by weight with ASTM petroleum fuels, or (b) production of an upgraded bio-oil that is compatible with existing petroleum refining unit operations; and fourth, provide extensive supporting physical and chemical property data tied directly to petroleum/refinery requirements to justify the claimed compatibility of the upgraded product with conventional refinery operations.
Several official modifications clarify and adjust important requirements. Modification 002 reduces the minimum operating history requirement from 2,000 hours to at least 1,000 hours on a single catalyst loading and reactor apparatus. This change affects both the integrated run requirement used to support catalyst characterization and materials-of-construction evaluation, and the catalyst management rule. Under the revised language, catalysts may be regenerated but cannot be replaced during the minimum 1,000-hour operating history, emphasizing that applicants must demonstrate sustained performance and practical catalyst handling without simply swapping in fresh catalyst to maintain results.
Modification 003 corrects a financial modeling spreadsheet error and updates the required submission file naming. Specifically, it fixes an error in row 170 of the pro forma where the calculation should be 8 percent of revenue rather than 8 percent of total feedstock costs. Because of that correction, applicants are instructed to use a revised spreadsheet template named Proformacorrected.xls (instead of Proforma.xls). The FOA also updates the Summary of Required Forms/Files to reflect this change, meaning the corrected pro forma file is the expected format for scenario-based financial and economic reporting within the application package.
Modification 001 tightens the language around Federally Funded Research and Development Center participation and adds an important data protection clarification. The FOA revises the eligibility/participation statement to specify that any DOE/NNSA FFRDC contractor applying as the prime cannot exclusively reserve its services for its own application and must be available to other applicants on a non-exclusive basis, reinforcing fair access to specialized national lab/FFRDC capabilities. In addition, the FOA adds a "Special Protected Data Statutes" section stating that the program is covered by a statute that can protect certain trade secret, confidential commercial, or financial information from public disclosure for up to five years from the development of that information. The FOA points to the applicable DOE data rights provision (10 CFR 600, Appendix A to Subpart D) and notes that for National Laboratories and FFRDCs, the data rights clause in the Applicant's M&O contract will apply. In practical terms, this is meant to encourage industry-relevant development by offering time-limited protection for sensitive results, while still defining what data may eventually be made public.
Administratively, the full announcement and required templates were hosted through FedConnect, with Brenda L. Dias listed as the grants and agreements specialist point of contact (brenda.dias@go.doe.gov). The key compliance takeaways for applicants were to (1) meet the integrated bench-scale performance and product-compatibility objectives, (2) plan for a minimum 1,000-hour continuous operating history without catalyst replacement (regeneration allowed), (3) submit the required scenario pro formas using the corrected spreadsheet file (Proformacorrected.xls), and (4) understand the FFRDC non-exclusivity requirement and the special protected data framework that governs how sensitive project data can be handled and disclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and number of this DOE funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Upgrading of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil (Bio-oil)" and is issued as DOE FOA DE-FOA-0000342 through the Department of Energy (DOE) Golden Field Office.
What CFDA program is associated with this FOA?
This solicitation is under CFDA 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development.
What type of projects is DOE seeking under this FOA?
DOE is seeking bench-scale research and development projects focused on integrated processes that upgrade biomass fast pyrolysis oil (bio-oil) into refinery-compatible intermediates or finished hydrocarbon blendstocks.
What does "integrated upgrading system" mean in the context of this FOA?
Based on the FOA description, an integrated system is one that is designed and operated as a complete upgrading process (not isolated unit tests) and can run long enough to generate meaningful durability, catalyst life, and materials-of-construction data while producing a liquid product intended to fit existing fuel and refinery infrastructure.
What are the main technical goals DOE expects applicants to address?
The FOA describes four core goals: (1) demonstrate long-term processing performance that addresses corrosivity challenges associated with stabilized bio-oil; (2) achieve catalytic deoxygenation across the complex oxygenated mixture in bio-oil to improve stability, reduce acidity, and increase energy density; (3) prove either production of a finished transportation hydrocarbon fuel blendable up to 30 percent by weight with ASTM petroleum fuels, or production of an upgraded bio-oil compatible with existing petroleum refining unit operations; and (4) provide extensive supporting physical and chemical property data tied to refinery requirements to justify compatibility claims.
Is the FOA limited to making finished fuels, or can it support refinery intermediates?
It supports both. Applicants can either produce (a) a final liquid transportation hydrocarbon fuel that can be blended up to 30 percent by weight with ASTM petroleum fuels, or (b) an upgraded bio-oil that is compatible with existing petroleum refining unit operations.
What does the FOA mean by "refinery-compatible" products?
From the information provided, refinery compatibility is tied to producing an upgraded liquid product that can fit within existing fuel and refinery infrastructure and is supported by extensive physical and chemical property data directly linked to petroleum/refinery requirements and conventional refinery operations.
Why is catalytic deoxygenation emphasized in this opportunity?
The FOA identifies catalytic deoxygenation as a key step because bio-oil contains a complex mixture of oxygenated compounds. Deoxygenation is highlighted as important for improving stability, reducing acidity, and increasing energy density, which are critical for making the product more compatible with fuel and refining systems.
How long must the integrated system be operated to meet the FOA requirements?
Modification 002 sets the minimum operating history to at least 1,000 hours on a single catalyst loading and reactor apparatus.
Was the required operating history ever different?
Yes. Modification 002 reduced the minimum operating history requirement from 2,000 hours to at least 1,000 hours.
Does the 1,000-hour requirement apply to a single run configuration?
Yes. The revised language specifies at least 1,000 hours on a single catalyst loading and reactor apparatus, and the purpose is to support catalyst characterization and materials-of-construction evaluation.
Can catalysts be replaced during the minimum operating history?
No. Under the revised language in Modification 002, catalysts may be regenerated but cannot be replaced during the minimum 1,000-hour operating history.
Is catalyst regeneration allowed during the 1,000-hour operating period?
Yes. Regeneration is allowed, but replacement is not allowed during the minimum operating history.
What is the intent behind prohibiting catalyst replacement during the minimum operating history?
The FOA frames this as an emphasis on demonstrating sustained performance and practical catalyst handling, rather than maintaining performance simply by swapping in fresh catalyst.
What kinds of data is DOE expecting applicants to generate?
The FOA calls for meaningful durability, catalyst life, and materials-of-construction data from long-duration operation, as well as extensive supporting physical and chemical property data tied directly to petroleum/refinery requirements to support compatibility claims for the upgraded product.
What specific operational challenge is called out related to long-term performance?
The FOA specifically calls out corrosivity challenges associated with stabilized bio-oil as an issue that long-term processing performance should address.
Is eligibility restricted to certain types of organizations?
The opportunity is described as open to a broad range of applicants with unrestricted eligibility, subject to clarifications in the full FOA text.
Does this FOA require cost sharing or matching?
Yes. The FOA requires cost sharing or matching.
What is the rule for DOE/NNSA FFRDC contractors applying as the prime recipient?
Modification 001 clarifies that any DOE/NNSA Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractor applying as the prime cannot exclusively reserve its services for its own application and must be available to other applicants on a non-exclusive basis.
What does the FOA say about protecting sensitive or proprietary project data?
Modification 001 adds a "Special Protected Data Statutes" section stating the program is covered by a statute that can protect certain trade secret, confidential commercial, or financial information from public disclosure for up to five years from the development of that information.
How long can protected data be shielded from public disclosure under the FOA?
Up to five years from the development of the information, as described in the Special Protected Data Statutes section added by Modification 001.
What DOE regulation or clause is referenced for data rights?
The FOA points to the DOE data rights provision at 10 CFR 600, Appendix A to Subpart D.
Do National Laboratories and FFRDCs follow the same data rights clause?
The FOA notes that for National Laboratories and FFRDCs, the data rights clause in the applicant's M&O (Management and Operating) contract will apply.
Where were the full announcement and required templates hosted?
The full announcement and required templates were hosted through FedConnect.
Who is the listed DOE point of contact for grants and agreements questions?
Brenda L. Dias is listed as the grants and agreements specialist point of contact. The email provided is brenda.dias@go.doe.gov.
What are the key dates listed for this FOA?
The FOA was posted May 27, 2010, created July 6, 2010, and closed July 9, 2010.
Were there any changes to the financial modeling spreadsheet requirement?
Yes. Modification 003 corrected an error in the pro forma spreadsheet and updated the required submission file naming.
What was the spreadsheet error that Modification 003 corrected?
It corrected row 170 of the pro forma so the calculation is 8 percent of revenue rather than 8 percent of total feedstock costs.
What pro forma template should applicants use after the correction?
Applicants are instructed to use the revised spreadsheet template named Proformacorrected.xls (instead of Proforma.xls).
What does the FOA say about required forms/files related to the pro forma?
The FOA updates the Summary of Required Forms/Files to reflect the corrected pro forma spreadsheet, meaning Proformacorrected.xls is the expected format for scenario-based financial and economic reporting in the application package.
What are the main compliance takeaways highlighted for applicants?
The summary provided highlights four main takeaways: (1) meet the integrated bench-scale performance and product-compatibility objectives; (2) plan for at least 1,000 hours of operating history without catalyst replacement (regeneration allowed); (3) submit scenario pro formas using Proformacorrected.xls; and (4) understand the FFRDC non-exclusivity requirement and the special protected data framework governing sensitive project data.
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