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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
["All questions and answers pertaining to DE-FOA-0002912, \"Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Section 40551: Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement & Innovation\", will be posted on Infrastructure Exchange on the Q&A tab of this spreadsheet. "]
["To ask a question that has not already been asked, email Weatherization.Innovation@hq.doe.gov."]
["DOE will attempt to respond to a question within 3 business days, unless a similar question and answer has already been posted in this spreadsheet. If you submitted a question and it has not yet appeared in the Q&A, please continue checking this document or resubmit your question.  Please note, DOE may require more than 3 days to answer submitted questions."]
["All questions should be submitted not later than 3 business days prior to the application due date. Questions submitted after this date will not be answered."]
[]
["TIPS"]
["Questions are assigned a number in accordance with when they are reviewed by DOE.  "]
["Applicants may sort questions and answers in the question tabs of this spreadhseet by selecting the drop-down box arrow on the column headers and selecting any of the listed attributes."]
["Applicants may search for questions and/or keywords by holding CTRL+F on the keyboard and typing in a phrase or keyword."]

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["QUESTION AND ANSWER LOG\nDE-FOA-0002912 - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Section 40551: Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement & Innovation"]
["#","Date Submitted","Topic","Topic Area","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2023-06-28","Eligibility","N/A","What are my chances of success in applying for a grant like this?","Applications that are determined to be eligible will be evaluated in accordance with this FOA, by the standards set forth in EERE’s Notice of Objective Merit Review Procedure (76 Fed. Reg. 17846, March 31, 2011) and the guidance provided in the “DOE Merit Review Guide for Financial Assistance,” effective October 2020, which is available at: https://energy.gov/management/downloads/merit-review-guide-financial-assistance-and-unsolicited-proposals-current.\n\nDOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the applicant (FOA Section III.G. Questions Regarding Eligibility)."]
[2,"2023-06-28","Topic",1,"The memo mentions multifamily, but doesn't elaborate. Where can I find multifamily guidance?","Please refer to Section I.B.i of the Funding Opportunity Announcement for details about the Multifamily Housing topic area."]
[3,"2023-06-28","Grant Information","N/A","Can you provide a list of previous Enhancement & Innovation (E&I) awardees? ","Previously awarded E&I projects can be found here: https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program-enhancement-and-innovation-selections"]
[4,"2023-06-30","Grant Information","N/A","\nCan you provide a date, time, and link for the webinar?","An optional, informational webinar will be held via Zoom on 7/20/2023 from 2-3 pm ET and can be accessed via https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85053739593?pwd=MEFrMkFSN2VZVEZpWk42azBDeDdSZz09. The webinar will solely discuss information contained in the FOA—no new information will be shared. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the Clean Energy Infrastructure Funding Opportunity Exchange."]
[5,"2023-07-05","Eligibility","N/A","For the purposes of this grant program, what defines an “entity?”  For example, if two departments within a city operate independently and each have their own assigned UEI, are they considered to be two entities (defined by their unique UEIs) or a single entity (defined by the city they are a part of)?","Within the example provided, the two departments within the city would be considered two entities. To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered, or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States (FOA Section III.A.i. Eligible Applicants).\n\nThese two entities could also consider partnering on one application due to a similar geographic region and to meet the goal of at least a 2:1 ratio of leveraged resources to DOE awarded funds."]
[6,"2023-07-05","Eligibility","N/A","Can city or local governments apply directly to this FOA?","Eligible entities include WAP Grantees, Subgrantees, and other non-profit entities (FOA Section III.A.i. Eligible Applicants). Organizations that are not eligible are encouraged to partner on an application with an eligible entity."]
[7,"2023-07-05","Partnerships","N/A","Where can I submit my company's information for consideration to the Teaming Partner List for possible introduction to awardees?","This FOA is not utilizing a Teaming Partner List. Once selections are announced in May 2024, companies are welcome to reach out to selectees directly to possibly collaborate."]
[8,"2023-07-05","Partnerships","All","Are formal partnerships required for all Topic Areas?","Formal partnerships are strongly encouraged for all Topic Areas, but are not required. Within the required Community Benefits Plan, applicants must provide descriptions of any planned or existing formal partnerships. Examples include developing formal partnerships with workforce development organizations, labor organizations and unions, trade schools, technical colleges, local agencies, and community-based organizations.\n\nOne objective of the FOA is a goal of a 2:1 ratio of leveraged resources to DOE awarded funds. Formal partnerships with leveraged resources are one way to meet that goal."]
[9,"2023-07-06","Eligibility","N/A","The FOA indicates that it is only open to current WAP grantees, subgrantees, and 501c3 non-profits. However, on grants.gov, the same opportunity indicates an expanded pool of eligible applicants, including State governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Special district governments, County governments, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, and City or township governments.\n\nCan you clarify whether an applicant must have received funding through a WAP grant or subgrant to be eligible or if others in the eligible applicant categories may apply?","Eligible entities include WAP Grantees, Subgrantees, and other non-profit entities (FOA Section III.A.i. Eligible Applicants). Since these entities are diverse in structure, multiple applicant types were selected on Grants.gov."]
[10,"2023-07-06","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","FOA Section I.E. Additional Requirements states “A maximum of 15% of the E&I award may be used for planning, management, and administration.”\n\nAre the Activities listed in FOA Section I.D. Allowable Activities, Best Practices and Monitoring to be paid for out of the 85% of funding not considered administrative? Examples include quality control of work performed, data collection, measurement, and verification, and program monitoring, oversight, evaluation, and reporting, and labor, training, and technical assistance.","The WAP legislation and regulations do not define the Administrative cost categories since Administration costs are considered to be unique to each organization and the proposed project scope. The organization must define its administrative costs consistent with the generally-accepted accounting practices and procedures within the organization. Cost allocation between Administration and Grantee Training & Technical Assistance must be in accordance with 2 CFR 200 and 10 CFR 440.23 “Oversight, training, and technical assistance.\""]
[11,"2023-07-07","Eligibility","N/A","Are U.S. territories eligible to apply for the grant? ","Yes, U.S. territories are eligible to apply for the grant. Please refer to Q&A #6 related to eligibility."]
[12,"2023-07-07","Eligibility","N/A","Can a municipality apply directly to the FOA?","Please refer to Q&A #6 related to eligibility."]
[13,"2023-07-11","Exchange","N/A","I keep getting an error message that this file is damaged and cannot be updated. Is there another way to obtain the NOFO?","Please reach out to InfrastructureExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov for questions related to the use of the Clean Energy Infrastructure eXCHANGE website."]
[14,"2023-07-12","Grant Information","N/A","Can the BIL WAP Enhancement and Innovation grant be leveraged with other funding?","Yes, DOE encourages applicants to leverage resources to expand the reach of E&I funds, with a goal of at least a 2:1 ratio of leveraged resources to DOE awarded funds. Applicants shall strive to coordinate investments and leverage funds to maximize benefits. Leveraged resources may include federal (non-DOE) or non-federal funding, financial contributions, volunteer labor, in-kind donations, and other resources provided by partner organizations (FOA Section I.C. FOA Objectives)."]
[15,"2023-07-12","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Will this BIL WAP E&I grant be used to “prep” the home (like readiness fund of WAP) but also use to weatherize the dwelling unit?","BIL WAP E&I funds can be used to address any of the following activities and initiatives including, but not limited to, major home repairs, decarbonization and renewable energy, enhanced indoor air quality and healthy homes, and new methods to streamline DOE WAP implementation. Please refer to FOA Section I.D. Allowable Activities for more detail. \n\nTo ensure deep energy retrofits, all eligible low-income residential buildings utilizing E&I funds must also receive a whole-building energy efficiency retrofit aligned with DOE WAP rules and guidance during the 36-month period of performance, including a comprehensive final inspection. Applicants shall describe how work will be coordinated with the WAP Subgrantee to ensure the buildings are eligible for weatherization services. Applicants shall provide a timeline and process for integration of the E&I work with the WAP energy efficiency retrofit (FOA Section I.E. Additional Requirements)."]
[16,"2023-07-12","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Will this BIL WAP E&I funding use the same priority list stated on WAP?","A WAP priority list cannot be used for BIL WAP E&I funds since the scope of allowable activities goes beyond the WAP formula program (e.g., home repairs, renewable energy, decarbonization, healthy homes). However, a priority list can be used to coordinate the  subsequent retrofit utilizing DOE WAP funds ((FOA Section I.E. Additional Requirements). "]
[17,"2023-07-12","Grant Information","N/A","Is this funding recurrent?","The BIL WAP E&I grant has a 3 year period of performance. The E&I Program is governed by 42 U.S.C. 6861d and is funded on an annual basis by Congress through WAP appropriation for fiscal years 2021-2025. This FOA is utilizing an additional $25 million in E&I funds that have been made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law."]
[18,"2023-07-18","Grant Information","N/A","I want to be sure I understand the goal of 2:1 leveraging resources. Does that mean that, for a $2M proposal we would need $4M of leverage?","Correct. The 2:1 leveraging goal is not a requirement but a goal to expand the reach of E&I funds. Leveraged resources may include federal (non-DOE) or non-federal funding, financial contributions, volunteer labor, in-kind donations, and other resources provided by partner organizations (FOA Section I.C. FOA Objectives)."]
[19,"2023-07-20","Eligibility","N/A","Are organizations that are already WAP Innovation Grantees eligible to apply for these funds?  ","Yes, existing WAP Innovation Grantees are eligible to apply for these funds."]
[20,"2023-07-20","Topic",3,"Often the term workforce incorporates contractors as well. Can a program with tasks that impact contractors and workers qualify for this funding?","Yes, funding for contractor engagement and development is allowable. Allowable activities include \"building a pipeline of fully trained workers to higher-level careers within and beyond the WAP network\" (FOA Section I.B.iii Topic Area 3: Workforce Development)."]
[21,"2023-07-27","Grant Information","N/A","How long do E&I awardees have to spend the funds? ","E&I funds must be spent during the 3 year period of performance."]
[22,"2023-08-02","Grant Information","N/A","Are applicants better off applying individually or with a local coalition of cities, counties, etc.?","Please refer to Q&A #8 related to partnerships. "]
[23,"2023-08-02","Grant Information","N/A","Are existing or new programs more likely to receive funding through this grant?","Please refer to Q&A #1 related to eligibility."]
[24,"2023-08-02","Grant Information","N/A","Are there any specifics you’re looking for in an application that aren’t listen on the grant announcement?","All application information is included in the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Please refer to FOA Section V. Application Review Information for specifics."]
[25,"2023-08-03","Eligibility","N/A","Could you verify whether eligible applicants are allowed to have a 501(c)(3) designation?","Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) designation are eligible to apply to this grant."]
[26,"2023-08-04","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Is a budget required for the concept paper?","A budget is not required for the Concept Paper phase. Please refer to FOA Section IV. C. Content and Form of the Concept Paper for additional information."]
[27,"2023-08-11","Grant Information","N/A","Could you clarify whether funds that have a Federal source of origin can be considered leveraged resources?","Funds that originate from the U.S. DOE are not considered leveraged resources. Leveraged resources may include federal (non-DOE) or non-federal funding, financial contributions, volunteer labor, in-kind donations, and other resources provided by partner organizations (FOA Section I.C. FOA Objectives)."]
[28,"2023-08-11","Grant Information","N/A","When is the concept paper due?","Concept Papers must be submitted within the Clean Energy Infrastructure Exchange system by 8/31/2023 at 5:00pm ET. "]
[29,"2023-08-16","Grant Information","N/A","How can an applicant determine if our State funding and contracts are considered to originate from Federal sources?","It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that any proposed leveraged resources meet the FOA requirements outlined in FOA Section I.C. FOA Objectives. "]
[30,"2023-08-17","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Where should applicants include the funding amount request in the Concept Paper?","Applicants should populate their requested funding amount in the \"Funds and Costs\" section of their submission in the Clean Energy Infrastructure Exchange."]
[31,"2023-08-23","Grant Information","N/A","Could you share the presentation video that was recorded to help potential grant applicants better understand the process of applying for the WAP Enhancement Grant?","The webinar link and slides have been added to this site: https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/apply-innovation-grant \nThe presentation slides are also available in the \"Webinar Details\" section of the FOA on the Clean Energy Infrastructure Exchange."]
[32,"2023-08-23","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Can the prime applicant for the full application be a different entity than who submits the concept paper?","No, only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit a Full Application (FOA Section IV.A. Application Process)."]
[33,"2023-08-23","Eligibility","N/A","I work in City Government. Is there a local person to contact and work with on this or can the City apply for it alone?","Please refer to Q&A #6 related to eligibility. For a list of weatherization administrators, please visit https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/how-apply-weatherization-assistance"]
[34,"2023-08-28","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","We are planning to apply for the funding opportunity and were wondering if you could send us the concept format template. ","DOE has not developed a template for the Concept Paper. Instead, please refer to FOA Section IV.C. Content and Form of the Concept Paper for the required sections of the Concept Paper."]
[35,"2023-08-30","Eligibility","N/A","Will it be acceptable for multiple chapters to apply for this Grant? ","Current Weatherization Assistance Program Grantees, Subgrantees and Nonprofit entities  with 501(c)(3) designation are eligible to apply to this grant. As noted in Q&A #5, to qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered, or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States (FOA Section III.A.i. Eligible Applicants). Two similar eligible entities can apply separately or could also consider partnering on one application."]
[36,"2023-08-30","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Grants.gov list DE-FOA-0002912 with an application timeline as 1/5/2024.  However, previous email list the grant application date as 8/31/2023 (like letter of inquiry).  Is this the same grant as referenced above? ","To be considered for this funding opportunity applicants must submit a Concept Paper by August 31, 2023, 5:00pm ET. "]
[37,"2023-08-30","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","In the instructions, one of the things that is listed as a requirement for the Concept Paper cover page is the list of \"names of all team member organizations.\" Is it necessary to list potential partner organizations on the cover page? How formal should these relationships be at this stage? ","For the Cover Page, applicants should only list organizations that have committed to the project. Planned activities and potential partnerships can be described in the Technical Description and Impacts or Community Benefits Plan sections. "]
[38,"2023-09-11","Eligibility","N/A","Scenario:  If a WAP Subgrantee applied and was awarded the BIL E&I fund, can a WAP Grantee also include that same Subgrantee on a WAP formula award? Or will it be a conflict with the Subgrantee?","E&I is a separate grant and WAP Subgrantees may administer both funding simultaneously. E&I funds may be braided with WAP formula as long as funding types are kept segregated and each used for its specific statutory purpose and objective. "]
[39,"2023-09-12","Concept Paper","N/A","We have logged in to review the redactions and are concerned with redaction of an entire page including our project team and capacity. Please help us better understand the need for this redaction as we proceed in the process and hope to complete the full application. What about our addendum was in error so we can correct it in future edits? ","The page limit associated with the Concept Paper is 4 pages. Per FOA Section IV.A. Application Process, \"each submission must not exceed the specified maximum page limit, including cover page, charts, graphs, maps, and photographs when printed using the formatting requirements set forth above and single spaced. If applicants exceed the maximum page lengths indicated below, DOE will review only the authorized number of pages and disregard any additional pages.\""]
[40,"2023-09-15","Concept Paper","N/A","Writing to inquire as the status of the Concept Paper submission. At this time, we have not yet heard back as to whether or not the DOE will either encourage or discourage an application. We understand the deadline for application submission is 1/5/2024 by 5:00pm. If you would inform us as to whether or not we would be encouraged to submit an application, that would be tremendously helpful. ","While DOE cannot provide a date for encourage/discourage notifications, DOE makes every effort to review concept papers thoroughly and in a timely manner to ensure applicants have time to review comments and develop their application. "]
[41,"2023-09-29","Grant Information","N/A","Would the grant cover replacing pre-1978 windows with NFRC certified and high U-Factor windows, even if it meant that to do so would also require mitigating the lead part of the window?","Yes, lead paint testing and remediation is an allowable activity (FOA Section 1.D. Allowable Activities, Healthy Homes and Indoor Environments). "]
[42,"2023-10-17","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","In section IV. Application and Submission Information, D Content and Form of the Full Application, the page limit for the Project Narrative is 10 pages (pg. 20, section i. in the table). On page 21, I Project Narrative, the page limit is 10 pages including the cover page. In the table on pages 22-24, the recommended number of pages adds up to 11 pages. What is the page limit for the Project Narrative 10 or 11 pages?    ","The Project Narrative may not be more than 10 pages, including the cover page, any charts, graphs, maps, photos, or other graphics."]
[43,"2023-10-18","Full Application","N/A","We recently received a decision recommending we proceed with a full application to the opportunity. On page twenty (20) of the FOA, applicants are advised that they will have approximately 60 days from receipt of the Concept Paper Encourage/Discourage notification on the Clean Energy Infrastructure eXCHANGE to prepare and submit a full application. On page one (1) of the FOA, the deadline for full applications is listed as January 5, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET. Which submission deadline is correct? ","The submission date is January 5, 2024 at 5pm ET. Regardless of the date the applicant receives the Encourage/Discourage notification, the submission deadline for the Full Application remains the date and time stated on the FOA cover page (FOA Section IV.D. Content and Form of the Full Application)."]
[44,"2023-10-19","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Are grant funds allowed to be used to perform weatherization work?  We understand funds may be used for deep energy retrofits, major home repairs, decarbonization and renewable energy, enhanced indoor air quality and healthy homes, and new methods to streamline DOE WAP implementation. Can they also be used for more traditional weatherization work?","To ensure deep energy retrofits, all eligible low-income residential buildings utilizing E&I funds must also receive a whole-building energy efficiency retrofit aligned with DOE WAP rules and guidance during the 36-month period of performance, including a comprehensive final inspection (FOA Section I.E. Additional Requirements). E&I funds should be reserved for measures that are outside of the parameters of the existing, approved DOE WAP State Plan. More traditional weatherization measures would be implemented through the accompanying WAP retrofit."]
[45,"2023-10-19","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","If grant funds are not allowed to be used for weatherization, is there a definition for what constitutes weatherization vs. deep energy retrofit? It seems there is overlap between the two categories.","Please refer to your State's approved DOE WAP State Plan for a list of measures that are currently allowable in the WAP program. Measures that are not included in the Plan and follow applicable State and local codes are considered an allowable use of E&I funds. "]
[46,"2023-10-19","Grant Information","N/A","We understand that DOE funds are not allowed to be used as leveraged resources. Can funds for weatherization that are non-DOE funds (e.g. state or local funds dedicated to weatherization) be counted as leveraged funds?","Yes, state and local funds are considered leveraged funds. Please refer to Q&A #27 for more information related to leveraged funds."]
[47,"2023-10-25","Grant Information","N/A","Can you clarify if Buy America is required or if it is treated like weatherization.","Please refer to FOA Section J. vii. Buy America Requirements for Infrastructure Projects and Appendix B to determine whether your project may have to apply this requirement, both to make an early determination as to the need of a waiver, as well as to determine what impact, if any, this requirement may have on the proposed project’s budget."]
[48,"2023-10-25","Grant Information","N/A","Can you clarify if Davis Bacon is required or if it is treated like weatherization and applicable only to publicly owned buildings.","Projects awarded under this FOA will be funded under Division D of the BIL. Accordingly, per Sections 41101 and 40551, for work performed on multifamily buildings with no fewer than 5 units, all laborers and mechanics employed by the recipient, subrecipients, contractors or subcontractors in the performance of construction, alteration, or repair work funded in whole or in part under this FOA shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar projects in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code commonly referred to as the “Davis-Bacon Act” (DBA). Please refer to FOA Section J. viii. Davis-Bacon Act Requirements for additional information. "]
[49,"2023-10-25","Grant Information","N/A","What does the Environmental review entail for the application of solar on buildings?","All recipients selected for an award will be required to assist in the timely and effective completion of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process in the manner most pertinent to their proposed project. If DOE determines certain records must be prepared to complete the NEPA review process (e.g., biological evaluations or environmental assessments), the recipient may be required to prepare the records and the costs to prepare the necessary records may be included as part of the project costs (FOA Section VI.B.vi. Environmental Review in Accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA))."]
[50,"2023-11-07","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","The FOA states in Section II. B. i. that FFRDCs are, in most cases, funded independently of the remainder of the project team. For an application to be successful, does the prime recipient for the project have to identify an FFRDC or Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDC to work with prior to application submission and include this information within the full application? Or, is the identification of an FFRDC done upon award selection and independent of the prime recipient? Is funding of an FFRDC something we should include in the budget?","Identifying an FFRDC or Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDC is optional and not a requirement. If a Primary Applicant identifies a non-DOE/NNSA FFRDC as a subrecipient, a budget estimate should be provided. See FOA Section III.E.i. for eligibility requirements for non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs."]
[51,"2023-11-13","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","For the required annual SMART technical milestones, can you please clarify what “technical achievement” means? We would like to count houses that complete a full deep energy retrofit as our SMART technical milestones for years 2 and 3 (with the milestone phrased to meet SMART requirements), but we are uncertain if that would be considered a technical achievement or if it is simply completing a task? Can the SMART end of project goal be the total number of houses that complete a full deep energy retrofit? ","Technical accomplishments require considerable input and completion of tasks over a period of time. As a result, a SMART end-of-project goal should showcase progress through technical achievements. For instance, completing 50 home retrofits during a single project period would qualify as a SMART technical milestone, while completing 150 home retrofits over the entire project duration would meet the acceptable end-of-project goal."]
[52,"2023-11-13","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Can the SMART milestones for the Community Benefits Plan be considered as the required annual SMART technical milestones? For example, could a DEIA SMART Milestone completed in Year 1 count as the annual SMART technical milestone for year 1?","The applicant’s Community Benefits Plan must include at least one Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely (SMART) milestone per four objectives: (1) establish formal partnerships; (2) advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); (3) make progress toward the Justice40 Initiative; and (4) invest in America’s workforce., for a minimum of four SMART milestones throughout the period of performance, to measure progress on the proposed actions. Milestones that meet the criteria and goals of each section may be repeated."]
[53,"2023-11-13","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","For the requirement of “at least one SMART technical milestone per year” — should these annual milestones refer only to work that year, or can they be cumulative for the project to date (i.e. does the Year 2 SMART technical milestone only cover work in year 2, or can it cover work in years 1 and 2 cumulatively?)","Applicants may choose how they structure their annual SMART technical milestones - whether they are related solely to work in that year or cumulatively. DOE advises maintaining consistency across the work plan with the chosen approach."]
[54,"2023-11-15","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","My agency is submitting a full application for the BIL WAP Enhancement & Innovation grant (DE-FOA-0002912). We would like to verify the due date of the full application. We received the Encourage notification on October 13th.  Do we have until January 5th to submit or do we have 60 days from the notification to submit?","Full applications are due January 5, 2024 by 5:00pm ET."]
[55,"2023-11-17","Full Application","N/A","We missed the deadline to submit a concept paper. Can we still submit a full application? ","No, only applicants who have submitted an eligible Concept Paper will be eligible to submit a Full Application (FOA Section IV.A. Application Process)."]
[56,"2023-11-17","Grant Information","N/A","Will there be another E&I Funding Opportunity Announcement in the future?","DOE anticipates announcing an additional funding opportunity in the future contingent on available funds. Per 42 USC 6864d, when the annual WAP appropriation is $225 million or greater, funds will be reserved for E&I through FY 2025."]
[57,"2023-11-19","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","Can we include additional partners in the full application who haven't finalized their commitments in the concept paper stage?","Yes, planned activities and potential partnerships can be described in the Project Narrative and/or Community Benefits Plan sections. "]
[58,"2023-11-22","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","We are looking to add in a complete workspace (i.e.: computer, desk, etc.). for a staff for this grant. Which line item should this go under? We anticipate it will cost approximately $4,000, but it will definitely last more than one year. ","Follow the guidance in 2 CFR 200 when determining cost categories for budget estimates. Per 2 CFR 200.1, a computing device is a supply if the acquisition cost is less than the lesser of the capitalization level established by the non-Federal entity for financial statement purposes or $5,000, regardless of the length of its useful life."]
[59,"2023-12-05","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","For the SF-424, question 3 - Date Received – should we leave it blank? ","The date received may be left blank."]
[60,"2023-12-05","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","What should I fill in for Federal Entity Identifier and Federal Award Identifier? ","For the SF424 field 5a: Per section IV.G, the FOA requires each applicant to provide a valid UEI number in its application. \nFor the SF424 field 5b: Per the SF424 instructions, for new applications, leave blank"]
[61,"2023-12-05","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","\nFor the SF-LLL, we don’t have a Lobbying Registrant, do we leave that section blank? \nCan you clarify “individual performing services”? ","Per FOA Section IV.ix, please complete the Lobbying Disclosure form to declare the individuals and registrants lobbying on behalf or your entity.  Fields in the form that do not apply can be marked as 'Not applicable'. "]
[62,"2023-12-05","Grant Information","N/A","can you provide information about what reporting will be required for leveraged funds should a project be funded? We want to be sure we are identifying items that we can appropriately track, to meet DOE reporting requirements for leveraged funds.","All funds proposed as part of the budget are subject to the same reporting requirements."]
[63,"2023-12-05","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","I am looking at the required one page budget form, which has categories for federal and non-federal funds. Should this form be used only to show the grant request budget? Or should we show leveraged funds also on this budget? ","The budget form should document all funds, DOE, other Federal, and non-federal, to complete the proposed WAP E&I work."]
[64,"2023-12-05","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","We will have non-DOE federal funds as leverage — if we are showing them on this form, we’d need to show them combined with grant funds in column c, which makes it impossible to then delineate only the grant request using this form. Please advise. Thank you.","The budget form provided is a standard budget form and applicants may need to modify it for more complicated cost sharing arrangements.  Please clearly indicate the DOE funding request in Section A."]
[65,"2023-12-05","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","\nAlso, can you confirm that the one page budget form is the only budget required with the full application, and that we do not need to submit a detailed budget or budget narrative with our application? ","Per section IV.D, the FOA requires the applicant to submit the budget information form posted on the Clean Energy Infrastructure eXCHANGE. If selected for negotiation, applicants will be required to submit a Full Budget Justification Workbook"]
[66,"2023-12-06","Grant Information","N/A","Do you have a list of awardees that details each of their projects? ","A list of E&I awardees is available on the DOE website here: https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/about-innovation-grants "]
[67,"2023-12-12","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","One of our Subgrantees is applying for the DOE E&I funding and is now asking for our state office to support the proposal. Because this funding seemingly will be leveraged with other weatherization funding, we would like to know what our role will be with oversight. ","The prime applicant will be responsible for oversight of the E&I work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award and the applicable regulations.  If your office submits a letter of support, you may detail within that letter your agency's role in relation to the E&I work, including any additional oversight you may provide. "]
[68,"2023-12-14","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","We emailed ... to inquire about the redaction of an entire page of our concept paper, including our project team and capacity. We have received no feedback to this point about what we might adjust to better provide what would be more appropriate on those two sections. ","Redactions to concept papers would have been made solely to ensure that the submission did not exceed the maximum number of pages allowed.  We are not able to provide feedback on any aspect of the project proposal due to the competitive nature of this solicitation."]
[69,"2023-12-14","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","As we complete the Technical Description, under the Project Narrative. It asks for \"the number of workers planned to be hired and retained.\"\nCould you please confirm whether or not this can include contractors, as our project will be utilizing a number of contractor teams to accomplish the weatherization. \n","Yes, this number should include contractors"]
[70,"2023-12-21","Eligibility","N/A","We are in the process of renewing our UEI...and are running into some difficulty. Do we need an updated entity status (or renewed/active UEI) in SAM.GOV to submit a full application? We are currently working on this but I am not sure whether or not this will be an issue for our full submission in a few days.","Provide verification that an application for UEI number or renewal is in process. Per   page vi of the FOA, DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DOE is ready to make a federal award, the DOE will determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant"]
[71,"2023-12-26","Exchange","N/A","We have completed uploading all required documents for our Weatherization Innovation proposal into the Infrastructure Exchange Portal, but are running into an issue when uploading the fillable PDFs of the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities and the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance. After the upload is complete, when we open the file to make confirm they are uploaded correctly, both file links open the \"please wait\" landing page. I tried multiple times and left the browser pages open for over an hour to see if they would eventually download to my computer, which they did not. All the other documents (regular PDF, excel files and a ppt slide) uploaded and opened successfully. \n\nWe contacted the Infrastructure Support email address and they assured us that if it was showing as uploaded, it was, indeed, accessible for reviewers. I'm hoping you can confirm that and, if they are not readable, if you would contact us after submission. We would also be happy to forward them in a separate email as needed.","Since Infrastructure Support assured you that it was showing as uploaded and was accessible for reviewers, then you have successfully submitted it."]
[72,"2024-01-03","Eligibility","N/A","If the Grantee/State is the pass-through entity, and a Subgrantee is an applicant, who then completes and submits the SF 424 and 424a at Clean Energy Infrastructure Exchange?","Please read the definitions of these terms and their associated responsibilities in 2CFR200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200. Please note that the applicant must be an eligible entity and also have submitted a concept paper."]
[73,"2024-01-02","Full Application","N/A","Please find attached a letter of support for the Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation (WAP E&I) proposal submitted by... ","We are unable to accept application components through email.  If you would like your letter of support to be considered by reviewers please include it with your application submitted through the Infrastructure eXCHANGE."]
[74,"2024-01-03","Application Criteria and Contents","N/A","We are preparing our application for the WAP Innovation grant and the form SF-LLL that is linked on the funding announcement page appears to be broken. \n\nI alternatively get a message that the form is broken and cannot be opened, or that I need Acrobat Reader 8 or higher to read it, while I do have version 9. All of our project partners are having the same issue and cannot open the form.\n\nCan you please email us a functioning version of this form as soon as possible?\n","Try these options: 1. a. Download the form to your computer, b. open Adobe, c. In Adobe, go to menu option - > file, open, and select the document. OR 2. Use a different browser to access the form. OR 3. Download the form from Grants.gov"]