Checklist for DOE OCED (Energy for Rural or Remote Areas - EPN)

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2	DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations' Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program - Due Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET: Full Application Submission on OCED eXCHANGE
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4	STEP 1: Ensure Invitation and Register for SAM.gov; FedConnect; and Optionally, Grants.gov - by Friday, August 25
5	Completed?	Document	Staff Lead	Internal Deadline
6		Ensure you have submitted a successful pre-application and received an invitation to submit the full application before moving forward.			To remain competitive, a full application must reflect the project presented in the pre-application.
7		If you are not already, register with SAM.gov, including obtaining your Unique Entity Identification (UEID).			Recommend that this step be completed at least 6 weeks prior to application deadline. SAM.gov registration process To register on SAM.gov, go here. For help, access the registration checklist and EPN’s SAM.gov registration webinar. To check your SAM.gov registration status, go here. Note: Your UEID number must be included in the full application.
8		Ensure you have registered in FedConnect.			To create an organization account, your organization’s SAM Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN) is required. For more information about the SAM MPIN or other registration requirements, review the FedConnect Ready, Set, Go! Guide at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf.
9		Optionally, applicants may register with Grants.gov to receive notifications when potential modifications to the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) are posted.			Please note that applications are not accepted through Grants.gov. Any potential modifications to the FOA will be posted on the OCED eXCHANGE and Grants.gov. However, you will only receive notification if you register for email notifications for this FOA in Grants.gov.
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11	STEP 2: Review DOE Resources - by Friday, September 1
12	Completed?	Document	Staff Lead	Internal Deadline
13		Carefully read the Funding Opportunity Announcement Summary.
14		Read the entire Funding Opportunity Announcement.
15		Read the Funding Opportunity Guidance Document.
16		Read the Community Benefits Plan Guidance Document.
17		Watch the March 29, 2023, Webinar and/or the May 30, 2023, Webinar.
18		Review Webinar Slides.
19		Read the Q&A Log.
20		Read the FAQs.
21		Consider DOE OCED Technical Support and apply by the Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, deadline.			Technical assistance consists of up to 8 hours of support to each applicant, at no cost to applicants. For any questions, contact the ERA technical assistance program ERA@nrel.gov.
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23	STEP 3: Solidify Partners & Envision - by Friday, September 8
24	Completed?	Document	Staff Lead	Internal Deadline
25		Solidify your partners and collectively envision your full proposal.
26		Schedule a time to speak with your partners and brainstorm about creating a detailed, full proposal.
27		Divvy up sections of the Project and Community Benefits Plan and Mandatory Documents (see steps 4 and 5 below).
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29	STEP 4: Write the Project and Community Benefits Plan - by Friday, September 22
30	Completed?	Document	Staff Lead	Internal Deadline
31		Ensure DOE OCED has not mandated specific forms and templates before proceeding.			Successful Pre-applicants may receive guidance directly from DOE OCED. The FAQs suggests there may be more forms and templates shared for those successful in the pre-application review.
32		Review a sample Project and Community Benefits Plan (created by Anese & Associates).			This is a simplified document. Full maps and engineering documents are not included. Treat this as a fictional example that follows the review criteria, not a perfect example of what can be achieved in your submission.
33		Write the Project and Community Benefits Plan using the Template (created by Anese & Associates).			The template was built based upon the FOA guidances available before 8/2/2023
34		Review the Project and Community Benefits Plan using the ERA Program Evaluation Criteria to ensure that all possible points should be awarded.
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36	STEP 5: Complete Mandatory Documents - by Friday, September 29
37	Completed?	Document	Staff Lead	Internal Deadline
38		Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
39		Community Partnership Documentation (refer to FOA, section 4.4.2.3)			Submit letters, Memoranda of Understanding, or other similar agreements from partnering Tribes, labor unions, and/or community entities specifically describing the nature of existing or planned partnerships. If the applicant intends to enter into a Workforce and Community Agreement, please include letters from proposed partners.
40		Resumes (refer to FOA, Section 4.4.2.4)			A resume must be provided for all senior and key personnel. A resume provides information that can be used by reviewers to evaluate the individual’s relevant skills and experience. Resumes may be up to two pages in length.
41		Letters of Commitment (refer to FOA, Section 4.4.2.5)			Submit letters of commitment from all subrecipients and other formal project partners. For Energy Partnerships and Offtake Arrangements: Provide any letters of commitment for the project partners. If letters of commitment are not signed at the time of application, the milestone described in the Workplan must clearly identify the intended partners and outline clear and concise steps to engage with and secure the intended partnerships and identify when (what project phase) commitments must be finalized. If there is an intention to sell power, identify the general terms of the power purchase agreement, and when these agreements must be finalized. The applicant must also provide letters of commitment or similar from the rural or remote area(s) identified. The letters of commitment should be submitted as a separate attachment through OCED eXCHANGE.
42		Budget (in EXCEL; See Budget Template) (refer to FOA, Section 4.4.2.6)			At a minimum, the budget must list each payment milestone described in the Integrated Schedule, including a title, description of the activities included in the payment milestone, and an estimate of the payment. Payment estimates should be broken down into Direct Labor, Direct Materials and Equipment, Contracted Work, Other Direct Costs, Indirect Costs, and Other. Applicant should provide additional details about how Direct Materials and Equipment costs were calculated, including costs of major equipment, site preparation, engineering, permitting, installation, interconnection, and management and operations. Applicants should include costs associated with implementing the various BIL-specific requirements (e.g., Buy America requirements for infrastructure projects, Davis Bacon compliance, Community Benefits Plan implementation, including supportive services such as childcare or transportation to support local workforce, reporting, oversight, etc.) and with required annual audits and incurred cost proposals in their proposed budget documents. Such costs may be reimbursed as a direct or indirect cost. The budget may be provided in any format, but in addition to the template provided here, a template is available on OCED eXCHANGE.
43		Engineering Scope of Work (refer to FOA, Section 4.4.2.7)			Provide any engineering material completed to date, such as options (alternative technology) analyses, feasibility studies, energy assessments or audits, or results from previously completed technical assistance or previously completed engineering evaluations and designs. Include copies of any hardware performance specifications, warranties, engineering drawings, and or any other design files that support your proposal.
44		Maps and Graphics (refer to FOA, Section 4.4.2.8)			Attach a map of the proposed site showing the location of the proposed project and any additional supporting graphics.
45		If Applicable: Transparency of Foreign Connections (refer to FOA, Section 4.4.2.9)			This will be unlikely.
46		If Applicable: Potential Duplicative Federal Funding (refer to FOA, Section 4.4.2.10)			Federal funds from grants or other incentive programs directly benefiting the project should be included.
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49	Step 6: Review and Submit - by Monday, October 9 - Applications Are Due Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET
50	Completed?	Submission	Staff Lead	Internal Deadline
51		To begin the submission process, go to OCED eXCHANGE and use your credentials to log in to the system			If you experiences technical difficulties with a submission, contact the OCED eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (OCED-exchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov) and utilize the services provided by OCED Exchange
52		Upload all application documents from Steps 4 and 5
53		Submit and confirm that all verifications & confirmations from OCED eXCHANGE are received & saved.
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