Buildings UP FAQs

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1	Buildings UP Prize FAQ
2	Last Updated	March 20, 2023
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4	Category	Question #	Date Added	Question	Answer
5	How to Enter / HeroX	H.1	1/18/23	What’s the first thing I should do if I’m interested in the Buildings UP Prize?	Check out the Buildings UP Prize website. Clicking on the “Follow the Challenge” button takes you to the Buildings UP Prize HeroX platform, connecting you to deeper layers of information, where you can see innovators and teams already involved, read the official rules, and find all things Buildings UP Prize—from the timeline to guidelines to entry form. Clicking “Follow” at the top-right of the Buildings UP Prize HeroX platform and registering with your name and email address will ensure you receive future prize updates by email.
6	How to Enter / HeroX	H.2	1/18/23	What do I do if I want to enter the competition or just see what the process is like?	After you have registered on the HeroX platform, you’ll still need to click on “Solve this Challenge” and accept the competitor agreement in order to access the full capabilities of the website. Clicking on “Solve the Challenge” does not commit you to entering the competition, but it will allow you to see who is competing or looking for team members, or to set up a team yourself. That way, you can fully use the HeroX platform, and you can begin an entry or join a team at any time.
7	How to Enter / HeroX	H.3	1/18/23	The HeroX website shows “Teams” and “Innovators.” What’s the difference? Do I have to join a team?	“Innovators” include everyone who registered for the competition (whether to follow or to enter). “Teams” are competitors who are either groups or individuals with a designated leader. Once you have clicked “Solve this Challenge”, you’ll be able to create your own team, ask to join a team looking for additional members, or compete individually. You do not have to be part of a team to submit an entry, and you can create or join a team later if you change your mind. Check out the growing list of Teams on the HeroX platform and you’ll see Innovators looking for Teams and Teams looking for Innovators. If you do want to be part of a team, click either “Join a Team” or “Find a Team” on the Teams page of the HeroX platform to see which teams or individual innovators are looking for partners. From there, you can add yourself to a team or create one of your own.
8	How to Enter / HeroX	H.4	1/18/23	Do I have to register on HeroX.com to follow the challenge, leave a comment or register to compete in the challenge?	Yes, but it’s quick and easy. Just click the “Solve this Challenge” button on this page and follow the instructions to complete your registration. All you need to provide is your name and email address.
9	How to Enter / HeroX	H.5	2/21/23	Do I need to create a team on HeroX? How do I create a Team on HeroX if I initially signed up as an individual?	Creating a team on HeroX is not required, but if you initially signed up as an individual and would like to create a HeroX team you can do so by logging into your HeroX account and clicking on the grey "join a team button" next to the submission form button on the main Buildings UP HeroX page. This will allow other members of your team to create a HeroX account and access the application.
10	How to Enter / HeroX	H.6	2/10/23	How do I sign up as a team lead in HeroX?	The account that is used to create the team application is automatically considered the "team lead" - no additional steps are necessary. The Team lead designation is for application purposes.
11	How to Enter / HeroX	H.7	2/21/23	Do all members of a team need to create a HeroX profile?	It is not required that all team members create an account on HeroX -- you can just indicate who is on your team via the submission form.
12	How to Enter / HeroX	H.8	2/1/23	How do I receive updates on the Buildings UP Prize?	To receive updates for the Buildings UP Prize, you can create a HeroX account at https://www.herox.com/BuildingsUP and click on the “Follow" button at the top right-hand side of the website (indicated by a star symbol).
13	How to Enter / HeroX	H.9	1/18/23	Where do I upload my files?	All of your files are uploaded as part of the submission form, access this by clicking the Begin Entry button. The submission form contains an upload option for each of the required file entries. Only PDF files will be accepted for upload.
14	How to Enter / HeroX	H.10	1/18/23	Can I apply in Spanish?	No. All applications must be in English
15	How to Enter / HeroX	H.11	2/23/23	Is there the ideal stage of the company/team that you all are looking for?	The Buildings UP prize is seeking teams at varying stages of maturity and both inexperienced teams as well as more established teams are welcome to apply. Teams are also allowed to change their team composition throughout the competition, including the lead organziation. To recieve payment entities must be able to fill out a W-9 form and complete an ACH wire transfer form with banking information. The rules do not specify that an entity must be incorporated.
16	How to Enter / HeroX	H.12	2/23/23	Are there any specific qualifications team members should have? May we have a guideline about this?	Details regarding the requirements for Phase 1 can be found in the official rules including team requirements (pg. 10) as well as the Phase 1 submission materials (pg. 23). We would also encourage you to sign up for an upcoming informational webinar to learn more about the prize.
17	How to Enter / HeroX	H.13	2/16/23	Can the composition of our team change?	Yes, you may change the composition of the team including the Team Lead.
18	How to Enter / HeroX	H.14	2/21/23	Can an organization apply for the Application Support Prize, but end up not being the lead for the Phase I Concept submission?	Yes, you are allowed to change your team composition, including the team lead between the Application Support prize and the Phase 1 Concept prize.
19	How to Enter / HeroX	H.15	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Is there a way to sign up as a company, but not as a team lead, and not yet directly joining another team? It looks like the only option is to sign up as an individual person, instead of as a company.	HeroX requires that all accounts be tied to a specific individual. This individual will be the "Team Captain" and represents the organization for which they are submitting on behalf of. You are also welcome to use the teaming function of HeroX which is located under the "Teams" tab.
20	How to Enter / HeroX	H.16	2/16/23	Can we submit multiple submissions?	Yes, you can submit multiple submission as long as both are responsive to the goals and requirements of the program, which include Weatherization and envelope improvements (e.g., insulation, air sealing, window improvements) and Efficient electric heating and cooling equipment (e.g., heat pumps and/or heat pump water heaters). Please read section 2.5 of the Rules Document for information regarding minimum and allowable technologies. Other technologies are allowed if the minimum technologies are included in your concept plan.
21	How to Enter / HeroX	H.17	Application Support Webinar 2/21/23	If we have multiple idea's should they all be part of one application?	Teams can submit a single application or multiple applications.
22	How to Enter / HeroX	H.18	2/10/23	Would multiple applications in which the same organization participates in effect be competing against each other?	Yes, multiple applications from the same organization would be competing against each other.
23	How to Enter / HeroX	H.19	Informational Webinar 3/1/23	We have two separate strong potential projects (City partnering with different CBOs on each), one could qualify for the 200K and one for the 400K. Would applying for both hurt our chances for the latter?	Yes, you can submit multiple submission as long as both are responsive to the goals and requirements of the program. Both will be considered equally per the rules
24	How to Enter / HeroX	H.20	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Can the same organization submit two separate applications e.g one for equity centered innovation and one for open innovation? or can a team member be listed in 2 separate applications with different teams?	Organizations may join more than one team and organizations may submit more than one application.
25	How to Enter / HeroX	H.21	Informational Webinar 2/2	Can an entity be a partner on multiple different applications? E.g. a utility partnering with multiple non profits or other orgs that submit separate applications	Organizations may join more than one team and organizations may submit more than one application.
26	How to Enter / HeroX	H.22	NASEO Webinar 2/16/23	Is there a cap on the number of organizations per team?	There is no limit to the number of organizations per team.
27	How to Enter / HeroX	H.23	Application Support Webinar 2/21/23	Who is HeroX? Why is submissions for federal funding going to a non-government website?	HeroX is the online prize platform for the American-Made Challenges program. HeroX is contracted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to provide these services.
28	How to Enter / HeroX	H.24	Informational Webinar 2/2	Do we submit the support application through herox or sam.gov? It seems to be leading me to sam.gov to submit. Is this correct?	All prize submission forms can be found on HeroX.com/BuildingsUP
29	How to Enter / HeroX	H.25	Informational Webinar 2/2	What is the success rate of submissions, or how many applications are received?	We do not have information to answer this question. You can see how many teams and innovators are following the prize at https://www.herox.com/BuildingsUP.
30	How to Enter / HeroX	H.26	Informational Webinar 2/2	How many teams do you forecast will be entering this?	We do not have information to answer this question. You can see how many teams and innovators are following the prize at https://www.herox.com/BuildingsUP.
31	How to Enter / HeroX	H.27	Informational Webinar 3/1/23	I see on the website there are already 545 innovators and 115 teams and looking at the map, it looks to in some cases span outside the US., i.e., 7 from UK. How does this align with the eligibility requirements?	All submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements will be marked ineligible and not judged.
32	Eligibility	E.1	1/18/23	I’m not sure if I’m eligible for the prize. How can I confirm my eligibility?	Competitors should confirm their eligibility by reading the official rules document (see section 3.4 “Eligibility and Teams”. If you have additional questions regarding eligibility, please email us at buildingsUP@nrel.gov.
33	Eligibility	E.2	1/18/23	What technologies and strategies are eligible under this prize?	Buildings intended for upgrades may include one or multiple residential or commercial building types (e.g., single family; multifamily; manufactured housing; K–12 schools; higher education; commercial real estate; hospitality; health care; retail, food service, and grocery; local government buildings; state government buildings) and may be in a single community or include buildings across multiple geographic locations. The minimum technologies and strategies teams must include in their initiatives include: Weatherization and envelope improvements (e.g., insulation, air sealing, window improvements) and Efficient electric heating and cooling equipment (e.g., heat pumps and/or heat pump water heaters). Additional strategies and technologies teams may incorporate into their initiatives include: Efficient electric appliances, Electric vehicle chargers, Geothermal heating and cooling, On-site and community solar, Electric panel upgrades, Building controls, andEnergy storage. For more information, please review section 2.5 of the Rules Document for information regarding minimum and allowable technologies. Other technologies are allowed if the minimum technologies are included in your concept plan.
34	Eligibility	E.3	1/18/23	How is a “team” defined? Does a team need to consist of multiple organizations partnering?	A team can be an individual prize competitor or a group of competitors. While applicants are encouraged to partner with other eligible entities to form a prize team (e.g., local government partnered with a CBO), individual eligible entities may also fulfill the recommended prize team capabilities/expertise and are encouraged to apply (e.g., Tribes).
35	Eligibility	E.4	1/18/23	How do you define a community-based organization (CBO)?	For this prize, DOE defines community-based organizations as “nonprofit organizations that are representative of a community or segments of a community, defined by place or population, and provides financial, educational, cultural, and/or other resources aimed at enhancing health, wealth, and overall community well-being.” For-profit entities and large nonprofits with a particular area of focus beyond the local level are typically excluded from this definition. Ideally, CBOs are physically based in the communities they serve, though in some cases CBOs can be effective even without a physical presence. CBOs range from formal organizations with legal nonprofit status (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), etc.) to informal, grassroots community groups that are mission-driven and headed by respected community leaders. To be eligible for this Prize, a CBO
36	Eligibility	E.5	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Should all companies/main applicatants be American?	The Buildings UP prize is open to U.S. Citizens and entities. If your organziation is based in the the U.S. you may apply. Please see official rules (page 13) for more information.
37	Eligibility	E.6	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Must all organizations collaborating with a team be US-based?	Only the team captain and the organization(s) who are receiving funding are required to be based in the U.S.
38	Eligibility	E.7	3/7/23	Is Buildings UP open to International entities and individuals?	The Buildings Upgrade Prize is open to U.S. entities and indviduals only. For more information, please see official rules.
39	Eligibility	E.8	2/10/23	Are for-profit LLC organizations eligible to compete?	Yes, for-profit LLC organizations are eligible to compete as long as the organization is based in the U.S.
40	Eligibility	E.9	2/10/23	Can a for-profit organization be considered a CBO?	CBOs for the purpose of this prize are defined as, “nonprofit organizations that are representative of a community or segments of a community, defined by place or population, and provides financial, educational, cultural, and/or other resources aimed at enhancing health, wealth, and overall community well-being.” For-profit entities and large nonprofits with a particular area of focus beyond the local level are typically excluded from this definition." The prize is open also open to "Nonprofit or for-profit organizations such as portfolio building owners/operators, utilities, building upgrade service providers, unions, faith-based organizations, and other entities." (see rules page 14).
41	Eligibility	E.10	2/16/23	The rules indicate that for profit entities must be incorporated within the US. If a company is an LLC in the US and is primarily located in the US, does this meet the requirements or do they need to be s Corp or c Corp?	An LLC meets the eligibility requirements.
42	Eligibility	E.11	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Are nonprofits eligible for projects on their facilites?	Yes. Please see page 10 of the Rules Document for information on teaming.
43	Eligibility	E.12	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Can a non-profit entity team up with a community-based entity to receive the Building UP prize, when both of them are applying for different concepts?	Organizations may join more than one team and organizations may submit more than one application.
44	Eligibility	E.13	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Can teams be developed among non profits and for profits?	Yes. Please see page 10 of the Rules Document for information on teaming.
45	Eligibility	E.14	Informational Webinar 3/1/23	Can universities working with community based organizations apply?	Yes, these types of organizations are eligible.
46	Eligibility	E.15	3/7/23	I would like to know if university can be the co-PI on this prize.	Yes, the Buildings Upgrade Prize is open to U.S. universities. Any eligible entity can act as a lead (PI), co-lead, or partner.
47	Eligibility	E.16	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	I may have missed this, but would public entities, like municipalities or public schools, be included in the equity category? I know non-profits are include but unsure about public tax exempt orgs	Yes.
48	Eligibility	E.17	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	What about entities that are considered “federal” but receive no federal funding? Like BPA or TVA?	Federal organizations are not eligible for award under the Buildings UP Prize. You are welcome however to support other teams participating in the prize as long as you are not listed as a prize recipient.
49	Eligibility	E.18	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	I work for the a state agency that owns and operates airports... we receive funding from the federal government as well, does that make us ineligible to enter the contest?	No.
50	Eligibility	E.19	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Just to confirm...can State Government agencies compete? I serve with the Dept of Local Affairs in Colorado.	Yes. Please see page 10 of the Rules Document for information on teaming.
51	Eligibility	E.20	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Can a State Government team contain several agencies working together? Looking at combining 3 agencies into our work.	Yes. Please see page 10 of the Rules Document for information on teaming.
52	Eligibility	E.21	NASEO Webinar 2/16/23	Can state energy offices participate in the Prize and if so, how?	Yes. State Energy Offices can decide how they want to participate, as part of a team, as a lead or as a conduit for helping teams form in our State.
53	Eligibility	E.22	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	It looks like local governments could be the lead organization. Are there any specific rules or requirements that would apply if that’s the case?	Non-federal-government entities such as municipalities, states, counties, tribal governments, territories, public housing authorities, and/or regional planning organizations are eligible to apply to the Prize. Please see page 10 of the Rules Document for information on team requirements.
54	Eligibility	E.23	3/13/23	I want to confirm if a manufacturer company falls under for-profit organization as a team member for the Buildings Upgrade Prize.	Yes, a manufacturer would qualify as a for-profit organization.
55	Eligibility	E.24	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	As a developer, can I sign up as a representative of a couple Tribal opportunites?	For the purposes of this prize, the term “Indian Tribe” includes both federally recognized and non-federally recognized (e.g., state-recognized) Indian tribes. Additionally, if applying in the Equity-Centered Innovation pathway, see section 5.4.2 in the rules regarding required letters of support if lead organization in not a Community-Based Organization (CBO) or tribe.
56	Eligibility	E.25	2/16/23	What about National community development financial institutions? We have 35+ community based local offices, so will each be able to apply?	Each community is welcome to apply as separate communities or together as a team.
57	Eligibility	E.26	3/20/23	Would a "School District" qualify as the "Community Engagement Expert"?	A school district could potentially qualify as a Community Engagement Expert. The Community Engagement Experts are intended to be CBOs, which the official rules define as “nonprofit organizations that are representative of a community or segments of a community, defined by place or population, and provides financial, educational, cultural, and/or other resources aimed at enhancing health, wealth, and overall community well-being.” (see official rules pg. 13) This could very well be your school district or another, student, teacher, or other related community organization.
58	Eligibility	E.26	2/10/23	Is the prize best suited for a large group of similar organizations, a small regional coalition of similar organizations or a single organization on its own?	The prize is open to both a large collaborative effort and also smaller groups of organizations/single organization. That being said, there is only 1 prize awarded to each winning application
59	Eligibility	E.27	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Do we have to partner with another organization/government? Or can just 1 org apply?	Partnering is not required, but the lead organization must commit at least one full-time equivalent (FTE) staff person for the duration of their involvement in Buildings UP. Please see page 10 of the Rules Document for information on teaming.
60	Eligibility	E.28	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Do teams need to partner with an institution (ie school district, specific developer, or local government) to participate?	Partnering is not required, but the lead organization must commit at least one full-time equivalent (FTE) staff person for the duration of their involvement in Buildings UP. Please see page 10 of the Rules Document for information on teaming.
61	Eligibility	E.29	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Hello, I am in Development with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. I am looking for funding to install solar panels on our 172,000 square foot warehouse. Would this be a good avenue for funding? Is it required to have a partner or team in order to apply?	Please read section 2.5 of the Rules Document for information regarding minimum and allowable technologies. Other technologies are allowed if the minimum technologies are included in your concept plan. Please see page 10 of the Rules Document for information on teaming.
62	Eligibility	E.30	Informational Webinar 3/1/23	Would a team consisting of, for example, the local weatherization office, utility, development district office, the community org and local housing authority serve as a competitive team? And would each of those partners have to have a direct stake in the proposed project for Buildings UP? Or could they merely be there for support and planning?	Yes, these are all eligible entities for the Buildings Upgrade Prize. As long as the team is meeting the minimum Team Composition guidelines (see official rules page 10), other partners may provide a supporting role.
63	Eligibility	E.31	1/25/23	Can a single community join two different teams and be a prize money recipient on both teams if the team leads are from different departments within the city/community (one lead is from the planning department and the other is from the housing department, for example)?	Section 3.4 of the official rules document establishes the eligibility requirements for the Buildings Upgrade Prize. There are no limitations on the number of teams on which a community may participate
64	Eligibility	E.32	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Does a team need to be tied to a specific community? What if the project is to upgrade commercial buildings in different markets around the country? How would the community team member requirements work there?	A team may address geographically dispersed buildings. Please reference page 25 of the official Rules Document, "Describe Building Upgrade Zone". You may also reference "See "Example Projects" and "Seeking Innovations to Challenges" from the Informational Webinar.
65	Eligibility	E.33	3/13/23	Does ownership of the building/buildings to be upgraded need to be of the applicants to the grant? Or can the applicant identify an eligible building(s) in an equity-eligible community, that is owned by anyone else unrelated to the grant application, and upgrade it?	There is no requirment that team members and partners have to own the individual buildings within the indentified building upgrade zone.
66	Eligibility	E.34	2/1/23	If an organization is a subrecipient under the Connected Communities program which is a collaboration between multiple U.S. DOE offices, including but not limited to the Buildings Technologies Office. Does BTO’s role in Connected Communities preclude our applying for Buildings UP?	The eligibility requirement to confirm that an applicant has not received funding from the Building Technologies Office in the past 5 years applies ONLY to the Application Support bonus prize and not to the Phase 1 Concept submission. Receiving funding as a subrecipient on a Connected Communities team makes your organization ineligible for Application Support, but you are eligible to submit a Phase 1 Concept.
67	Eligibility	E.35	Informational Webinar 2/2/23	Does that mean if our concept has been developed and we’re looking for funds to implement we don’t meet the criteria?	Buildings UP will reward teams with winning concepts in Phase 1 with a cash prize and technical assistance. Prize funds are unrestricted once awarded.
68	Prize Money (Award)	P.1	1/18/23	If I win - is there any restriction on how I spend the cash prize?	No, if you are a contest winner you are receiving the prize for meeting or exceeding the contest goals.
69	Prize Money (Award)	P.2	NASEO Webinar 2/16/23	What are the reporting requirements for the prize awardees?	There is no reporting required on prize funds in Phase 1.
70	Prize Money (Award)	P.3	2/16/23	When does money need to be spent by if we are awarded? Is it considered Federal money?	The Buildings Upgrade Prize does not establish requirements on the prize funding once awarded (e.g., there is no restrictions on how and when prize funds are used, there are no administrative requirements related to the use of prize funds. Prize awardees do not have to abide by 2 CFR 200.
71	Prize Money (Award)	P.4	2/14/23	Do prize awardees have to abide by 2 CFR 200?	No, 2 CFR part 200 does not apply to prizes.
72	Prize Money (Award)	P.5	Informational Webinar 2/2	Are there restrictions on prize recipients re-granting funds to more than 2 other parties? E.g, a number of small businesses in a business district?	Prize funds may be used as winners see fit after awards are made. There are no restrictions regarding re-granting funds.
73	Prize Money (Award)	P.6	Informational Webinar 2/2	Why are these called Prizes and not grants/awards? Is it because they are pre-paid rather than cost-reimbursement awards? Do grantees have to abide by 2 CFR 200?	Prize funds may be used as winners see fit after awards are made. Awardees do not have to abide by 2 CFR 200.
74	Prize Money (Award)	P.7	Informational Webinar 2/2	Can you clarify what activities the award can be used for as this phase is for concepts?	Prize funds may be used as winners see fit after awards are made.
75	Prize Money (Award)	P.8	Informational Webinar 2/2	Should the ideas have been implemented already as it was stated that the awards for what happened already? Please clarify	Prizes are awarded for the Concept Plan submitted (the Concept Plan is the work already completed). Prize funds may be used as winners see fit after awards are made.
76	Prize Money (Award)	P.9	2/23/23	To clarify, the prize is awarded once the project is complete or once the application is approved? And then how is the prize money is transferred to the team?	A prize is awarded for the concept plan, that is the “application”. We will select teams based on that submission. Those teams will receive $200-$400,000 and access to the TA network.
77	Prize Money (Award)	P.10	2/16/23	Is the max prize $200k or $400k? Or is a project guaranteed to get the whole $200k/$400k despite project costs/project size?	Open Innovation Track Phase 1 awardees receive $200k, Equity-Centered Innovation Track awardees receive $400k for winning concept plans submitted. Project cost or size is not part of the scoring criteria.
78	Prize Money (Award)	P.11	2/23/23	Could one team apply for a prize in both the prize categories? That is, could one team reaceive a $400,000 prize for equity-centered and $200,000 for Open Innovation?	Yes, we are allowing a single entity to receive more than one award, as long as the projects are distinct from one another.
79	Prize Money (Award)	P.12	Informational Webinar 2/2	Is there a list of allowable expenses for the $400,000 prizes? Is the intent to begin to implement the solutions - design, financing, construction, etc.	Prize funds may be used as winners see fit after awards are made.
80	Prize Money (Award)	P.13	Informational Webinar 2/2	Is the 200-400K the only funding available from buildings up to complete the project?	We anticipate Buildings UP will be a multi-year, multi-phase prize, subject to annual appropriations. Buildings UP is a capacity building prize, not intended to fund a team's proposed building upgrades. Winning Phase 1 teams will have access to technical assistance to support them in locating and utilizing other sources of funding to complete building upgrades.
81	Prize Money (Award)	P.14	Informational Webinar 2/2	Does each team org receive the prize or is it split amongst collaborators?	The prize recipient receives prize funding. Prize funds may be used as winners see fit after awards are made.
82	Prize Money (Award)	P.15	Informational Webinar 2/2	Is there a cost share for the project? Restricted uses for prize? How is the prize paid to winners (one-time, phased, reimbursement?)	Cost share is not required. Prize payments are dispursed in one lump sum when winners are announced.
83	Prize Money (Award)	P.16	Informational Webinar 2/2	Can funding be shared between team members even if only one of the organizations is the designated prize recipient? (For ex. under the Open Innovation Pathway)?	Prize funds will be paid to the designated prize recipient on the submission form. Post award, winning teams may be used as winners see fit after awards are made.
84	Prize Money (Award)	P.17	Application Support Webinar 2/21/23	Is the Concept Phase funding for putting organizations in place for planning and implementation, or is Phase 1 money meant to cover Phase 2. Would this money pay for workers ( such as training for youth workers ) or administrative staff for the initiative ? Cost of materials for weatherization and electrification is from external funds ?	The Buildings Upgrade Prize does not establish requirements on the prize funding once awarded (e.g., there is no restrictions on how and when prize funds are used, there are no administrative requirements related to the use of prize funds.
85	Prize Money (Award)	P.18	Application Support Webinar 2/21/23	Would this award support workforce development in and of itself?	The Buildings Upgrade Prize does not establish requirements on the prize funding once awarded (e.g., there is no restrictions on how and when prize funds are used, there are no administrative requirements related to the use of prize funds.
86	Prize Money (Award)	P.19	2/1/23	Can Buildings UP be used to support direct funding for work force capacity (hiring energy managers on staff)?	Yes. Prize funds for teams with winning concepts is unrestricted.
87	Prize Money (Award)	P.20	Informational Webinar 2/2	Many affordable housing units are not eligible for weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades because they first need structural upgrades. Could funds be used in affordable housing for weatherization + required structural retrofits?	Prize funds may be used as winners see fit after awards are made.
88	Prize Money (Award)	P.21	Application Support Webinar 2/21/23	Can this award help with environmental barriers?	The Buildings Upgrade Prize does not establish requirements on the prize funding once awarded (e.g., there is no restrictions on how and when prize funds are used, there are no administrative requirements related to the use of prize funds.
89	Prize Money (Award)	P.22	Informational Webinar 3/1/23	Can the funding use for technology materials or just for planning?	The Buildings Upgrade Prize does not establish requirements on the prize funding once awarded (e.g., there is no restrictions on how and when prize funds are used, there are no administrative requirements related to the use of prize funds.
90	Prize Money (Award)	P.23	NASEO Webinar 2/16/23	If a team receives an award during Phase 1, is funding in the other three phases guaranteed for this team?	No. Teams must be awarded in each Phase. Teams are not guaranteed to make it through all phases but there is a clear path and there is not a downselect among teams. We anticipate funding all teams that meet the criteria for each Phase.
91	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.1	Application Support Webinar 2/21/23	Will the technical support awarded by the application support prize assist in developing a phase 1 concept?	Yes, the application support prize will include $5,000 and 10 hours of technical assistance with Elevate to develop a Phase 1 concept.
92	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.2	1/18/23	If I don’t win an Application Support award, can I still compete for a Phase 1 award?	Yes.
93	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.3	1/18/23	If I don’t win a an Application Support award, am I still eligible for TA and regional coaches and compete for a Phase 2 award?	No. Only Phase 1 awardees are eligible to compete for Phase 2 awards and receive TA and support from regional coaches.
94	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.4	2/1/23	Is the application support prize a voucher?	No, the application support prize includes a cash prize of $5,000 and 10 hours of technical assistance from Elevate.
95	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.5	1/25/23	How do I apply for the Application Support $5,000? When are applications due?	Application support submissions have a rolling deadline of February 15, March 15, and April 14. All application support submissions must be submitted by April 14. You can submit your application for support via HeroX by creating a HeroX account and clicking on the blue “Solve This Challenge” button.
96	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.6	Application Support Webinar 3/4/23	How do I submit an Application Support Submission? How detailed do the applications need to be?	The Application Support submissions should be detailed enough to be responsive to describe your organization/team’s existing capacity challenges to complete a Phase 1 Concept Plan submission. Responses should describe the team’s resource challenges that constrain their ability to submit a competitive Phase 1 submission, and how a cash prize and technical assistance would support your team’s ability to compete in Phase 1.We've recorded a video walkthrough of how to submit an Application Support submission which you can access here: https://youtu.be/wvrDmYTklvc.
97	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.7	2/16/23	Is there a standardized Application Support application that teams need to use?	There is no standard application template to use. Narratives responding to Section 4.2 for Application Support and Section 5.2 for Phase 1 will be entered into the submission form on HeroX. The Application Support Submission form is available now and the Phase 1 submission form will be available on 2/18. For additional help on how to find and submit a submission form, please see: https://www.herox.com/BuildingsUP/resource/1188 (not that this video is specifically for the Application Support Submission form, but the process will be the same for the Phase 1 concept submission form when available)
98	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.8	Application Support Webinar 3/4/23	Are the components of the application for Application Support different from the Phase 1 Concept Submission components?	Yes, the submission requirements are different for both the Phase 1 concept and the Application Support prize. Full details of the submission elements and requirements can be found in the official rules: https://www.herox.com/BuildingsUP/resource/1152
99	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.9	2/16/23	Do you have to apply for the Application Support Prize or can you just apply for the Phase 1 Concept Prize?	You do not need to apply to both the Application Support Prize and Phase 1 Concept Prize. You may respond to only Phase 1 Concept Prize or to both Phase 1 Concept Prize and the Application Support Prize.
100	Application Support Bonus Prize (Phase 1)	AS.10	2/16/23	Are for-profit LLC organizations eligible for the Application Support Prize?	Yes, for-profit entities are eligible for Application Support.