Deadline
-
June 13, 2024
5:00 pm
ET

Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) Round 2 Opportunity

Information

Description

The Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program was established in 2023 to expand the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting. Through funding, technical assistance (TA), and peer-to-peer information sharing, R-STEP supports the development or expansion of state initiatives that serve as a resource to their local communities. Selections from Round 1 of R-STEP were announced in March 2024 and include six different collaboratives working in seven states.

The R-STEP program is managed by ENERGYWERX in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by the DOE's Office of Technology Transitions. This agreement enables ENERGYWERX to broaden DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners, facilitating the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of clean energy solutions. ENERGYWERX is facilitating this opportunity to identify performers for Round 2 of R-STEP.

Objective

Through this R-STEP Opportunity, The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is requesting applications from state-based collaboratives aiming to increase state and local capacity for large-scale renewable energy planning and siting. R-STEP will also serve as a platform for Collaboratives to share learnings and best practices with other stakeholders.

A single application should be submitted by a team of organizations interested in working together to form a collaborative. DOE highly encourages state energy offices (or equivalent state agencies) and university extension offices to lead or participate in applications but recognizes that the organizations best suited to perform these activities will vary from state to state. Applicants are encouraged to team with other organizations including, but not limited to: Tribal governments, universities, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations. DOE also recommends that teams include organizations familiar with the needs of local communities in the state. They should have experience providing educational or technical assistance services to local communities and have technical expertise on renewable energy siting topics (e.g., environmental impacts, tax policies, land use, zoning ordinance development). 

Applications should:

  1. Focus on plans to establish or expand a state-level initiative that improves decision-making by state, local, and/or Tribal governments on large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting;
  2. Prioritize equitable and inclusive community engagement both to identify local needs and disseminate technical resources; and
  3. Be submitted by cross-disciplinary collaboratives with experience engaging local communities and technical expertise on siting issues.

Applicants can request up to $2 million to execute proposed activities over the course of up to 3 years (36 months).

Applications should primarily focus on activities that expand the planning and evaluation capacity of state and local decision makers regarding the siting of large-scale wind, solar, and battery energy storage infrastructure. Where there is appreciable need within a state, proposals may include activities related to other clean energy technologies, such as geothermal power, agrivoltaics, offshore wind, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Applicants must provide sufficient detail and reasoning to justify the technologies included in the scope of activities. In addition, applicants are encouraged to consider whether and how software tools, including those that utilize machine learning (ML) or similar technology, could improve the efficacy, speed, and/or environmental justice outcomes of renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting.

Event Updates

DOE may request to virtually meet with applicants during submission review

How to Participate

  1. Review details on eligibility, evaluation criteria, and how to apply: Click Here to Download
  2. Review the resources from the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session on May 2, 2024 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET
  3. Participate in the informational Office Hours session on May 22nd, 2024 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET
  4. Download Project Narrative Template: Click Here to Download
  5. Complete Submission Form and Upload Project Narrative: Click Here to Submit (Submissions are due NLT June 13th, 2024 by 5:00 PM ET)

Important Dates

Opportunity Announcement

On March 25, 2024, DOE announced the expansion of the R-STEP program at: Biden-Harris Administration Invests $22 Million to Improve Siting and Permitting for Large-Scale Renewable Energy and Energy Storage | Department of Energy

More details related to the six State-Based Collaboratives which were selected for awards in R-STEP Round 1 can be found at:  Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning | Department of Energy

For more detailed information on this opportunity from DOE: Click Here to Read More

Objective Strategic Session

Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (IW/OSS) [May 2nd, 2024]: DOE will provide further details about the R-STEP Round 2 opportunity. Potential performers have the opportunity to better understand the scope, scale, and intent of the opportunity and ask questions of the Government Stakeholders. The optional, virtual IW/OSS will take place on May 2nd, 2024 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET.

Information "Office Hours" Session(s)

Informational Office Hours [May 22nd, 2024]: Interested applicants have the opportunity to ask additional questions of DOE on May 22, 2024, from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET.

Submission Deadline(s)

Submission Window: April 17, 2024 - June 13, 2024 (5:00 PM ET)

Process Details

Timeline(s)

PHASE 1: Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (IW/OSS) [May 2nd, 2024]: DOE will provide further details about the R-STEP Round 2 opportunity. Potential performers have the opportunity to better understand the scope, scale, and intent of the opportunity and ask questions. The optional, virtual IW/OSS will take place on May 2nd, 2024 at 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET.

PHASE 2: Project Applications Open [April 17th, 2024 – June 13th, 2024 (5:00 PM ET)]: Interested Collaboratives are to submit one (1) application for DOE review. Additional information on what will be required for submission can be found here.

PHASE 2A: Teaming Partners: To facilitate the formation of collaboratives, R-STEP is establishing an online Teaming Partner List where organizations can express interest in partnering with others and share contact information. If you are interested in being added to the teaming partner list and having your information shared with others, please click here to complete this form NLT June 13th, 2024. This teaming partner list includes individuals that expressed interest for Round 1 of R-STEP and will be updated with new individuals that submit information under Round 2.

By submitting a request to be included on the Teaming Partner List, the requesting organization consents to the publication of its contact information. By enabling and publishing the Teaming Partner List, EERE is not endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals and organizations that are identifying themselves for placement on this Teaming Partner List. EERE will not pay for the provision of any information, nor will it compensate any applicants or requesting organizations for the development of such information.

To access the list of teaming partners, please click here and use the password: TEAMING.

PHASE 2B: Informational Office Hours [May 22nd, 2024]: Interested applicants have the opportunity to ask additional questions of DOE on May 22, 2024, from 3:00 – 4:00PM ET.

PHASE 3: Government Review and Selection: DOE will select respondents/submissions with the highest likelihood of satisfying their needsSelection criteria can be found here. DOE may request to virtually meet with applicants during submission review.

PHASE 4 – Path Forward [Anticipated Fall 2024]: Over the Period of Performance (not to exceed 3 years), DOE seeks regular (once per quarter) check-ins with selected organizations to receive progress updates, address questions, or provide feedback as appropriate. Additionally, during this time, DOE will also consider and evaluate requests for additional technical assistance. Applicants may also be asked to participate in webinars, workshops, or other state-to-state information sharing sessions. The intent is for selectees to receive a formal Business-to-Business (B2B) Research and Development Agreement (RDA) and Statement of Effort (SOE) as a sub-award (15U.S. Code, Section 3715) from ENERGYWERX. However, after potential discussions with DOE, successfully negotiated awards may fall under (but are not limited to) alternate mechanism of awards/interactions with any combination of these categories:

  • Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code, Section 3710a)
  • OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
  • An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award even if all successful prototype criteria are not fully met during the prototype project
  • Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
  • Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
  • FAR-based procurement contract

PHASE 4A – Technical Assistance Provider Assessment Effort: Collaboratives selected to receive funding from R-STEP will also be eligible to receive technical assistance from experts in the field. Technical assistance providers will be identified through an assessment even to be conducted in 2024.

Eligibility & Review Criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Download

Q: Will a municipal application be competitive for this grant?

A: The R-STEP program is designed to build capacity at the state level so that multiple local municipalities can benefit. DOE anticipates supporting state-based Collaboratives that could include but are not limited to state energy offices, Governor’s offices, Extension offices, universities, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and other organizations. An application designed to improve the siting capabilities of a single municipality is not likely to be competitive.

Q: Can multiple states apply under one collaborative?

A: There are no restrictions on regional or multi-state Collaboratives. However, applicants should carefully consider and discuss the challenges associated with the variability in permitting processes, community needs, and deployment targets between the states of interest.

Q: What types of organizations can lead an application?

A: DOE highly encourages state energy offices (or equivalent state agencies) and university extension offices to lead or participate in applications but recognizes that the organizations best suited to perform these activities will vary from state to state. Other organizations that could play a key role include, but are not limited to, Tribal governments, universities, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations.

Lead applicants must be able to develop or expand state-wide programs that can be leveraged by many communities within the state.

Q: What types of organizations are NOT allowed to lead an application?

A: DOE will not consider applications led by for-profit organizations, developers of renewable energy facilities, or national laboratories. These organizations maybe partners in Collaboratives.

Q: What technologies are eligible?

A: Applications should primarily focus on activities that expand the planning and evaluation capacity of state and local decision makers regarding the siting of large-scale wind, solar, and battery energy storage infrastructure. Where there is appreciable need within a state, proposals may include activities related to other clean energy technologies, such as geothermal power, agrivoltaics, offshore wind, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Applicants must provide sufficient detail and reasoning to justify the technologies included in the scope of activities.

Q: Are partners required or can I apply alone? Is there a limit to the number of partners per application?

A: There are no requirements for the number of organizations in a Collaborative. However, successful Collaboratives will be cross-disciplinary and have experience facilitating stakeholder engagement and providing technical assistance on technical issues to local communities. DOE recognizes that the organizations best suited to lead or participate in a Collaborative will vary from state to state. Applicants should justify why their Collaborative is best suited to meet the stated R-STEP goals.

There is no limit to the number of project partners on an application. To facilitate the formation of collaboratives, R-STEP is establishing an online Teaming Partner List where organizations can express interest in partnering with others and share contact information. If you are interested in being added to the teaming partner list and having your information shared with others, please Click Here to Complete This Form

Q: What is difference between the independent Technical Assistance Providers vs. Individuals/organizations an applicant would include as part of Collaborative?      

A: Applicants are encouraged to include organizations with technical expertise on large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting as part of their project team.

Collaboratives awarded will also be eligible to receive additional Technical Assistance (TA) from other leading experts. This additional TA will be provided using funds separate from the Collaborative budgets. Applicants should highlight topic areas where additional TA will be necessary because expertise is lacking as part of the project team. DOE has a limited amount of additional funding to provide additional TA to awardees and all additional TA requests may not be fulfilled.

Q: Can one organization apply on multiple applications?

A: Yes. Applicants are encouraged to include organizations with technical expertise on large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting as part of their project team. An organization may be a part of more than one Collaborative.

Q: Who would own the IP for newly developed resources, processes, products, etc.?

A: DOE does not envision patentable IP being developed under R-STEP. In general, awardees may assert ownership or copyright for data, software, and other copyrightable materials developed under R-STEP, but DOE and the U.S. government will retain unlimited rights to use, reproduce, and distribute that data or software to the public.

Q: Can awardees recommend improvements to state and local government regulatory/approval processes for renewable energy projects?

A: No. Federal law (18 USC 1913) prohibits the use of federal funds for lobbying government officials at all levels of government about any legislation, law, policy or appropriation, unless expressly authorized by Congress. In addition, policy work is inherently governmental. Collaboratives funded through R-STEP therefore cannot use DOE funds to advance or advocate for specific policy changes. Collaboratives can, however, use DOE funds to develop general best practices, or work with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to evaluate the potential effects of current or potential future policies related to renewable energy planning, siting and permitting, provided they do not recommend or otherwise advocate for specific policy changes with those AHJs.

Q: Are there any IT or data specific requirements necessary for an applicant to meet?

A: DOE encourages all applicants to adhere to cybersecurity best practices and coordinate within their collaborative on how to implement these in their proposed work, but there are no specific data security requirements associated with R-STEP awards. That said, DOE may require an awardee to submit a cybersecurity plan for projects involving information technology, if any. Please note that ENERGYWERX administers R-STEP under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with DOE. Like the PIA, the intent is for awards (from ENERGYWERX, i.e., sub-awards) made to collaboratives under R-STEP to be transactions authorized under 15 U.S.C. 3715, which are not a procurement, grant, cooperative agreement or loan.  DOE’s interim pilot guide on PIAs is available here: DOE Partnership Intermediary Agreement | Department of Energy. However, as phase 4 states, “after potential discussions with DOE, successfully negotiated awards may fall under (but are not limited to) alternate mechanism[s] of awards/interactions,” such as contracts and cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs).

Q: What is an Objective Strategic Session (OSS)?

A: Interested participants join a virtual, open forum session to engage with Government Partners, Subject Matter Experts (SME), and other potential performers regarding the Government’s desired focus area(s) of interest.

For additional Q&A, download the R-STEP Q&A document below, which is based mostly on questions received from Round 1 and will be updated under Round 2 as new questions arise.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact ENERGYWERX: info@energywerx.org

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