Voucher Opportunity 2 - Performance Validation, Modeling, and Certification Support (OCED)

Are you a company (for-profit entity) who is working to commercialize a clean energy product or component in a large energy infrastructure system? This opportunity is designed to provide support in the form of a voucher to obtain Performance Validation , Modeling, and Certification Support, including failure-mode studies, testing to obtain industry-relevant certifications, system performance modeling, digital twin development, real-world testing simulation, and support to obtain relevant environmental and technology specific site certifications. See below for additional info about relevant technology verticals, eligibility, and timeline.

‍
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Technology Commercialization Fund, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), and Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) in collaboration with ENERGYWERX, is offering Performance Validation and Certification Support Voucher Opportunity (VO-2) to eligible companies to increase adoption readiness (with a focus on value proposition and market acceptance) of clean energy technologies.

The DOE Voucher Program builds bridges between U.S. entrepreneurs, businesses, technology developers or other relevant partners and third-party voucher providers to advance commercialization of innovative energy technologies. Voucher Opportunity (VO-2) enables evaluation of technology performance and support for obtaining site and technology related certifications through supporting activities including:

• Access to advanced modeling and digitization resources,
• Testing to obtain industry-relevant certifications,
• System performance validation and testing under certification-relevant operating conditions,  
• Digital twin development,
• Testing in real-world environments,
• Failure-mode studies and accelerated lifetime testing,
• Implementation and documentation support to meet environmental and sustainability standards or related environmental certifications.
• Assessments and validation of domestic manufacturers seeking to produce components and systems certified consistent to nuclear regulations (e.g., N-stamp).

The first submission window solicits proposals from potential voucher providers. A second submission window will be open soon to solicit requests from potential voucher recipients. Pending availability of funds, additional submission windows may open in the future.

Voucher Projects: Expected max voucher value up to $250,000 of work (actual values vary depending on the details of the provider’s capability statement). As part of the application form, potential providers will submit the details of their capability statement, including the technical scope, deliverables, price, and throughput of the capability. Each voucher provider may submit up to three unique capabilities per voucher opportunity. To do so, please submit the application form once per capability, no more than three separate times. Any additional submissions beyond the three newest capabilities will not be reviewed. Vouchers will be distributed as in-kind support, meaning that ENERGYWERX will directly reimburse the voucher provider for the work they have completed on behalf of the voucher recipients.Only work related to specific technology areas will be eligible to receive a voucher under this opportunity. List of eligible technology areas:

• Advanced nuclear
• Carbon management (including carbon capture and direct air capture)
• Long-duration energy storage
• Clean hydrogen
• Industrial decarbonization
• Upgrades to the electric grid

DOE anticipates issuing up to 45 vouchers.

Voucher Providers: Including but not limited to independent engineering and consulting firms, testing/validation centers, and national labs.

Voucher Recipients: Limited to for-profit companies with a product or component that fits one of the technology areas listed above and is nearly ready for pilot scale, large-scale demonstration, or commercialization. DOE is particularly interested in supporting companies who have completed DOE funded R&D projects (from any DOE office including but not limited to Office of Science, EERE, FECM, Nuclear Energy, ARPA-E) and need a boost to get to the next level.

Voucher Providers: How to Participate in VO-2

• Watch the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session recording: Click Here to Watch
• Submit questions into Slido to be answered during the live Office Hours session
• Review the resources from the Informational Office Session on June 18, 2024 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET‍
• Complete the Provider Submission Form: Click Here to Submit for VO-2 (Submissions are due NLT July 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET)

This is not the only voucher opportunity currently available through ENERGYWERX. See here for additional information related to other voucher opportunities.

Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (IW/OSS): DOE will provide further details about Voucher Opportunities. Potential voucher providers can better understand the scope, scale, and intent of the Voucher Program. The virtual IW/OSS will be pre-recorded and can viewed here.

Information Office Hours [June 18, 2024 at 3:00PM ET]: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host Office Hours on Voucher Opportunities 1, 2, 4, and 5 on June 18, 2024 to answer any remaining questions from potential applicants before the submission deadline.

Voucher Provider: Submissions are due NLT July 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET

Voucher Provider Timeline

Phase 1 – Voucher Provider Capability Statement Submissions Open [June 3, 2024 – July 9, 2024]: Interested potential voucher providers should complete the application  include background information on the provider as well as technical scope, deliverables, price, and through of the capability.

Phase 2 – DOE Selection [July 2024]: DOE will review submissions based on relevance to the program objectives and will notify selected entities for next steps.

NOTE:  DOE may choose to meet with submitters or ask additional clarifying questions prior to selection.

Phase 3 – Negotiations [August – September 2023]: Subsequently, selected organizations will meet with ENERGYWERX to negotiate the scope of work, budget, timing, and impact.

Complete Provider Submission Form: Click Here to Submit for VO-2 (NLT July 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET)

Can multiple voucher providers from different parts of the same company/institution submit up to three capabilities each?

Yes, each individual voucher provider can submit up to three capabilities.

‍

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