U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Advanced Manufacturing Office

Biomass (EERE Biobased Products and Bioenergy) Solicitation Announcement

April 5, 2002

The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is pleased to announce the release of a solicitation for the development of novel technologies and processes that service the biomass industry broadly and will integrate the production of biomass derived fuels, power, and chemicals and other products into economical, sustainable industrial biorefineries.  Under this solicitation, DOE is seeking Applications that: 1) overcome existing technical and economic barriers in the conversion of cellulosic feedstocks for the production of fuels (such as ethanol, biodiesel, and hydrogen), power, and products at a cost advantage over existing starch based technologies, 2) develop high value chemicals, materials, and other products, from any biomass feedstocks and co-product streams, that can be produced at a cost advantage over conventional feedstocks and significantly improve the overall economics of the industrial biorefinery, and, 3) develop technologies that can be broadly applied and improve the economics and sustainability of the industrial biorefinery.  The solicitation seeks Applications related to a variety of concepts, including but not limited to: fermentation, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, gasification, and/or other biochemical or thermochemical conversion systems.  Subject to funding availability, the total DOE funding under this solicitation will be approximately $20,000,000.  DOE anticipates selecting 3-6 multi-year projects for award. 

Please contact the Contracting Officer at GovWorks, Wallace O. Adcox, via e-mail at mailto:Wallace.adcox@mms.gov for the full solicitation and answers to any questions.

The actual announcement is below.

General Information

Contracting Office Address

Minerals Management Service, GovWorks, 381 Elden Street, MS 2500, Herndon, VA 20170-4817

Description

Gov.Works is issuing this request for proposals on behalf of the Department of Energy (DOE). INTERESTED OFFERORS MAY SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR THE FULL SOLICITATION TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER VIA E-MAIL (Wallace.adcox@mms.gov). The full solicitation will then be sent to the offeror by e-mail. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is soliciting Applications for the development of novel technologies and processes that service the biomass industry broadly and will integrate the production of biomass derived fuels, power, and chemicals and other products into economical, sustainable industrial biorefineries. DOE intends to provide financial support under provisions of Section 2306 of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct), Public Law 102-486, which establishes eligibility requirements for companies to participate in Financial Assistance programs covered under Titles XX through XXIII of the EPAct. Under this solicitation, DOE is seeking Applications that: 1) overcome existing technical and economic barriers in the conversion of cellulosic feedstocks for the production of fuels (such as ethanol, biodiesel, and hydrogen), power, and products at a cost advantage over existing starch based technologies, 2) develop high value chemicals, materials, and other products, from any biomass feedstocks and co-product streams, that can be produced at a cost advantage over conventional feedstocks and significantly improve the overall economics of the industrial biorefinery, and, 3) develop technologies that can be broadly applied and improve the economics and sustainability of the industrial biorefinery. Applications should clearly address how the proposed work is novel, builds on current knowledge, and will advance the development and subsequent deployment of economical, sustainable industrial biorefineries, particularly those that provide products that can result in significant oil use reduction. Research into feedstock development, direct combustion of biomass, and demonstration beyond the pilot scale will not be funded as a result of this solicitation. The solicitation seeks Applications related to a variety of concepts, including but not limited to: fermentation, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, gasification, and/or other biochemical or thermochemical conversion systems. Awards under this solicitation will be Cooperative Agreements with a project term of up to four years. Subject to funding availability, the total DOE funding under this solicitation will be approximately $20,000,000. DOE anticipates selecting 3-6 multi-year projects for award. Future year funding allocations will depend on the scope and quantity of Applications received. Applications are sought that are multi-year and include a multi-disciplinary project team capable of the successful completion of the technical research as well as the commercialization of research results. A clear tie among the proposed work, expected benefits, and solicitation objectives is required. Technical goals and milestones must be well characterized. The Applications will clearly state economic, energy and oil reduction, and environmental benefits resulting from the industrial biorefinery concept envisioned, and show a clear path to commercialization. A minimum Cost Share of 50% of Total Project Costs is required in order to be considered for Award under this solicitation. See Section II regarding Cost Share. Applications proposing a portion of the work to be performed by Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), including a DOE research laboratory will be considered for Award. Instructions for including FFRDC activities within an Application are provided in Section II of the full solicitation. Applications proposing a portion of work with the Tennessee Valley Authority will be subject to the same restrictions as those proposing work by a FFRDC. DOE IS REQUIRING PRE-APPLICATIONS UNDER THIS SOLICITATION. The Pre-Application will be assessed to determine whether the proposed concept is consistent with the objectives of this Solicitation and whether an Application, if submitted, will be considered for funding. Pre-Applications must address the same criteria as will be required in a formal proposal. PRE-APPLICATIONS MUST NOT EXCEED 2 PAGES OF TEXT, EXCLUDING THE COVER SHEET. All Pre-Applications must be submitted as Word files to the Contracting Officer via e-mail (Wallace.adcox@mms.gov) by May 14, 2002. DOE will review the Pre-Applications and accept or reject the Pre-Application. IF THE PRE-APPLICATION IS REJECTED, NO FURTHER SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED. All offerors with an accepted Pre-Application must submit a full Application as a Word file to the Contracting Officer via e-mail by 3:00 PM, on July 12, 2002. An Application received after the due date and time will not be considered for Award. ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR THE FULL SOLICITATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER VIA E-MAIL.

Point of Contact

Wallace O. Adcox, Contracting Officer, (703) 787-1354