BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): BAT DETERRENT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | DE FOA 0002825

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002825

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), issued this notice as a Request for Information (RFI), not as a grant application or funding competition. The RFI is tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is intended to gather practical, on-the-ground feedback that would help DOE shape a possible future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) focused on reducing the impacts of wind energy facilities on bat populations, consistent with Section 41007(b)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In other words, DOE is in an information-gathering phase: it wants to understand what is technically feasible, what is commercially realistic, what research gaps remain, and how a later funding program should be structured if DOE decides to launch one.

The main subject is “bat deterrent technology solutions” for wind turbines and wind plants. DOE is asking for input on the current state of deterrent technologies, including how mature different approaches are, what performance is being seen so far, and whether there is real market interest from both technology vendors and wind energy operators. Alongside the technology snapshot, DOE is seeking recommendations on the specific research and development steps needed to move deterrents forward, such as improving effectiveness, reliability, operational compatibility, measurement methods, and cost. The RFI also emphasizes deployment realities, inviting comments on barriers that prevent deterrents from being installed widely, which could include cost and financing, maintenance burdens, power/communications integration, operational constraints, uncertainty about effectiveness across bat species or regions, permitting and wildlife compliance considerations, and any concerns about unintended consequences.

A major theme is field validation. DOE is explicitly asking what it would take for technology vendors and wind operators to participate in real-world demonstrations or validation studies at operating wind facilities. That includes conditions and incentives that would make participation workable, such as how studies should be designed, how risks and responsibilities should be shared, what data would be collected and who would own it, how operational disruptions would be minimized, and what success metrics would be considered credible by industry, regulators, and the scientific community. This focus signals that DOE is trying to build a future program that produces evidence that is trusted and transferable, not just lab results or small pilot claims.

The RFI also asks for feedback on the “front end” mechanics of a potential solicitation. DOE requests suggestions on the solicitation process, FOA structure, and overall implementation strategy. That can cover things like the types of project categories DOE should fund (early-stage R&D versus prototype development versus field trials), expected partnerships (for example, technology developers working with wind plant owners/operators, universities, national labs, or conservation organizations), reporting requirements, performance targets, and how DOE should evaluate proposals. Beyond technical and program design input, DOE is also collecting perspectives related to broader federal priorities. The topics list includes expanding union jobs and effective workforce development, meaning DOE is interested in how any future program could support good-quality jobs, training pipelines, and skilled labor needs. It also includes Equity, Environmental and Energy Justice (EEEJ) priorities, indicating DOE wants to understand how program benefits, burdens, participation opportunities, and decision-making processes could align with equity and justice goals. Finally, DOE asks about market adoption and industry/sector sustainability, which points to an interest in solutions that can scale beyond demonstrations and become durable parts of the wind industry supply chain and standard operating practices.

Practically speaking, this RFI does not provide funding, has no award amount, and does not accept applications for financial assistance or incentives. DOE states it will not pay for the preparation or submission of information under the RFI, and no projects will be supported directly as a result of responding. DOE also notes that it may or may not issue a future FOA, and that any information received will be used for internal planning purposes and will not be published. Eligible respondents are effectively unrestricted for purposes of providing input, which typically means anyone with relevant expertise or stake in the issue can respond (technology companies, wind developers/operators, researchers, consultants, NGOs, state or local entities, and other interested parties).

Key administrative details include the opportunity identifier DE-FOA-0002825, listed under CFDA 81.087, with the Golden Field Office shown as the agency office. Responses had to be submitted electronically by email as attachments to WETOBATRFI@ee.doe.gov by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on September 16, 2022. The full RFI was made available through the EERE Exchange website (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov), which is DOE EERE’s primary platform for posting and managing these kinds of notices and, if issued later, formal funding opportunity announcements.

• The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): BAT DETERRENT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-08-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for DE FOA 0002825

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