Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001753
The Solar Decathlon 2019 Future Planning - Request for Information (RFI), DE-FOA-0001753, was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Golden Field Office, under the Energy efficiency and renewable energy space (CFDA 81.117). It is not a grant or funding solicitation in the usual sense. Instead, it is a planning-focused request for input meant to shape how DOE designs and runs the Solar Decathlon 2019 competition, which DOE anticipated holding again in the Denver, Colorado area. The RFI was created on March 7, 2017, and it originally closed on April 3, 2017.
The Solar Decathlon program itself is described as an established DOE initiative, running since 2002, that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered homes that are innovative, energy-efficient, and appealing to the public. DOE highlights two central impacts of the program: first, it gives students practical, hands-on training that translates into real workforce preparation for clean energy careers; second, it functions as a large, free public-facing event where visitors can tour the houses, learn about energy-saving measures, and take home ideas that can reduce household energy costs. The RFI references the then-upcoming Solar Decathlon event scheduled for October 5-15, 2017, in Denver, using it as context for how DOE is continuing to evolve the program.
The core purpose of the RFI is to collect feedback from a wide set of stakeholders, including past, current, and prospective Solar Decathlon participants, the broader academic community, industry sponsors, and other interested parties. DOE states that it has continuously refined both the application process and the event execution over the years, and it is seeking stakeholder input specifically to improve Solar Decathlon 2019 outcomes and better align the competition with program goals. In other words, DOE is using this RFI to test ideas, identify pain points, and gather practical suggestions before finalizing the rules, structure, logistics, and participation model for the 2019 competition.
DOE frames the goals of the RFI in two parts. First, it wants feedback on potential changes under consideration that could expand opportunities for team participation and spur more innovation among competitors. Second, it is explicitly looking for ways to reduce barriers to entry for university teams, recognizing that the time, cost, logistics, and administrative burdens of designing and constructing a competition house can limit who is able to participate. DOE also emphasizes that it is particularly interested in changes that make it easier for universities to compete while still preserving the signature nature of the Solar Decathlon as a major public event where the general public can experience and learn from the showcased housing innovations firsthand.
Eligibility for responding is effectively open-ended: the opportunity lists eligible applicants as "unrestricted," meaning any type of entity may respond, subject to any additional clarifications in the full RFI document posted in EERE Exchange. However, it is critical to interpret "eligibility" in the context of an RFI rather than a funding opportunity, since the goal is information gathering rather than awarding financial assistance.
Finally, DOE is very clear about what this opportunity is not. This is an RFI only: DOE will not pay for information submitted, no projects will be supported as a direct result of submissions, and the RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance or financial incentives. The listing also reflects this by showing expected awards as zero. Anyone interested in the specific questions DOE asked, the preferred format of responses, or any submission instructions would need to consult the full RFI document (DE-FOA-0001753) on the EERE Exchange website.Apply for DE FOA 0001753
- The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Solar Decathlon 2019 Future Planning - Request for Information" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.117.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 07, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 03, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is "Solar Decathlon 2019 Future Planning - Request for Information (RFI)" (DE-FOA-0001753)?
It is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Golden Field Office, under the energy efficiency and renewable energy space (CFDA 81.117). The RFI is meant to gather feedback to help DOE plan and shape how it designs and runs the Solar Decathlon 2019 competition.
2) Is this a grant or a funding opportunity?
No. DOE states this is not a grant or funding solicitation in the usual sense. It is an information-gathering RFI intended for planning purposes and does not provide financial assistance.
3) Will DOE pay for information submitted in response to this RFI?
No. DOE is explicit that it will not pay for information submitted in response to this RFI.
4) Will any projects be supported or funded as a direct result of RFI submissions?
No. DOE states that no projects will be supported as a direct result of submissions, and the opportunity listing reflects this with expected awards shown as zero.
5) What is the purpose of issuing this RFI?
The purpose is to collect stakeholder feedback so DOE can refine and improve Solar Decathlon 2019 outcomes and better align the competition with program goals. DOE is using the RFI to test ideas, identify pain points, and gather practical suggestions before finalizing rules, structure, logistics, and the participation model for the 2019 competition.
6) What specific types of input is DOE looking for?
DOE frames the RFI goals in two parts: (1) feedback on potential changes under consideration that could expand opportunities for team participation and spur more innovation, and (2) ideas to reduce barriers to entry for university teams, including burdens tied to time, cost, logistics, and administration, while preserving the Solar Decathlon as a major public event.
7) Who is DOE seeking feedback from?
DOE is seeking feedback from a wide set of stakeholders, including past, current, and prospective Solar Decathlon participants, the broader academic community, industry sponsors, and other interested parties.
8) Who is eligible to respond to this RFI?
The opportunity lists eligible applicants as "unrestricted," meaning any type of entity may respond, subject to any additional clarifications in the full RFI document posted in EERE Exchange. This should be interpreted in the context of an RFI (information gathering), not a funding opportunity.
9) What does "unrestricted eligibility" mean in this context?
It means DOE is not limiting who can submit information based on organization type within the opportunity listing. However, because this is an RFI, eligibility relates to who can provide input, not who can receive funding or an award.
10) Which DOE office issued the RFI?
The RFI was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Golden Field Office.
11) What program area or CFDA does this RFI fall under?
It is listed under the energy efficiency and renewable energy space, with CFDA 81.117.
12) How does this RFI relate to the Solar Decathlon program?
The RFI is specifically about future planning for Solar Decathlon 2019. DOE is using it to gather input on how to evolve the competition, including the application process and event execution, based on stakeholder experience and program goals.
13) What is the Solar Decathlon program?
DOE describes Solar Decathlon as an established initiative running since 2002. It challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered homes that are innovative, energy-efficient, and appealing to the public.
14) What impacts does DOE highlight for Solar Decathlon?
DOE highlights two central impacts: (1) it provides students with practical, hands-on training that supports workforce preparation for clean energy careers, and (2) it serves as a large, free public-facing event where visitors can tour the houses, learn energy-saving measures, and take home ideas to reduce household energy costs.
15) Was a location anticipated for Solar Decathlon 2019?
Yes. DOE anticipated holding the Solar Decathlon 2019 competition again in the Denver, Colorado area.
16) Why does the RFI mention the October 5-15, 2017 Solar Decathlon event in Denver?
The RFI references the then-upcoming Solar Decathlon event scheduled for October 5-15, 2017, in Denver as context for how DOE is continuing to evolve the program.
17) When was this RFI created and when did it close?
DOE created the RFI on March 7, 2017. It originally closed on April 3, 2017.
18) Is the RFI accepting applications for financial assistance or financial incentives?
No. DOE states the RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance or financial incentives.
19) Where can someone find the official questions DOE asked and the submission instructions?
DOE indicates that anyone interested in the specific questions, preferred response format, or submission instructions should consult the full RFI document (DE-FOA-0001753) posted on the EERE Exchange website.
20) What kinds of competition elements might DOE be trying to shape through this RFI?
Based on DOE's description, the RFI is intended to inform decisions about the Solar Decathlon 2019 rules, structure, logistics, and participation model, including changes that could increase participation, drive innovation, and reduce barriers for university teams.
21) Why is DOE focusing on reducing barriers to entry for teams?
DOE recognizes that designing and constructing a competition house can involve significant time, cost, logistical challenges, and administrative burdens that may limit which universities are able to participate. The RFI seeks input on how to reduce those barriers.
22) Does DOE want changes that affect the public-facing nature of the event?
DOE emphasizes interest in changes that make it easier for universities to compete while still preserving the "signature nature" of Solar Decathlon as a major public event where the general public can experience and learn from housing innovations firsthand.
23) What does the "expected awards" value indicate for this opportunity?
The listing shows expected awards as zero, aligning with DOE's statement that the RFI is for information gathering and does not result in financial awards.
24) Is responding to this RFI the same as applying to compete in Solar Decathlon 2019?
The information provided describes this as a planning-focused RFI to shape the 2019 competition. It is not presented as an application to compete or an application for funding; it is a mechanism for providing input to DOE.
25) What is the main takeaway for organizations considering responding?
The main takeaway is that this opportunity is designed to collect practical feedback and suggestions to improve Solar Decathlon 2019. It is open to a wide range of respondents, but it is not a pathway to funding, reimbursement, or direct project support.
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