Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Advancing Equity through Workforce Partnerships Program (US)

Deadline: 13-Sep-22

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is issuing, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Advancing Equity through Workforce Partnership Program on behalf of the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).

Purpose

This FOA supports the administration goals laid out above by supporting the development of workforce programs and partnerships that will facilitate the continued deployment of solar energy technologies, while supporting an inclusive workforce with opportunities for career advancement, including through union membership. As part of the whole-of-government approach to advance equity and encourage worker organizing and collective bargaining, this FOA and any related activities will seek to encourage meaningful engagement and participation of labor unions and underserved communities and underrepresented groups, including consultation with Tribal Nations.

Areas of Interest

SETO will consider and evaluate a variety of multi-stakeholder high-road training partnership proposals under this FOA. Projects should primarily relate to PV solar deployment and associated careers including in installation, system design, operations and maintenance (O&M), electrical work, project management, sales, and business operations. Proposals focused on manufacturing for solar PV modules and other equipment will be considered, but is not expected to be the primary area of focus for the funding program. Proposals related to CSP or other solar-thermal heating systems will not be considered.

• Specifically, this FOA is intended to support sustainable, employer-driven, employee-centric high-road workforce development partnerships that benefit the following individuals and communities:
  • Disadvantaged or LMI communities
  • Communities of Color
  • Tribal communities
  • Young people with disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Previously Incarcerated Individuals (PII) or Returning Citizens
  • Transitioning fossil fuel communities
  • Rural communities
  • People with Disabilities
  • Women

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $10,000,000
• Award Ceiling: $1,500,000
• Award Floor: $250,000

Eligible Activity

• The BIL provides funding to carry out research, development, demonstration, and commercialization activities relating to solar energy technologies, which includes conducting workforce development activities.
• The activities to be funded under this FOA support the broader government-wide approach to addressing the climate crisis and maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice.

Eligibility Criteria

• Domestic Entities the proposed prime recipient and subrecipient(s) must be domestic entities.
• The following types of domestic entities are eligible to participate as a prime recipient or subrecipient of this FOA:
  • Institutions of higher education;
  • For-profit entities;
  • Non-profit entities; and
  • State and local governmental entities, and Tribal Nations.
• To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States.
• DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to apply for funding as a prime recipient or sub recipient. Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs are eligible to participate as a sub recipient, but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient.
• Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are eligible to participate as a sub recipient, but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient.
• Entities banned from doing business with the U.S. government such as entities debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participating in Federal programs are not eligible. Entities identified on a Department of Homeland Security, Binding Operational Directives as an entity publicly banned from doing business with the Unites States government are not eligible
• Nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 are not eligible to apply for funding. Nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c) 5 of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply for funding.
• Foreign Entities
• Incorporated Consortia
• Unincorporated Consortia

For more information visit Grants.gov.

For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=342750