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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) - FY 2024

Agency: U.S. Department of Energy
CFDA: 81.117
Federal FON: DE-FOA-0003225
Office: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Building Technologies Office (BTO)
Multipart Grant: No
Next Due: 06/06/2024 (Multiple)
Solicitation Date: 03/04/2024
   
Match Required: Recommended
Match Type: Cash/In-Kind
Actual Funds: $90,000,000 (Estimated)
Award Range: $500,000 (Min) / $10,000,000 (Max)
Summary:

The purpose of this program is to enable sustained, cost-effective implementation of updated building energy codes with the goal of bolstering the successful, widespread, and sustained implementation of updated building energy codes by states, tribal and local governments, and across the country for a range of critical stakeholders. Priority will be given to both residential and commercial buildings, and both new and existing buildings.

Funding is specifically designed to update building energy codes and ensure the cost-effective implementation of these updated codes at the state and local level. Funding is also intended to encourage applicants to participate in meaningful engagement and participation of workforce organizations, including labor unions, as well as disadvantaged communities, including Indian tribes.

Specific project areas of interest include:

  • State and local code adoption: direct technical assistance and support for states and local governments on specific code updates for energy and resilience; conducting impact studies around code updates or amendments for specific states or jurisdictions to better understand benefits of code updates; and aligning code updates with broader state and local energy, sustainability, resilience, or climate goals
     
  • High-impact states and local jurisdictions: direct technical assistance and support for states and local governments on specific code updates for energy and resilience; conducting impact studies around code updates or amendments for specific states or jurisdictions to better understand benefits of code updates; and aligning code updates with broader state and local energy, sustainability, resilience, or climate goals
     
  • Rural communities: support the adoption of energy codes and standards to improve building efficiency and resilience; developing programs to expand and diversify construction workforce; build capacity to enforce local building and energy codes
     
  • Tribal governments: support the adoption of energy codes and standards to improve building efficiency and resilience through tribal governments at a regional level; ensuring representation of tribal governments and their interests
     
  • Workforce development: including statewide or industry-targeted energy code training programs for licensed professionals and building trades; and advanced training targeting high-performance and zero-net-energy buildings, complementary topics on resilience, health, safety, water savings, and other environmental impacts, as well as underlying building science and resulting economic benefits
     
  • Implementation and compliance: including the development of code implementation plans; research and validation studies to measure compliance rates and assess construction trends; utility code support and engagement programs; developing code compliance software tools; and state and local energy code implementation and compliance collaboratives
     
  • Innovative approaches: including establishing circuit rider training programs; developing and implementing performance-based energy codes or compliance tools; developing or implementing a state or local building performance standards; and implementing stretch codes, zero-energy and zero-carbon codes, or zoning ordinances that go beyond minimum energy codes in a sustainable fashion
     
  • Utility data and partnerships: establishing partnerships between states, regulatory bodies, and utilities which enable data exchange and greater efficiency through codes and standards; coordination of utility energy efficiency programs with efforts to increase building energy code adoption and compliance
     
  • Energy, equity, and environmental justice (EEEJ): including convening representatives of disadvantaged communities or underserved populations; development of equity-focused code language; providing support to participate in code update and consensus processes; and financial assistance or consulting services to help disadvantaged or underserved interests participate in code development, adoption, and implementation
     
  • Partnerships: including national, regional, and state energy codes collaboratives; regional energy code implementation forums; technical assistance bodies that can support and inform states and local resilience planning; and consortia of energy code training programs

Refer to pages 29-40 of the NOFA file for detailed information regarding these program areas of interest.

Last Updated: May 23, 2024

Eligibility Notes:

Eligible applicants are relevant state agencies, including territorial agencies and tribal governments. Examples include state building code agencies, state energy offices, or tribal energy offices. In addition, partnerships are eligible, and must include a state agency or tribal government, and one or more of the following:

  • Local building code agencies
  • Codes and standards developers
  • Associations of builders and design and construction professionals
  • Local and utility energy efficiency programs
  • Consumer, energy efficiency, and environmental advocates
  • Other entities, as determined by the Secretary of Energy

Priority will be given to projects submitted by partnerships. The funding agency encourages project teams to be as inclusive as possible and emphasize the need to engage a range of affected interests. The program emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships, which must include a state or tribal government agency, and may include other organizations, such as state or local building departments, builders, contractors, architects, engineers, other design and construction professionals, academia, research, trade organizations, consumer advocates, regional or community energy efficiency organizations, labor unions, apprenticeship programs, and other stakeholders.

In order to facilitate the formation of new project teams for this program, the attached PartnerList file will allow organizations that wish to participate on an application to express their interest to other applicants and to explore potential partnerships. The PartnerList file will be available online at eere-exchange.energy.gov, and will be regularly updated to reflect new teaming partners that provide their organization’s information. Refer to page 40 of the NOFA file for submission instructions for inclusion in the PartnerList file.

Applications will only be accepted from new applicants.

Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) may not apply as prime recipients, but may serve as subrecipients on other entities' applications, as long as they meet the requirements outlined on pages 50-52 of the NOFA file.

In addition, federal agencies and instrumentalities, other than the funding agency, are eligible to participate as a subrecipient, but are not eligible to apply as a prime recipient.

In making award determinations, the funding agency will pursue a balanced approach supporting both rural and urban areas.

Applicants may submit multiple concept papers and applications, as long as each is for a unique, scientifically distinct project. A separate concept paper must be submitted for each application. Each concept paper must be limited to a single concept or technology.

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.

Eligible Applicants:
Consortia
Native American Tribe
State Government
Application Notes:

Mandatory concept papers must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on April 5, 2024.

Concept papers must be submitted online at eere-exchange.energy.gov/Login.

Concept papers must include:

  • Cover page (1 page max)
  • Project description (3 pages max)
  • Addendum (2 pages max)

Concept papers must be formatted on standard-sized pages with one-inch or smaller margins on all sides. Text must be in black, 12-point or larger Calibri font. Figures and tables may be formatted in 10-point font. Page numbers must be included in the footer of each page. Refer to pages 52-53 of the NOFA file for additional formatting requirements.

Concept papers will be evaluated based on application responsiveness and the viability of the proposed project. Refer to page 89 of the NOFA file for details.

The funding agency will evaluate concept papers and either encourage or discourage applicants from submitting full applications. Applicants may submit full applications even if they are discouraged from doing so.

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 6, 2024.

Applications must be submitted online at eere-exchange.energy.gov/Login.

Applications must include:

  • SF 424
  • SF LLL
  • Technical volume (15 pages max)
  • Resumes (1 page max each)
  • Cost share commitments (1 page max each)
  • Partnership documentation (1 page max each)
  • Community benefits documentation (10 pages max)
  • Statement of project objectives (10 pages max)
  • Budget justification workbook
  • Summary/abstract for public release (1 page max)
  • Summary slide (1 page max)
  • Project impact calculation
  • Work proposal for FFRDC (if applicable)
  • Authorization from cognizant contracting officer for FFRDC
  • Foreign entity waiver requests and foreign work waiver requests
  • Open-source software distribution plan (if applicable)
  • Community benefits plan: job quality and equity (5 pages max)
  • Current and pending support
  • Location(s) of work
  • Transparency of foreign connections
  • Potentially duplicative funding notice

Applications must be formatted on standard-sized pages with one-inch or smaller margins on all sides. Text must be in black, 12-point or larger Calibri font. Figures and tables may be formatted in 10-point font. Page numbers must be included in the footer of each page. Uploaded files may not exceed 50 MB in size. Refer to pages 52-53 of the NOFA file for additional formatting requirements. Refer to pages 55-56 of the NOFA file for a checklist of application components, as well as detailed information regarding the required format and file name of each. Refer to pages 57-61 of the NOFA file for detailed guidance regarding the content of technical volumes.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
  • SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Technical merit, innovation, and impact (40 percent)
  • Market transformation plan (20 percent)
  • Team and resources (20 percent)
  • Community benefits plan (20 percent)

The funding agency may conduct pre-selection interviews as part of the application evaluation process, as detailed on page 96 of the NOFA file.

Refer to the NOFA file and Application folder for additional application information.

Match Required: Recommended
Match Type: Cash/In-Kind
Actual Funds: $90,000,000 (Estimated)
Award Range: $500,000 (Min) / $10,000,000 (Max)
Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program; however, the funding agency encourages applicants to leverage other nonfederal funding sources where feasible and appropriate. Matching contributions may be cash or in-kind. The provision of matching contributions will be taken into consideration in the evaluation of applications. Applicants are bound by the cost share proposed in their applications if selected for award negotiations.

Matching contributions must be contributed incrementally over the life of the award.

Refer to pages 47-49 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding matching contributions.

Generally, costs incurred by federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) may not be used as matching contributions. FFRDCs may contribute to projects only if the contributions are paid directly from the contractor’s management fee or another nonfederal source.

Funding Notes:

Approximately $90 million is expected to be available to support approximately 20 to 40 awards ranging from $500,000 to $10 million. The funding agency generally makes awards in the form of cooperative agreements through this program. Refer to page 36 of the NOFA file for information regarding the funding method of awards to FFRDCs.

Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis.

Award notifications are expected to be issued on July 31, 2024.

Project periods may last from 12 to 60 months. Project continuation will be contingent upon several elements, including satisfactory performance.

Funds may be used for pre-award costs with written approval from the funding agency, as detailed on pages 79-80 of the NOFA file.

Award recipients must obtain written authorization from the funding agency before incurring any major construction costs.

The program does not provide renewal awards.

Funds may not be used for:

  • Foreign travel
  • Lobbying
  • Participation in projects of persons participating in a foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program of a foreign country of risk
  • Travel and other expenses related to pre-selection interviews
  • Certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment, as detailed on page 118 of the NOFA file
Contacts:

Program Staff
RECI_FOA@ee.doe.gov

Agency Address
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
1000 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20585

Contact Notes:

Questions should be directed to the program staff and must be received, at the latest, three business days before the application due date. All questions and answers will be posted online at eere-exchange.energy.gov.

Concept papers and applications must be submitted online at eere-exchange.energy.gov/Login.

The agency address provided is for reference purposes only.

Files:
NOFA File: US17870_NOFA_FY2024.pdf (2.4 Mb)
Other Pre-Award File: US17870_PartnerList_FY2024.xlsx (13.1 Kb)
Application File: US17870_Application_FY2024.zip (12.0 Mb)
Other Pre-Award File: US17870_Q&A_FY2024.pdf (115.7 Kb)
Federal Forms:
SF 424 (144.4 Kb)
SF LLL (98.7 Kb)
File Notes:

The NOFA file contains the full solicitation for this program. The Application folder contains required forms for submission as well as an optional summary slide template for the application. The PartnerList file contains contact information for potential teaming partners. The Q&A file contains an updated list of questions and answers regarding this program. The required federal forms are attached. Additional program resources can be found online at eere-exchange.energy.gov.

May 23, 2024
An updated list of questions and answers regarding this program has been released and attached as the Q&A file. In addition, an optional summary slide template for the application has been released and attached as the SummarySlideTemplate file in the Application folder.

May 3, 2024
An updated list of questions and answers regarding this program has been released and attached as the Q&A file.

April 12, 2024
A list of questions and answers regarding this program has been released and attached as the Q&A file.

March 28, 2024
A list of questions and answers regarding this program has been released and attached as the Q&A file.

March 21, 2024
An updated list of contact information for potential teaming partners has been released and attached as the PartnerList file.

Project: Zero Carbon Performance Code Implementation (8.2 Mb)
Applicant: City of Fort Collins
Summary:

The purpose of this program is to enable sustained, cost-effective implementation of updated building energy codes with the goal of bolstering the successful, widespread, and sustained implementation of updated building energy codes by states, local governments, and across the country for a range of critical stakeholders. The City of Fort Collins requested $693,595 to demonstrate how communities can benefit from rapidly advancing building energy codes to save money, reduce GHG emissions, and build more resilient buildings. Goals of the project include establishing performance-based energy use intensity (EUI) and carbon targets for all building types that result in zero carbon new construction by 2030, establishing performance-based EUI targets as the standard path for energy code compliance, demonstrating the application of performance-based codes, developing a performance-based model appendix for a future version of the International Energy Conservation Code, and developing guidance for other jurisdictions to successfully replicate and implement a performance-based code model. The applicant provided $206,569 to match the remainder of the project costs.

 
Grant Keywords
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation, DOE, Department of Energy, EERE, BTO, BIL, RECI, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, IIJA, building code, commercial building code, residential building code, building code update, building code improvement, infrastructure development, municipal improvement, sustainable development, architectural improvement, build, building, construct, construction, engineering, planning, building energy code, residential building energy code, commercial building energy code, residential energy code, commercial energy code, energy conservation, energy efficiency, energy efficient, energy savings, green energy, energy demand, power generation, power transmission, power supply, electric, electricity, electrical, green building, retrofit, upgrade, conservation, conserve, ecological, ecology, ecosystem, environment, environmental, environmentalism, natural resource, preservation, preserve, protect, protection, restoration, restore, stewardship, air pollution, air quality, carbon dioxide, clean air, clean fuel, CO2, emissions reduction, emit, fossil fuel, GHG, greenhouse gas, lower emission, climate change, EEEJ, environmental justice, EJ, community need, disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged, low-income, underserved, stretch code, building performance standard, BPS, decarbonize, building stock, advanced, technologies, technology, cross-disciplinary, multidisciplinary, multiple disciplines, collaboration, partnership, vocational training, mentor, mentoring, apprentice, apprenticeship, career development, employee development, employee training, professional development, professional training, staff development, staff training, clean energy career, clean energy workforce, workforce, study, studies, updated energy code, building industry, housing industry, code compliance, BIL RECI, code agency, code agencies, tribe, tribal
Grant Categories
Community Development
Training & Vocational Services
Energy
Environment/Natural Resources
Human Services
Science/Technology