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Proposals may be revised up to the submittal deadline. Follow the onscreen instructions in SEMS to upload the revised proposal file. Update all proposal details to match the contents of the proposal.
SERDP hosted a webinar entitled SERDP Solicitation Webinar on November 14, 2022. Participants asked questions about the funding process, the current SERDP solicitations, and the proposal submission process.
Yes. ESTCP released a solicitation on January 6, 2023 for proposals for FY 2024 funding. This solicitation included topics related to Environmental and Installation Energy and Water Technologies. Pre-proposals are due March 9, 2023.
Yes. SERDP issued a FY 2025 SERDP Exploratory Development (SEED) solicitation on November 2, 2023. The SEED solicitation is a means for researchers to test proof of concept with a limited amount of funding (not to exceed $250,000) in a project approximately one year in duration. Successful SEED projects may lead to more extensive follow-on efforts. Proposals are sought for FY 2025 funding in response to Statements of Need (SON) in the Weapons Systems and Platforms program area. Proposals submitted in response to the SEED solicitation are due March 14, 2024.
Because of the progress in SERDP projects under the Munitions Response Program Area, we are focusing on transition to the user community through controlled site demonstrations/live site operations under ESTCP. We are not releasing a FY25 SERDP Statement of Need for Munitions Response. ESTCP solicitations are typically released in January, and potential proposers should monitor this website for ESTCP Munitions Response topics. For questions, please send an email to serdp-estcp@noblis.org with ATTN: Dave Bradley, FY25 Munitions Response in the subject line.
Yes. Limited Scope proposals may be submitted in response to any Core SON. Proposers with innovative approaches to a SON that entail high technical risk and/or have minimal supporting data may submit a Limited Scope proposal for a limited amount of funding (up to $250,000) for projects approximately one year in duration, to develop the data necessary to provide for risk reduction and/or proof of concept. Proposers should submit these Limited Scope proposals in accordance with the Core solicitation instructions and deadlines. Such proposals may be eligible for follow-on funding if they result in a successful initial project.
Due to the competitive nature of the solicitation process, we do not discuss the SONs with individuals. However, from time to time a SON needs clarification. If you find a SON to be confusing or unclear, send an e-mail asking for clarification to the contact person noted at the end of that SON. If we agree that the SON requires clarification, we will issue an amendment to the solicitation so that all may have equal access to the clarification.
No. There is no such requirement. While some projects would not be complete without some field work, many SERDP projects do not have a field component.
SERDP follows standard DoD procedures concerning intellectual property rights in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The creator will control commercial rights but the government reserves the right to use and develop the technology for its own purposes.
Yes. All proprietary information in proposals is protected. Everyone who handles proposals has signed a non-disclosure agreement or is bound to non-disclosure under the terms of their employment.
If the proposal is responsive to a current SON, please feel free to submit a pre-proposal. Proposal submissions that do not address a current SON will not be considered.
Yes. The cover page that had been part of proposals in previous years is no longer required. The information that had been included on the cover page is entered into SEMS prior to submission of the proposal.
There is no requirement for a signature to bind the lead organization at the pre-proposal stage. However, a signature of an individual with the authority to bind the lead organization is still required for all SEED proposals and SERDP Full proposals. Refer to the proposal submittal instructions on the solicitation's page and SEMS for more information on how to upload this signature.
There are two submission routes to SERDP for proposals that have a Federal partner and a private sector partner. If the private sector partner is designated as the lead on the project, then the pre-proposal is submitted through the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). If the Federal organization is the lead on the project, then the pre-proposal is submitted through the Federal Call for Proposals.
No. Proposals do not require a DoD partner.
Yes. SERDP is currently funding efforts in both Canada and Europe.
You may have international partners. Their costs must be indicated in U.S. Dollars. Contracts must be handled by the lead institution including the exchange of funds to the partner's currency. These subcontracts will not be handled through SERDP's contracting office.
Yes. There is no limit to the number of pre-proposals that organizations can submit. You will need to submit each proposal individually to the appropriate SON.
No. Proposals will not be accepted if received via e-mail. You must submit your proposal in accordance with the instructions for the solicitation to which you are responding. Detailed instructions may be found on the solicitation's page under the Working with Us section.
No. The deadlines cannot be waived.
You will receive an e-mail and an on screen message in SEMS stating that your proposal was successfully submitted.
No. You must submit a pre-proposal and subsequently be asked to submit a full proposal.
No. The 5-page limit does not include references.
The minimum acceptable font size is 11. We do not specify a font, but whatever you opt to use must be readable.
This number is available from your organization's contracting office. If you do not have one, this section can be left blank.
Proposals must reflect U.S. dollars.
It is true that there are no funding limits specified for most Core SONs. Occasionally, SERDP will release SONs with prescribed cost and duration requirements. Specific cost and duration requirements, if applicable, are found in each SERDP SON. For the majority of SONs, cost and duration are not prescribed and you should determine how much money you will require to adequately fund the work you have proposed. SERDP funds projects ranging in size from under $250 thousand to about $1 million per year. Typical projects range from $200-$600 thousand per year for three to five years.
For planning purposes, Federal performers can expect to receive their funds in the January-February timeframe and contractors in the May timeframe.
No. The purpose of the pre-proposal is to allow investigators to see if ESTCP wishes to see a full proposal. However, if you have questions regarding the solicitation process, please feel free to contact the ESTCP office.
We follow standard DoD procedures concerning intellectual property rights in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The creator will control commercial rights but the government reserves the right to use and develop the technology for its own purposes.
All proprietary information in proposals is protected. Everyone who handles proposals has signed a non-disclosure agreement or is bound to non-disclosure as terms of their employment.
All ESTCP FY 2024 solicitation topics related to both environmental and installation energy technologies were released on January 6, 2023. There are no additional solicitations planned at this time.
State government-led proposals should submit via the Broad Agency Announcement, entering “business” as the organization type.
No, there is no advantage to having the proposal submitted by either a Federal organization or a private firm. Each proposal receives an evaluation based on merit, regardless of the source.
Yes. On most topics we are able to fund work outside the United States.
There is no limit to the number of proposals that an organization or individual can submit. Each proposal will need to be submitted individually and to the appropriate topic.
No, proposals will not be accepted if received via e-mail. All proposals must be submitted electronically via the SERDP and ESTCP Management System (SEMS) at https://sems2.serdp-estcp.org in accordance with the instructions for the solicitation to which you are responding. Detailed instructions may be found on the solicitation's page under the Working with Us section.
No. The deadline cannot be waived.
The minimum acceptable font size is 11. We do not specify a font, but whatever you opt to use must be readable.
Yes. The SERDP and ESTCP Management System (SEMS) has been replaced with an updated version. All proposals will be submitted via sems2.serdp-estcp.org. The previous version of the system is not a viable means to submit a proposal.
Yes. The cover page that had been part of proposals in previous years is no longer required. The information that had been included on the cover page is entered into SEMS prior to submission of the proposal.
There is no requirement for a signature to bind the lead organization at the pre-proposal stage. However, a signature of an individual with the authority to bind the lead organization is still required for all ESTCP Full proposals. Refer to the proposal submittal instructions on the solicitation's page and sems2.serdp-estcp.org for more information on how to upload this signature.
An electronic signature is acceptable.
This number is available from your contracting office. If you do not have one, this section can be left blank.
No. This 5-page limit does not include references or curriculum vitae.
The Gantt chart is part of the 5-page proposal.
Letters of support are not required for submitting a proposal. If you have obtained one, please place it at the end of your proposal. It will not count as one of your three pages of supporting data.
You will receive an e-mail and an on screen message in SEMS stating that your proposal was successfully submitted.
Proposals may be revised up to the submittal deadline. Follow the onscreen instructions in SEMS to upload the revised proposal file. Update all proposal details to match the contents of the proposal.
Proposals must be costed in U.S. dollars.
It is true that there are no funding limits specified. You should determine how much money you will require to adequately fund the work you have proposed.
Awards in response to the BAA, which will take the form of contracts, will occur on or after June 1, 2023. Funds will be available to projects led by Federal entities by March 1, 2023.
No. All projects are incrementally funded on a year-by-year basis.
Yes, a list of protocols has been added to the Background section of this topic.
Installations consist of any base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DoD) in the U.S. or on permanent installations overseas.
Only for photovoltaic solar technologies, in accordance with the “Buy American Act” provision in the 2011 Defense Authorization Act. There aren't restrictions for other renewable energy technologies.
Demonstrations of energy technologies for barracks on installations are responsive to this solicitation. Demonstrations focused on privatized housing will not be accepted.
Yes, a state-owned installation supported by Federal funding and subject to DoD energy goals may be suitable for an ESTCP demonstration.
Leverage funding could come from the private sector in the form of Utility Energy Services Contracts, Energy Savings Performance Contracts or Power Purchase Agreements. Leveraging government funding associated with a DoD or Department of Energy (DOE) project on a military installation may also be appropriate. In these cases, the leveraged funding would address the non-demonstration elements of the project, and ESTCP would provide funding for analysis that may not normally occur.
Section 5 of the ESTCP Demonstration Plan guidance for Installation Energy and Water projects provides insights into the proper way to set up a demonstration that creates data to determine the validity of findings published in the Final Report.
No, ESTCP will not accept proposals on resilience for built infrastructure under this topic. The topic has been updated to reflect this. Submitters should review topics related to climate resilience to determine relevance of proposals related to resilience for built infrastructure in FY 2024.