FAQ

Question:  We were hoping to learn more about the nature of the OFRN funds and their permissible utilization. Specifically, we would like to know if the funds can be used for equipment procurement or construction-renovation purposes, such as designing a specific educational lab to enhance Student Experience and Engagement related to this project?

Response:  Regarding facilities and equipment: equipment purchases need to be realistic, supportable,  essential to your research and fully utilized during your period of performance.  If there is an essential need for equipment, it can be proposed but the point of this program is not to buy equipment. You are encouraged to look for alternative ways to get the capability so your funding can support your research.

Question: 

Clarification on Appendices and how they are numbered/what goes where? Instructions say to add Resumes and LOIs to the appendix, but it doesn’t say which number, is there a certain place these need to go/way these need to be labeled?

Response: 

The order of documents in the Appendices should be: 

1. Resumes
2. Letters of Intent

OFRN Opportunity Announcement Appendix 3A Section A.12 (Subcontractors) states that consultants are considered as Subcontractors.   If the consultant has a significant contribution to the project, then they should be listed as a subcontractor. 

Modifications to the templates provided can be made as needed -- as long as you adhere to the formatting requirements; as well as provide the requested information in the same order as in the template.  MINIMAL modifications can be made to the Cover Page table to maintain uniformity of the information. The Cover Page should be 1 page.  Modifications to Attachment 2 – Cost Worksheet can be made as appropriate for your organization and team structure. If modifications beyond formatting are made in the excel file, confirm that impacted formulas and links are correct.

There is no page limit to the cost proposal.

Table of contents and glossary are included in the Technical Proposal 8 page count. See Appendix 3A for a template. All items in the template section A count towards the 8 page limit of the Technical Proposal with the exception of the cover page and executive summary as noted. See the Round 7 Opportunity Announcement section 3.2 Submission Guidelines for page limited for the remaining sections of the Technical proposal: 
-    Proposer Prepared Statement of Work (no page limit); 
-    Student Experiential Engagement (2 pages);
-    Technical Proposal Supplement (2 pages);
-    Quad Chart (example/template (1 page);
-    Technology Readiness Level (1 page); 
-    Full Length Resumes (max 5 pages each): principal investigator, subcontractors and consultants, if any; and
-    Subcontractor Letters of Intent (LOI).
 

Question: The Cover Page template is requesting a section of “Funding requested by calendar year.”  Since this is expected to start September/October, this would run 3 calendar years.  Unless I am missing something this is the only item that I found noting the budget needs to be separated out by calendar year.  Is this correct?

Response: That is correct. However, if you want to split it by month (i.e., "1^st 6 months" and "months 7-18", and label as such, that would be fine. They key is to label the time period.

Question:  In the Cost Proposal Template in the Cost Worksheet would the performance period be the calendar year? If the performance period is different than calendar years, could we change the wording on the Cover Sheet from calendar year to “1^st 6 months” and “months 7-18” even if that is not by calendar year?

Response: Yes, it would be appropriate to be consistent and use the performance period that is used on the cover sheet. 

Travel justification should be included in 2 places: 1) Appendix 4 Cost Proposal, Section C.5 Cost Narrative - Travel. Provide the narrative as indicated. This does not have to be on a separate page. 2) “Travel” tab of Attachment 2 – excel cost worksheet. There is a box for Travel Justification.