More than 11 million US workers are employed in the manufacturing and industrial sector, working in a variety of areas from iron and steel to food and beverages^[1] (Figure 1). Despite the manufacturing industry’s well-established capabilities for training, job placement, and career support, some critical gaps still exist in sustainability, energy efficiency, and industrial decarbonization curricula across most training programs and education levels.

Figure 1. Number of jobs in major manufacturing sectors.

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) established the Industrial Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, and Decarbonization (ISEED) Workforce Development Collaborative to help meet the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of a net zero emissions economy by 2050 by supporting workforce development programs that strengthen the ability of the workforce to decarbonize the U.S. industrial sector while prioritizing American workers and preparing them for good-paying middle-class jobs. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will act as the Steering Committee for the Collaborative to help the DOE IEDO office recruit, convene, manage, and support selected collaborative members

Complete the submission form and upload the appropriate project information and supporting documentation in the application link below for PPO-CWX-002-IEDO.

Submissions are due no later than Friday, November 1, 2024 at 5 PM ET

Submissions must include the following files as indicated in the below chart using the required templates.

Submission Requirements

Responses shall be submitted by the date and time specified above.

Files shall be submitted in Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat format, and not be larger than 5MB each. ZIP files and other application formats are not acceptable. All files shall be print-capable, without a password. Filenames must contain the appropriate extension and shall not contain special characters*. Appropriate files extensions are:

Late submissions will not be accepted. Submissions can be made in advance of the deadline and updated (or files replaced) up to the deadline.

The ISEED Collaborative will convene and support organizations to help grow the workforce knowledge and skills needed to decarbonize the US industrial sector. Over the course of two years, in additional to funding support, technical assistance and guidance from the Steering Committee will be provided to support selected ISEED Collaborative members to develop and pilot workforce solutions that can be scaled for regional or national reach and broad sectoral coverage. Throughout the project, the Steering Committee will be actively working with the collaborative members to understand their evolving needs, provide guidance, and gather reports to measure the Collaborative’s success.

IEDO seeks a diverse range of collaborative members to ensure that the final program deliverables embed sustainability, energy efficiency, and decarbonization concepts into training materials that can reach and support diverse new workers, incumbent workers, and workers transitioning from other industries. The selected Collaborative members will be expected to perform below activities.

• Develop, pilot, evaluate, and refine education and training materials and resources.
• Deliver quarterly and annual progress reports and other deliverables to the Steering Committee and IEDO on time.
• Participate in regular check-in calls with the Steering Committee.
• Participate in quarterly virtual meetings with all collaborative members.
• Participate in annual in-person summits with all collaborative members.
• Participate in peer-learning activities.
• See the attached list of expectations for ISEED Collaborative members for more details on routine meetings and reports.

How to Participate

1. Review details on eligibility, expectations for ISEED collaborative members, review criteria, and how to apply.
2. Watch the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session held on October 9, 2024 at 2PM ET.
3. Watch the Office Hours held on October 23, 2024 at 2PM ET.
4. Complete the submission form and upload the appropriate project information and supporting documentation in the application link for PPO-CWX-002-IEDO. Submissions are due no later than Friday, November 1, 2024 at 5PM ET.

Friday, November 1, 2024 at 5PM ET

The Industrial Sustainability, Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization (ISEED) Workforce Development Collaborative launched on September 16, 2024. Please click here for announcement article for more information.

Objective Strategic Session/Informational Webinar was held on October 9, 2024 at 2PM ET.

• Watch the Webinar (Video)
• View Presentation (PDF)
• Read the Transcript (PDF)

Informational Office Hours was held on October 23, 2024 at 2 PM ET.

• Watch the Webinar (Video)
• View Presentation (PDF)
• Read the Transcript (PDF)

• September 16, 2024: Project Application Period Open: DOE begins accepting applications from a specialized, independent consultant or academic entity.
• October 9, 2024: Objective Strategic Session/Informational Webinar (OSS/IW): ConnectWerx & DOE will provide further details about the funding opportunity. Interested collaborative performers can join to better understand the scope, scale, and intent of the opportunity and ask questions. The optional, virtual OSS took place on October 9 at 2 PM ET.
• October 23, 2024: Informational office hours: Interested applicants had the opportunity to ask additional questions of DOE on October 23 at 2 PM ET.
• November 1, 2024: Application period closes.
• Early 2025: Government review and selection of performers to receive funding.

Applicants can apply for one of three categories:

Category 1: Scale existing and proven programs to broader reach (2 to 4 awards; $250K to $1M per award; up to 2-year award duration). A rich array of training and workforce content and programs exists to support the manufacturing workforce on energy efficiency and decarbonization. The collaborative partners will leverage the collaborative apparatus and national laboratory resources to scale successful programs and curricula to help broaden the reach and deepen industrial decarbonization across the U.S. manufacturing base.

Category 2: Integrate energy efficiency and decarbonization content into established national or broad sectoral workforce development networks (2 to 4 awards; $250K to $1M per award; up to 2-year award duration). Successfully decarbonizing industry requires introducing technologies and strategies related to energy efficiency and decarbonization to transform conventional practices. By supporting the cultivation of specialized training programs or content on energy efficiency and decarbonization, the collaborative can ensure that the workers of both today and tomorrow are prepared to take on new roles and job tasks and can contribute to the development of a clean, competitive manufacturing sector.

Category 3: Scale innovative programs to close critical gaps in manufacturing workforce development (0 to 2 awards; $250K to $1M per award; up to 2-year award duration). This track is dedicated to scaling programs aimed at addressing critical gaps currently documented, whether they pertain to skills, demographics, or other essential aspects, with the goal of transforming specific manufacturing sectors and regional economies. We are in search of groundbreaking ideas that can revolutionize manufacturing workforce development by identifying and addressing unmet needs with novel approaches.

DOE reserves the right to amend total project funding or award sizes subject to additional funding.

Collaborative members will be existing organizations with established experience, networks, and/or industry reach that can be leveraged to provide training and education related to IEDO’s technology focus areas (energy efficiency, industrial electrification and low carbon fuel and renewable energy). Potential collaborative members could include, but are not limited to:

• Manufacturing education and training organizations.
• Trade, industry, and labor associations and groups.
• Organizations working to expand job and training access to diverse populations.
• Professional societies/associations.
• Community development organizations.
• Tribal Universities.

Applicants must qualify as a domestic entity. 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. The entity must have majority domestic ownership and control and have a physical place of business in the United States.

Applicants must certify that it is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of government of Country of Risk. The U.S. Department of Energy defines Country of Risk to include China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. This list is subject to change.

1. Workplan (30%)

1. Degree to which a market barrier has been identified, the challenge to overcome it described, and the likelihood of the proposed solution successfully overcoming the challenge.
   1. Degree to which the applicant demonstrates the plan to:
   2. For Category 1: Scale existing and proven programs to broader reach.
   3. for Category 2: Integrate energy efficiency and decarbonization content into established national or broad sectoral workforce development networks.
   4. For Category 3: Scale innovative programs to close critical gaps in manufacturing workforce development.
2. Degree to which the approach and critical path have been clearly described and thoughtfully considered.
3. Degree to which the task and milestone descriptions are clear, detailed, timely, and reasonable, resulting in a high likelihood that the proposed workplan will succeed in meeting the project goals.
4. The reasonableness of the budget and spend plan for the proposed project and objectives.

2. Need for Technical and Financial Assistance (20%)

1. The degree to which the applicant describes the budgetary gap federal funding will fill and that demonstrates the need for financial assistance to implement the proposed project.
2. The need for technical expertise that can be supplied by DOE through the ISEED Steering Committee that would be helpful to the success of the project.
3. The potential for the project to benefit from and contribute to participation in the ISEED Collaborative in which best practices and lessons learned will be shared and leveraged.
4. The degree to which the grant will supplement, not supplant, any private or State funds to carry out the project.

3. Team Members & Resources (25%)

1. The capability of the Principal Investigator(s) and the proposed team to address all aspects of the proposed work with a high probability of success.
2. The qualifications, experience, relevant expertise, and time commitment of the individuals on the team.
3. The degree to which the proposed team demonstrates the ability to successfully execute the proposed workforce development programs.
4. The degree to which the proposed team demonstrated ability to collaborate and willingness to work with other teams.
5. The level of participation by project participants as evidenced by letter(s) of commitment and how well they are integrated into the Workplan.

4. Community Benefits (25%)

1. The degree to which the proposed project is likely lead to increased high-quality employment.
2. The degree to which the proposed project will lead to increased and improved employment for people from underserved communities.
3. The extent to which the proposed project will likely improve workforce skills and attract more qualified candidates to manufacturing facilities.
4. The extent to which such workers live in underserved communities.
5. The extent of engagement with community organizations with the capability to ensure underrepresented groups have an opportunity to participate in the project.
6. Inclusion of Minority Owned Business [1], Woman Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Small Business Administration-qualified HUBzone business and Section 8(a) Business Development program participants.

[1] Minority owned business is defined as a business of which not less than 51% is owned by one or more individuals who are: (A) citizens of the U.S.; and (B) Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, African American, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, Native American, or Alaska Native.

• What is a PIA and why is DOE/IEDO pursuing this approach?  
  • Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs) are agreements between the Federal government and non-Federal partners (partnership intermediaries or PIs) designed to increase outreach to and engagement with small business firms, institutes of higher education, and non-traditional partners.
• Who is eligible to apply?
  • Refer to the eligibility section in the opportunity page.  We encourage you as well to review the expectations for ISEED collaborative members for details on routine meetings and reports.
• How does an applicant apply? What is required in the application?
  • Information about how to apply, application materials, and deadlines are available on the opportunity page.
• Can several entities apply together as a collaborative if they choose to do so?
  • Yes. DOE prefers pre-formed partnerships or teams of eligible applicants. A single lead entity should submit the application, describing the roles of partner entities. DOE will take into consideration the scope of work proposed by all proposed partners as part of the review process.
• What is the maximum number of entities that could be funded as part of the collaborative?
  • We currently expect approximately six or more entities to be funded by this opportunity with the final number of entities subject to funding availability and individual award amounts.
• Is it a requirement for the collaborative to include an academic institution?
  • There is no requirement for an academic institution to be included in the collaborative.
• Can the period of performance extend beyond one year?  
  • Applicants are free to propose projects over one year in duration, but the final Period of Performance will be determined during contract negotiations.
• What kind of support can the ISEED Collaborative Member expect from the Steering Committee?
  • ORNL, NREL, and NETL will serve as the ISEED Collaborative Steering Committee, assisting IEDO in convening, managing, and supporting selected collaborative members. Each Collaborative member will work closely with a liaison from the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will also offer resources to help members scale and implement their proposed programs. These resources include comprehensive technical expertise and training, workforce development guidance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Is there a list of the “documented critical gaps” for industrial decarbonization, or literature ISEED could direct to for developing a strong proposition?
  • While we do not have documents outlining critical gaps in industrial decarbonization, proposals will be viewed more favorably if they can substantiate the specific gap in manufacturing workforce development they aim to address with evidence such as data or documentation.

^[1] DOE Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap