Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV Program: Q&A Responses and FINAL SIR Release

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a solicitation for the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV Program, focusing on cooperative agreements to develop and demonstrate certifiable technologies that reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and noise in civil airplanes. This solicitation, identified as 693KA9-26-R-00006, invites industry participants to submit proposals by May 18, 2026, with all questions and requests for clarification on the Final Screening Information Request (SIR) due by April 13, 2026. The FAA Acquisition Office has actively engaged with prospective offerors by posting responses to inquiries related to both the Draft and Final SIR, ensuring transparency and clarifying expectations throughout the solicitation process. The underlying cooperative agreement template outlines the FAA’s and participant’s mutual responsibilities, including cost-sharing arrangements where FAA funds will cover up to 50% of project costs alongside a matching contribution by the participants. The program emphasizes compliance with environmental standards and certification requirements under FAA authority, promoting advancements in technologies that lower environmental impacts of aviation. Proposals will be evaluated according to specified criteria, with attention to technical merit, cost share, and the potential for significant benefits in lowering fuel use, emissions, and noise pollution. The solicitation is managed by the FAA AAQ 460 Contracting Office in Washington, DC, and supports the agency’s ongoing commitment to sustainable aviation development through collaborative research and technology demonstration efforts.