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Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK)

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DE-FOA-0003630Federal

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The Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK) program, solicitation number DE-FOA-0003630, is a funding opportunity issued by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) within the Department of Energy. The program seeks disruptive technologies to achieve a step-change improvement in the extraction of energy and critical resources from low-permeability subsurface formations, including geothermal, mineral, oil, and natural gas systems. The primary objectives are to double per-well recovery efficiency while maintaining or reducing per-unit costs and the associated wastewater burden. Projects are structured in two 18-month phases: Phase I focuses on laboratory validation using site-specific samples, and Phase II involves field testing at realistic well-scale conditions, with advancement to the second phase at the sole discretion of ARPA-E. Funding is available through cooperative agreements, other transaction authority, and specific funding agreements for federal instrumentalities and labs. Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and submit all materials through the DOE eXCHANGE portal. The application process is staged, beginning with a concept paper and summary slide, followed by a full application for selected candidates. Evaluation is based on the impact of the proposed technology relative to program targets and overall scientific and technical merit. Strict confidentiality marking requirements are in place for proprietary information, and the solicitation includes a Buy America requirement for public infrastructure projects.

General Info

ARPA-E funding for disruptive technologies to improve subsurface resource extraction efficiency.

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Place of Performance

Not specified

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

1

NOFO DE-FOA-0003630 UNLOCK

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Organization & Contact Information

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AgencyDepartment Of Energy → Advanced Rsrch Proj Agency ARPA-E
ContactsNo contacts available
OfficeWashington, DC, 20585, USA
Office AddressWashington, DC, 20585, USA
ContactsNo contact information available

Full Description

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NOFO Number: DE-FOA-0003630 - Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK) To obtain a copy of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) please go to DOE eXCHANGE at https://exchange.energy.gov/. To apply to this NOFO, Applicants must register with and submit application materials through DOE eXCHANGE (https://exchange.energy.gov/Registration.aspx). For detailed guidance on using DOE eXCHANGE, please refer to the DOE eXCHANGE User Guide (https://exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx). ARPA-E will not review or consider application materials submitted through other means. For problems with DOE eXCHANGE, email ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov (with NOFO name and number in the subject line). Questions about this NOFO? Check the Frequently Asked Questions available at http://arpa-e.energy.gov/faq. For questions that have not already been answered, email ARPA-E-CO@hq.doe.gov. Agency Overview: The Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), an organization within the Department of Energy (DOE), is chartered by Congress in the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-69), as amended by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-358), as further amended by the Energy Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-260). ARPA-E issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under its authorizing statute codified at 42 U.S.C. § 16538. The NOFO and any cooperative agreements or grants made under this NOFO are subject to 2 C.F.R. Part 200 as supplemented by 2 C.F.R. Part 910. ARPA-E funds research on, and the development of, transformative science and technology solutions to address the energy and environmental missions of the Department. The agency focuses on technologies that can be meaningfully advanced with a modest investment over a defined period of time in order to catalyze the translation from scientific discovery to early-stage technology. For the latest news and information about ARPA-E, its programs and the research projects cu

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