Voucher Capabilities (2024)

These are available capabilities for VO1-5,9-10 for the current open submission window from potential voucher recipients.

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Validation or Certification to Relevant DNV or Industry Standards

Voucher #

VO2-1

Organization:

DNV ENERGY USA, Inc.

Details

City

Katy

State

Zip

77449

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Performance Testing

Capability Description

Renewable/low carbon fuels and products are necessary to meet net zero emissions; however, such products will only deliver meaningful emission reductions if the methods of production themselves are as clean as possible. Additionally, many emerging technologies need to be verified themselves to ensure that other performance aspects outside of emissions reductions can be met (e.g., safety or performance criteria). DNV publishes guidelines and service specifications that contain procedural requirements for obtaining and retaining certificates and other conformity statements to the objects, personnel, organizations and/or operations in question. One example of a DNV standard for which a validation could be applied is DNV-SE-0654: Validation of attribute claims for low carbon and renewable hydrogen and ammonia: It covers CO2 assessment criterions keeping in mind all relevant global standards, especially as defined in ISO – 9000, 14044, 14064-3 and 14067. Aided by other technology qualifications, management and verification methods widely used by industry listed below. The following are the steps – Establish attribute claims to be validated and a validation basis; Examine the validation basis and conduct initial evaluation including sharing initial evaluation (mid-point milestone); Review further evidence; Clarify issues on non-compliance; Document and review tentative evaluation; Deliver final validation report.

Capability Core Competencies

DNV has both broad and deep expertise related to storage projects, clean hydrogen, and carbon management. For energy storage projects, competences include battery performance , battery life estimation and modeling, battery degradation assessment and warranty verification. For clean hydrogen and carbon management, competencies include accelerated degradation testing of materials, technology qualification, techno economic life cycle analysis and evaluation to industry and DNV standards.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

DNV has over 4,000 experts worldwide. DNV has developed over 170 industry standards, guidelines and recommended practices and performs approximately 30 joint industry projects per year. DNV has expertise within the area of materials and battery degradation including modeling of materials and system performance. DNV also has extensive expertise in the development and application of modeling techniques to optimize PtX projects like hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production.

Capability Community Benefits

DNV has expertise developing community benefits plans. As a project reference. National Renewable Solutions | Justice 40 Community Benefits Plan Advisor. Advised project manager and Chief Operating Officer on a DOE FOA-required community benefits plan for an 80-mile transmission project, covering communities identified as disadvantaged pursuant to Justice 40 eight priorities. Advisory process involved strategic discussions with project leadership and team, performing a Justice 40 equitability assessment, identifying and selecting relevant equity metrics, proposing various scenarios for workforce development, inclusive procurement, and community benefits agreements and drafting a comprehensive plan.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Input needed to perform a verification project is •Access to personnel for interviews and to site (if applicable) •Product or process specifications

Geographic Constraints

We are capable of supporting projects in the continental US with a strong in-person presence on the West Coast and East Coast.

Additional details on matching preferences

Additional DNV standards for which verification can be performed include: •DNV-SE-0656 Verification of power-to-X facilities •DNV-SE-0160: Technology qualification management and verification •DNV-RP-A203: Technology Qualification •DNV-SE-0473: Certification of sites and projects for geological storage of carbon dioxide •DNV-SE-0617: Qualification management for geological storage of CO2 •NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Conduct and share initial evaluation

Final Milestone Description

Validation Report

Carbon Dioxide Removal through Carbon Mineralization in Mafic Formations: An alternative method for CO2 sequestration utilizing subsurface reactive carbon mineralization.

Voucher #

VO5-8

Organization:

Idaho National Laboratory

Details

City

Idaho Falls

State

Zip

83404

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

MRV Assessment

Capability Description

The methodology for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) of carbon mineralization within mafic and ultramafic formations involves the injection of CO2-saturated brine. Confirming the amount of CO2 being sequestered through MRV is an essential component of any carbon sequestration methods for claiming and receiving or trading carbon credits. To determine the extent of CO2 securely stored through secondary mineral formation, we gather comprehensive data, including the volume of injected CO2-rich fluid, the chemical makeup of both the brine and the rock, and the geochemical alterations prompted by water-rock interactions. It is crucial that this data is sampled representatively to enable precise tracking and assessment of the rate and quantity of carbon mineralization. By leveraging Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) advanced field sampling techniques, experimental approaches, and analytical technologies, we can reliably measure the rate and volume of CO2 mineralization. These capabilities allow us to consider the abundant worldwide basalt formations as prime candidates for CO2 sequestration on an industrial scale. Furthermore, lab experiments conducted under INL guidance for model parameterization will show that reactive rock formations can serve as an environmentally safe option for CO2 sequestration. INL researchers can assemble key datasets to help project owners quickly assess project technoeconomic viability.

Capability Core Competencies

INL aligns with the Department of Energy's (DOE) commitment to connecting both the industry and the public to innovative, clean technologies. INL boasts a range of facilities and an extensive array of capabilities and technologies that support and evaluate performance across diverse applications and industries. INL researchers bring years of expertise in the sampling, lab testing, and computational simulation of subsurface fluid dynamics and geochemical reactions within mafic rock environments. By combining lab experiments, field sampling (analyzing the chemical and isotopic compositions of gases, water, and rocks) and measurements, and geophysical information, the proposed MRV methodology aims to promote the use of mafic rocks for the environmentally sound and permanent storage of CO2. The approach involves tracking the geochemical transformations and effects of CO2 injections into mafic formations and calculating and confirming the quantity of CO2 that is securely stored over time.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

INL stands at the forefront of carbon sequestration research with its array of specialized research facilities, including advanced high-pressure labs to study CO2 injection and storage, and geochemistry laboratories for thorough analysis of rock-fluid interactions. INL's team comprises highly qualified scientists and engineers with expertise in relevant disciplines such as geology, geochemistry, environmental science, and engineering, all holding advanced degrees and professional certifications. These experts are supported by high-performance computing resources for conducting detailed numerical simulations of subsurface CO2 storage scenarios. INL's state-of-the-art analytical equipment allows for the precise measurement of chemical compositions, which is critical for effective monitoring of CO2 storage sites and understanding carbon mineralization processes. INL adheres to quality assurance protocols and a has extensive understanding of environmental regulations that help ensure research integrity and regulatory compliance. Additionally, INL prioritizes public engagement, offering educational resources and addressing stakeholder concerns about carbon sequestration implementation.

Capability Community Benefits

INL’s MRV capability for carbon mineralization significantly benefits the community by advancing environmental protection through the secure storage of CO2, helping mitigate climate change and leading to a cleaner, healthier environment. This capability fosters economic opportunities by creating jobs and attracting clean technology investments. It enhances educational prospects by offering research and learning experiences in sustainable practices. INL's MRV work positions the community as a leader in carbon sequestration technology, potentially serving as a benchmark for global initiatives. The data provided by MRV activities supports informed policy-making and regulatory frameworks, ensuring the safe and effective deployment of carbon sequestration projects. Moreover, INL's transparency in MRV processes builds public trust and engagement in the technology. By demonstrating the practicality of using local geological formations for CO2 storage, INL also promotes sustainable resource management, contributing to the community's long-term environmental and economic well-being.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Required inputs will vary based on project needs. These will be determined after the selection process is complete.

Geographic Constraints

Service is available anywhere.

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Milestone details will vary by project needs. It will likely include a report, memo, or presentation highlighting completed work.

Final Milestone Description

INL will produce a final report with all required data and will deliver the report to the recipient.

Realtime Above/Underground Gas Monitoring Reporting and Verification, Including Cloud Connectivity for Remote Sites

Voucher #

VO5-12

Organization:

Global Technology Connection, Inc.

Details

City

Atlanta

State

Zip

30339

Activity Location State

Atlanta

Activity Location State

30339

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

MRV Assessment

Capability Description

GTC develops gas-sensing solutions for continuous monitoring of underground carbon storage sites. We work with the customer to meet their monitoring needs concerning the type and sensitivity of the gas sensors. Our solutions are designed for on-grid and off-grid with sensors deployed above and underground. •Continuous gas sensing: Methane, CO, CO2, O2, VOC (additional sensing such as temperature, moisture, humidity, and light)•Enclosure design for above or below measurements•Cloud connectivity through a cellular gateway•Data management and web dashboard for remote monitoring and report generation•Solar photovoltaic power for off-grid needs•Intended monitoring: oSequestered gas leak oBio decomposition (methane and CO2 generation) oExothermic thermal reaction oAmbient temperature and moisture/humidityWe work with the customer to understand their specific needs of sensing, coverage, sensor placement, and environmental requirements. Our support is estimated and budgeted for 90 days (18 weeks) with the option for additional capabilities deployment as required.

Capability Core Competencies

GTC Analytics dba (Global Technology Connection, Inc.) specializes in working in the intersection of engineering, modeling and simulation, and data science. From prognostics and health management to expertise in modeling physical systems, GTC Analytics is the prominent choice to rapidly develop and customize state-of-the-art software solutions that require physics modeling, model-based systems engineering, automation, and artificial intelligence/machine learning.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

GTC Analytics has four employees with PhDs (engineering) and one professional engineer (MS) overseeing the development of each sub-system. Each engineer has significant experience in AI/ML algorithm code writing and development and product development in related fields. GTC Analytics holds the following certifications: •DD 2345/Certified by U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office•Certified Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)•National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. (NMSDC)•US Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce (USPAAC)•NASA Glenn Garrett Morgan Commercialization Initiative (NASA GMCI)•Licensed Professional Engineers (PE) with memberships in the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) Society and the Society of Mechanical Engineers

Capability Community Benefits

GTC Analytics, a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), maintains a team of engineers that reflects a diverse range of racial and cultural backgrounds. Our role in monitoring Woody Biomass Burial (WBB) sites is grounded in the pragmatic objective of safeguarding the communities that host these sites. This monitoring involves the continuous observation of sensor data, specifically focusing on detecting methane leakages and tracking decomposition. This data is presented through an online dashboard, providing a transparent and effective means of ensuring community safety and health.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

GTC will work with customers to document system requirements

Geographic Constraints

None

Additional details on matching preferences

None. GTC both fabricates custom equipment and uses commerical off the shelf (COTS) equipment.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

System build and testing

Final Milestone Description

System deployment

Independent assessment of Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) technologies and practices

Voucher #

VO5-16

Organization:

ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Details

City

Knoxville

State

Zip

37932

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

MRV Assessment

Capability Description

In its quest to facilitate and accelerate CCS deployment, EPRI is a leader in CO2 storage field demonstrations that include the design, fabrication, installation, and operation of surface and subsurface monitoring equipment, sensors, and technologies used for MRV. EPRI-led field demonstration projects illustrating the use of conventional and innovative monitoring technologies for CO2 storage funded by DOE and EPRI include: The WESTCARB Arizona Utilities Pilot Test; SECARB Mississippi Pilot Test at Plant Daniel; SECARB Anthropogenic Test at Citronelle Alabama; and the Distributed Acoustic and Temperature Sensing Project Using Fiber Optics. During the SECARB Anthropogenic Test, EPRI deployed fiber optics in a deep well to a depth of 10,400 ft which was subsequently used to image the CO2 plume using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). DAS was used in two survey configurations including vertical seismic profiling and cross-well. DAS survey results were validated against repeat surveys using the same configuration but instead using conventional downhole geophones. Distributed temperature sensing was deployed in the same well and used to diagnose a leaking downhole isolation packer. Milestones for these projects involved the preparation of monitoring plans, data analyses, reports, and presentations. EPRI participated in the development of DOE best practices for CO2 storage monitoring.

Capability Core Competencies

Core competencies include strategic planning, design, and deployment of monitoring networks used for CO2 storage. EPRI understands the state and federal regulations and guidelines governing Class VI injection wells for CO2-sequestration and the CO2 MRV requirements specified under Part RR and UU of the Clean Air Act. EPRI has worked directly with permitting agencies on CO2 storage projects. EPRI can provide guidance on monitoring technologies needed to satisfy permit requirements and help project developers navigate through the complex and often muddy regulatory waters that involve monitoring systems. EPRI can assist developers in the selection of monitoring technologies and offer help in developing technical specifications that can be used to purchase equipment and/or third-party monitoring, testing, data acquisition and analytical services. Working with the voucher recipient, EPRI can assist in the development of monitoring, data management, and quality assurance/quality control plans.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

No universal certification nor credential system exists for individuals involved in assessing MRV technologies and practices. Project experience developing monitoring systems and knowledge regarding the performance of technologies and their applications and limitations is key. Specific EPRI project experiences highlighting EPRI’s capabilities were provided in a prior paragraph. EPRI staff have up to 20 years of project experience and knowledge per individual associated with managing CO2 storage projects. Staff have led and participated in numerous projects involving the assessment, design, and deployment of conventional and emerging CO2 storage monitoring technologies. Human capital is EPRI’s strength that can be brought to bear when selecting, designing, and deploying CO2 monitoring technologies and networks for voucher recipients.

Capability Community Benefits

The proliferation of carbon capture and adjacent technologies directly benefits all communities through reduced pollution, improved resilience, lower energy cost and reduced dependence on foreign resources. More locally, lessons learned are communicated to communities where these technologies may ultimately be sited, which can improve community acceptance and provide jobs for the local economy. EPRI is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a public benefit mission. We have a community benefits team that supports projects through tools such as mapping, evaluation, and air quality modeling. EPRI has an existing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy that supports initiatives and hiring across the institute.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Storage site details (e.g., location, property boundaries, geology, geography, adjacent land uses…), risk factors or leakage pathways that would benefit from focused monitoring, and voucher Recipient’s project schedule.

Geographic Constraints

NONE

Additional details on matching preferences

none

Estimated capability duration in weeks

104

Mid-point Milestone Description

A midpoint report documenting the status of the project will be provided or other milestone negotiated with voucher recipient.

Final Milestone Description

Submission of final report

Independent Assessment of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Technologies and Practices for In-Situ and Ex-Situ Mineralization

Voucher #

VO5-15

Organization:

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Details

City

Richland

State

Zip

99354

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

MRV Assessment

Capability Description

Development of robust, transparent, and precise monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) technologies and practices is critical for carbon storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) project developers to comply with regulatory and permitting (e.g., EPA UIC Class VI) requirements, voluntary carbon market protocols, and to obtain valuable incentives like the 45Q tax credit. For early-stage technologies like in-situ or ex-situ carbon mineralization in reactive rocks (e.g., mafic/ultramafic rocks), building trust and accountability around MRV technologies and protocols through third-party validation is paramount to obtaining community support, voluntary and mandatory compliance, and ultimately a social license to operate. This voucher project will reduce adoption risks for developing MRV technologies and protocols for mineralization by validating recipient’s MRV using modeling (e.g., independent assessment of reactive transport modeling protocols) and/or lab- or field-based testing. Testing will validate the proposed technologies/protocols under relevant operating conditions to provide recipients with an output assessment consisting of 1) assessment of MRV suitability for proposed technology and gap analysis, 2) determination of accuracy/precision of measurements, and 3) Final risk analysis and MRV assessment report.

Capability Core Competencies

PNNL’s expertise in CCS dates back to the 1990s and includes work across all scales, from molecular dynamics to pilot demonstration and development of tools to support permitting of commercial-scale CCS projects. In 2013, PNNL researchers began the first field demonstration of supercritical CO2 injection into basalts at the Wallula Basalt Project which confirmed the safe and rapid mineralization of CO2 into carbonates. Since then, PNNL scientists have leveraged this expertise to develop new R&D projects for in-situ and ex-situ mineral storage - including many R&D activities focused on scaling-up the analytical and measurement technologies and MRV protocols for commercial-scale mineralization (e.g., SMART/NRAP). PNNL is also leading a DOE Lab Call project to develop an adaptive MRV framework for mineralization-based CDR technologies that makes this team exceptionally well-qualified to assess mineralization-based MRV technologies/protocols.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

PNNL advances the frontiers of knowledge, taking on some of the world’s greatest science and technology challenges. Distinctive strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology, and data science are central to our scientific discovery mission. Our research lays a foundation for innovations that advance sustainable energy through decarbonization and energy storage and enhance national security through nuclear materials and threat analyses. PNNL collaborates with academia in fundamental research and with industry to transition technologies to market. PNNL has served a leadership role in field-scale projects designed to validate the safety and efficacy of carbon storage. Today, PNNL researchers are working to improve the tools available for characterizing, managing, and monitoring CCS projects in the future. For example, PNNL is working to develop seismic contrast agents that could support characterization and active monitoring of in-situ mineralization projects. https://www.pnnl.gov/doe-capabilitieshttps://www.pnnl.gov/projects/carbon-storage/acoustic-contrast-agenthttps://www.pnnl.gov/projects/carbon-storage/wallula-basalt-project

Capability Community Benefits

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an asset for the nation, our region, and local communities. Headquartered in Richland, Washington, with growing locations in Sequim, Seattle, and Portland, we are one of the largest employers in Eastern Washington, the second-largest research institution in the state, and a major contributor to the regional economy. PNNL has extensive experience developing community benefits plans for BIL- and FECM-funded projects. Collaborations—with utilities, industry, universities, ports, cities, Tribes, states, and more—are key to moving discoveries from the lab to impacts on the ground. We are eager to partner with communities - and particularly disadvantaged communities (DACs) defined by the Justice40 Initiative - to demonstrate new technologies or methods locally that can then be scaled nationally. For this voucher, PNNL will provide recipients with a clear and thorough assessment of best practices for MRV to instill trust with impacted communities and stakeholders.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

System design data, equipment, and parameters critical to MRV (e.g., types of sensors, manufacturer specifications, quantification limits, intended use, etc.) will be required to complete this voucher. If available, novel technologies, equipment, or techniques should be shared with PNNL if lab- or field-validation is desired. Appropriate data protection practices will be put in place as needed once matching has occurred.

Geographic Constraints

Able to provide desktop MRV assessment service in any US state or territory, however lab- or field-validation must occur at PNNL’s campus in Richland, WA.

Additional details on matching preferences

Under this voucher opportunity, PNNL aims to support MRV technologies relevant to in-situ and ex-situ mineralization only. PNNL lab facilities that may be leveraged include extensive analytical and experimental capabilities in the Life Sciences Building (LSL2) Carbon Capture and Sequestration Laboratory as well as PNNL-hosted DOE User Facilities such as the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL). Lab capabilities include unique in-situ experimental laboratory techniques capable of simulating and probing extreme conditions (e.g., high pressure and temperature). Modeling work may utilize PNNL’s STOMP-CO2 subsurface simulator – a mature DOE-sponsored numerical simulator – or other open-source reactive transport simulators as needed.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Preliminary MRV gap analysis and suitability assessment and plan for lab- or field-testing.

Final Milestone Description

Final MRV report highlighting key risks, gaps, and suitability of recipients MRV technology/protocol.

Pre-Development Planning for Biomanufacturing Infrastructure Projects

Voucher #

VO9-5

Organization:

Synonym Inc.

Details

City

New York

State

Zip

10014

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Synonym offers a pre-development planning package for biomanufacturing infrastructure projects, which includes FEL-1 conceptual engineering, a techno-economic assessment (TEA), financial models, an evaluation of suitable sites, a bankability review, and a preliminary environmental assessment. The culmination of this work is a project development roadmap: a detailed plan outlining remaining steps (if any) to validate techno-economic readiness and reach a bankable, shovel-ready project for commercial-scale production. Throughout the pre-development planning process, our team will work closely with the voucher recipient’s team to understand their technology, process needs, and commercial traction. Utilizing this information, we will develop a TEA and preliminary environmental impact estimate. Results from the TEA will establish minimum product pricing, offtake volumes, and technical requirements that must be demonstrated in order for the project to attract financing. Potential sites will be identified and a conceptual engineering study will be conducted to refine the TEA model and allow for more specific recommendations. Synonym uses its deep project development expertise to help drive numerous, simultaneous development workstreams forward, bringing our clients closer to groundbreaking and advancing their understanding of unmet requirements to solve and areas to focus business or technical resources to enable success in facility financing and operations.

Capability Core Competencies

Synonym is a biomanufacturing infrastructure developer and asset manager. Synonym handles the full lifecycle of project delivery for new biomanufacturing infrastructure projects, from planning and design, to financing, construction oversight, and ongoing maintenance. Robust pre-development planning is the first step in ensuring successful project execution. Synonym has executed pre-development planning projects for dozens of microbial fermentation companies, ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations. Synonym’s engineering team has led the process design for 15 biomanufacturing facilities ranging from $10M to $800M in size, and its operations team has supported commissioning, tech transfer, start-up, and operations work at six biomanufacturing facilities, ranging from pilot to commercial scale. Synonym’s capital markets team has reviewed more than 1,000 first-of-a-kind technology infrastructure projects, supporting them in raising more than $13B in total capital. Synonym’s development team, responsible for permitting, site selection, incentives, etc., has more than 10 years of experience in project delivery.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Engineering, site evaluation, and environmental assessment activities for pre-development planning projects is led by Synonym’s Vice President of Engineering, Crystal Bleecher - a licensed Professional Engineer with 20+ years of experience designing bioproduction facilities - with support from a team of process engineers, project engineers and project managers. Financial modeling and bankability analysis activities are led by Brentan Alexander Ph.D., Synonym’s Chief Investment Officer, who has been involved in the commercialization of novel climate-positive technologies through the financing of projects that have collectively raised over $3b in total project capital.

Capability Community Benefits

Synonym is committed to supporting sustainable community economic development through the deployment of industrial decarbonization infrastructure projects. Synonym’s pre-development planning packages include labor models for facility operations, which can be used to assess the impact of above-average wages and benefits on the project’s business case. Synonym’s labor model is inherently designed with career development pathways in mind to ensure high job satisfaction. Should projects progress beyond the pre-development planning phase, Synonym is able to support companies in developing staffing plans, skills frameworks, training programs, and workforce health and safety plans that ensure the creation of high quality employment opportunities, as well as recruitment frameworks and hiring policies that prioritize hiring from underserved and disadvantaged communities and incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility objectives. Synonym’s pre-development analysis also includes preliminary product carbon footprint and water use estimates to quantify the project’s decrease in environmental burdens, in compliance with Justice40 objectives.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Prior to commencement of work under a voucher agreement, voucher recipients will be required to complete an intake questionnaire to inform pre-development efforts. The questionnaire will request information about commercial strategy and traction, timelines, technical performance, production process conditions and process equipment requirements. In the case of a pre-development analysis at a known location, site-specific information will be required, including a sized equipment list for any equipment already on-site, a utility summary and a plot plan.

Geographic Constraints

Synonym can work with companies in any jurisdiction in the United States.

Additional details on matching preferences

Synonym's core expertise lies in biotechnology and bioprocessing, including microbial fermentation, catalytic processes using bio-derived catalysts, cell cultivation, and chemical processes using bio-based feedstock. Technologies outside of this area are not a strong fit for Synonym's expertise.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Finalization of project CapEx estimate and TEA

Final Milestone Description

Finalization of FEL-1 engineering package, site evaluation criteria and preliminary site assessments, and bankability requirements.

Value Proposition Assessment

Voucher #

VO4-9

Organization:

RTI International

Details

City

Research Triangle Park

State

Zip

27709

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Surveys of failed startups point to lack of rigor in gathering obtainable information to thoroughly test the value proposition. RTI’s Value Proposition Assessment service is designed to address this issue: Align: RTI IA will conduct a kick-off meeting to discuss, in depth, to discuss the startup’s value proposition, understand its depth, and identify a market for value proposition testing. Test Value Proposition: This initial value proposition is treated as a hypothesis that RTI will test via secondary research and by interviewing 4-5 potential customers. Provide Valuable Insights: RTI IA will deliver our findings via a presentation in a virtual meeting that is supplemented by an additional copy of the report for the startup to own.

Capability Core Competencies

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. RTI Innovation Advisors (RTI-IA), a business unit of RTI International, helps corporations, foundations, and federal agencies solve their most complex innovation challenges by providing technology and market insights, innovation commercialization services, and innovation strategy. We leverage our staff of science PhDs and engineers to bring uniquely broad and deep expertise in technology development and commercialization to provide clients with customized, directly actionable results. RTI IA supports work across sustainable fuels (biofuels, hydrogen, ammonia), carbon capture and sequestration, solar, batteries, and low-embodied-carbon materials.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

RTI IA has a long history of supporting emerging technologies, startups, and small businesses through our work for the NASA Technology Transfer Program, through NIH TABA assistance and by developing technology-driven market intelligence and technology scouting services for NIST MEP. In clean energy, RTI is a DOE Voucher Service Provider and NREL Power Connector. RTI’s Technology Advancement & Commercialization (RTI-TAC) group develops and scales low-carbon fuels, carbon capture, and advanced material technologies (from TRL 3 – TRL 7) for the DOE, key players in the energy industry, and startups like SYZYGY Plasmonics. RTI-IA conducts Tech-to-Market activities for RTI-TAC in support of ARPA-E projects in green ammonia, carbon capture, and thermochemical energy storage, for example. Together, RTI-IA and RTI-TAC provide comprehensive adoption readiness acceleration services for climate tech startups and early-stage technologies.

Capability Community Benefits

RTI’s mission to improve the human condition by turning knowledge into practice is embedded in our work. Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) are core institutional values at RTI. We work with equity-focused stakeholders around the country, including environmental justice organizations, rural community groups, minority-serving institutions, and community colleges. Additionally, RTI (RTI TRUE) has experts in Climate justice, and develops and employs methodologies to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion. We leverage our expertise in developing innovation ecosystems (e.g., running the community of practice for the US EDA Build Back Better ecosystem) and in our technology development and deployment projects to consider how new technologies might support the development of a clean and equitable energy economy, regional economic development, jobs creation, and long-term equity implications of new technology development. We bring a thoughtful lens to equity by looking for unintended consequences and the potential environmental justice concerns.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

RTI IA will require the following from our clients: (1) a formal value proposition statement, or any documents, e.g., pitch decks, web site content, etc. describing the value proposition, (2) Existing market feedback on the value proposition, (3) participation in a value proposition review session with RTI to review background information and answer questions to enable the RTI team to fully understand the value proposition and the target customer, (4) participation in a final presentation of research insights and recommendations, and (5) availability of at least one point of contact to answer ad-hoc questions during the research process.

Geographic Constraints

We are capable of supporting projects across the US as we regularly work remotely with clients.

Additional details on matching preferences

This service is designed to help early-stage climate tech startups that have not conducted customer discovery in markets that appear attractive.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion of Initial Value Proposition

Final Milestone Description

The final milestone is a summary PowerPoint report containing key insights and recommendations, to be presented via webmeeting.

Startup Company Execution and Commercialization Strategy

Voucher #

VO4-4

Organization:

Ridgeline Strategy

Details

City

Topsfield

State

Zip

01983

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Cleantech and tough-tech companies do not follow the classic Silicon Valley VC-backed software company path of two-years-idea-to-exit or bust. Building real, physical things takes time, and the strategy to survive a five-to-eight-year commercialization time horizon requires deliberate attention to factors that quick-exit software companies can avoid. To be successful, a company’s strategy must consider and align a myriad of factors including technical risk reduction, timing of fundraising and corporate milestones, product roadmap, staff retention, policy and regulatory uncertainty, and required contractual and project finance risk mitigation measures. Ridgeline Strategy’s commercialization and execution assistance provides this support. This project will assess the Voucher Recipient’s technology scaling, commercialization, and corporate growth plans and provide recommendations for an updated execution plan. In phase 1, Ridgeline Strategy will work closely with company leaders and team to identify and document all stakeholder needs and to assess underlying execution risks, including technology-scaling, novelty, team bandwidth and growth, cost, safety, and product-market fit. In phase 2, Ridgeline Strategy will provide recommendations for an updated execution plan, including actionable company goals tied to fundraising plans, technology and commercial risk-reduction measures to be taken, and recommendations for building a collaborative, high-functioning team collectively focused on achieving those goals.

Capability Core Competencies

Ridgeline Strategy (a trade name of BRBOLLINGER LLC) was formed in May 2023 to provide strategic consulting to venture-backed startups in the tough-tech and clean-tech sectors. Ridgeline Strategy’s expertise is seamlessly integrating and unifying strategic planning across corporate, fundraising, staffing, and technology scaling/ demonstration goals and supporting this with underlying technical expertise. Ridgeline Strategy’s technical expertise—spanning, among other things, systems engineering, product development processes, technical design reviews, hazard analyses, use-case-driven requirements definition, modeling and simulation, technoeconomic assessments, and technical feasibility assessments—enables us to home in on the underlying technical risks and execution paths that impact successful technology scaling and demonstration. Of particular importance for cleantech and tough-tech companies is the alignment of technology development plans with the needs and timelines of all other stakeholders.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Ridgeline Strategy’s founder and principal, Ben Bollinger, holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College and has spent the past 16 years leading engineering at three separate venture-funded startup companies, including one as co-founder and employee #1. He has played pivotal roles in landing over $115M in VC investment, 10 government grants, and 70 awarded patents, dramatically growing employee count and steering startups to the next funding stage and commercialization. He’s guided multiple technologies from bench-top to commercial scale and built teams with a mentality of "We’re all in this together." Founded in 2023, Ridgeline Strategy is focused on helping new technologies thrive by aligning all facets of corporate strategy and stakeholder interest. His technology clients include companies in the metals and ceramics, carbon capture, industrial decarbonization, and grid-scale energy storage spaces for engagements spanning technical advisor to independent design reviewer to manufacturing scaleup strategy development.

Capability Community Benefits

Ridgeline Strategy is a firm believer in leveraging the power of experiential diversity to create robust courses of action and in engaging people of all perspectives to ensure collective buy-in and success. Teams, communities, and companies are stronger when all individuals are able to realize their own paths to success as part of achieving common goals. In advising companies, Ridgeline Strategy works to ensure that communities are engaged so that all are heard, included and advanced, and are able to share in the economic outcomes—and then helps companies understand how these principles benefit their long-term success.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Voucher recipients will need to provide Ridgeline Strategy with the following information in whatever extent that it exists: •Company product roadmap and commercialization goals •Company milestones (current and future) presented to equity investors •KPIs •Technology development and demonstration status •Risk assessments (insomuch as they exist) •Fundraising diligence package (insomuch as it exists) •Organizational chart •Access to key employees for one-on-one conversations on goals and risks •A Point of Contact (POC) from senior leadership to work with on a regular basis

Geographic Constraints

Ridgeline Strategy will perform this voucher service at its office site in the Greater Boston Area and interface with the Voucher Recipient remotely. For Voucher Recipients in the Greater Boston Area, Ridgeline Strategy will meet with recipients at their site for portions of the project.

Additional details on matching preferences

This capability is best suited for SEED through Series B stage companies developing physical solutions to challenging environmental problems.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Interim report identifying and documenting all stakeholder needs and assessing underlying execution risks.

Final Milestone Description

Final report providing recommendations for an updated execution plan.

Clean Energy Justice40/DEIA, Commercialization, Siting/Permitting, Community Engagement, Decarbonization, & Demonstration Planning Support

Voucher #

VO4-8

Organization:

eFormative Options, LLC

Details

City

Lacey

State

Zip

98516

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

eFormative is offering voucher applicants “Phase 0” style support to increase clean energy adoption and decarbonization, focusing on Justice40/DEIA, value propositions, market acceptance, siting/permitting best practices, and community engagement. We formulate market assessments, business plans, funding and commercialization strategies, and streamlined siting/permitting. Distilling information into easily digestible and highly impactful reports and consulting guidance, our work includes stakeholder buy-in to maximize effectiveness. Launched in 2005, eFormative offers economic and technical consulting services to aid in forming and advancing sustainable energy endeavors. We provide project management, pro forma analysis, guidance, research, and facilitation skills for strategic planning, work plan and budget design, due diligence review, and other tasks to initiate and advance programs and endeavors. Our key personnel provide solid technical expertise, economic analysis, and marketing insights with extensive experience in clean energy. We provide feasibility assessments, technology review, conducting and analyzing market research, estimating CapEx/OpEx and revenues, evaluating economic development impacts, preparing siting and zoning guidelines, designing and overseeing community consultation and outreach campaigns, and building consensus among utilities, investors, indigenous leaders, and other stakeholders. Our end-of-project report will summarize requested tailored guidance related to best practices, DEIA/EJ, and funding opportunities, along with next steps for implementation.

Capability Core Competencies

eFormative Options has assisted numerous small and startup businesses, states, local governments, Tribes, and non-profits with market assessment, business plan formulation, funding road-mapping and proposal development (for both public and private sources), and commercialization strategy, as well as facilitating clean energy demonstration project siting and permitting. eFormative is well suited as a voucher provider to advance demonstration and commercialization of innovative wind energy and other clean energy technologies and streamline siting and permitting processes for innovative clean energy technologies, focused on decarbonization and energy justice. Voucher funding will allow eFormative to build bridges to advance commercialization of innovative energy technologies through our expert assistance helping stakeholders understand new clean energy technology benefits and challenges, develop commercialization and funding strategies, evaluate siting and permitting best practices from similar jurisdictions, develop streamlined processes, and support community engagement on related issues.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

eFormative has a demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality, cost-effective clean energy economic and market analysis as well as development services that bridge the gap between technical knowledge, energy market realities, and policy landscapes. We have a well-respected reputation for successfully meeting technical project objectives and compiling robust documentation on tight timeframes. Our services offered include leveraging strong relationships and connections established over 20+ years of clean energy advocacy efforts, identifying strong prospects and implementing strategies to pursue funding, preparing compelling content, and ensuring deliverables are competitive and timely. With an M.S. in Environmental Science, a solid reputation in the climate and clean energy sector, and a growing support team, eFormative’s principal consultant Heather Rhoads provides strong skills in social responsibility, funding management, community benefits of renewables, and distributed resources.

Capability Community Benefits

eFormative is committed to building a clean and equitable energy economy supporting Justice40 priorities and EJ-centered activities including meaningful community engagement in siting and permitting, investing in America’s workforce, and advancing DEIA. Through ENWX Voucher funding, eFormative will contribute to energy equity and work to decrease energy burdens, strive to provide economic opportunities for disproportionately affected and disadvantaged communities, and work to ensure clean energy and technologies are affordable for all. We will support America’s workforce through DEIA initiatives supporting apprenticeships and inclusive environments, leveraging differences and talents, advancing recruitment, and developing and retaining a diverse and talented workforce.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

eFormative's work requires the following from clients: 1) Company/community priorities and resources 2) Key stakeholder contacts including underserved community representatives 3) Information on timelines and business development forecasts 4) At least 1 authorized POC for collaborating on a regular cadence

Geographic Constraints

Any US state or territory (primarily via virtual support; team is mostly based in WA state)

Additional details on matching preferences

Specific expertise in distributed & community wind, EVs & EVSE, recycling, solar, EE, working with Tribes

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Initial analysis and recommendations: Current EJ & funding opportunities addressing key challenges and review of markets/resources, plus workforce/DEIA benefits

Final Milestone Description

Report summarizing requested tailored guidance related to best practices, DEIA/EJ, and funding opportunities, along with next steps for implementation.

Commercialization Plan Execution

Voucher #

VO4-7

Organization:

Bennovative LLC

Details

City

Hoover

State

Zip

35244

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Bennovative LLC empowers technology companies to achieve their commercial goals through innovative and non-traditional strategy development. This is done through deep collaboration with the client by first deeply understanding their problems as well as their capabilities. We then develop realistic executable paths to market that maximize client strengths and increase their chances of success. By the end of the engagement, we have developed real assets that can be deployed to achieve commercial milestones.

Capability Core Competencies

Our team has skills and experiences that represent an extremely dynamic cross section capable of creating value for our clients. As such we have a wide range of services we can offer to clients of all sizes and disciplines. Our competencies include: -Intellectual Property & Licensing Strategy – prior art assessments, patent application preparation, licensing term development, licensing option assessments-Financial & Accounting controls – financial statement development, Pro-forma budgets, due diligence preparation, internal control guidance, cost & revenue projections-Business development & strategy creation – sales pipeline development, marketing infrastructure, pitch deck creation, website development, industry networking, business modeling, branding-Product Development & prototyping – product road mapping, go to market strategy, launch strategy, MVP development

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

The Bennovative LLC team has been working in the technology commercialization space in some capacity for over a decade. This includes activity as technology transfer professionals, financial & accounting professionals, consultants, and even startup founders. Our team has won business plan competitions, developed software and hardware products, prepared & processed all forms of intellectual property, and negotiated license deals with fortune 500 companies. For the past 5 years, our principal’s main focus has been on working with SBIR funded companies by leveraging the CAP/TABA commercialization funds. Through all of this experience, we have amassed a vast network of specialized personnel that can be tapped into to help with commercial efforts including: IP attorneys, production engineers, product designers, and venture capital investors.

Capability Community Benefits

Our firm takes a proactive approach to generating community benefits through technology commercialization. Primarily, this means we look to create direct relationships with communities that would experience a positive impact from the implementation of our client technologies. This has been helpful in securing pilot sites for clients. Further, we aim to assist both the client and the community in funding these partnerships by pursuing community development grants, especially through the Justice40 initiative.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Primary point of contact, initial needs or areas of focus for assistance

Geographic Constraints

We can provide service to any US state or territory.

Additional details on matching preferences

No other critical details at this time.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

This includes a detailed strategy proposal that will help best meet the company's commercial goals.

Final Milestone Description

This includes a report of the work completed, the assets that have been generated, and the outcomes of any actions.

Commercialization

Voucher #

VO4-38

Organization:

TechOpp Inc

Details

City

Blacksburg

State

Zip

24060

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Tech Opp's commercialization support for small businesses emphasizes (1) market research to find relevant Use Case(s) for the technology, (2) interviewing the End User(s), (3) determining the Key Performance Parameters (KPP) from the End User(s), (4) determining the State-of-the-Art for these KPP’s, (5) finding specific empirical KPP goal values that align with the small business’ functional technology prototype’s capability and (6) (validating the small business’ Freedom to Operate in this space via patent searches. Our goal is to provide business development support that augments the business’s technical team to create and execute a feasible transition path for the technology into the Energy Sector. TechOpp will accelerate market penetration by providing hands-on commercialization execution support towards demonstration opportunities. From there, we work with the small business to define the business plan for the technology based on the identified End User(s). Our research and consultation include monetization planning, licensing, sales, hosting, and customer support models.

Capability Core Competencies

TechOpp Consulting, Inc. (TechOpp) has provided commercialization strategy and tactical commercialization execution support to over 300 small businesses since 2009. We have provided market research, business plans, and fundraising road-mapping from public and private sources towards connecting the small business’s technology with an End User and a Funding Decision Maker.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

TechOpp is a veteran-owned small business (registration pending) with 15 full-time employees including the President, Operations Director, Chief Operating Officer/Business Development Director, Project Managers and Research personnel. Our Project Managers have advanced degrees in engineering and/or business and include a certified Project Management Professional, PhD in Rhetoric and Composition, and graduate certificates in Professional and Technical Communication, Digital Humanities and Women’s and Gender Studies. Our Research personnel are college graduates in relevant disciplines. We operate within a Hub Zone.

Capability Community Benefits

TechOpp has provided technology commercialization support to 15 companies in our community, enabling these awardees to meaningfully support OCEB CBP requirements of justice, equity, security, and resilience through their projects and stimulating their growth, hiring, and contributing to the Gross National Product. The makeup of our client base in the commonwealth of Virginia includes Alpine Method Technologies, LLC, BEM Controls, LLC, D3 Autonomy, LLC, IvySys Technologies, LLC, Magothy River Technologies, LLC, Montuno Health, Inc., Polaris Semiconductor, LLC, Allocortech, LLC, Applied Ocean Sciences, Athela, LLC, Corvus Labs, LLC, NanTrak Industries, NovaTech, and Sync Layer, Inc.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Description of technology and applicability to the primary use case in the primary market. Benefits expected to the End User. Specific operational key performance parameters associated with the Use Case. Anticipated technology maturity such as technology readiness level or manufacturing readiness level. Intellectual property definition and protection strategy. Regulatory environment requirements and plan to meet them. Existing market penetration/relationships. Anticipated price point and business model: sales, licensing, contract manufacturing with customer support, sale of business..

Geographic Constraints

Services currently provided in 48 states across the United States. No geographic constraints.

Additional details on matching preferences

Energy related projects such as buildings and energy, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, advanced materials, geothermal, neutron generation and monitoring.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion of (1) kickoff and strategy meeting (2) Opportunity Survey (including Business Model Canvas) (3) Contacts Research and Marketing Collateral

Final Milestone Description

(1) Outreach and Opportunity Report and (2) Final Report and Next Steps

Finding the best target market for your technology while maximizing your iCorps/PhaseShift experience

Voucher #

VO4-37

Organization:

Sapienne Consulting LLC

Details

City

Lafayette

State

Zip

80026

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Committing to a beachhead market is frequently a struggle for startup companies. This work systematically evaluates three candidate beachhead markets in an ‘apples to apples’ comparison based on six feasibility criteria proven to be determinants of startup success. These evaluations are then used to identify a beachhead market, and also backup or follow-on markets. The client emerges with their first market opportunities clarified and prioritized, and a framework to evaluate future opportunities of interest. Evaluations are conducted using lean startup principles to produce a “quickview” assessment of the market opportunities. Assumptions are validated using a strategic combination of customer discovery interviews and secondary research; all research is documented. The resultant feasibility scores for each of the three beachhead candidates are compared against each other in a summary market attractiveness map. A recommendation for a beachhead market is provided with rationale. A consultation with the client integrates company strategies and priorities to identify the beachhead, and backup and/or follow-on markets are also selected. Clients who later invest in the iCorps/PhaseShift program gain a competitive edge. They enter with a pre-vetted target market, amplifying the depth and breadth of customer discovery efforts, yielding maximum efficiency, and learning during the program.

Capability Core Competencies

Sapienne Consulting is the ideal provider of deep tech commercialization services, offering an unmatched combination of deep tech technical expertise and business and product strategy. Our core competencies include: Business strategy, business development, go-to-market, technology commercialization, product development, customer discovery, value proposition, market research, competitive landscape assessment.SBIR technical and commercialization plan preparation, and Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) servicesSpecializing in beachhead market selection and market opportunity roadmapping. Lean Startup and Where To Play entrepreneurial frameworks. Sapienne Consulting provides frameworks for clients to ‘decide how to decide’, to move with confidence and clarity beyond analysis paralysis and into an action plan. Technology areas of expertise include optics and photonics, advanced materials and manufacturing, quantum technologies, and aerospace.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Sapienne Consulting believes that great technology deserves to make a great impact in the marketplace and society. Our CEO has been architecting technology commercialization success in deep tech since 2002. She earned a PhD and postdoc in quantum physics and an MBA, has an extensive background in product development and aerospace systems engineering, and held high-level roles in product and technology strategy, managing multi-million-dollar product development budgets in multiple deep tech startups and corporates. She is a regular reviewer for SBIRs and other grants, leveraging an investor mindset to enable clients to resonate with investor audiences. Sapienne Consulting has deep commercialization experience with SBIR companies in the DOE and NASA for both Phase I and Phase II. Sapienne Consulting is a course instructor with the NY-based Luminate Accelerator for optics and photonics startups. The CEO is a Where To Play certified instructor, on which this work package is based.

Capability Community Benefits

Sapienne Consulting is a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). Our President, Tanya Ramond PhD MBA, has built a career in STEM fields and understands first-hand how supporting underrepresented groups in these areas is crucial to their future workforce participation. We want to address the pervasive lack of women leading technology startups. Upon award, Sapienne Consulting will hire an intern through BEWiT, the Business & Engineering Women in Technology program at the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business. The intern will learn the basics of technology assessment from a business context, as well as learn and execute market research.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Required participation: •Initial client consultation to define the three beachhead market candidates •Client to provide any existing research or contacts for the evaluation phase to avoid replicating existing client research and to instead build upon it. • Post-evaluation consultation with client will have three goals. oReview the evaluations of the three beachhead candidate market and the beachhead recommendation. oSapienne Consulting will discuss company strategies and priorities that could influence the best beachhead market choice. oEvaluate remaining two market opportunities with client for suitability for follow-on or backup market.

Geographic Constraints

There are no geographic constraints. The proposed work does not require being in-person and thus can be performed 100% virtually via Zoom or equivalent.

Additional details on matching preferences

None.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Feasibility evaluation report of at least one candidate beachhead market opportunity complete

Final Milestone Description

Evaluation reports complete for all three candidate beachhead markets; Beachhead market assigned; Backup and Follow-On markets assigned

Commercialization Planning Using Adoption Readiness Levels

Voucher #

VO4-36

Organization:

Sandia National Laboratories

Details

City

Albuquerque

State

Zip

87123

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Sandia will provide market assessment and commercialization planning support to improve the voucher recipient’s understanding of the market, their value proposition, and steps to accelerate commercialization and adoption. Specifically, Sandia will provide: Market Analysis: Research and analysis to define market size, market potential, market maturity, landscape of market participants, value chain, range of applicability, etc. This task will be completed via open-source research and 5-8 interviews with stakeholders with experience and expertise within the market segments of interest. Value Proposition Analysis: Research and analysis related to key value proposition dimensions including market need, ease of use, delivered cost, technical challenges addressed and faced, and functional performance. This task will be completed using open-source research and 5-8 interviews with Sandia technical experts and potentially other experts. Includes the potential to provide a limited technoeconomic analysis as a basis for understanding delivered cost. Adoption Readiness Assessment: Use of the Adoption Readiness Level (ARL) framework for two objectives: to define adoption readiness; and incorporate findings from the market and value proposition analysis to develop a commercialization plan structured around reducing medium and high risks to adoption. The plan will include recommended solutions for addressing risk and be provided as professionally-designed marketing materials.

Capability Core Competencies

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

With a long history of technology transfer success, Sandia offers partners access to the Labs’ world-class science, advanced technologies, and unique research facilities. Collaborations with industry, small businesses, universities, government agencies, and other labs bring new technologies to the marketplace and contribute to the economic well-being of the nation. Sandia has conducted energy research for the nation since 1971, with an annual energy portfolio budget of more than $200 million. The IPO has experience partnering with Sandia’s technical staff in the areas of climate security, clean hydrogen, industrial decarbonization, advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, geothermal, solar, water, wind, bioenergy, and vehicle technologies. Sandia's entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, including the Center for Collaboration and Commercialization (C3), consists of a pipeline of programs designed to provide skills and resources to researchers to help them successfully move technologies from idea to commercialization.

Capability Community Benefits

Sandia has a longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and energy justice. The IPO has experience engaging and empowering communities through programs such as the Sandia-led DOE Boost Platform, which builds ventures around actionable challenges identified by underserved communities seeking pathways to energy technology solutions. Sandia has an established network of regional partnerships, including longstanding relationships with communities in New Mexico, California, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and other regions across the continental U.S.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Background of capabilities/partners, relevant IP, and related materials to support analysis. A minimum of 1 responsive point of contact to work with on a regular cadence.

Geographic Constraints

N/A

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

At the midpoint, Sandia will have completed and shared the complete market analysis and value proposition analysis.

Final Milestone Description

The final deliverable will be a complete commercialization plan including an ARL assessment and solutions for addressing high risk areas.

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Market and Patent Analysis

Voucher #

VO4-35

Organization:

Sandia National Laboratories

Details

City

Albuquerque

State

Zip

87123

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Advanced materials/manufacturing technologies are of interest for a wide variety of applications across multiple industries. Understanding the market factors, opportunities, and gaps within each application requires extensive market research that is challenging for a small business to complete. Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) will provide market analysis/research support to improve the voucher recipient’s understanding of how their technology fits within various industries and what opportunities align best with the its value proposition. The project will meet 2 objectives: Provide improved understanding of market segments and technology position: Sandia will provide a market research/analysis report (including a patent analysis) that defines the market size, market potential, market maturity, landscape of market participants, etc. across various industry applications. This task will be completed via open-source research, 10-12 interviews with stakeholders with experience and expertise within the market segments of interest, and 5-8 interviews with Sandia technical experts. Provide marketing materials that summarize market research findings: Sandia will provide a well-designed, visual summary of the recipient’s position within the market based on the market analysis findings. The summary can be incorporated into the recipients pitch deck or other marketing materials as an effective communication tool for showing due diligence and quickly describing market opportunities.

Capability Core Competencies

Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory and one of the largest Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Sandia’s Integrated Partnerships Organization (IPO) consists of 143 staff members over seven departments. The IPO is made up of Technical Business Development, Economic Development, Business and Competitive Intelligence, and Intellectual Property/Licensing Specialists who have experience in market intelligence, commercialization and business planning, technology road-mapping, strategy development, marketing materials design, product scale-up, etc. The IPO has experience partnering with Sandia’s technical staff in advanced materials and manufacturing technologies and using its pipeline of programs designed to provide skills and resources to researchers to help them successfully move technologies from idea to commercialization.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

With a long history of technology transfer success, Sandia offers partners access to the Labs’ world-class science, advanced technologies, and unique research facilities. Sandia is uniquely positioned to offer valuable insights to a small business partner due to its role as an R&D performer and end-user for advanced materials and manufacturing. Sandia has recently made significant investments in the development and application of next generation materials and manufacturing capabilities; and has established partnering mechanisms to develop an ecosystem of advanced materials and manufacturing partners. For example, Sandia’s C4 Partnering Model (funded by DOE’s Technology Commercialization Fund) is creating a strong regional clean energy commercialization ecosystem for manufacturing focused on collaboration and rapid technology development using a novel industry-informed partnering approach for RDD&D. C4 is leading various efforts within the advanced manufacturing community including defining challenge problems for companies, providing technical review, providing access to state-of-the-art equipment, etc.

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Background of capabilities/partners, relevant IP, and related materials to support analysis. A minimum of 1 responsive point of contact to work with on a regular cadence.

Geographic Constraints

N/A

Additional details on matching preferences

This capability is limited to Advanced Materials and Manufacturing. Recipients for this voucher should be providers or developers of advanced materials or advanced manufacturing technologies or products.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

At the midpoint, Sandia will have completed and shared the initial version of the market/patent analysis report.

Final Milestone Description

The final deliverable will be a complete market/patent analysis report and visual summary for incorporation into the recipient’s pitch deck.

Go-to-Market Strategy

Voucher #

VO4-33

Organization:

Fedsprout

Details

City

Princeton

State

Zip

08540

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Our Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy service includes Market Size Estimations, Segmentations, Industry Analysis, Competition Benchmarking, and identifying GTM strategies for your product and/or service. We assess the Total Addressable Market (TAM), Serviceable Available Market (SAM), and Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) to determine product positioning relative to competitors and highlight key features, benefits, and unique selling propositions (USPs) that resonate with the target market. Key Milestones:Market Analysis and Strategy Development (Weeks 1-6):Deliverable: Detailed Market Size Estimations, Segmentations, and TAM, SAM, and SOM assessments.Distribution Channel Identification (Weeks 7-8):Deliverable: Shortlist of effective distribution channels and channel-specific strategies.Integrated Marketing Plan (Weeks 9-10):Deliverable: Comprehensive marketing plan that will use digital marketing, content marketing, social media, and advertising tailored to the target audience.Launch Campaign Planning (Weeks 11-12):Deliverable: Execution strategies for a compelling launch campaign to drive initial adoption.Implementation Roadmap Development (Weeks 13-16):Deliverable: Detailed roadmap with timelines, milestones, resource allocation, and responsibilities.By the end of the voucher project, we will deliver a complete market analysis report, an integrated marketing plan, a detailed implementation roadmap, and launch strategies to ensure successful market entry and growth.

Capability Core Competencies

Fedsprout's expert team includes Ph.D.s in energy storage, hydrogen, electrical grid technologies, and renewable energy generation, alongside MBAs in business and commercialization. We collaborate with IEEE, EPRI, NRECA, and CEATI and have strong connections with utilities and technology end users. Examples of Our Work:1. Assisted a foreign battery manufacturer in finding U.S. demonstration locations and developed a market strategy to address supply chain issues and enhance energy storage accessibility.3. Developed community benefits plans for various utilities and clean energy initiatives.3. Conducted market research, sizing, competitive analysis, and GTM strategy for a DOE SBIR project on pipeline inspection and repair robots.We excel in strategic positioning, assessing TAM, SAM, and SOM, and developing optimized distribution channel strategies. Our integrated marketing approach involves market assessment, channel strategy identification, detailed marketing plans, impactful launch campaigns, and an implementation roadmap aligning marketing with sales and operations.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Our resources include:• Research Databases: Access to premium market research databases like Pitchbook, Owler, Start-up Databases, Govt. Portals & Publications, Statista, Zoominfo, Bloomberg, Company's Annual reports and other Company/Market-related databases.• Data Analysis Platforms: Use of platforms like Tableau, Microsoft Excel/PPT and Power BI for visualizing and analyzing complex datasets.• Expert Team: A multidisciplinary team of senior analysts We have access to industry experts to get valuable information and insight that help us drive primary market research.

Capability Community Benefits

We plan to ensure the technology is easily accessible and provides equitable benefits. Our market sizing will include assumptions and assessments specific to DACs, energy communities, and environmental justice communities. Distribution channels will be evaluated to ensure accessibility. The marketing plan and launch campaign plan will be developed with the local community in mind; for example, developing bilingual materials and educating vulnerable or difficult-to-access community members will be accounted for.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Have you completed your market research and analysis? If so, could you provide us with any reports or research conducted to date? We need to understand your target market segments and competition before developing the GTM strategy. We need to also understand the customer profiles. Additionally, do you have a developed value proposition that you could share with us? We would need both of these items before starting our engagement.

Geographic Constraints

We provide services across all US states and territories.

Additional details on matching preferences

Completing market research and analysis, along with value proposition development, is essential before starting a go-to-market (GTM) strategy. Market research provides insights into customer needs, market dynamics, and competitive landscape, ensuring targeted and effective marketing efforts. A well-defined value proposition highlights unique selling points and aligns with customer needs, forming the foundation for compelling marketing messages and supporting sales efforts. These steps ensure a solid foundation for a successful GTM strategy. If you have not completed a market research and analysis, then you may want to first select that service from the Voucher program.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Preliminary Report covering TAM and/or SAM assessments, distribution channel identification and strategy development, and integrated marketing plan and tactics.

Final Milestone Description

Final presentation and report with TAM/SAM/SOM assessments, distribution channel strategies and detailed marketing plan, Launch campaign strategies, and implementation roadmap.

Commercialization Market Research, Commercialization Strategies & Patent Landscape Analyses

Voucher #

VO4-34

Organization:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Details

City

Golden

State

Zip

80401

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

NREL leads the American-Made Program, which includes prizes, vouchers, and a national network that supports new businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Through this program, that has been going on since 2018, NREL has supported hundreds of teams with their commercialization needs. Often times, NREL utilizes the American-Made Network to support teams with their commercialization needs (as part of a prize). We can certainly leverage the network, as well as the 25 Power Connectors (who are contracted to us) in order to support entities who are seeking commercialization support through a voucher. But in addition, NREL can provide targeted assistance to voucher recipients too! NREL could implement quick-turn-around market analysis and research, patent landscape analysis (especially related to national lab patents), and commercialization strategy assistance. NREL's Technology Transfer office would also be leveraged to assist with these broad analyses. NREL can also offer a direct connection to national lab IP that is ready for commercialization. We could make the necessary connections within the national lab system to connect innovators to national lab IP that is available for commercialization.

Capability Core Competencies

- Market analysis and research - one of NREL's greatest strengths is market analysis and deep research that informs follow-on research and commercialization strategies. We have a broad view of industry trends and DOE priorities so we leverage that expertise to inform the analyses we complete.- Patent landscape analysis (especially related to national lab patents) - NREL has broad knowledge and access to national lab IP, including the IP available at NREL. We can help connect viable IP with innovators wanting to build on the technologies developed by the national labs, and this includes opening doors to other national labs as well.- Commercialization strategy assistance - Based on years of experience, NREL has a strong ability to understand industry trends and utilize them to advance commercialization opportunities for technologies, businesses, and innovators.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

As a national lab, we believe that we have a lot to offer commercialization voucher recipients. As mentioned, in the capability section, NREL has a deep bench of highly qualified partners that can offer commercialization support via a subcontract, but in addition, NREL is well positioned to work with innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses directly too. NREL's research staff world-class and many have experience with commercialization strategy, research, and analysis. Our Technology Transfer Office, the American-Made Program team, and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, all work hand-in-hand to support innovators with their commercialization and innovation needs.

Capability Community Benefits

Our approach to advancing DEIA is truly threaded through everything we do. Our team has experience and capabilities to ensure that commercialization strategies and analysis take into account the communities who may benefit the most from the clean energy transition. In addition, many of our Power Connectors represent underserved and underrepresented communities. Utilizing these subcontractors is one way to ensure that DEIA focused strategies are developed and implemented. But NREL also will utilize its knowledge, connections, and inclusive approaches to ensuring that all commercialization strategies, research, and analysis takes into account diverse communities and their needs.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Details about what they are requiring from the voucher provider, information about their technology, any information they have already completed for a market assessment or commercialization plan, and any other information they believe would be useful.

Geographic Constraints

We can provide services in any state or US territory

Additional details on matching preferences

NREL looks forward to working with any voucher recipient. We think we could potentially help any type of company or innovator.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Mid-point analysis/or plan update presented to the voucher recipient to inform them on progress

Final Milestone Description

Final analysis, report, or commercialization plan

VO-4 - Customer Value Proposition Development

Voucher #

VO4-32

Organization:

Boost Innovation Group, LLC

Details

City

McKinney

State

Zip

75071

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

A customer value proposition (CVP) is a crucial element for any business, offering several key benefits:1.Clarifies your unique offering by succinctly communicating why customers should choose your product or service over others, helping you stand out in the marketplace.2.Improves customer understanding by developing deep insight into your target audience’s needs and pain points. 3.Unifies marketing and sales efforts by developing better and more integrated marketing, pricing, and sales strategies that lead to more and better sales. Boost Innovation Group will work with the client’s team to develop up to three unique draft CVPs, from which a final CVP can be chosen. Boost will also provide training to enable the client team to develop future CVPs as needs or strategies change. The CVP process will be based on the Value Proposition Canvas framework. The engagement will commence with a data collection session between Boost and the client’s team. We will then interact with the client team to develop the three draft CVPs. The final product will be delivered in a report format with a presentation.

Capability Core Competencies

Boost Innovation Group is your connector to the market and investors. We’re experienced in analyzing market opportunities for new technologies and developing successful go-to-market strategies that solve problems profitably. Our core competencies are: Market definition and validation (including needs analysis); Competitive analysis; Go-to-market strategy development and execution; Customer value proposition development; Pricing strategy; Business plan development (Lean Startups); Domestic and international business development.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Boost Innovation Group has been helping innovators get to market since 2005. We’ve supported more than 1,500 startups across the globe including the USA, Mexico, South Korea, India, Poland, and Hungary. We’ve also worked with ten Phase I and II DOE SBIR awardees over the past 12 months. Boost Innovation also offers an extensive network of IP attorneys, corporate attorneys, business development professionals, and corporate leadership connections.

Capability Community Benefits

Boost Innovation supports STEM education for everyone. It is our intention to engage with underserved university students to mentor STEM entrepreneurship. Boost Innovation will also hire two paid interns from underserved groups at local universities to support DOE programs.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Recipients will need to provide a non-proprietary product description (including info on unique product differentiators); documentation of relevant customer discovery; and information on key competitors.

Geographic Constraints

Boost Innovation Group currently works with clients on a global basis and can provide the service anywhere in the world.

Additional details on matching preferences

Boost Innovation Group is able to provide this service to recipients across a wide range of technologies and company stages.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

A draft customer value proposition (CVP) report containing 3 CVP candidates will be delivered for recipient review.

Final Milestone Description

A final customer value proposition (CVP) report containing 3 final complete CVP solutions will be delivered to the recipient.

Commercialization – GTM Strategy & Plan for Scaling Your Business

Voucher #

VO4-31

Organization:

Alder & Co.

Details

City

Portland

State

Zip

97212

Activity Location State

Portland

Activity Location State

97212

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Alder will work with your leadership team to create a GTM strategy and roadmap to launch your product into the marketplace. A go-to-market strategy uses business/product goals to define target audiences and develop strategies and tactics for bringing the product to market. We use research as the basis for all strategies and, therefore, will interview your leadership team, up to three customers, and three other stakeholders. Alder will lead a positioning workshop where we uncover your unique selling position(s). We will also moderate a persona workshop where we delve deep into understanding the target buyer(s). This information culminates into a Key Findings Report and Competitive Analysis, the basis of the strategy and planning doc. A comprehensive GTM strategy and plan will direct how your product is positioned and targeted to your buyers in the marketplace. We will determine how it shows up and what channel is best to meet your buyers where they're at. The GTM plan will have the following elements:– Goals– Objectives– Strategies/Tactics– Channel plan– Product messaging– Timeline (roadmap)– Metrics for defining success Deliverables: Key Findings Report, Competitive Analysis, Product Messaging, Persona Analysis, GTM Plan, and one case study.

Capability Core Competencies

Alder & Co. is a full-service brand marketing agency focused on scaling climate tech until it becomes universal. We work tirelessly for our clients and the planet, with a fundamental belief that our efforts can transform the narrative around climate change. We are driven, daring, curious and loving, committed to standing strong in the face of adversity. With more than 40 years of combined experience supporting private and public sector organizations in climate tech, clean energy and energy efficiency, Alder is uniquely qualified to firmly position companies ready to launch their product. Our ‘Brand to Scale’ methodology drives client success through differentiated brands and storytelling, and our authentic culture and exclusive dedication to the climate cause make Alder the choice for businesses with like-minded values.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Founded in 2014, Alder & Co. is a certified woman- and minority-owned global, strategic & integrated brand marketing andPR agency with the mission to drive the adoption of climate technologies until they become universal. We collaborate with and donate time and resources to organizations that share our mission. As members of 1% for the Planet, we donate 1 percent of our revenues to organizations that share our values. We are the founders and organizers behind the largest community for climate tech marketing, Tofu, with 1,000+ members. Our founder is a regular guest lecturer for climate tech marketing at Presidio Graduate School and the University of Oregon. And she volunteers her expertise as a mentor for climate tech accelerators, including CleanTech Open, Brinc, Entrepreneur Futures Network/NREL and VertueLab.

Capability Community Benefits

Alder incorporates principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice in all our client recommendations and is a key factor for Alder's business. As a certified woman- and minority-owned business with decades of experience in reaching underserved communities for utility energy efficiency programs and supporting minority founders through ecosystem players like Cleantech Open and VertueLab, we’ll ensure that everything you do and how you communicate supports a diverse, inclusive and equitable clean energy transition.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Alder will require time for workshops from the leadership team, access to pitch decks and existing marketing materials. We also ask for introductions to customers and key stakeholders.

Geographic Constraints

Alder is geographically located across the US. We do not have any restrictions on geography.

Additional details on matching preferences

Alder has a diverse client list ranging from hardware, software and combined hardware and software, including ML and AI clients developing technology for the climate.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Delivery of Key Findings Report and Competitive Analysis

Final Milestone Description

Delivery of GTM Plan and Case study

Comprehensive Business Development Strategy and Execution Leveraging the Lean Startup Methodology

Voucher #

VO4-3

Organization:

Rare Innovation

Details

City

Sarasota

State

Zip

34237

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Funded startups each have unique requirements which demand customized deliverables but for companies struggling with significant hurtles to commercialization, a comprehensive business development strategy would include an assessment of the current state of the businesses ability to reach the market, the “product/market fit”, a Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy, and a Sales & Marketing Plan. This would include covering customer discovery to date and what more is needed to understand product/market fit, partnership development, customer targeting plan, and more. The second part of this effort would be execution of tasks developed from the strategy, especially for companies who do not have staff with the ability to actively engage the market. o(Qty 4) Business Model, Product/Market Fit Analysis, GTM Strategy, Sales & Marketing Plan. (Written Reports, qty 4)o(20+ contacts) Customer Discovery and Partner Contacts (Written Report)o(20+ contacts) Customer and Partnership Outreach Contacts (Written Report)

Capability Core Competencies

Rare Innovation is your representative to the market and investors. We are experienced in presenting complex innovations to the market that drives adoption and success. Our core competencies are:Sales, Partnership, Marketing, Go-to-Market Strategy and Execution Pitch Deck Development, Pitch Prep, and Public/Private FundraisingBusiness Development, Business Modeling, and Growth

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Rare Innovation has been serving the SBIR ecosystem since 2007, securing numerous grants across all issuing entities, including several Phase III wins. Our work with the DOE is now a core competency and have leveraged TABA funding to successfully connect or innovators with partners and customers. Our principal has led multi-million-dollar sales deals while working at companies like Dell, HP, and EDS and has brought these best practices to startups after receiving a graduate degree in Science and Technology Commercialization. The principal also has served as a DOE SBIR PI for a Phase I. Rare Innovation also offers an extensive partnership network of IP attorneys, corporate attorneys, and other specialized business development professionals.

Capability Community Benefits

Rare Innovation supports STEM education for all and our principal is an educator at the college level and a volunteer mentor with several organizations. It is our intent to engage with underserved universities and colleges to mentor STEM entrepreneurs and Rare Innovation will also offer paid internships with Florida A&M’s school of business, a renowned HBCU with the largest business school of the HBCU’s and highly ranked. Two paid interns will be hired from the FAMU Experiential Learning platform on award to execute and learn some core research and business development basics in support of the overall effort.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Recipients must provide current commercialization plans, any documentation of customer engagement and discovery, innovation overview, problems encountered with engaging market, and current marketing materials such as pitch decks and other customer facing materials.

Geographic Constraints

Rare Innovation currently works with clients anywhere and are able to provide the service anywhere in the country.

Additional details on matching preferences

Rare Innovation has supported over 50 DOE awardees to connect them to opportunities and develop strategies that help them succeed in the long term. We can offer many referrals on request. We have designed pitches and coached on the pitch process to many, securing first place cash awards in venture competitions and many engagements with VC and Angel investors, as a result. Deep Clean Tech commercialization expertise with Hydrogen, Ammonia, and Geothermal. Other focus areas are Quantum technologies, Accelerator technologies, and Semiconductors.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Complete Business Model Report and Customer Discovery contact list and report of contacts made.

Final Milestone Description

Complete go to market sales/marketing strategy report and go to market execution contact/report.

Market Sizing

Voucher #

VO4-23

Organization:

RTI International

Details

City

Research Triangle Park

State

Zip

27709

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Startups often do not accurately estimate addressable market size, leading to failure to meet investor goals. RTI IA will deliver rigorous market size and growth estimates to startups through the following process:Align: Clients of this service will have already identified and selected markets and segments based on preliminary market size estimates and/or consideration of other addressability factors such as fit of technology performance with market segment needs. RTI will conduct a kickoff meeting to learn about the client’s technology, value proposition and selected market & segments.Evaluate the Market: RTI IA will perform secondary research on the identified market across sources including market research reports, information from competitors or customers, industry association publications, or government reports. We will complete up to six expert interviews for comment on preliminary estimates from secondary sources and independent estimates of market size and growth with justification/rationale. Provide Valuable Insights: RTI IA will deliver our findings via a PowerPoint presentation in a virtual meeting.

Capability Core Competencies

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For this effort, RTI IA will require the following from our clients: (1) the identification and description of one market and up to three segments for sizing, (2) any existing estimates and basis for the estimates, (3) at least one point of contact throughout the market sizing exercise to answer questions, and (4) availability for a project kickoff meeting, one interim touchpoint and a final presentation of a PowerPoint slide deck that will serve as the key deliverable.

Geographic Constraints

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

A summary of notes from the Kickoff Meeting and documentation of selected markets/segments for sizing.

Final Milestone Description

Final Report and Presentation

Market Opportunities Landscape & Competitive Analysis

Voucher #

VO4-22

Organization:

RTI International

Details

City

Research Triangle Park

State

Zip

27709

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

For this effort, RTI IA will leverage our technology-driven market intelligence process to:Align: RTI IA will conduct a kick-off meeting to discuss, in depth, the needs, opportunities, hypotheses, and current understanding of the startup’s market and competitors.Identify Market Opportunities: We will apply divergent thinking and research to identify potential application and markets. Evaluate top 3 markets: RTI IA will work with the start-up to down select to 3 markets to investigate factors including: drivers for adoption; competitive technologies; predicted market size; and key players leading new technology adoption. Based on this work, we will determine the best entry and expansion markets, refining these insights with 2-3 expert interviews per market. Provide Actionable Next Steps: RTI IA will deliver our findings via a PowerPoint presentation in a virtual meeting and provide the presentation in electronic form as a final deliverable.

Capability Core Competencies

RTI Innovation Advisors (RTI-IA), a business unit of RTI International, helps corporations, foundations, and federal agencies solve their most complex innovation challenges by providing technology and market insights, innovation commercialization services, and innovation strategy. We leverage our staff of science PhDs and engineers to bring uniquely broad and deep expertise in technology development and commercialization to provide clients with customized, directly actionable results. RTI IA supports work across sustainable fuels (biofuels, hydrogen, ammonia), carbon capture and sequestration, solar, batteries, and low-embodied-carbon materials.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For this effort, RTI IA will require the following from our clients: (1) to participate in a kickoff meeting with relevant staff and (2) participate in regular collaborative, conversational video conference touchpoints throughout the project to update the company on research findings.

Geographic Constraints

We are capable of supporting projects across the US as we regularly work remotely with clients.

Additional details on matching preferences

This service is designed to help early-stage climate tech startups with technology that has potential to address multiple applications or markets that have not conducted deep market intelligence, customer discovery or competitive analysis.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Selection of Top 3 Markets for Evaluation

Final Milestone Description

RTI will prepare and present a text-heavy PowerPoint Report summarizing the research process, key findings and recommendations, and next steps.

Renewable Energy Solutions Market Research

Voucher #

VO4-21

Organization:

Peak Innovations Group LLC

Details

City

Seattle

State

Zip

98101

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Peak can deliver a report to voucher recipients on the market capabilities of their innovation, potential areas of pivot and necessary resources to capture larger market share or adjacent/complimentary markets, and an in-depth look at the resources that can be captured to bring the solution closer to commercial market viability. This report can also be highly customized to look at particular market segments, do a broader analysis of innovation pivots that have more market appeal or deliver a confirmed value proposition for an identified customer segment, and align with innovation capabilities for future growth and success.

Capability Core Competencies

Peak Innovations Group LLC provides services for market research assessment and reporting forrenewable energy products, sources, tools, technologies, software, and learning models, amongother areas. Peak has expert experience both in producing market assessment and readinessreports, as well as supporting clean energy technology developers in understanding marketpotential for their technologies, identifying and networking/communicating with potentialcustomers, and coaching on market discriminators.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Over the lifetime of the organization's principles, Peak has assisted over 500 small businesses in developing complete, and compelling, proposal packages and market development pathway efforts for non-dilutive funding sources. Peak has also helped dozens of businesses put together dilutive funding pitches, connect with the appropriate venture funding sources, and coached/counseled those businesses on agreements and rights when seeking equity-based opportunities.

Capability Community Benefits

As appropriate, and when necessary, Peak strives to bring DEIA considerations across the core of its competencies and capabilities. Any time that it is deemed a needed task to outsource work, collaborate with other organizations, and subcontract on proposal efforts, Peak ensures that they invite distressed and underrepresented businesses to submit quotes for work and proposals to achieve the goals and/or missions of that effort. Peak also has expertise in identifying areas of communal benefit for innovations, and with all activities, weaves that information into the best opportunities for companies to move their technology forward, including seeking impact investment, leveraging social benefit in value proposition development, and identifying where broader reach and impacts can support business growth and development.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Access to any available documentation and filings on the technology, including, but not limited to, patent applications, internal invention forms, results from preliminary studies or testing, feasibility studies or reports, and submitted or prepared funding opportunity proposals and packages (information will need to be delivered within 2 weeks of start); A project kick-off call between Peak and relevant client team members that can provide information about the technology, development to date, and efforts to commercialize

Geographic Constraints

We are capable of supporting projects across the globe with a strong in-person presence on the U.S. West Coast.

Additional details on matching preferences

No equipment beyond what is avaialble is necessary to deliver upon this voucher.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Peak will deliver an initial draft report based on information that was found and schedule a call to discuss approach

Final Milestone Description

final report will be delivered that provides a clear summary of market potential, achievable next steps, and target customers

Business and Commercialization Support

Voucher #

VO4-11

Organization:

Strategic Analysis, Inc.

Details

City

Arlington

State

Zip

22203

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Strategic Analysis provides development and analysis of comprehensive, market-driven business cases for product commercialization. SA leverages its extensive experience evaluating the hydrogen value chain to understand common pain points and identify features required by potential customers. Analysis is supplemented by SA’s bottom-up, company-specific forecast for electrolyzer and fuel cell deployment out to 2030 or further as requested. SA is able to support business case development for manufacturing technologies and specific products. SA has successfully supported start-ups looking to enter the market, in addition to large companies looking to adapt existing products for new markets.Depending on the needs and interest of the client, SA offers the following services to support the commercialization plan and business case development: : 1) Survey of capabilities of commercially available products, 2) Survey of major players and potential competitors, 3) Interviews with subject matter experts, especially within SA’s network, 4) Interviews with potential customers, 5) Assessment of value introduced by client’s product or process and comparison to next best alternative, 6) Market outlook for specific products in multiple verticals, and 7) Market share outlook for client.

Capability Core Competencies

SA specializes in techno-economic and manufacturing analysis, market studies, and technology due diligence. SA studies various materials, components, and systems for hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, batteries, gas purification, chemical synthesis (monomers/polymers, catalysts, MOFs, electrochemical), and energy transmission. SA has extensive experience in capital cost and life-cycle cost estimation. SA is a prime System Engineering and Technical Analysis (SETA) provider to all 6 offices of the Defense Advanced Research and Projects Agency (DARPA) . SA provides a combination of technical, programmatic, contractual, and financial services to premier R&D agencies in the Department of Defense. Additionally, SA has extensive experience with transition and commercialization in support of DARPA funded SBIR/STTR projects, as well as those of other organizations, such as NSWC Crane. SA supports the full tech transition cycle, including understanding technology gaps; identifying transition opportunities; coordinating networking events; reviewing program policies and translating policies into guidance for small businesses.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

SA employs over 30 PhD staff in various technical areas engineering and science, and maintains a network of highly specialized technical consultants. The Energy Services division pioneered the Design for Manufacture and Assembly methodology for hydrogen storage, hydrogen production, and fuel cell capital cost projections. SA has held DOE contracts continuously for over 20 years in the areas of cost and performance analysis of PEM fuels cells for transportation, H2 production, and H2 storage. SA regularly works with commercial clients to provide product benchmarking, market analysis, value-chain assessment, and pre-investment due diligence. SA has had commercial contracts with a major auto OEM to conduct an electrolyzer market assessment, a Fortune 500 auto Tier1 supplier to conduct a value-walk analysis and market assessment in support of new product development, emerging energy startups to develop go-to-market strategies, and global venture capital and family fund managers to provide technical due diligence.

Capability Community Benefits

Strategic Analysis actively addresses and incorporates DEIA into its business practices. Mechanisms SA uses to address and increase DEIA include: an active Inclusion Committee composed of SA employees to provide guidance on DEIA, supporting local businesses and non-profits, inclusive employee benefits, and employee training.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

To facilitate the pace of work, we request clients to provide as much detail upfront as possible and have a minimum of one point of contact (POC) to work with on a regular cadence throughout the project.

Geographic Constraints

Our team is distributed throughout the United States and typically supports projects virtually

Additional details on matching preferences

None

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Preliminary report

Final Milestone Description

Final report

Business Strategy and Marketing Materials Development

Voucher #

VO4-2

Organization:

Evergreen Climate Innovations

Details

City

Chicago

State

Zip

60642

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Evergreen Climate Innovations has extensive experience providing business strategy andmarketing support for early-stage energy and climate startups. Through this voucher opportunity, Evergreen will support startups’ growth progress with bothin-house expertise and by leveraging our extensive network of marketing and branding experts.Each engagement will kick-off with Evergreen providing written feedback on a startup’sgo-to-market plan and strategy. Subsequently, Evergreen will provide hands-on support todevelop public facing materials that the early-stage startup can use for pitch competitions and /or fundraising efforts. These deliverables include:● Business strategy review, analysis, and recommendations● Marketing strategy review, feedback, and recommendations● A high quality presentation template deck● External communications and PR support with connections to relevant media outlets● A list of relevant support opportunities that could be pursued by the startup

Capability Core Competencies

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Evergreen is well positioned for this voucher opportunity thanks to our extensive experience supporting clean energy startups through fundraising efforts, business strategy, and marketing guidance. -Business strategy – Business strategy support for Evergreen’s portfolio companies-Presentation design & coaching – Providing pitch deck strategy support and design services for startups participating in large showcase events-Marketing & PR support – Providing strategic communication recommendations to startups

Capability Community Benefits

Evergreen has publicly committed to Justice40 Initiative principles as part of a letter signed in conjunction with the National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators (NCCEI). This includes incorporating the following principles into our programming: supporting underrepresented founders; expanding access to dedicated funding resources for underrepresented individuals; delivering solutions in disadvantaged communities; supporting related workforce opportunities training.Inclusion is a priority for Evergreen: 60% of our portfolio companies are founded by women or people of color (far above the national average), and our organization provides support for underrepresented entrepreneurs via our equity and access programming in conjunction with Nicor Gas and U.S. Bank.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For a successful engagement, the participating company should: ● Provide market data that supports the company's proposed business strategy ● Provide a point of contact who will engage with the Evergreen team on an agreed upon cadence on the following topics: ○ Marketing strategy and material development and revisions ○ External communications support and feedback ○ Clear articulation of proprietary product / technology and value proposition ○ Overall business strategy

Geographic Constraints

Any startup located in the United States

Additional details on matching preferences

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Delivery of business recommendations and startup support programming opportunities

Final Milestone Description

Delivery of high quality pitch deck and marketing recommendations

Industrial Decarbonization – Market Readiness Assessments and Roadmap

Voucher #

VO1-9

Organization:

Fosterra, LLC

Details

City

Saratoga Springs

State

Zip

12866

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Fosterra will engage with pre-demonstration clients for industrial decarbonization technologies to understand their technology, business model, go-to-market strategy, and challenges. This category of technologies includes a wide variety of solutions and will not confirm to one set of “cookie cutter” support for clients. The team will collaboratively develop a tailored market readiness assessment and roadmap with recommendations to increase chances for success. We will evaluate opportunities, potential partnerships, funding sources, and demonstration project strategy. Clients will be expected to provide information and interactions as needed, including:•Product and/or service technical details and project cost estimates.•Planned target markets and business model.•Timely information sharing and open access to the client team.•Needs and challenges including regulatory, technical, and product/project economics.

Capability Core Competencies

Fosterra, LLC was founded to provide expert technical consulting services that accelerate our transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future. Our work focuses on planning, programs, and projects for clean energy and beneficial electrification for buildings and transportation. The Fosterra team has worked on projects in over 500 jurisdictions across the United States and our sector expertise includes commercial enterprises, municipal, state, and federal government agencies, local utilities, and educational institutions. Fosterra is an SBA recognized small business (SAM UEI#: H1X1QPLUSLF3) with capacity to serve clients nationwide and globally. Learn more at: www.fosterra.com.Fosterra advises start-up companies, assesses potential new technology host sites, and enables economic development opportunities in the clean energy sector. The team is uniquely qualified to support pre-commercialization support and advisory services for OCED and EERE as an unbiased resource for new entrants and connector to the innovation ecosystem.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Members of the Fosterra team have more than 20 years of experience in sustainability, clean energy, thermal systems, solar energy, mechanical engineering, and business strategy. We believe that pre-demonstration commercialization support requires a cross-functional approach and deep experience with the innovation lifecycle and founder engagement. We will deploy independent technical expertise and resources for each client that is tailored to the industry, technology, market need, and stage of readiness. Recent experience:•Support and guidance for a novel early-stage EV charging infrastructure technology company.•Assessment and project management for multiple sustainable manufacturing clients including electrification projects, decarbonization technology, and new clean energy sources.•Direct engagement with global supply chain partners on behalf of major publicly traded companies working on Scope 3 actions to meet reduction targets by 2025 and 2030.•Evaluation of public sector innovation funding mechanisms with recommendations for increased market impact and increased technology deployment.

Capability Community Benefits

Fosterra has a deep understanding of the need for incorporating equity considerations throughout the innovation and deployment lifecycle. We have worked on projects for NYSERDA, municipalities, and regional organizations where engaging with underserved communities was a major component of these efforts. Fosterra President, Benjamin Foster, was the lead author for WRI’s recent whitepaper “Integrating Equity into City Clean Energy Initiatives” as part of the City Renewables Accelerator program. The framework developed within this report is aligned with J-40 and Community Benefits Plan guidance and will be deployed, as appropriate, for all OCED and EERE voucher opportunities.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Detailed description of the technology including development process and usage characteristics, underlying assumptions and prior analysis, cost models, description of the business model for deployment, desired outputs, key risks and opportunities.

Geographic Constraints

Nationwide including US territories and islands.

Additional details on matching preferences

Heating and cooling solutions for manufacturing including CPG, food, and beverage, renewable energy systems.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

An initial draft report of assumptions, inputs, and findings will be provided to the client for review.

Final Milestone Description

A report with documented findings, assumptions, analysis, and recommendations will be provided.

Market Scout

Voucher #

VO4-19

Organization:

LMM Innovation Group

Details

City

Marietta

State

Zip

30068

Activity Location State

Atlanta

Activity Location State

30339

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Not sure which market or segment to target first or next? Looking for adjacent markets that leverage existing value propositions? By identifying high-value technology capabilities and connecting with related unmet needs, existing solutions can reach new customers with minimal friction. A Market Scout is a roughly four month project with iterative deliverables for client stakeholder feedback. After an initial review of technical capabilities and performance differentiation determined, LMM IG will scout for related and/or adjacent markets that could benefit from the identified value propositions. At an interim/mid-point meeting a high-level list of segments will be presented for discussion of triage criteria and a second phase will be initiated to prioritize the segments. After additional input from the client, deeper dives will be conducted into three (at most) segments to validate the target value proposition and identify potential first customers.

Capability Core Competencies

At LMM Innovation Group, we have spent significant time and energy over the past few years developing a comprehensive view of technologies and markets associated with the energy transition and carbon removal to support client activities in this space. We have attended conferences across hydrogen economy, renewable energies, and emerging technologies. We have interviewed over 50 early-stage companies across hydrogen and carbon capture, and maintain a network of connections across the climate tech landscape. Specific projects relevant to Voucher Program 4 include:•Hydrogen economy: executive summary of “Hydrogen Economy” (> 100 pages), power-to-X market landscape, alkaline water electrolysis market sizing, H2 end use landscape and timeline development, etc.•Other: Carbon dioxide utilization landscape, advanced nuclear technologies landscape, lithium battery recycling landscape, direct lithium extraction technology landscape, etc.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

LMM Innovation Group (est. 2021) is a small, independent consulting organization targeting technology and business case de-risking in emerging industrial market spaces. The team has a broad, interdisciplinary engineering background and 10+ years of innovation consulting prior to LMM Innovation Group. Notable network connections include:•Previous DOE Voucher 4 Provider•Expert Panelist for CleanTech Group's annual Global Cleantech 100•Connector for the DOE American Made Network•Panel participant and regular scouting attendee for SBIR/STTR Partnership Pitch Program•Trusted technology scouting partner for 3M Ventures

Capability Community Benefits

LMM Innovation Group is a small, woman-owned business and, as such, takes DEIA initiatives to create a representative workforce seriously. No capacity increases are expected to be necessary as part of this voucher award – however, should expansion be required, LMM Innovation Group will investigate DOE acceptability of current practice to hire local engineering graduate students as sub-contractor analysts. If funding is awarded, we will engage (and pay expenses for) the local high school to provide a clean energy lecture plus Q&A opportunity to build understanding of energy transition technologies.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For optimal project results, we would require from the client 1. a summary of background work and/or customer discovery already completed to prevent duplication, 2. a minimum of 1 point of contact with authority to approve project scope, 3. ~5 total meetings with key stakeholders across the three project phases for feedback on progress and next steps.

Geographic Constraints

There are no geographic constraints – assuming that virtual meetings are sufficient to document requirements and progress, services can be provided anywhere in the country. If onsite presentation or review is necessary, additional coverage of travel expenses will be expected.

Additional details on matching preferences

None at this time

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

A compilation report of research for the first phase is expected at approx. 6-8 weeks. Next steps TBD.

Final Milestone Description

Comprehensive report detailing the research process and identifying customer archetypes in adjacent market segments.

Comprehensive Market Readiness Assessment

Voucher #

VO1-33

Organization:

VentureCraft, Inc.

Details

City

Huntington Beach

State

Zip

92648

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

The work will involve five key components: 1. Market Analysis: We'll conduct in-depth research to understand the target market's size, trends, and growth potential, utilizing both primary and secondary data sources.2. Competitor Assessment: A thorough evaluation of existing competitors, their market positions, strengths, and weaknesses will be performed to identify opportunities for differentiation.3. Product/Service Evaluation: We'll assess how well our offering meets market needs and demands, identifying any necessary adaptations or improvements.4. Marketing Strategy: Based on market and competitor insights, we'll develop a tailored marketing approach, including target audience definition, positioning, and promotional tactics.5. SWOT Analysis: A comprehensive analysis of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the context of the target market will be conducted. Critical milestones include completing each component of the analysis and synthesizing the findings. The final deliverable will be a comprehensive report integrating all five elements, providing a clear picture of our market readiness and actionable recommendations for successful market entry. This report will serve as a strategic roadmap, enabling informed decision-making and maximizing our chances of success in the new market.

Capability Core Competencies

VentureCraft has a proven track record of supporting over 100 DOE awardees, connecting them with valuable opportunities and developing long-term success strategies. Our extensive network allows us to provide numerous referrals upon request, validating our expertise and effectiveness.With more than two decades of experience, we specialize in creating comprehensive market analysis reports and strategies tailored for early-stage, deep tech companies. Our approach combines in-depth industry knowledge with cutting-edge analytical techniques to deliver actionable insights.Currently, we collaborate with leading accelerators such as Techstars, LaunchPad SBDC, and Slalom, further enhancing our ability to guide innovative startups towards success. This ongoing engagement with the startup ecosystem keeps us at the forefront of emerging trends and best practices.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

VentureCraft is deeply committed to advancing STEM education for all, with our principal serving as both a college-level educator and a volunteer mentor for multiple organizations. This commitment extends beyond the classroom, as we actively seek to engage with underserved universities and colleges to nurture and guide STEM entrepreneurs. In our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, VentureCraft has established a partnership with California State University, Dominguez Hills' business school, recognized as one of the most diverse colleges in the nation. Through this collaboration, we offer paid internships, providing students with valuable real-world experience and mentorship. Our goal is to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands, empowering students from diverse backgrounds to thrive in STEM fields. By combining educational support, mentorship, and practical experience, VentureCraft aims to cultivate a new generation of innovative, diverse STEM professionals and entrepreneurs.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Detailed product or service specifications Target market information and preferences Current business model and revenue streams Existing marketing materials and strategies Financial data, including pricing structures Any existing market research or customer feedback Information on known competitors Regulatory considerations specific to the industry Long-term business goals and growth objectives Resources available for marketing and market entry Timeline expectations for market entry Any unique selling propositions or technological advantages

Geographic Constraints

1. Detailed product or service specifications. 2. Target market information and preferences. 3. Current business model and revenue streams. 4. Existing marketing materials and strategies. 5. Financial data, including pricing structures. 6. Any existing market research or customer feedback. 7. Information on known competitors. 8. Regulatory considerations specific to the industry. 9. Long-term business goals and growth objectives. 10. Resources available for marketing and market entry. 11. Timeline expectations for market entry. 12. Any unique selling propositions or technological advantages.

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A. We're industry and tech agnostic with clients ranging from cybersecurity to cleantech. Ultimately, we adapt to the client to deliver data-driven strategies.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Initial draft of report and remaining milestones to be completed.

Final Milestone Description

Finalized report.

Commercialization Strategy and Planning

Voucher #

VO1-32

Organization:

Riverview Climate Ventures LLC

Details

City

Sacramento

State

Zip

95816

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Riverview Climate Ventures supports climate tech companies on fundraising, commercialization, and other special projects related to strategy and finance. This capability is focused on fundraising. The proposed project involves 3 steps:1. First, data collection. This includes a review of the company's current customer-facing sales decks, value proposition and pricing models, and other materials that would be shared with a prospective customer as part of a sales process.2. Second, collateral development. This includes refining the sales deck, relevant models, and other supporting materials for prospective customers. As part of this process, we interview potential target customers to pressure test the efficacy of materials and ensure we capture critical points.3. Third, go-to-market planning. This includes customer pipeline development, process documentation, and initial customer outreach. We define a project plan and timeline tailored to industry timelines and important events.

Capability Core Competencies

Project track record - Riverview Climate Ventures has successfully completed or is in process of completing 6 value-add projects for climate tech startups since Q4 2023. These projects range from $3m customer offtake deal for a Seed-stage company to a $40m Series B fundraise. VC investing - Riverview is led by Daniel Ketyer, formerly a climate-focused venture capital investor at Piva Capital (investors in 19 Series A-C companies). He brings the VC lens and network to support company commercialization efforts and understands how to set milestones that investors will care about. Industry experience - For select projects, we bring on 1-2 sub-contractors in our network with specific expertise that can make a project more successful. In one project, a market study for a solar energy firm, we brought on an ex-strategy consultant with energy sector experience to support for 20 hours per week.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Led by Daniel Ketyer, former VC at Piva Capital, consultant at Deloitte, and current fundraising & commercialization advisor to climate tech startups at Riverview Climate Ventures. Education at University of Michigan and Duke University. Supported VC diligence across various technology categories including carbon management, hydrogen, nuclear, grid tech, long-duration energy storage, and various sub-areas of industrial decarbonization including steel and cement.

Capability Community Benefits

Our approach is twofold:- first, when building the core project team and investor outreach list, ensure diverse representation so not overly biased towards historically advantaged groups. For example, 50% of the sub-contractors we've brought on to directly support projects are underrepresented minorities.- second, physically visiting the project or company site within the first 4-6 weeks of the project start wherever possible. We have found this particularly important in our work for climate tech startups focused on Sub-Saharan Africa to understand market nuances. We have also helped develop a community benefits plan for a carbon removal company, and weaved the plan into a successful application for the Department of Energy’s Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Company capitalization history, list of current customers, months of runway remaining, number of employees

Geographic Constraints

N/a

Additional details on matching preferences

N/a

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Customer sales deck complete and ready to present externally

Final Milestone Description

Customer pipeline complete and outreach process documented

Market Scout

Voucher #

VO1-31

Organization:

LMM Innovation Group

Details

City

Marietta

State

Zip

30068

Activity Location State

Atlanta

Activity Location State

30339

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Capability Core Competencies

At LMM Innovation Group, we have spent significant time and energy over the past few years developing a comprehensive view of technologies and markets associated with the energy transition and carbon removal to support client activities in this space. We have attended conferences across hydrogen economy, renewable energies, and emerging technologies. We have interviewed over 50 early-stage companies across hydrogen and carbon capture, and maintain a network of connections across the climate tech landscape. Specific projects relevant to Voucher Program 1 include:•Hydrogen economy: executive summary of “Hydrogen Economy” (> 100 pages), power-to-X market landscape, alkaline water electrolysis market sizing, H2 end use landscape and timeline development, etc.•Other: Carbon dioxide utilization landscape, advanced nuclear technologies landscape, lithium battery recycling landscape, direct lithium extraction technology landscape, etc.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Geographic Constraints

Additional details on matching preferences

None at this time

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

A compilation report of research for the first phase is expected at approx. 8 weeks. Next steps TBD.

Final Milestone Description

Comprehensive report detailing the research process and identifying customer archetypes in adjacent market segments.

Complete Go-to-Market review, assessment, analysis, and strategy based on series of customer discovery and product-market-fit exercises

Voucher #

VO1-28

Organization:

Genseed Advisors

Details

City

Silver Spring

State

Zip

20902

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Our "Complete Go-to-Market Review, Assessment, Analysis, and Strategy" service provides a comprehensive approach to launching your product successfully. We begin with a thorough review of your current market positioning, analyzing key metrics and identifying areas for improvement. We gain deep insights into your target audience's needs, preferences, and pain points through a series of customer discovery exercises. This hands-on approach ensures we gather real-time feedback directly from potential customers, allowing us to refine your value proposition and product offerings. Next, we conduct an in-depth product-market fit analysis, assessing how well your product meets market demands and where adjustments may be needed. Our team leverages industry expertise and data-driven insights to identify optimal market segments and competitive positioning strategies. Finally, we develop a robust go-to-market strategy tailored to your unique business objectives. This includes actionable steps for marketing, sales, and distribution channels, ensuring you have a clear roadmap to achieve market penetration and growth. Our service empowers you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of market entry, ultimately driving customer acquisition, retention, and long-term success. Partner with us to transform your market approach and achieve sustainable growth.

Capability Core Competencies

Our capabilities and core competencies for the "Complete Go-to-Market Review, Assessment, Analysis, and Strategy" service include: 1. Market Research and Analysis: - Expertise in conducting comprehensive market research to identify trends, opportunities, and threats. - Proficiency in competitive analysis to understand the landscape and positioning within the market. 2. Customer Discovery: - Skilled in designing and executing customer discovery exercises to gather qualitative and quantitative data. - Ability to analyze customer feedback to identify needs, preferences, and pain points. 3. Product-Market Fit Assessment: - Competence in evaluating product-market fit to ensure alignment between product offerings and market demands. - Experience in identifying gaps and opportunities for product improvement and innovation. 4. Go-to-Market Strategy Development: - Expertise in crafting tailored go-to-market strategies that encompass marketing, sales, and distribution plans. - Ability to create actionable roadmaps for market entry and growth, ensuring clear and measurable objectives.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Ben/Genseed's Expertise and Experience: 1. Go-to-Market Capabilities: - Comprehensive market research, competitive analysis, and customer discovery processes. - Proficient in product-market fit assessments to ensure alignment with market needs. 2. Industry Experience: - Energy & Renewable Energy: - Extensive experience in the solar industry, including business development, sales, project finance, and engineering. - Expertise in integrating new technologies into the grid, enhancing energy efficiency and electric vehicle (EV) adoption. - Industrial Decarbonization: - Deep understanding of decarbonization strategies for industrial sectors, notably cement and concrete. - Experience advising and consulting startups focused on industrial decarbonization and carbon capture technologies. - Carbon Capture & Direct Air Capture: - Specialized knowledge in carbon capture technologies, including direct air capture, with hands-on experience in advising innovative startups in these areas. - Climate Technology: - Broad expertise in climate technologies, driving sustainable solutions and impactful market strategies.

Capability Community Benefits

Our approach to community benefits and DEIA considerations is integral to our mission, ensuring inclusivity, accessibility, and community well-being. To the extent it is required, we actively engage with local communities to understand their needs and collaborate with leaders to address challenges. For projects where we have the opportunity, we foster job creation and economic development, especially in underserved areas, and provide education and training in renewable energy and climate technology. Our DEIA practices promote diversity within our team and ensure equitable distribution of project benefits. We design accessible projects and implement outreach strategies to reach all socio-economic groups. Regarding the specific approach to this voucher opportunity, DEIA considerations include an approach to specific and targeted communities as well as strategies and tactics to promote DEIA practices and incorporate them as product/service is implemented in the market.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Product/Service Information: Detailed Description of the Product or Service, Unique Value Proposition, Current Stage of Development (e.g., concept, prototype, ready for market), Documentation on Intellectual Property (patents, trademarks, etc.); Market and Customer Information: Target Market Segments, Key Customer Profiles, and Personas, Current Customer Feedback and Testimonials, Competitive Landscape and Analysis; Previous Efforts and Data: Any Previous Market Research or Customer Discovery Insights, Sales Data, and Customer Feedback (if available), Marketing and Sales Strategies Used So Far, Historical Financial Data and Projections

Geographic Constraints

No geographic constraints

Additional details on matching preferences

No other critical details required

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

At the mid-point we will have an initial analysis completed on the market

Final Milestone Description

Final milestone is a go-to-market strategy report including suggested approaches, marketing, and sales strategies and tactics.

Ecosystem Landscape

Voucher #

VO1-30

Organization:

LMM Innovation Group

Details

City

Marietta

State

Zip

30068

Activity Location State

Atlanta

Activity Location State

30339

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Ecosystems vary widely by industry and market. Knowing whether buying power lives with distributors, end users, or OEMs can influence prioritization and effectiveness of sales strategy. Who are the competitors? Who are the customers? What are the alternatives? Who pays? By mapping the ecosystem, the relationships and needs of the players become clearer and customer discovery is more informed and effective. LMM Innovation Group will leverage primary and secondary sources to deliver a detailed profile of competitor archetypes and connections across a defined market space.

Capability Core Competencies

We have spent significant time and energy over the past few years developing a comprehensive view of technologies and markets associated with the energy transition and carbon removal to support client activities in this space. We have attended conferences across hydrogen economy, renewable energies, and emerging technologies. We have interviewed over 50 early-stage companies across hydrogen and carbon capture, and maintain a network of connections across the climate tech landscape. Specific projects relevant to Voucher Program 4 include:•Hydrogen economy: executive summary of “Hydrogen Economy” (> 100 pages), power-to-X market landscape, alkaline water electrolysis market sizing, H2 end use landscape and timeline development, etc.•Other: Carbon dioxide utilization landscape, advanced nuclear technologies landscape, lithium battery recycling landscape, direct lithium extraction technology landscape, etc.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

LMM Innovation Group (est. 2021) is a small, independent consulting organization targeting technology and business case de-risking in emerging industrial market spaces. The team has a broad, interdisciplinary engineering background and 10+ years of innovation consulting prior to LMM Innovation Group. Notable network connections include:•Connectors in the DOE American Made Network•Panel participant and attendee for SBIR/STTR Partnership Pitch Program•Trusted technology scouting partner for 3M Ventures

Capability Community Benefits

LMM Innovation Group is a small, women-owned business and, as such, takes DEIA initiatives to create a representative workforce seriously. No capacity increases are expected to be necessary as part of this voucher award – however, should expansion be required, LMM Innovation Group will investigate DOE acceptability of current practice to hire local engineering graduate students as sub-contractor analysts. If funding is awarded, we will engage (and pay expenses for) the local high school to provide a clean energy lecture plus Q&A opportunity to build understanding of energy transition technologies.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

In order to accomplish the desired outcome for each client we would need as input 1. summary of background work and/or customer discovery already completed, 2. a minimum of 1 point of contact with authority to approve project scope, and 3. stakeholders at ~3 total meetings for feedback on progress and next steps.

Geographic Constraints

There are no geographic constraints – assuming virtual meetings are sufficient to document requirements and progress, services can be provided anywhere in the country. If onsite is necessary, additional coverage of travel expenses will be expected.

Additional details on matching preferences

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

An interim report will be provided detailing research progress, preliminary findings, and proposed next steps.

Final Milestone Description

Detailed ecosystem diagram and report showing competitor and customer archetypes, and suggested next steps to customize value propositions

Product Market Readiness, Validation, and Certification Analysis and Strategy

Voucher #

VO1-29

Organization:

Grand Summit Group, LLC

Details

City

Montrose

State

Zip

91020

Activity Location State

GLENDALE

Activity Location State

91206

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

The proposed Product Market Readiness, Validation, and Certification Analysis and Strategy will provide a set of detailed research, analysis, and custom strategies to a technology company to ensure their commercial success upon entry into the market. The scope will include two report deliverables consisting of a Customer Needs, Wants, and Requirements Assessment; and a Product Validation and Certification Strategy.The goal of this package is to: Aide the client to document customer wants, needs, and requirements for the product to inform continued design development and validation plans. This information will also give the client a clear map of customers differentiating users, buyers, channel partners, etc., and assessing any unique requirements each party may have.Develop a validation and certification program plan that identifies what testing should be performed at what stage of product development. This information can inform the client on beachhead customer segments that might require less testing, yielding a more capital efficient product launch.A detailed breakdown of the package scope and estimated effort has been included in the attached Work Sample document for more information.

Capability Core Competencies

Grand Summit Group offers expert consulting services to technology innovation companies to help them get from a lab prototype to a commercial product working in the field. We guide companies through the final leg of commercial product development, ensuring that all customer requirements are understood with a validation and certification plan in place. We provide detailed product pricing and cost of goods sold (COGS) analysis and improvement to help companies plan for economic success of their product. We identify critical manufacturing processes and vendors required to produce the product, and develop supply chain strategies that are capital efficient and appropriate for the stage of scale up. Finally, we help companies execute on project development activities unique to deploying first of a kind technologies into a demonstration project environment. This suite of expertise is critical to assuring success at even the earliest phases of technology development.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Peter Ciulla, founder and principal partner of Grand Summit Group, has over 20 years of experience in hardware product development, transition to production, and product deployment. For the first decade of his career, Peter worked for several Fortune 500 multi-industry product manufacturing companies like Textron and ITT where he worked as both a hardware engineer and as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. For the next decade, Peter has worked with Cleantech companies such as eSolar, Heliogen, and CarbonCapture develop and launch multiple innovative products. Prior to consulting, Peter has been a founding team member at a startup with a multi-billion dollar exit, an executive team member, and a founder & CEO. For several years, he has worked as an industry reviewer of DOE grants, and has a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UC San Diego.

Capability Community Benefits

Grand Summit Group is well acquainted with and a strong proponent of the objectives integral to Community Benefit Plans (CBP). As an organization, we maintain a company DEI policy that reinforces our belief that a diverse workforce is a healthy and innovative workforce. While working with other companies (though not our core competency), we've assisted in the development of their CBPs including assisting in the writing of a CBP for grant applications, some support of community engagement, and navigation of the DOE's energy justice mapping tool for project location eligibility. As an industry grant reviewer for the DOE, we've also reviewed applicant's CBPs. Finally, Grand Summit Group is certified as a Small Business (Micro) with the State of California, and is currently in process on registering as a SBA certified small business with the Federal government.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For the project to be successful, we will need from the recipient any background information from customer discovery, market requirements, technology performance, and project analysis. Any gaps will be filled as a part of the proposed scope.

Geographic Constraints

Located in the Los Angeles region of California, Grand Summit Group has worked effectively with clients across the US and globally. By leveraging a suite of remote collaboration tools (including Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint), we are confident that we can effectively service clients throughout the US. Additionally, our Pacific home time zone enables easy coordination with both Eastern time zones and the further west time zones of Alaska and Hawaii.

Additional details on matching preferences

Our best fit client would be a company with a highly innovative technology that would benefit from a deeper understanding of customer and market requirements, and product validation and certification.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion of the Customer Needs, Wants, and Requirements Assessment.

Final Milestone Description

Completion of the Product Validation and Certification Strategy.

Market Readiness Analysis for the U.S. Green Steel Market

Voucher #

VO1-26

Organization:

CALSTART, Inc.

Details

City

Pasadena

State

Zip

91106

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Is your organization interested in entering the US green steel market? CALSTART’s Green Steel Program can provide a market readiness analysis that helps your organization understand the following: Current Market: - Which sectors and companies buy different grades of steel (including primary vs secondary steel), and how much do they buy? Market Opportunities: - Which sectors and companies are most primed to purchase green steel, why, and at what prices? License to Operate: - Which policies (incentives, regulations, trade, permitting) will impact the future of the US steel market Partnerships: - How can your organization meet potential partner organizations operating across the green steel supply chain Recommendations: - What recommendations does CALSTART have to help your organization increase adoption readiness and succeed in the burgeoning green steel market This proposal offers the following deliverables: - Regular meetings to discuss ongoing findings and emerging opportunities for your organization - Mid-point and final presentation slides summarizing key takeaways - A market readiness analysis report designed to answer the questions above and other questions related to the US green steel market that your organization is interested in. - Introductions to 5+ relevant stakeholder organizations

Capability Core Competencies

CALSTART: - For 30+ years, CALSTART has accelerated the transition to clean transportation - Over $1.4 billion distributed towards clean transportation deployments Green Steel Program: - Interviews: - Spent 1 year interviewing 20+ automakers, 30+ NGOs, and 10+ government agencies, universities, and steel manufacturers. - Additional interviews and stakeholder engagement will be key to fulfilling voucher opportunities - Data Analysis: - Analyzed numerous datasets to draw conclusions about green steel premiums, volumes, and other more - Additional Data analysis will also be key to fulfilling voucher opportunities - White Paper - Published a 25-page report titled “Decarbonizing US Automotive Steel” which summarizes barriers, solutions, and CALSTART’s Theory of Change for accelerating the uptake of green steel in the US automotive industry. - Webinar - Hosted the nation’s first green steel webinar geared towards the automotive sector. Featured industry leaders Volvo Group, RMI’s Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform, and Climate Group’s SteelZero.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

CALSTART: - 200+ staff members dedicated to decarbonizing the transportation system - 300+ member-companies across the clean transportation space - Teams dedicated to Green Steel, Hydrogen, Policy, Data Insights & Analytics, and Market Acceleration across light duty vehicles, busses, trucks, fuels and infrastructure, and innovative mobility Green Steel Program: - Member of the North American Steel Network, a weekly collaboration of 10+ non-profits focused on accelerating the transition to clean steel production. CALSTART is the most automaker-focused among these organizations. - Founding member of racetogreensteel.com, a non-profit partnership working to “take coal out of cars” - Attended the North American Steel Network in-person strategy sessions in Chicago, December 2023 - Spoke at Circularity 24 in May 2024 on “Driving Circularity: Lessons from the Automotive Industry” - Featured in 5+ publications including Forbes and Reuters

Capability Community Benefits

Steel supply chains touch hundreds of low and moderate-income manufacturing communities across the U.S, and according to a 2021 study by CPA, “the hollowing out of blue-collar manufacturing labor disproportionately hurt minority groups.” U.S. investments into green steel and other manufacturing sectors are set to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs that revitalize communities, offer good compensation, and mitigate the environmental impact of steel production. By helping organizations better understand how they can scale their green steel technology, our project promotes environmental justice by accelerating the market entrance of climate and community-friendly green steel technologies. Additionally, our analysis will highlight the importance of engaging communities early and often, and will offer pathways to do so, to ensure that future projects address the needs and concerns of local communities and workforces.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

We require a written account of which questions related to green steel market readiness your organization would like CALSTART to answer. We also require a written or verbal overview of your organization, how it interacts with steel supply chains, and how you hope this analysis will benefit your organization. The better you help us understand your organization’s functions and goals, the more we can tailor our analysis to your needs.

Geographic Constraints

We can provide service to any US state or territory. CALSTART has regional offices in the Northeast, Midwest, West, and Intermountain regions. The Green Steel Program has been focused on steel supply chains at a national and state level.

Additional details on matching preferences

CALSTART envisions this analysis benefiting green steel producers, automakers seeking to begin procuring green steel, and other stakeholders interested in better understanding how they can strategically enter the U.S. green steel market. CALSTART can support companies and technologies within Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1-9 and Adoption Readiness Level (ARL) 1-9

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

CALSTART will present slides (which will also be shared after the call) summarizing the mid-point status of the research

Final Milestone Description

CALSTART will share (1) presentation slides, (2) a written report, and (3) 5+ stakeholder introductions agreed upon by the recipient

Commercialization Feasibility Plan

Voucher #

VO1-25

Organization:

Bennovative LLC

Details

City

Hoover

State

Zip

35244

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

This capability helps early stage companies to determine the commercial feasibility of their products and develop a plan to demonstrate the value it will create in the market. To do this, we conduct several preliminary assessments of the technology that include, but not limited to - a techno-economic analysis, market readiness analysis, and a supply chain assessment. These assessments help us to determine the capabilities of the product or technology in its current state and identify any development gaps that should be addressed. In addition to the preliminary analyses of the external market situation, we conduct an internal asset audit. This includes everything from team personnel to IP status. Through this audit we help to identify skills gaps that need to be filled to bring the technology to market and what the patent landscape consists of from both a company filing and freedom to operate perspectives. By the end of the engagement, the company will have: -A full understanding of their position within the market to include IP landscape and filing strategy-What features or characteristics are needed to bring the technology to market-A funding pipeline of both non-dilutive grant options, and list of potential investors

Capability Core Competencies

Bennovative LLC has deep experience in helping companies establish the foundational assets and operations they need to achieve commercial success. To date, our company has helped at least 75 different federally funded startups with their overall commercialization plan. Many of these have been at early stages of the company and nascent stages of technology development. Helping clients navigate ambiguity and find clarity in how to best position their technology for commercial success is our specialty. We do this by integrating as deep as possible with the company and their product teams to understand the state of the technology, its capabilities, and how it fits into the market from both a short and long term sense. From here we tailor our deliverables based on the needs and skills gaps within the company’s team.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

The Bennovative team always has community impact at top of mind. As such we look for underrepresented communities for site selection demonstrations. This type of placement represents an opportunity for maximal impact. Further, it opens up client companies to maximize follow on funding by collaborating with the local community for more grants as well as Opportunity Zones that make for advantageous investment terms.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

To complete the work, we require the following three things. 1. A POC with at least high-level knowledge of the technology and business operations 2. The current high-level status of any assets: Funding, IP, research capabilities, partnerships, marketing & branding assets 3. Known restrictions, obstacles, or limitations on their technology or business activities

Geographic Constraints

There are no geographic restraints. We are capable of supporting projects anywhere within the United States.

Additional details on matching preferences

Our team is quite experienced in early stage product development having been consultants for the past 5 years and startup owners ourselves prior to that. We have access to several proprietary databases that will help us to ensure the data provided to clients is up to date and accurate. Further, we have built our own proprietary application, GrantMatch, that helps early stage companies quickly and easily populate their funding pipeline with non-dilutive grant funding opportunities. The benefits of all these products and databases will be made available to the customer as part of the engagement.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Initial Feasibility Assessment - This initial assessment sets the scene and establishes key facts for potential market opportunities

Final Milestone Description

A final assessment will be delivered and will be an action plan to demonstrate commercial value.

Clean Hydrogen Demand-Side Market Readiness Analysis

Voucher #

VO1-27

Organization:

CALSTART, Inc.

Details

City

Pasadena

State

Zip

91106

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Is your organization interested in exploring the demand side of clean hydrogen? CALSTART provide a hydrogen market readiness analysis that provide insights into: - Current Market: Which sectors buy hydrogen today, and at what volumes and prices? - Market Opportunities: Which sectors are primed to purchase clean hydrogen moving forward, and at what volumes and prices? This analysis can explore multiple sectors including trucking, steel, maritime, rail, and aviation. - License to Operate: Which policies (incentives, regulations, trade, permitting) will impact the future of the US hydrogen market - Partnerships: Which types of organizations will need to cooperate to achieve a robust, resilient, and profitable clean hydrogen marketplace? - Recommendations: What recommendations does CALSTART have to help your organization increase adoption readiness and succeed in the burgeoning clean hydrogen market This proposal offers the following deliverables: - Regular meetings to discuss ongoing findings and emerging opportunities for your organization - Mid-point and final presentation slides summarizing key takeaways - A market readiness analysis report designed to answer the questions above and other questions related to the US clean hydrogen offtake market that your organization is interested in. - Introductions to 5+ relevant stakeholder organizations

Capability Core Competencies

- For 30+ years, CALSTART has accelerated the transition to clean transportation - Over $1.4 billion distributed towards clean transportation deployments - Experience and Approach: - Stakeholder engagement: - 1:1 stakeholder interviews - Host Technology Advisory Committees and Policy Action Groups to discuss incentives and gaps in the market - Community based approach with tribes, Disadvantage and Low-Income Community engagement. - Data Analysis: - Analyzed numerous datasets to draw conclusions on hydrogen volumes, carbon intensity, and other key insights - Reporting - Experience reporting to state and federal agencies over 30 years of supporting these stakeholders as customers - CALSTART has developed the "2023 Roadmap to Fuel Cell Truck Commercialization Report" - CALSTART also publishes our "Zeroing in on Zero Emissions Trucks (ZIOZET)" report yearly. We analyze the various factors contributing to increase deployments such as increased incentives, technology readiness level, model availability, production capacity, and ZET policy adoption.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

CALSTART collaborates with OEMs, manufacturers, hydrogen suppliers, community and tribal outreach. We work with companies such as Linde, Hyzon, Accelera/Cummins, Ballard, Air Products, Air Liquide, Nel Hydrogen, Chart Industires, taylor Wharton, Gencell, OneH2, Transit agencies, state and city representatives, and Ports. CALSTART has 200+ staff members dedicated to decarbonizing the transportation system and 300+ member-companies across the clean transportation space. CALSTART has teams dedicated to hydrogen, green steel, policy, data insights & analytics, and market acceleration across light duty vehicles, buses, trucks, fuels and infrastructure, and innovative mobility. Much of that experience has been accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and CALSTART has supported hydrogen education development since 2016. CALSTART has administered the EnergIIZE hydrogen funding lane since its inception in 2021, administering over $60 million towards hydrogen fueling and clean energy generation projects in California.

Capability Community Benefits

Hydrogen supply chains touch hundreds of low and moderate-income communities across the U.S, and according to a 2021 study by CPA, “the hollowing out of blue-collar manufacturing labor disproportionately hurt minority groups.” U.S. Investments into hydrogen and other energy sectors are set to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs that revitalize communities, offer good compensation, and improve the environmental impact of hydrogen production and use. By helping organizations better understand how they can scale their clean hydrogen technology, our project promotes environmental justice by improving local health impacts, creating green jobs, and accelerating the transition to clean hydrogen.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

CALSTART requests (1) Written / verbal overview of your company and potential scope of work and desired outcomes (2) What do you see as your beachhead market? (3) Who is your customer? (4) What is your organization's vision for marketing materials within this scope?

Geographic Constraints

We can provide service to any US state or territory. CALSTART has regional offices in the Northeast, Midwest, West, and Intermountain regions, and our hydrogen works has a national focus.

Additional details on matching preferences

CALSTART envisions this analysis benefiting hydrogen producers, fueling infrastructure developers, fleets, and other stakeholders interested in better understanding how they can strategically enter the U.S. hydrogen market. CALSTART can support companies and technologies within Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1-9 and Adoption Readiness Level (ARL) 1-10 companies and technologies seeking business market analysis and research support to supplement their activities.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

CALSTART will present slides summarizing the mid-point status of the research and a short list for introductions or interviews

Final Milestone Description

CALSTART will share (1) slides, (2) a written report, and (3) 5+ stakeholder introductions selected by the recipient

Risk Assessment for the Development of Carbon Management Technologies

Voucher #

VO1-10

Organization:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Details

City

Livermore

State

Zip

94568

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Market Readiness

Capability Description

Work Description: In partnership with industry, LLNL has developed a Risk Assessment and Mitigation Protocol (RAMP) to guide the research and development of carbon management technologies beyond TRL 3 by identifying and addressing critical risks. The RAMP approach evaluates the technology performance, identifies the Minimum Viable Product and needed technology maturation activities including identifying cost, quality, and supply chain risks. Through its Carbon Initiative, LLNL has gained a deep understanding of carbon management technology needs and systems level insights for 6+ years. Our team has demonstrated RAMP on multiple carbon management technologies in partnership with industry, including carbon dioxide conversion, carbon capture, methane mitigation, and Direct Air Capture (DAC). Inputs: 1.Background/completion of RAMP Questionnaire. 2.1-hour Technology Application Benchmarking session with project team3.2-hour Technology Maturity Analysis session with project team4.Participation in a Risk Assessment Workshop discussion with a group of multidisciplinary subject matter experts Outputs and Deliverables: 1.Minimum Viable Product for a new technology from an Application Benchmarking and Technology Maturity Analysis 2.Identification of the critical risks (risk registry) to achieving the Minimum Viable Product 3.A research and development plan that highlights specific mitigations to de-risk scale-up 4.Final Report

Capability Core Competencies

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research and development center with core competencies in high performance computing and advanced manufacturing. LLNL’s major missions include national security, energy security and climate resilience. For over a decade, LLNL has been developing a diverse workforce applying these core competencies to improve the performance of carbon management technologies, including carbon capture, carbon dioxide conversion, and Direct Air Capture, in collaboration with major industrial partners. Today, LLNL’s carbon management workforce numbers over 100 people, with expertise in understanding technologies from the fundamental level to systems analysis, process modeling, and other applied R and D.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Through internal funding and extensive engagement with industrial partners, the LLNL carbon management team has developed, deployed, and refined a risk assessment and mitigation protocol (RAMP) that is intended for commercialization support for early-mid stage technologies and supported by an interactive website. The team has tested this protocol on over 10 projects and has engaged with other national laboratories to integrate best practices.

Capability Community Benefits

LLNL-led community outreach programs that encompass the energy technology areas relevant to this voucher include the LLNL-Kern County Community Action Partnership on Clean Energy Technology, the Workforce Development for Teachers & Scientists (WDTS) Outreach Consortium, and the NNSA Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program. As part of the University of California Climate Action program, LLNL will engage with Environmental Justice organizations to hear concerns related to scaleup of climate technologies, and work with students in underserved communities to provide entrepreneurial and technical training in carbon management technology risk assessment and mitigation. LLNL’s participation in this voucher program will inform and be informed by this community-engaged ecosystem.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Documents used as inputs: (1) Business case summary/elevator pitch, (2) technology process flow diagram, (3) technology research and results summary, (4) explanation of existing challenges, (5) initial market assessment data or results, and (6) initial product specifications and estimated costs.

Geographic Constraints

No domestic geographic constraints on the service.

Additional details on matching preferences

None

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Provide inputs required to complete the technical risk assessment

Final Milestone Description

Deliver evaluation report, risk mitigation and research & development plan

Competitive Edge Assessment

Voucher #

VO4-30

Organization:

Multi-Innovation Inc.

Details

City

Novato

State

Zip

94945

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Capability Description

A Competitive Edge is something you can do that your competitors cannot. At every growth stage of your business, understanding and protecting your Competitive Edge is imperative to leverage the market and protect your business from competitors. The work involved with this capability includes defining your business and technology landscape, clarifying your picture of the future and how your business fits into this future, identifying other companies that have the same or similar technology that can deliver a competitive solution, possibly limiting or displacing your business. defining your Competitive Edge, identifying your potential competitors, partners, and M&A options, and identifying what needs to be protected using patents/IP to maintain your Competitive Edge. At the end of this Assessment, you will have a clear understanding of your Competitive Edge, as well as a detailed report with actionable steps to protect it. This includes a list of key patents you should focus on immediately, to protect your place in the marketplace today and in the future.

Capability Core Competencies

Multi-Innovation is a full-service IP development and business strategy company. We help technology companies identify their Competitive Edge and develop strategic IP portfolios that protect it. Additionally, we serve as trusted advisors to VCs, Family Offices, and CEOs, helping them identify their tech strategy and how to use IP to expand their business opportunities. We offer Competitive Edge Assessments, Fractional CTO/Advisory, Patent Development, and Patent Prosecution. We work with startups, small and medium sized technology companies. We have experience in various industries such as biotech, robotics, avionics, green tech, med tech, telecommunications, IoT, AI, and more.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Our team consists of technology, business and IP experts. Some of which have the following qualifications: Director of Advanced Technology and Strategy at MotorolaInventor with over 90 patentsExpert witness for network communicationsExperience working with companies in various industries (biotech, robotics, avionics, etc.). Worked with over 20+ startups in various fields, working specifically on their Competitive Edge Assessment.Drafted 150+ patent applications.

Capability Community Benefits

Every year we donate 10% of income to local/community organizations. We are a woman and immigrant led organization with our COO being the DEI chair for external networking groups. We do pro-bono work for small technology companies that are just getting started and have not yet received funding.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Product and technology materials including high-level overviews, technical specifications, and business and go-to-market strategies. Examples of inputs we current receive from our clients include: pitch/investor decks, technology specifications, go-to-market whitepapers, technology whitepapers, technology slide decks or PowerPoints explaining the technology and business, etc.

Geographic Constraints

Any US state or territory

Additional details on matching preferences

We have experience in various industries and can work in any vertical except the pharmaceutical industry.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion and review of the Competitive Edge Questionnaire

Final Milestone Description

Completion of the Competitive Edge Assessment (Delivery of full report including conclusions, recommendations and next steps).

Freedom-to-Operate Patent Document Analysis to Determine Uniqueness of Inventive Technology

Voucher #

VO4-17

Organization:

Moeller Ventures LLC

Details

City

Eagan

State

Zip

55123

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Capability Description

Produces an assessment of the company’s provisional patent filing(s), its patent application(s), its granted patent(s), or description(s) of its inventive technology regarding the extent to which the patent claims or the technology description are similar to or are the same as other existing patent documents.1) Execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the client.2) Collect IP documents from the client and conduct the client IP FTO assessment background call. Required IP documents include at least one of the following: a written description of the inventive technology, provisional patent filing(s), non-provisional patent application(s), or granted patent(s).3) Execute patent document similarity analysis and deliver the preliminary FTO analysis report to the client via confidential cloud storage, AlphaDataIQ.com website, or similar online confidential medium. 4) Execute a review call with the client, covering the FTO patent document similarity analysis results and an assessment of the uniqueness of the client's technology. Deliver the final report to the client.

Capability Core Competencies

Previous provider of Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) analyses to companies as part of the DOE ENERGYWERX program.Intellectual Property Commercialization Assessments for 164 different life science National Institute of Health (NIH) Funded Start-ups: Provide IP commercialization assessments for National Institute of Health (NIH) funded life science companies in sectors spanning medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, digital health, and software. https://www.moellerventures.com/index.php/2021-nih-taba-companiesIntellectual Property Analytics Project for Rheos Medicines: Provided Jupyter data science notebooks, utilizing Google’s BigQuery data warehouse and the Google patents database, that search for human gene related patents and then secondarily link those patents to chemical compounds in the SureChEMBL database.Past Consulting Projects: https://www.moellerventures.com/index.php/past-projects.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

U.S Registered Patent Agent - Patent Bar passed July 2015. Credential: https://oedci.uspto.gov/OEDCI/practitionerSearchEntryUniversity of Minnesota – Coursera Online: Professional Certificate in Healthcare Marketplace Specialization – Completed September 2020.University of California, Berkeley – edX: Professional Certificate in Foundations of Data Science – Completed August 2019.Udemy Online: Machine Learning, Data Science and Deep Learning with Python by Frank Kane – Completed September 2021. Data Science A-Z™: Real-Life Data Science by Kirill Eremenko – Completed January 2019.Coursera Online: Machine Learning by Andrew Ng, Stanford University - Completed December 2018.University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN - MBA - New Venture ManagementUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.: MS Electrical Engineering: Master's thesis, post-graduate research, and teaching assistant dealing with advanced signal processing techniques as applied to radar echo analysis and voice recognition systems. BS Electrical Engineering.https://www.moellerventures.com/index.php/jims-curriculum-vitae

Capability Community Benefits

The success or failure of companies on the leading edge of clean energy innovation can often hinge on the uniqueness of the inventive technology that the companies are developing. The Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) patent document analysis focuses on analyzing the uniqueness of the company's technology and producing a report that can be used to attract and communicate with potential partners and investors, two critical constituencies to the success of growing businesses. Characterizing the inventiveness of these companies can lead directly to the success of these businesses and the businesses' ability to create jobs across all population demographics.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

The FTO analysis requires the company to provide its IP documents which includes at least one of the following: a written description of the inventive technology, provisional patent filing(s), non-provisional patent application(s), or granted patent(s).

Geographic Constraints

There are no geographic constraints.

Additional details on matching preferences

None.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Execute patent document similarity analysis and deliver the preliminary Freedom-to-Operate analysis report to the client via confidential cloud storage.

Final Milestone Description

Execute a review call with the client regarding the final patent document similarity analysis and uniqueness of the client's technology.

Patent Landscaping to Identify Potential IP Partners, Strategic Investors, and Patenting Trends

Voucher #

VO4-16

Organization:

Moeller Ventures LLC

Details

City

Eagan

State

Zip

55123

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Capability Description

Produces an analysis of the patent document landscape surrounding the company's specific area of intellectual property. This analysis provides information regarding the companies (i.e. assignees) that are the most prolific patent filers in a specific domain area. These companies are often the most significant targets as potential partners and investors for smaller companies developing new IP in these areas. In addition, the landscape report produces information regarding patenting trends, inventors, and notable prior art.1) Execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the client.2) Collect IP documents from the client and conduct the patent landscaping assessment background call. Required IP documents include at least one of the following: a written description of the inventive technology, provisional patent filing(s), non-provisional patent application(s), or granted patent(s).3) Execute patent document landscape analysis and deliver the preliminary landscape analysis report to the client via confidential cloud storage, AlphaDataIQ.com website, or similar online confidential medium. 4) Execute a review call with the client, covering the patent document landscape analysis results including notable assignee companies, patenting trends, and notable prior art. Deliver the final report to the client.

Capability Core Competencies

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

The success of emerging development stage companies that are highly intellectual property oriented often hinges on how well it can leverage its IP. A patent landscape analysis will provide information to a startup business about what other larger companies are in the same domain space and may be interested in partnering or investing in the startup's business. These "strategic" partners and investors are often key to an emerging company's success and its ability to create jobs across all population demographics.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

The patent landscape analysis requires the company to provide its IP documents which includes at least one of the following: a written description of the inventive technology, provisional patent filing(s), non-provisional patent application(s), or granted patent(s).

Geographic Constraints

There are no geographic constraints.

Additional details on matching preferences

None.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Execute patent document landscape analysis and deliver the preliminary report to the client via confidential cloud storage.

Final Milestone Description

Execute a review call with the client regarding the final patent document landscape analysis results. Deliver final report.

Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy, Investor Identification, and Persuasive Investor Pitch Deck Presentation

Voucher #

VO4-29

Organization:

VentureCraft, Inc.

Details

City

Huntington Beach

State

Zip

92648

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

VentureCraft offers a comprehensive fundraising strategy service, focusing on investor identification and creating persuasive pitch deck presentations. Our process begins with granting clients access to our proprietary VentureCraft Story Crafter tool, which guides them through a systematic curriculum to transform their existing technology and business into a compelling, investor-ready narrative. We will deliver two tailored pitch decks: a detailed e-mail deck and a concise presentation deck for in-person meetings. Leveraging our extensive investment databases, we'll identify up to 50 potential investors or investment groups with available capital, specifically targeting those interested in the voucher recipient's technology sector. Our deliverables include: 1. Access to our proprietary, industry-leadingVentureCraft Story Crafter tool2. Two customized pitch decks (e-mail and presentation versions)3. A detailed investor report with up to 50 potential investors, including contact information4. A personalized fundraising strategy recommendation Critical milestones involve story development, pitch deck creation, investor research, and strategy formulation. By project end, the voucher recipient will have a polished investment story, professional pitch materials, a curated list of potential investors, and a tailored fundraising strategy to maximize their capital needs while optimizing equity positions.

Capability Core Competencies

VentureCraft's core competencies lie in our unique blend of technical expertise and practical fundraising experience. Our multidisciplinary team, comprising design experts, financial analysts, and pitch deck specialists, excels at translating complex technical concepts into compelling investment presentations tailored for general investors without scientific backgrounds. We leverage our global investor network, spanning from Angels to VCs, and our access to the largest private investor databases to provide unparalleled investor identification and matching services. VentureCraft's collaborations with leading accelerators such as Y Combinator, Plug and Play, Techstars, Slalom, EvoNexus, and TiE further enhance our capabilities and network. What sets us apart is our rare combination of proven business storytelling skills and hands-on fundraising experience, making us one of the few investor pitch deck companies that can offer both compelling narratives and practical, results-driven strategies for securing deeptech investment.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

VentureCraft brings over two decades of expertise in helping early-stage technology companies secure funding. Our track record includes assisting clients directly in raising more than $450 million in capital, ranging from seed to Series A rounds from angels and venture capital groups. We currently manage operations for one of the nation's largest accelerators, which has supported deeptech companies in raising over $5.9B and achieving $5.2B in exits since 2010. We have advised thousands of deeptech startups and understand the unique challenges these companies face. Our principal is a globally recognized deeptech investment expert, recently invited to speak at the world's largest digital innovation conference in Bologna, Italy, addressing an audience of 90,000. Additionally, our principal sits on a review panel for a cleantech investment fund and is presently an Adjunct Professor of Business Law for USC Gould and former corporate counsel to an investment firm.

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Completion of a comprehensive Story Crafter survey that will touch on the primary components of a successful investor presentation ranging from competitors to financial health.

Geographic Constraints

VentureCraft currently works with clients anywhere and are able to provide the service anywhere in the country.

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A. We're industry and tech agnostic with clients ranging from cybersecurity to cleantech. Ultimately, we adapt to the client to deliver data-driven strategies.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Report delivered of: (1) initial pitch deck copy draft; (2) investor report; (3) initial pitch deck storyboard.

Final Milestone Description

Finalized pitch decks, investor report with contact information, and finalized fundraising strategy.

Connector Commercialization and Fundraising Solutions for Technology and Energy Companies

Voucher #

VO4-26

Organization:

Connector Labs

Details

City

PLANO

State

Zip

75095

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Connector Labs provides end-to-end support for technology and energy companies in their commercialization journey, combining expertise in government relations, intellectual property, and strategic fundraising. We specialize in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, securing funding, and developing impactful marketing materials to ensure successful market entry and growth. Work Involved Commercialization Support: - Market analysis and tailored commercialization strategy.- Partnerships with National Laboratories and key research institutions.- Regulatory compliance Marketing Materials Development: - Compelling marketing collateral, including pitch decks and brochures.- Digital marketing strategies to enhance online presence.- Detailed whitepapers to highlight innovative solutions. Fundraising Road-Mapping: - Identify and prioritize public and private funding opportunities.- Develop a strategic fundraising plan with clear timelines.- Assist in grant applications and investor presentations Critical Milestones: - Initial market analysis and commercialization strategy- Core marketing materials by month two- Submission of funding proposals by month four- Secured funding commitments and investor interest Deliverables: - Commercialization strategy report- Professional marketing materials suite- Comprehensive fundraising roadmap- Established partnerships and secured funding

Capability Core Competencies

Connector Labs combines government relations and intellectual property expertise to support energy and technology companies from startups to Fortune 500s. Our integrated team of funding and policy experts, lawyers, engineers, scientists, and former government officials excels in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, securing funding, and developing impactful marketing materials. We have successfully positioned companies as leaders in clean energy policy, secured cooperative R&D agreements with National Laboratories, and secured federal funding opportunities. Our approach involves thorough market analysis, tailored commercialization strategies, and strategic fundraising roadmaps. By bridging the legal, business, and technical aspects of our clients' work, we ensure they overcome hurdles, enter new markets, and achieve their goals. Our proven track record in both public and private sector fundraising makes us a valuable partner for commercialization and growth.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Connector Labs offers an array of resources tailored for energy and technology companies. Our team includes seasoned professionals with certifications in project management, intellectual property law, and regulatory compliance. We have former government officials and policy experts with extensive networks in Washington D.C., facilitating strategic relationships with agencies like the Department of Energy and National Laboratories. Our engineers and scientists hold advanced degrees and have hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies. Connector Labs has secured multiple Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, ensuring our clients meet all necessary compliance and eligibility requirements.

Capability Community Benefits

Connector Labs is committed to fostering community and advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in all our activities. Our approach includes developing Community Benefits Plans aligned with DOE guidelines, ensuring that our projects deliver positive, measurable impacts to local communities. We actively engage with diverse local stakeholders, including underserved groups, to create inclusive opportunities and build local capacities. In our voucher activities, we prioritize partnerships with minority-owned businesses, local suppliers, and educational institutions to promote economic development and workforce diversification. Our initiatives are designed to enhance environmental justice by addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities. Connector Labs leverages its extensive network and expertise to integrate DEIA considerations into every project, driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Voucher recipients must provide detailed project information, including technical specifications, product descriptions, initial market analysis, and a basic business plan. Regulatory and compliance data, such as existing certifications and documentation, are also necessary. Additionally, recipients should share funding and financial data, including previous grant applications, funding history, and financial statements. Existing marketing materials and digital assets will help in developing comprehensive marketing strategies. Information on current partnerships and key contacts within relevant agencies and organizations.

Geographic Constraints

None

Additional details on matching preferences

Information on any existing collaborations or partnerships with universities, research institutions, or industry players that could support the project.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Complete market analysis report and draft commercialization strategy, including initial regulatory and funding pathway identification.

Final Milestone Description

Completed commercialization strategy, finalized marketing materials, and submitted funding applications with secured partnerships and initial funding commitments.

Fundraising road-mapping (from both public and private sources)

Voucher #

VO4-27

Organization:

ICatalysts LLC

Details

City

San Anselmo

State

Zip

94960

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Guide companies to address the important questions and key steps to create a high quality road-map to raise outside funds, either non-diluted funds like a government grant, or diluted funds such as an equity-based investment from a private investor. We provide a proven approach, databases (Crunchbase, Pitchbook) and tools/templates. We've helped over 100 companies prepare for and raise funding. Our approach is to work closely with company leaders to create a road map by executing 8 tasks with associated milestones: 1. Creating business case for raising funds (why, and when)2.Assessing company readiness for raising funds (meeting business and technical criteria)Milestone: Justification and Readiness memo to Company Management/Board/Advisors3.Characterizing funding needs (needed to meet critical milestones)Milestone: Funding Needs Memo4.Prioritize sources of funds 5.Identify types of funding desiredMilestone: Funding Priorities Memo 6.Develop fundraising milestones work plan Milestone: Fundraising Milestones Work Plan 7.Screen non-dilutive financing mechanisms Milestone: Preferred Non-Dilutive Financing Mechanisms Memo8. Develop fundraising materials (1-pager; Full Stack Pitch Deck). Versions: public and private fundersPlease see attached ICatalysts Fundraising Roadmap Guide, Example Pitch Deck and Money Matters Presentation for details.9. Final road-map with content from all memos (with attachments)

Capability Core Competencies

ICatalysts has 25+ years experience in energy entrepreneurship, funding development, and energy technologies. These competencies cover funding road-mapping and development, business planning and commercialization support, and evaluating companies and technologies for funders and investors. Since 2000 we have trained over 5000 people on non-dilutive (e.g., grants) and dilutive funding development (e.g., VC). Over 20 years, we have coached and provided business plan and investor pitch training and investor access to 1000+ startups who have raised over $3.5B. This includes over 400 energy companies. Developed and run Empower Innovation (www.empowerinnovation.com) the largest online community for sourcing clean energy grant funding and teaming partners in U.S. $67B+; 4400+ members in 45 states. Funded by State of California. Core competencies:Fundraising roadmappingBusiness and executive coaching Grant development and writingFunding opportunity sourcing Investor sourcing/outreachGrant application review Pitch training Company due diligenceCompetitive research and analysisBusiness planning and commercialization strategy

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

10 experts with fundraising road-mapping experience. All manage projects and experienced with listed energy technologies/industries. Tom Jensen: 25 years experience in energy & environmental technologies, training, coaching, and fundraising. Co-created and manage Empower Innovation and ICatalysts investor events.Dr. Rakesh Radhakrishnan: Engineer/MBA 25 years experience. Recent Sr. Tech to Market Advisor, ARPA-EDr. Zachary Holman: Expert in solar and materials topics. Grant development webinars for NREL. Founded 3 funded solar startups.Nathan Fink: Formerly, sr. venture staff for Shell Ventures; finance expertCameron Barnes: 10 years experience in operationalizing DEI strategy including $125M in community benefit planning and training for the DOE. Pier Kuehn: 25 years of executive management experience within the energy technology, and investment industries. X CEOOthers: Hal Stillman (x Argonne NL, investor), Dan Colbert (X LBL, X CTO, X investor), Josh Futterman (attorney), Michael Moon (pitch coach)Developed video learning modules on fundraising with DOE funding.

Capability Community Benefits

We help clients focus on the levers and assets that they have available to them to benefit a community. We assist them to identify and characterize their key stakeholders and their interests and needs to consider in developing their plan. Then, we talk with stakeholders on possible options. Once preferred options are defined, measurable equitable outcomes are identified. Sound project management and ongoing community engagement and communications is fundamental to realize outcomes. From our experience, it is important to spend the time with community members to help them build an understanding of the project/company as a basis for conversations. The type and magnitude of community benefits typically vary by project type (R&D, vs. demonstration, vs. deployment). For any project type, having conversations with community members about their hopes and concerns often results in project ideas (e.g., workforce development) that may not have been apparent before engagement began.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Provide existing materials including prior business, marketing, operational, fundraising plans/activity, market, and competitive research, etc. Provide details on technology, intellectual property, team, current financials,

Geographic Constraints

Service anywhere in the U.S.

Additional details on matching preferences

Strong company service mindset and experience.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Tasks 1 through 5 with these milestones: Justification/Readiness memo; Funding Needs Memo; Funding Priorities Memo (see Cap. Des.)

Final Milestone Description

Final road-map with content from all memos (with attachments)

The Energy Innovator’s Capital Playbook: a market assessment, fundraising roadmap, and pitch strategy to secure funding for technology commercialization

Voucher #

VO4-28

Organization:

TRC

Details

City

Santa Monica

State

Zip

90405

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

TRC will develop a comprehensive playbook that provides actionable information and tangible resources to help secure funding needed to move technology to market. Our team will help innovators characterize and understand their competitive advantage, identify and prioritize potential sources of capital, and effectively communicate their value proposition to investors, funding agencies, and other audiences. The playbook covers three key components necessary to secure funding: 1. Market Assessment: Analyzes industry trends and segments the target markets, identifies and evaluates potential competitors, and describes customer needs and preferences. Specific questions can be customized based on voucher recipient’s unique needs. 2. Fundraising Roadmap: Defines clear fundraising objectives, including estimates of how much capital is needed, for what purpose, and over what timeframe. Identifies potential funding opportunities (including both private investment and public grants/incentives) and recommends specific action items to maximize competitiveness. 3. Pitch Strategy: Articulates key messages and win themes designed to highlight competitive advantages, tailored to specific target audiences. TRC will also develop/refine a pitch deck and provide up to three coaching sessions to practice delivery. TRC will work directly with voucher recipients as we develop their custom playbook over three months, including a kickoff meeting, midpoint strategy call, and final presentation.

Capability Core Competencies

From strategic planning to project implementation, TRC provides full-service funding strategy and grant writing support. Our team has worked with both public and private sector clients on over 600 grant, rebate, loan, and other incentive applications since 1993, with a more than 90% success rate. Our experience with clients from varying sectors has rendered us experts in analyzing market compatibility with varying technologies and relevant policies and assessing compatibility of customer climate targets and purchase strategies with market patterns. TRC offers clients tremendous expertise on how to successfully secure funding and incentives for a variety of energy innovation projects. We help our clients determine suitable funding programs and understand how competitive a project will be before applying, gain insight into the potential competition to help craft a unique and winning project strategy, and understand how to secure funding.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

As you develop innovative and emerging technologies to solve climate and energy challenges, TRC is your trusted partner, providing commercialization support, technology demonstrations, and scalable approaches to drive market transformation. TRC also analyzes and supports the development of policy frameworks for practical market application and oversight. Ultimately, our services inform the next generation of energy programs, roadmaps, codes and standards, and EM&V. We have significant client experience in the private and public sector, including providing external funding support, technical assistance, technical analysis, emissions reporting, project development and management, and program implementation. The 120 members of our Clean Transportation Solutions team has secured more than $1.5 billion in grants, loans, and other financial assistance, and our Advanced Energy team has over 700 dedicated problem-solvers trained in every step of clean energy transition - from conception and research to program planning and design, and implementation and customer engagement.

Capability Community Benefits

As part of our clients’ fundraising playbook, TRC leverages subject-matter expertise and industry network to support project growth and investment in local communities. We are dedicated to ensuring that as the project progresses, significant attention is given to ensure that the client knows the communities involved and vice versa. This includes engagement within local communities and active collaboration with leadership groups to establish training and workforce development initiatives as part of our clients’ goals to invest in the American workforce. Developing award-winning proposals and offering support throughout the funding process has enabled our clients to make a lasting impact hand in hand with local communities.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

TRC will create a succinct needs list for the client outlining all the information needed from them through an initial kickoff meeting and fundraising needs assessment. Voucher recipients may be asked to provide information on the technology being commercialized, prior funding opportunities that they have competed for, any previous grant writing experience, IP status (i.e. patented, licensed, etc.), and any additional details or challenges regarding the technology or their business that will aid in the customization of their services.

Geographic Constraints

TRC’s strategic initiatives team is mostly remote and can support voucher recipients in all 56 US states and territories.

Additional details on matching preferences

With nearly 7,000 employees and 150 offices around the world, TRC has expert staff collaborating on market research and analysis, partnerships development, government affairs, and funding and incentives application development. We have helped an impressive roster of clients and partners, including major universities, startups, NGOs, and more, navigate the fundraising process and applications that align with the emissions reduction goals of public agencies on the state and federal level. At TRC, our changemakers are committed to helping clients redefine what is possible in clean transportation and energy innovation.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

An 80% draft market assessment and fundraising roadmap delivered approximately 6-8 weeks after project launch.

Final Milestone Description

A final written report and presentation of the market assessment and fundraising roadmap, pitch deck, and completed pitch practice sessions.

Navigating Cleantech Funding Landscapes: A Strategic Roadmap for Securing Public and Private Investments

Voucher #

VO4-24

Organization:

BRITE Energy Innovators (formerly the Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center)

Details

City

Warren

State

Zip

44481

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Developing a fundraising roadmap for cleantech startups to identify suitable funding opportunities, craft engagement strategies, and establish critical milestones to secure necessary funds from both public and private sources. Capabilities:1.Funding Monitoring – actively monitoring funding opportunities from public and private sources for our network of over 100 cleantech startups.2.Investor Network – maintaining active relationships with cleantech investors and sharing deal flow with over 200 contacts.3.Industry Expertise – specializing in cleantech, specifically clean energy, providing deep industry connections and expertise.4.Founder Training – integrate training materials from our accelerator program into consulting engagements, helping founders incorporate deliverables into their business post-engagement. Work Involved:1.Initial Assessment: Meet founders to understand startup goals, technology, and funding needs. Review current fundraising efforts to identify gaps.2.Strategic Planning: Develop a fundraising strategy specifying goals, amounts, and timelines.3.Engagement and Outreach Planning: Design tailored communication plans for funders. Review outreach materials such as email templates and pitch decks.4.Implementation Support: Provide training on fundraising best practices. Supply tools and templates to streamline processes. Deliverables:•Fundraising strategy document including tailored funding sources.•Action plans for funding sources with engagement and outreach plans.

Capability Core Competencies

BRITE Energy Innovators is a non-profit organization with a mission of advancing the clean energy economy. To do so, BRITE utilizes a roster of subject-matter experts and supportive staff to execute customized training modules for energy technology clients from ideation to manufacturing and expansion. Each training module is designed to assist in improving a key component of a company’s adoption readiness level, such as business models, funding strategies, product roadmaps, and market landscapes. BRITE has provided business and technical support to founding teams for over a decade through one-on-one mentorship, cohorts, and specialized sprints. Last year, BRITE assisted clients achieve over a dozen ARL milestones. For example, through the business planning module, one company secured its first customer and venture funding. All services are virtual and run by individuals with experience as hardware energy entrepreneurs. BRITE's portfolio programming has helped over 100 startups with funding helping raise over $350M.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

BRITE maintains its own curriculum for over twenty customizable modules to meet an entrepreneur or technology developer where they are. This curriculum was developed and is maintained by individuals with hardware energy entrepreneurship and technology development experience. BRITE ensures clear and transparent communication through robust reporting mechanisms and customer service. BRITE brings a vast network, valuable connections, and expertise in the translation of innovation from R&D to industry. This invaluable resource supports the successful navigation of the technology transfer process, facilitates industry partnerships, and strengthens the path towards commercialization, providing a distinct competitive advantage.BRITE's investor network has grown to over 200 contacts that are engaged with the ecosystem through custom deal flow introductions tailored to each firm's thesis and regular deal flow newsletters. In addition, BRITE also maintains a grant monitoring process tailored to the needs of its membership with strategy and advising expertise to support.

Capability Community Benefits

One of BRITE’s core values is inclusion and is led by a diverse team. The organization adopted a policy and action framework that is incorporated into all organizational processes with regular evaluation, including a thirty percent minimum threshold for recruitment, retention, and services. In 2023, BRITE signed the National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators (NCCEI) Statement of Principles on the Justice40 Initiative to support underrepresented founders, expand access to dedicated funding resources, deliver solutions to disadvantaged communities, and support related workforce opportunities and training. At the heart of BRITE’s mission is ensuring equitable access to business opportunities, good-paying jobs, career-track training, and other economic opportunities. BRITE is headquartered in Census Tract 39155933800 in Warren, Ohio, a designated disadvantaged community in the CEJST tool for energy and housing costs, low income, lead paint, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, low life expectancy, poverty and unemployment.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

These inputs will ensure a tailored approach to developing a successful fundraising road-map for specific cleantech startup. 1.Business Goals and Objectives: Clear understanding of your startup's long-term vision and short-term objectives. 2.Technology Overview: Detailed description of your cleantech innovation, its uniqueness, and potential impact. 3.Current Funding Status: Overview of existing funding sources, if any, and financial projections. 4.Access to Data: Availability of relevant business and financial data for research and analysis purposes. 5.Marketing and Business Materials: All marketing and business materials that startup current has including pitch deck and business plan.

Geographic Constraints

no geographic constraints

Additional details on matching preferences

no equipment specifications

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Develop gap assessment of startup funding readiness with initial fundraising strategy suggestions and actionable next steps.

Final Milestone Description

Final fundraising strategy with specific sources and detailed action plans integrating engagement and outreach for each source.

Hardtech Commercialization Technical Assistance - Fundraising road-mapping

Voucher #

VO4-25

Organization:

Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University

Details

City

Southfield

State

Zip

48075

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Centrepolis is a hardtech accelerator dedicated to the economic development of our regional ecosystem. We support dual-use technology, mobility, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Our team provides comprehensive technical assistance to start-ups and small to medium-sized companies to help mature their technologies. Our services include market analysis and research, development of marketing materials, go-to-market strategy formulation, product scale-up, patent landscape analysis, intellectual property legal support, business plan development, fundraising road-mapping (both public and private sources), and commercialization strategy assistance. By the end of the voucher project, we will deliver a comprehensive commercialization strategy tailored to the recipient's needs, ensuring their technology is market-ready.

Capability Core Competencies

Provide a brief description of your organization’s expertise, experience, capabilities, and approach as it relates to the voucher opportunity. Centrepolis is a team of practitioners with extensive industry experience. Our leadership has over 25 years of experience leading technical and advanced technology teams and providing technical and commercial due diligence to venture capital, private equity, economic development, and other sectors. Our accelerator boasts a team of Experts-In-Residence, each with an average of over 30 years of industry experience as executives or subject matter experts. This team provides comprehensive support for commercialization projects. Centrepolis has over 40 Experts-In-Residence on staff, each with over 25 years of expertise in fields such as product design, engineering, prototyping, tooling, materials, manufacturing, supply chain, IP, business strategy, industry connections, and marketing & sales. This unique depth of experience and knowledge allows us to offer unparalleled expertise in advancing commercialization projects.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Centrepolis comprises a team of over 40 seasoned experts (over 25% PhD, over 60% Graduate Studies) in various functional areas, including product development (mechanical engineering, electronics development, software), polymers, sustainability, business, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain development strategy. Our team also has specialized expertise in verticals such as energy, mobility, defense, mining, and recycling. Additionally, we have a fully staffed prototype lab and engineering team equipped to support the development and commercialization of advanced technologies. This extensive range of expertise and resources ensures we can provide comprehensive support tailored to the specific needs of each commercialization project.

Capability Community Benefits

Since 2018, Centrepolis has been dedicated to providing free services and funding to underrepresented companies. In collaboration with funders from underserved communities, such as the New Economy Initiative of Wayne County and the City of Southfield, we launched the Micro Makers Evolution Lab to fund and support the commercialization of products for underserved firms. Over 50% of our clients are underserved entrepreneurs, including women, people of color, veterans, the disabled, and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in distressed communities. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is reflected in our client demographics: 52% are from underserved backgrounds, 23% are African American-owned, 23% are women-owned, 23% are minority-owned, 53% are senior-owned, 10% are veteran-owned, and 8% have leaders with disabilities. Additionally, 45% of our founders come from underserved communities. Centrepolis actively supports community benefits by fostering inclusivity and providing tailored resources to ensure the success of diverse entrepreneurs.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For the voucher project, we require the following inputs from the recipients: detailed product information, including specifications and technical documentation; any existing market research or customer feedback; the current business plan or strategic roadmap; details of any intellectual property considerations; and specific project goals and milestones. Additionally, we request participation in three key meetings: a kickoff meeting, a roadmap workshop, and a program closure meeting.

Geographic Constraints

US Online, Regional In person

Additional details on matching preferences

Centrepolis offers access to specialized equipment, facilities and prototype lab. Our team consists of experts with unique skills and certifications relevant to advanced manufacturing and product commercialization. We have a track record of successful projects; drone manufacturer - led DFM&A | value chain analysis | supplier development Consumer products company - supported supply chain assessment | quality process improvements Power Electronics company SiC powerstack - Help ideation of manufacturing process | supplier development Mobility company - developed fundraising strategy For effective collaboration, we use advanced project management and communication tools to ensure seamless interaction with our clients.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion of initial fundraising strategy draft and identification of potential funding sources.

Final Milestone Description

Deliver final fundraising roadmap, including action plans and targeted funding opportunities.

Fundraising Support

Voucher #

VO4-15

Organization:

Strategic Analysis, Inc.

Details

City

Arlington

State

Zip

22203

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Strategic Analysis assists companies evaluate the value-add of technologies and products to identify financing opportunities through strategic subsidies/incentives, partnerships, and equity/grant fundraising. Strategic Analysis develops an individualized roadmap by offering:•Screening and evaluation of U.S. and international tax subsidies and incentives to improve product/project economics•Screening and value-mapping to identify advantageous partnerships with current market participants including leveraging connections in the fuel cell and electrolyzer markets and providers of supporting equipment•Screening and evaluating diverse fundraising opportunities with experience assisting venture capital partners with investments and assisting clients position their work for non-diluting government grants

Capability Core Competencies

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Geographic Constraints

Our team is distributed throughout the United States and typically supports projects virtually.

Additional details on matching preferences

None

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Preliminary report

Final Milestone Description

Final report

Fundraising Strategy, Investor Pitch Strategy, Development, and Targeting Execution

Voucher #

VO4-14

Organization:

Rare Innovation

Details

City

Sarasota

State

Zip

34237

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Startups needing private investment to cross the “valley of death” need support developing pitch decks and strategies that are audience specific and create interest. Compelling pitches are audience/problem centric and clearly articulate the opportunity. Targeting the right investor is as critical as the pitch and Rare Innovation will curate and contact a list of the right investors to help accelerate new ventures. Milestones:Delivery of two presentation decks with content edits to appeal to investors and design improvements.Provide contact list of 20+ investors that are aligned with the innovation.Written report that each were provided an introductory deck and who is interested in a pitch from client.

Capability Core Competencies

Rare Innovation is your representative to the market and investors. We are experienced in presenting complex innovations to the market that drives adoption and success. Our core competencies are: Sales, Partnership, Marketing, Go-to-Market Strategy and Execution Pitch Deck Development, Pitch Prep, and Public/Private Fundraising Business Development, Business Modeling, and Growth

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Recipients must provide current commercialization plan, any documentation of customer discovery, innovation overview, list of investors already approached, and current pitch decks.

Geographic Constraints

Rare Innovation currently works with clients anywhere and are able to provide the service anywhere in the country.

Additional details on matching preferences

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion of pitch decks - introduction deck and in-person pitch deck.

Final Milestone Description

Contact list of 20 or more investors who match the innovation and report of sending deck to each.

Renewable Energy Solutions Fundraising Road-Mapping and Capture Planning

Voucher #

VO4-13

Organization:

Peak Innovations Group LLC

Details

City

Seattle

State

Zip

98101

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Peak can deliver an opportunity matrix that identifies potential funding sources to continue technical development, commercial development, or business growth based on the product being developed, and prepare an actionable capture plan outlining most potential versus expended effort and applicable timings for those efforts. This report can serve as a basis for awardees to determine the appropriate next steps and path forward on fund-raising (dilutive or non-dilutive), identify the elements needed to seek those funding opportunities, weigh opportunity costs and risks associated with those funding opportunities, and better leverage their capabilities and capacities towards opportunities that would be of the most benefit to moving the innovation further towards a commercial solution.

Capability Core Competencies

Peak has a long history of helping businesses navigate funding opportunities for their innovative idea/product, select the most promising opportunities, apply for those opportunities with complete and compelling content, and ultimate secure opportunities. Peak has the most direct experience in innovation development programs such as SBIR/STTR and DIV, but also has expertise in pitching to investor panels, assessing potential effort versus capitalization in opportunities, and structuring a well-developed and actionable capture plan.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Over the lifetime of the organization's principles, Peak has assisted over 500 small businesses in developing complete, and compelling, proposal packages and development pathway efforts for non-dilutive funding sources. Peak has also helped dozens of businesses put together dilutive funding pitches, connect with the appropriate venture funding sources, and coached/counseled those businesses on agreements and rights when seeking equity-based opportunities.

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Access to information on awards, held pitches, accelerators applied to or participated in, investment organizations approached, and any resources/documentation used during those efforts; summary of results for all of the following as well as benefits obtained; A project kick-off call between Peak and relevant client team members that can provide information about the technology, current product development plan, and any market reports/marketing data on potential customer and value propositions

Geographic Constraints

We are capable of supporting projects across the globe with a strong in-person presence on the U.S. West Coast.

Additional details on matching preferences

No external equipment is needed to achieve the goals of this voucher provision.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Initial informational document on identifed opportunities, strengths/weaknesses of approach, and alignment towards desired company direction

Final Milestone Description

Delivery of a capture plan that outlines a timed approach and a schedule for preparation of documentation for the opportunity

Developing Structure for Fundraising: Essential Tools for Raising Your First Round

Voucher #

VO4-12

Organization:

Evergreen Climate Innovations

Details

City

Chicago

State

Zip

60642

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Evergreen brings expertise from years of implementing our Structured fundraising program designed by Evergreen to help early-stage companies strategically plan and execute follow-on capital raise processes. For this capability, Evergreen will work to demystify and support the fundraising process. This work scope will focus on how to touch upon all key areas of a successful fundraising pitch, including articulating the addressable market, a company’s go-to-market strategy and simplifying the business model into revenues and expenses. Evergreen will help address how to effectively integrate these topics and prioritize them appropriately depending on the investor interactions and audiences. Additionally, Evergreen will also detail how to develop a target list of investors, and execute outreach. This scope will also provide education on how to create and maintain a data room, manage and track investor interactions, and understand key parameters in term sheets.

Capability Core Competencies

For over 12 years, Evergreen Climate Innovations (Evergreen) has provided strategic support and catalytic capital to clean energy startups that bring impactful climate technologies to market. Evergreen works actively to help startups achieve their milestones, connects them to funding and support opportunities, and provides marketing and public relations guidance, strategic counsel, and fundraising support. Evergreen has extensive experience executing federal grants and related funding opportunities, as well as the management, oversight, and reporting responsibilities inherent with both grant execution and complex program management. This work will leverage learnings and work done to implement Evergreen’s existing Structured Fundraising program. Through the Structured Fundraising program, Evergreen has helped participating portfolio companies raise over $100m in their fundraising campaigns. The goal of this capability will be to successfully prepare voucher awardees with a strong foundation of what the key steps are in having a successful fundraising campaign.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Evergreen brings extensive experience supporting early stage energy technology startups in their journeys to commercialize new technologies and build scalable businesses. One large component of this work is our support for helping companies fundraise. From our experience helping companies, and from our own experience as a prospective investor, we have developed useful tools, information, and context that can be applied to new startups to help them be more successful in their own fundraising efforts.

Capability Community Benefits

Evergreen has publicly committed to Justice40 Initiative principles as part of a letter signed in conjunction with the National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators (NCCEI). This includes incorporating the following principles into our programming: supporting underrepresented founders; expanding access to dedicated funding resources for underrepresented individuals; delivering solutions in disadvantaged communities; supporting related workforce opportunities training. Inclusion is a priority for Evergreen: 60% of our portfolio companies are founded by women or people of color (far above the national average), and our organization provides support for underrepresented entrepreneurs via our equity and access programming in conjunction with Nicor Gas and U.S. Bank.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

A draft pitch deck, and some basic financial information that can provide insight into the magnitude and uses for funding.

Geographic Constraints

This program can support any startup in the United States

Additional details on matching preferences

This process should start at least 6 months before a company needs to have a fundraising round completed for best results.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Review fundraising process timeline; conduct pitch review.

Final Milestone Description

Review updated pitch, share best practices on investor tracking, outreach, data room development, and term sheet basics

Technology Due Diligence

Voucher #

VO4-10

Organization:

Strategic Analysis, Inc.

Details

City

Arlington

State

Zip

22203

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Strategic Analysis provides technology due diligence as a service prior to or concurrent with equity fundraising efforts. The proposed diligence effort would be identical in scope to what SA offers equity clients. The primary goal of this due diligence will be to identify potential risks that may be uncovered during an equity investor’s own diligence effort and to recommend actions to strengthen the investor pitch. For example, identified risks can be addressed or mitigated prior to investment or folded into the technology development plan. A secondary benefit of the diligence effort is a report that can be shared with potential investors to increase the investor’s confidence to progress the investment decision. The scope of the diligence will include:•Technology and competitive landscape evaluation—a targeted review of the core technology, its relative strengths and weaknesses, and its differentiation with respect to the market•Technology and commercialization plan evaluation—a review of the plans to ensure that critical milestones are addressed, the timing and planned resources are adequate, and that plan support growth claims •A SWOT analysis of the technology, IP, and the market

Capability Core Competencies

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Geographic Constraints

Our team is distributed throughout the United States and typically supports projects virtually

Additional details on matching preferences

In-person interactions, such as site visits if agreed between SA and the client, will be restricted to within the continental United States.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Preliminary assessment

Final Milestone Description

Final report

Fundraise Strategy and Planning

Voucher #

VO1-24

Organization:

Riverview Climate Ventures LLC

Details

City

Sacramento

State

Zip

95816

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

Riverview Climate Ventures supports climate tech companies on fundraising, commercialization, and other special projects related tostrategy and finance. This capability is focused on fundraising. The proposed project involves 3 steps:1. First, data collection. This includes a review of the company's current pitch deck, financial model, investor data room, and other materials that would be shared with a prospective investor as part of a due diligence process.2. Second, collateral development. This includes refining the pitch deck, financial model, and supporting materials for prospective investors. We gather feedback from our network of active investors in climate tech and beyond to produce investor-ready material.3. Third, fundraise planning. This includes pipeline development, process documentation, and initial investor outreach. We define a project plan and timeline based on successful fundraises we've supported in the past

Capability Core Competencies

Project track record - Riverview Climate Ventures has successfully completed or is in process of completing 6 value-add projects for climate tech startups since Q4 2023. These projects range from $3m customer offtake deal for a Seed-stage company to a $40m Series B fundraise. VC investing - Riverview is led by Daniel Ketyer, formerly a climate-focused venture capital investor at Piva Capital (investors in 19 Series A-C companies). He brings the VC lens and network to support company fundraise efforts. Industry experience - For select projects, we bring on 1-2 sub-contractors in our network with specific expertise that can make a project more successful. In one project, a market study for a solar energy firm, we brought on an ex-strategy consultant with energy sector experience to support for 20 hours per week.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Company capitalization history, months of runway remaining, number of employees

Geographic Constraints

N/a

Additional details on matching preferences

N/a

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Pitch deck complete and ready to present externally

Final Milestone Description

Investor pipeline complete and outreach process documented

Valuation Model Development for Investment Planning Purposes

Voucher #

VO1-23

Organization:

Parabellum Strategic Group LLC

Details

City

Atlanta

State

Zip

30315

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Fundraising

Capability Description

PSG will develop a valuation model, specifically a discounted cash flow model, to assist the recipient quantify potential equity values of a selected project. The valuation model can be used for internal management planning and decision-making activities, including to assess the potential funding amounts of capital raises (debt and/or equity). Implementing a valuation model is vital to assist with: a) more informed decision-making regarding project viability, scalability, and drivers of economic value; b) invaluable insights towards reasonable levels of future capital raises based on the project's current financial performance, capital structure, and prevailing market interest/discount rates; and c) higher quality stakeholder and investor engagement. Valuation model development procedures may include, but are not limited to: -Define project scope-Data collection-Segmentation analysis-Preliminary model specifications-Model development and testing-Initial model prototype review-Review/feedback/acceptance The deliverable will be in MS Excel format with live formulas. The model will consist of tabs for summary reporting, inputs/assumptions, financial projections (provided by recipient), financial metrics/analytics, a discounted cash flow analysis, and a market benchmark comparison. Key contract milestones will include: project kickoff, preliminary specifications document, delivery of the initial valuation model, and delivery of the final valuation model, inclusive of management feedback.

Capability Core Competencies

Our team has decades of experience providing financial advisory services, including deal advisory roles for buy- and sell-side transactions, strategic financial modeling and forecasting, and business/asset valuation. The team worked in the valuation and modeling group at a 'Big Four' firm, with PSG's founder having led their National Financial Modeling Center of Excellence. This role entailed developing financial modeling and valuation standards and templates as well as detailed training courses in financial modeling and valuation for new hires and clients. We have performed hundreds of valuations and executed model development projects in the energy and financial services sectors. This combined experience on the energy company and lender side gives us a unique perspective on the requirements for capital raises and modeling more generally. We also have deep experience assisting the U.S. Department of Energy and large industry lenders with financial and credit due diligence services for loan/funding and M&A purposes.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

PSG is an approved financial, market, and loan origination advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO), providing lender due diligence services for loan applications ranging from $100 million to $2 billion. These services include financial model review, recreation, and modification for quality control, initial diligence, and scenario analysis purposes. In addition, key activities typically include review of strategic business plans and contracts, identifying and quantifying risks (such as permitting and regulatory risks, timeline risks, and cost overrun risks) and mitigants (e.g., insurance, reserve accounts, hedging, and properly allocated risk allocation), and preparing credit due diligence packages. Broadly, PSG's professionals have 30+ years of combined experience, the majority at a ‘Big Four’ firm, in valuation, modeling, and project finance related to manufacturing, innovative energy projects, capital investments, and loans and loan guarantees. If selected, PSG’s senior leadership will be directly delivering the services.

Capability Community Benefits

As a minority-owned and service-disabled-veteran-owned business, we deeply understand the importance of DEIA in the communities we serve. From a DEIA perspective, assisting private companies in the renewable and clean energy sector make progress towards commercial viability is important to us for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the expansion of new energy technologies or service areas is expected to foster economic growth and lead to the creation of high-value, high-paying domestic jobs in these sectors. Secondly, continued innovation in energy technology is expected to be the driving force behind energy sustainability and a decline in health-related hazards, such as quality/availability of food, drinkable water, and relief from extreme temperatures. Assisting recipients understand their project's potential economic value and pursue capital raise opportunities is a vital early step in the progress towards energy innovation and the aforementioned community benefits.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Voucher recipients are expected to provide the following information, in a usable electronic format, for the development of the valuation model. • Current operating agreement • Historical financial and operating performance data (at least 2 years) • Projected financial and operating performance data (at least 3 years), including estimates regarding capital expenditures, sources and uses of cash, etc. • Current capital structure, funding sources, or other financial commitments • Strategic business plan and underlying financial model (if applicable) • Other relevant contracts/documents supporting the financial projections • Other information relevant to their underlying technology and/or business model

Geographic Constraints

There are no geographic constraints for us to perform the valuation model development services. Much of the work can be performed remotely, and we are able to travel onsite for a meeting or two if required.

Additional details on matching preferences

Aside from the input requirements outlined above, there are no other minimum physical or informational requirements for us to perform the valuation model development services. We do request that the recipient provides timely access to the personnel, information, and documents necessary (including financial projections), and to promptly participate in the planning and cooperative activities required to successfully complete the services.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

The mid-point milestone will be the preliminary model specifications document, highlighting the proposed model structure, data, segmentation, mechanics, and reporting.

Final Milestone Description

The final milestone will be the final valuation model, incorporating any feedback from the recipient.

Manufacturer Clean Energy/Decarbonization Product Scouting & Assessment

Voucher #

VO10-4

Organization:

RTI International

Details

City

Research Triangle Park

State

Zip

27709

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Feasibility Study

Capability Description

This service combines aspects of Technology-Driven Market Intelligence (TDMI) and Technology Scouting to conduct an independent assessment of your company's manufacturing capabilities, scout for relevant products and services in the clean energy supply chain, assess opportunities against your capabilities and business goals, identify gaps, and recommend a subset for pursuit. The research includes deep secondary research, leveraging DOE resources and other sources, to identify potential products and markets, as well as primary research to identify additional opportunities and vet the opportunities that are identified. in the process of vetting, we will gather key customer requirements. As the research is conducted, RTI will conduct regular touchpoints with the voucher recipient to share findings, gather feedback and refine our search and vetting activities. The project will conclude with a presentation of a PowerPoint report summarizing the process, findings, recommendations, and next steps. If primary research interviews result in interest from a potential customer or partner, RTI will facilitate introductions.

Capability Core Competencies

RTI's Innovation Advisors group has deep expertise in technology commercialization, dating back to the mid-1960's when we began conducting portfolio commercialization support work for NASA. We are engineers and scientists with diverse technical and industry backgrounds. We collaborate with RTI's Technology Advancement Group (TAC), which conducts research, development, and deployment projects funded by ARPA-E and other DOE groups to advance clean energy technologies from TRL 3 to TRL 7, on Tech to Market projects in the clean energy space. We deeply understand small and medium-size manufacturers and their challenges as a result of our 16 years of experience working with the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP).

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

RTI has provided hundreds of Technology-Driven Market Intelligence and Technology Scouting projects to small and medium-size manufacturers as part of a Technology Acceleration service implementation project for the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network, serving manufacturers across the breadth of US industry, from clean energy to food & ag, semiconductors, and other industries. We also provide technology and partner scouting services for large corporate clients and portfolio technology commercialization services for government agencies. In the clean energy space, RTI Innovation Advisors (IA) is a partner in Black & Veatch's IgniteX Carbon Dioxide Removal accelerator, a DOE Voucher Service Provider (Voucher Opportunities 1 and 4), and IA is an NREL Power Connector. Our TAC group conducts DOE projects in carbon capture, green hydrogen, green ammonia, and enabling materials (e.g., membranes, MOFs, and catalysts). IA staff have expertise in semiconductor materials and manufacturing processes.

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Recipients must provide detailed information on products and manufacturing capabilities for review prior to the project kickoff meeting. Key business and technical personnel must participate in the kickoff meeting, regular touchpoints (every 2-3 weeks for 1 hour), and the final presentation (2 hours).

Geographic Constraints

We routinely serve the entire US via remote work and web meetings.

Additional details on matching preferences

This service is best suited to manufacturers that believe their manufacturing capabilites have advantages across multiple applications and markets but have not investigated the landscape of clean energy or decarbonization opportunities in depth, or would like an independent survey & assessment to augment their internal efforts before investing in entry into clean energy supply chains.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

We will prepare and present a report to summarize opportunities identified and facilitate down-selection to a subset for further exploration.

Final Milestone Description

RTI will prepare a final report in text-heavy PowerPoint format documenting the research process, key findings, recommendations and next steps..

Manufacturing Conversion, Retooling, and Retrofitting Case Study

Voucher #

VO10-2

Organization:

Feldhake Consulting LLC

Details

City

Fenton

State

Zip

63026

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Feasibility Study

Capability Description

As an engineering professional for over 30 years, Mr. Feldhake has specialized in manufacturing, engineering, and software development and was a Voucher Provider for round 1 of the VO1 program. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies such as MillerCoors, Anheuser Busch, Peabody, Owens Corning, Chrysler, and Boeing. Specializing in power, process optimization, advanced instrumentation integration, Process and Machine Safety, and project development. Michael has many years of experience developing and testing solutions involving retrofitting processes and manufacturing lines, power electronics, and plant floor technologies. Feldhake Consulting LLC’s expert level of manufacturing and process development can provide your team with an excellent road map for adapting a facility, process, or manufacturing line in order to retask it for your new product. Our analysis can look at the current facility providing base documentation, state of repair and readiness levels vs. current state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, contracting models, and other factors to provide a comprehensive report on available approaches for retrofit. This capability focuses on supplying our clients with an early-stage concept plan before they pay for costly detailed engineering and equipment. This essential first step will help reduce risks, validate plans, and give you a road map for a successful project.

Capability Core Competencies

CORE COMPETENCIES: Project Development with a focus on Return on Investment (ROI) solutions. Specializes in Case Studies, manufacturing analysis and process validation for new ideas that include models, schedules, costs, and detailed scopes of work. Expert level in other areas that include Instrument integration, process, mechanical and electrical engineering, Process Safety Analysis (PSA), machine safety, and process optimization. Plant floor experience in multiple industries is very high. DIFFERENTIATORS: Expertise in understanding the concerns of stakeholders, Solid track record of successful projects in multiple industries, Expert level in Power Distribution, Instrumentation, Motion Controls and Robotics, and Software.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Feldhake Consulting LLC is made up of a 30-plus-year veteran with a vast network of engineering, legal, supply chain, software, manufacturing, and testing companies. As needs arise, Mr. Feldhake can leverage this network to ensure that the right resources are providing exceptional work products. Feldhake Consulting LLC is also certified VOSB. Completed work as part of Voucher Provider (VO1) for a Hydrogen Startup. Completed many case studies ranging from $100K - $40M involving many different industries, manufacturing, and processes coordinating multi-disciplined teams. Completed several laboratory projects, including upgrading a large wind tunnel complex’s control scheme and environmental test chamber. Completed initial conceptual design of large brewery permanent power diesel-to-electric generator sets. Completed assessment of a wastewater facility and conducted testing and analysis to determine the next steps to improve operations. Completed manufacturing solution for a new high-speed line that reduced waste and increased operational pace for a medical device.

Capability Community Benefits

Our History already includes starting a LEGO League Robotics Team with a Title 1 School, starting a Robotics First Team for O’Fallon Township HS in Illinois, and being a member of the Missouri Green Building Council (MOGBC). We are also working with Irresistible Community Builders, LLC in St. Louis on several opportunities involving disadvantaged communities. We are also working with ARPA-E to develop new solutions that reduce greenhouse emissions by 100M tons of GHGs and energy costs for everyone. We will continue to build relationships with companies and groups to provide expert assistance to improve energy efficiency, which will benefit all communities, including tribal, migrant, and disadvantaged, our country, and the world.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Access to the facility, diagrams, electrical and mechanical diagrams, documentation and operating procedures along with performance history; current and future development plans; new product details and requirements; information on production timeline; and annual demand forecast. Stakeholder participation during initial kickoff and planned review meetings and a minimum of 1 POC to work with on a regular cadence.

Geographic Constraints

No constraints within CONUS. Alaska and outside CONUS, including territories of the US, may involve additional costs for travel if required.

Additional details on matching preferences

Please see our Website at these locations: https://fconsult.llc/publications https://fconsult.llc/hybrid-energy-systems

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Initial manufacturing analysis

Final Milestone Description

Final Project Report and recommended next steps

Expert Review of Manufacturing Processes and Production Line with Focus on Optimization

Voucher #

VO10-3

Organization:

Gizmotech, LLC

Details

City

Edgewood

State

Zip

41017

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Feasibility Study

Capability Description

This capability involves an extensive, three-phased program focused on improving the viability and competitiveness of domestically manufactured products using low-carbon processes while advancing commercialization.Phase 1. Design Review: (Design drives manufacturing process which drives cost and lead times) This program starts with a review of the recipient's proposed design(s) and envisioned manufacturing plan(s) under strict confidentiality. Phase 2. Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Consulting: (Optimized manufacturing minimizes costs) Given the baseline knowledge gained from Phase 1 and our extensive product development and manufacturing experience, we will perform an expert evaluation and honest assessment of the part design and product assembly. We will likely offer suggestions for improvements. For example, one or more parts may be candidates for re-designing for Additive Manufacturing to reduce costs, lead times, and allowing seamless transition between prototype and production phases. A "digital twin" of the proposed production line will also be created to allow for evaluation of various alternatives with the objective of optimizing all manufacturing and assembly processes.Phase 3. Supply Chain / Commercialization Consulting (It's a system! It all has to work together) We will advise on setting up a reliable and responsive supply chain as a key element of the optimized production and distribution.

Capability Core Competencies

Our team at Gizmotech LLC has many decades of experience in the development and commercialization of new products and technologies. This experience teaches us that companies tend to design components and assemblies that use outdated, traditional, carbon-intensive manufacturing processes. We don't! Our product design experience includes over 350 projects in many industries, including small wind and hydropower. This diversity and exposure to all types of materials, manufacturing processes, and production assembly lines enables cross generation of ideas. We understand the process and value of intellectual property and hold many patents and trademarks for our work. Although we have worked with many large companies, we are small and, therefore, cognizant and responsive to the needs of small and medium-sized voucher recipients. We feel we are in a unique position to provide feasibility studies to convert existing production lines to bring new technologies to commercialization by reviewing equipment, processes, and workforce needs.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Gizmotech LLC will bring degreed and experienced engineers, scientists, and business experts to the project. We know what we're not good at so we can also tap into other subject matter experts, if required.Advanced manufacturing processes, including robotics, Additive Manufacturing, and CNC are our forte.We have been consulting with all types and sizes of industrial companies for over 35 years and are comfortable working within any organizational structure.We are familiar with proven new product development and project tracking methods. We are familiar with OSHA and ADA regulations and have designed with these in mind, even when not required.The many trade secrets, trademarks, and patents that exist based upon our work is an indication of our practical innovation.The entrepreneurial spirit is strong here, having helped launch 10 start-up companies.In summary, Gizmotech LLC is uniquely qualified to provide numerous capabilities to “catalyze new technology to commercialization”:

Capability Community Benefits

Gizmotech, LLC is fully supportive of the goals and objectives of the Justice40 Initiative and will continue to do everything in our power to secure environmental justice and spur economic opportunity for all, including disadvantaged communities and minority, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses. In particular, Gizmotech, LLC will provide the voucher recipients through our consulting services:1. the opportunity to reduce barriers and improve access to jobs for local and underrepresented workers, those with disabilities, students, and veterans. 2. to enhance job quality along with competitive wages and benefits.3. guidance for creating workforce education and technology training opportunities.3. access to technologies that can dramatically decrease exposure to environmental and safety hazards on the production line. In summary, our company is committed to core community benefits policy priorities that will strive to ensure broadly shared prosperity in the clean energy transition.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

The recipient will need to sign a reciprocal non-disclosure agreement and scope of work contract prior to starting the project. The recipient will also need to assign and provide an internal contact person ("project manager") to help focus communication between companies. This "project manager" will serve as the interface between our experts and the recipient's management and internal Engineering and Production personnel. We will be asking a lot of questions and will appreciate accurate and timely answers. Finally, we will require a representation of the product design as it currently exists, preferably in the form of a solid computer model.

Geographic Constraints

We are located in the greater Cincinnati area and able to travel as necessary to the recipient location(s). We prefer to interface remotely as much as possible using phone, email, and teleconferencing platforms and can do so with all regions and territories of the U.S. English is the preferred language, although translation services can be made available for non-native speakers.

Additional details on matching preferences

We are associated and have partnered with a number of industrial partners. These include suppliers of automation equipment, robotics, additive manufacturing and CNC machining. Our associates in various academia provide resources to the latest in technology and research.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion of an initial design review of the product and production line.

Final Milestone Description

Delivery and review of the final report and recommendations.

Decarbonization Technology Evaluation, Selection, and Implementation Analysis and Planning

Voucher #

VO9-3

Organization:

Grand Summit Group, LLC

Details

City

Montrose

State

Zip

91020

Activity Location State

GLENDALE

Activity Location State

91206

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Decarbonization Assessment

Capability Description

The proposed Decarbonization Technology Evaluation, Selection, and Implementation Analysis and Planning scope will provide a set of detailed research, analysis, and custom strategies to a company considering an innovative, first-time decarbonization technology to ensure commercial success of the project. The scope will include five report deliverables consisting of a Company Wants, Needs, & Requirements Report; Project Performance & Economic Assessment; Technology Economic & Feasibility Assessment; Technology Validation & Certification Assessment; and a Project Implementation Roadmap.The goal of this package is to: Aide the client to document the objectives and requirements of the project in written form, and analyze the overall project economics factoring in technology price, performance, and O&M impacts. Assess 3 to 5 technology options for performance and economic impacts of each to the project, assess the risks of each option, and compare all options to determine the leading 1 to 2 options. Evaluate the leading option's validation & certification work to identify any gaps or risks and make a final recommendation. Generate a high level project schedule, rough budget, and implementation plan for the project.A detailed breakdown of the package scope and estimated effort has been included in the attached Work Sample document for more information.

Capability Core Competencies

Grand Summit Group offers expert consulting services to technology innovation companies and their customers to maximize the chances for success of first of a kind installations. We survey the market to deeply understand both product and project requirements. We use this information to generate detailed project performance and economic models to anticipate the feasibility and impact new technologies have. We perform reviews of product validation and certification work to assess compliance with project requirements and identify gaps. Finally, we help companies execute on project development activities unique to deploying first of a kind technologies into a demonstration project environment. This suite of expertise is critical to assuring success at even the earliest phases of technology development.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For the project to be successful, we will need from the recipient any background information about the company's decarbonization objectives and needs, requirements for the project, and project economics. Any gaps will be filled as a part of the proposed scope. Additionally, we will need a list of the technologies being considered and contacts at each technology company from which to obtain information used to generate the detailed assessments.

Geographic Constraints

Additional details on matching preferences

Our best fit client would be a company looking to deploy a highly innovative decarbonization technology from several options that would benefit from a deeper understanding of project requirements, project economics, technology risks and feasibility, technology validation and certification, and a project development road mapping.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion of Company Wants, Needs, & Requirements Assessment; Project Performance & Economic Assessment; and Project Model Technology Scenarios Analysis.

Final Milestone Description

Completion of Technology Economic & Feasibility Assessment; Technology Validation & Certification Assessment; and Project Implementation Roadmap.

Feasibility Study and Workforce Needs Assessment

Voucher #

VO10-1

Organization:

DNV ENERGY USA, Inc.

Details

City

Katy

State

Zip

77449

Activity Location State

Dublin

Activity Location State

43017

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Feasibility Study

Capability Description

Transitioning of infrastructure and production lines for use of low carbon fuels is a crucial step toward decarbonization of our energy systems. As existing production lines are considering conversion to utilization of hydrogen or capture of carbon dioxide, the compatibility of all components and materials and the feasibility of converting must be evaluated. It is recognized that the transportation of hydrogen can present potential safety or risk challenges that should be assessed before converting an existing system. One of the first steps in such assessment is conducting a high-level study of the existing network feasibility for the transitioning purpose. Such high-level studies include the material and equipment compatibility of the network with H2 and/or CO2. The network feasibility is investigated from different aspects including material integrity, equipment accuracy and functionality, chemical compatibility. A thorough feasibility study assesses the entirety of the gas supply value chain, from injection to end-use compatibility. Additionally, workforce needs can be assess in conjunction with the feasibility assessment to determine knowledge/training gaps that need to be addressed. The deliverable for this work is a feasibility report identifying gaps that need to be addressed prior to conversion.

Capability Core Competencies

DNV has both broad and deep expertise related to storage projects, clean hydrogen, and carbon management. DNV has competences in the area of materials degradation as applied to materials assessment for carbon management and clean hydrogen both for new builds and conversion of existing assets.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

DNV has over 4,000 experts worldwide. DNV has developed over 170 industry standards, guidelines and recommended practices and performs approximately 30 joint industry projects per year. Over the past several years many of those projects have been focused on clean hydrogen and carbon management. DNV has expertise within the area of materials degradation including modeling of materials and system performance. DNV also has extensive expertise in performing feasibility studies looking at the conversion of assets. DNV materials expertise can evaluated changes in potential damage mechanisms based on potential service conversion.

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Information is needed regarding the materials utilized processes to be converted, particularly the materials of construction for the equipment and piping. Additional process flow information such as operating temperature, pressure, and flow rates along with process flow diagrams will be needed. For a workforce needs assessment, the skill sets of existing staff will need to be specified.

Geographic Constraints

We have staff in multiple different locations throughout the US who are capable of performing feasibility assessment project, including Seattle, WA, Columbus, OH, and Houston, TX.

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

The mid-point milestone will be an identification of major gaps through the first phase of work.

Final Milestone Description

Feasibility study results.

Opportunity Assessment and Technical Feasibilty planning for Industrial Decarbonization Retrofitting Projects

Voucher #

VO9-4

Organization:

ONB Engineering Research and Technical Services LLC

Details

City

Newark

State

Zip

19713

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Decarbonization Assessment

Capability Description

ONB Engineering specializes in chemical process R&D support, transforming experimental data into comprehensive design packages covering technical, economic, and other aspects. We offer accelerated support for concept development, scale-up, and engineering package creation, helping to expedite commercialization and attract funding. By leveraging advanced modeling tools, we provide a comprehensive understanding of technical performance, economic feasibility, and environmental impact at different scales. For this capability we will provide a case study assessment and validation, as well as technical and engineering feasibility planning for implementation and execution of a decarbonization project/technology. Deliverables:1. Case Study: Analysis of current emissions, benchmarking and opportunity identification.2. Technical Feasibility: Computational-based analysis of proposed solution/technology and identification deployment challenges and associated risk.3. Economic Feasibility Analysis: Projections of capital and operational expenses.4. Implementation Roadmap5. Environmental Impact Assessment: Quantification of emissions reductions and energy efficiency improvements. Milestones:1. Initial Data Collection and Scope Definition2. Validate current emissions, and conduct detailed case studies.3. Model development, technical assessment of system performance and engineering requirements.4. Conduct cost-benefit and economic viability analysis.5. Implementation planning and identification of critical milestones and resources.6. Quantify environmental benefits and compliance with regulations.7. Final Report and recommendations.

Capability Core Competencies

ONB Engineering offers extensive expertise in advanced computational and data-driven modeling and scale-up of technologies in manufacturing, chemical and energy sectors. Our team, composed of industry experts and certified professionals, leverages advanced and custom tools to deliver the best-in-class assessments. We specialize in:- Technical feasibility assessment for scale-up potential and risk identification.- Reactor and process level modeling to assess system performance at various scales.- R&D assessment for evaluating unique phenomena (e.g., mixing, PSD changes).- Comprehensive techno-economic and LCA assessments.- Engineering package planning (FEL 1-3) including PFD development, plant layout, and equipment data sheets. Our approach ensures precise, data-driven decision-making, delivering high-quality, reliable solutions that meet industry standards and support successful commercialization. With a proven record of successful projects and deep industry knowledge, we offer support to clients to effectively bring technologies to market. Our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction drives our approach.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

ONB Engineering consists of a team of highly qualified professionals with advanced degrees in engineering and extensive industry experience. Our resources include state-of-the-art in-house modeling tools as well as custom software developed in VBA and Python. We also have extensive experience using commercial computational tools such as Aspen Plus, DWSIM, Barracuda, Matlab and many others. We have successfully assisted multiple clients with their technology development projects and accelerated their path to commercialization. We completed numerous projects involving techno-economic analysis, lifecycle assessment, and market readiness validation. Our engineers hold various certifications including professional engineering licenses (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Six Sigma. Our advanced computational facilities and commitment to continuous improvement ensure we deliver precise, high-quality solutions that meet industry standards and exceed client expectations.

Capability Community Benefits

ONB Engineering is dedicated to promoting DEIA in all our projects. We actively engage with local communities and entities to enable tangible benefits and opportunities. Our approach includes:- Community Engagement: We collaborate with local universities and community organizations to provide seminars, skill development workshops and training opportunities to the public.- Investing in America’s Workers: We prioritize quality jobs with fair wages, benefits, and opportunities for career advancement, and are committed to build a skilled, diverse team.- Justice40 Initiative: We are committed to supporting disadvantaged communities by providing access to resources and opportunities. We collaborate with HBCU's (namely NCA&T and DSU) to set-up training workshops on topics of decarbonization, LCA and TEA for STEM students.- Sustainable Practices: We incorporate environmentally and socially sustainable practices to improve community well-being. Our commitment to DEIA ensures that we both meet technical goals and contribute to broader social and community benefits.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Inputs required from client: 1. Overview of technology and major unit operations. 2. Key material, energy and product flow rates (if not available, then process parameters that can be used to generate these values by modeling). 3. Supply chain metrics (if needed), including operation scale, 4. Process Flow diagrams (or P&IDs), 4. Specifc operating conditions of interest, 5. Accessibility to a person of contact for a one-day data review meeting, with follow on support for additional clarification and information as needed.

Geographic Constraints

n/a

Additional details on matching preferences

n/a

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Detailed feasibility and planning assessment for the decarbonization retrofitting project (including emissions assessment and technical feasibility analysis)

Final Milestone Description

Completion and submission of all project deliverables (report + presentation), ensuring the thorough execution and assessment of the decarbonization project/technology

Integrated Heat Pump Study

Voucher #

VO9-2

Organization:

Cascade Energy, LLC

Details

City

Portland

State

Zip

97204

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Decarbonization Assessment

Capability Description

Studies show that integrated industrial heat pumps are generally positive net present value projects for manufacturers that install them. However, due to variability in waste heat availability and integration complexity, practitioners often propose non-integrated designs. Incorporating waste heat can make heat pumps a cost-saving project even in states with a favorable ratio between electric and gas prices. Cascade Energy and UC Davis have teamed to offer investment-grade studies of integrated heat pump systems using system integration tools and digital twin modelling. We will analyze processes and utility heating/cooling streams using pinch analysis to determine the thermodynamically optimum integrated heat pump design. Our analysis will also simulate interactive effects to identify optimum efficiency and reliability using a digital twin. This approach minimizes the initial capital investment and operating expenses of heat pumps, increasing their implementation probability. Critical milestones include:1.Kick-off meeting with the voucher recipient. 2.Two-day site visit to assess the facility, collect data, and identify integration opportunities. 3.Engineering analysis and modeling to determine optimal integrated heat pump design.4.Final report with hourly results for each system within the integrated design, estimated capital costs (from the voucher recipient’s vendors/contractors), operating expenses, and funding opportunities.

Capability Core Competencies

Cascade Energy, Inc. (Cascade), founded in 1993, is a leading national provider of industrial decarbonization consulting services. Our engineers are technical experts in identifying facility-level decarbonization solutions within complex industrial facilities. Cascade will bring our deep expertise with industrial facilities and leading-edge analysis to develop a highly detailed, integrated industrial heat pump study that will guide voucher recipients to system implementation. The UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute (EEI) has been a leader in energy efficiency research for more than 16 years. The EEI consists of the Industrial Decarbonization Solutions Hub (IDSH) and leading research centers in cooling, lighting, water, sustainable materials, and market research. The IDSH is a collaboration of leading industries, technology providers, solutions providers, utilities, and researchers focused on accelerating cost-effective industrial decarbonization. Methods and tools developed by the UC Davis EEI will be used to identify opportunities and quantify results.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

While working with nearly 10,000 industrial customers, Cascade has developed expertise in virtually all energy-using subsystems encountered in this sector. This includes refrigeration, industrial heat pumps, compressed air, pumping, fans, hydraulics, HVAC, process heating and cooling, steam, lighting, and a variety of sector-specific systems. Our company of 225 includes 47 licensed professional engineers who are highly skilled at identifying decarbonization opportunities within these complex systems. They understand these systems and know the right questions to ask. The UC Davis IDSH convenes a biannual Industrial Decarbonization Symposium, develops decarbonization tools and methods for U.S. Department of Energy IACs, and conducts impactful research and outreach. IDSH staff have conducted more than 500 industrial energy assessments, taught graduate-level courses in energy efficiency, and led more than 100 decarbonization-focused training seminars across the world.

Capability Community Benefits

Cascade’s DEIA initiatives and progress are documented in our Diversity Statement and Action Plan available at: https://cascadeenergy.com/company/deia/diversity-statement-and-action-plan/ Through our experience delivering industrial-sector energy efficiency programs, we recognize industrial facilities are disproportionally located in underserved communities and can negatively impact them with added pollution, noise, and traffic. By providing studies within underserved communities, we expect the following community benefits: 1. Decreased pollution. Assessments will give voucher recipients the clear information and guidance they need to make changes that will reduce air pollutant emissions.2. Workforce development. Experienced decarbonization engineers will complete site visits and seek opportunities to educate facility staff about their energy-using process equipment and decarbonization opportunities. 3. Benefits for Small and Medium Manufacturers (SMMs). Voucher project learnings will augment UC Davis’s ongoing efforts to integrate decarbonization into IAC audits and create free training modules with utility partners, improving access for SMMs with cascading benefits to local communities.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

1. Facility contact information 2. Contact information for any key contractors who should participate in the study 3.Assistance from maintenance personnel for plant tour and data acquisition 4. Description of typical production schedule 5.Information on future projects and gas usage expectations 6.Equipment schedules for heating and cooling systems 7.Detailed drawings of heating and cooling systems 8. Temperature requirements of heating and cooling demands 9. All available data for hourly or sub-hourly temperature and flow rates of heating and cooling streams

Geographic Constraints

Cascade staff are dispersed across the United States, with nine offices in seven states (California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Utah, and Washington), and our headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Our growing team consists of 225 energy managers, engineers, coaches, technicians, technology developers, and operations team members. While our engineers are concentrated in the states listed above, we are equipped to serve voucher recipients throughout the 48 continental US states. We successfully and cost-effectively deliver corporate-direct energy management programs that serve hundreds of refrigerated warehouse and food-processing facilities located throughout North America.

Additional details on matching preferences

Target voucher recipients will have large quantity, low temperature (< 190°F) cooling and heating streams. This sector often includes food and beverage, pulp and paper, chemicals, and high-tech. It is advisable that facilities have a decarbonization plan prior to an integrated heat pump study. Study pricing is scaled for a SMM-sized facility.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Pinch analysis using interval data for temperatures and flow streams. System schematic of integrated heat pump.

Final Milestone Description

Investment-grade integrated heat pump system report and one-hour report review.

Planning for Implementation and Execution of Industrial Decarbonization Projects

Voucher #

VO9-1

Organization:

Cascade Energy, LLC

Details

City

Portland

State

Zip

97204

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Decarbonization Assessment

Capability Description

Industrial decarbonization projects face challenges on the path to implementation and execution, including economics, technical complexity, and compatibility with existing systems. Considering the industrial sector’s globally competitive nature and tight margins, manufacturers must meet decarbonization goals economically while ensuring operational reliability. To address this need, Cascade Energy has teamed with Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consultancy, to offer decarbonization implementation/execution planning to voucher recipients. This planning will help manufacturers, with emphasis on small- to medium-sized firms, plan for the successful implementation and execution of decarbonization projects, including:1.Heat-exchanger technologies2.Integrated industrial heat pumps3.Energy storage4.Low carbon fuels (bio-gas utilization)5.Onsite solar6.Fuel switching Planning will align with the Department of Energy’s decarbonization pillars and IAC Decarbonization Toolkit (https://industrialdecarb.lbl.gov/). Critical milestones follow:1.Kickoff (stakeholder engagement/data collection required for Scoping Report).2.Produce Scoping Report (including site visit to confirm assumptions/validate shortlist); meet with client to shortlist options. 3.Refine planning approach (i.e., energy/mass balance and process/equipment/technology descriptions) based on shortlist.4.Conduct planning/analysis, which may include techno-economic modeling, site-technology suitability, funding planning support, compliance/regulatory considerations, environmental review, and next steps.5.Produce Planning Report and read-out with client.

Capability Core Competencies

Cascade Energy, Inc. (Cascade), founded in 1993, is a leading national provider of industrial decarbonization consulting services. Our engineers are technical experts in decarbonization, energy-saving, electrification, and renewable energy plus energy storage projects within complex industrial facilities. Cascade will bring our deep expertise with industrial facilities and leading-edge competencies with data collection and modeling of industrial processes to develop a detailed, accurate, investment-grade final report that voucher recipients can use to make financial decisions and properly implement the recommended decarbonization improvements. Ricardo, founded in 1915, has a global team of consultants, environmental specialists, engineers, and scientists dedicated to helping clients create a safe and sustainable world. Ricardo adds value to the project team through deep experience in techno-economic analysis and implementing industrial decarbonization projects. Ricardo has a strong US presence, including offices in Alabama, California, Colorado, Maryland, and Michigan.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

While working with nearly 10,000 industrial customers, Cascade has developed expertise in virtually all energy-using subsystems encountered in this sector. This includes refrigeration, industrial heat-pumps, compressed air, pumping, fans, hydraulics, HVAC, process heating and cooling, steam, lighting, and a variety of sector-specific systems. Our company of 225 includes 47 licensed professional engineers who are highly skilled at analyzing and assessing decarbonization opportunities within these complex systems, including project due diligence, technology evaluation and assessment, techno-economic analysis, life cycle assessment, decarbonization policy advice, funding research and recommendations. Ricardo delivers value across industrial decarbonization, carbon capture and utilization, and bioenergy, including market analysis and supply chain evaluation, project due diligence, technology evaluation and assessment, life cycle assessment, environmental review, economic impact assessment, industrial decarbonization policy advice and assistance, funding assistance, techno-economic analysis, and feedstock assessment.

Capability Community Benefits

Cascade’s DEIA initiatives/progress are available at: https://cascadeenergy.com/company/deia/diversity-statement-and-action-plan/ We recognize industrial facilities are disproportionally located in underserved communities and can negatively impact them with added pollution, noise, and traffic. By providing services that pave the way to implementation and execution of decarbonization projects within underserved communities, we expect the following community benefits: 1. Decreased pollution. Decarbonization planning will provide clear information and guidance needed to make changes to reduce air pollutant emissions.2. Workforce development. Experienced decarbonization engineers will deliver the work and actively seek opportunities to educate facility staff about energy-use and decarbonization opportunities. 3. Benefits for Small and Medium Manufacturers (SMMs). Voucher project learnings can help SMMs build on the work of DOE’s IAC program and prepare SMMs for IAC Implementation funding opportunities. This work can help SMMs leverage utility incentives to implement projects, benefiting not only SMMs, but also the communities that surround them.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

1.Access to existing reports, data, specifications, and other details related to the planned decarbonization project. 2.Assistance from facility/maintenance needed to complete planning. 3.Information on existing site conditions and operations (e.g., typical production schedule, 24 months of utility billing history, equipment schedule for gas-using subsystems, plan view facility drawing, process flow diagram). 4.Information on other planned projects and energy usage expectations. 5.Contact information for any key contractors, consultants, and vendors who should participate in planning. 6.Cascade may also request other information necessary to perform the scope of work.

Geographic Constraints

Cascade staff are dispersed across the United States, with nine offices in seven states (California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Utah, and Washington), and our headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Our growing team consists of 225 energy managers, engineers, coaches, technicians, technology developers, and operations team members. While our engineers are concentrated in the states listed above, our teams are equipped to serve voucher recipients throughout the 48 continental US states.

Additional details on matching preferences

Of the eight industrial customer segments eligible for the DOE’s Voucher Program, Cascade has the most expertise with the food and beverage industry, a segment that is among the top CO2 emitting industries sector and one ripe with decarbonization opportunities. We are experts in industrial refrigeration—the major energy-using subsystem in food manufacturing. Cascade also brings growing experience supporting change-outs to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. Outside of food and beverage, our work is primarily with customers in the cold storage and distribution, water/wastewater, pulp and paper, wood products, plastics, chemicals, oil and gas, high tech, and metals.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

The midpoint milestone will be completion of first three steps: kickoff, shortlist options, and refine planning approach.

Final Milestone Description

Provide a final decarbonization planning report to the voucher recipient and report readout.

Community Engagement and Benefits Assessment

Voucher #

VO3-17

Organization:

RTI International

Details

City

Research Triangle Park

State

Zip

27709

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

RTI will support jurisdictions evaluating the community impacts of new energy technologies and in navigating implementation and siting challenges. This offering includes: a community needs assessment, as well as what benefits could be generated by the technology; action steps to maximize the benefits of a technology while mitigating potential harms; and support in developing community engagement strategies to address legitimate concerns for directly impacted communities while also streamlining the permitting and siting process. Recognizing the uniqueness of each community and technology, RTI will engage up to 10 community stakeholders and refine the focus and scope of the analysis. Options include 1) an Energy Equity Analysis covering the benefits and impacts of a technology’s development compared to alternative technological solutions, 2) a Health Equity Analysis modeling resultant emissions and the impacts of emissions on disadvantaged communities, or 3) a Workforce and/or Historically Underutilized Business Capacity Analysis identifying career opportunities resultant of technology, region-specific historically underutilized businesses that benefit from contracting opportunities, and workforce programs necessary to connect marginalized workers with career opportunities. Drawing on these analyses, RTI will deliver a community needs and benefits assessment, inclusive of up to 3 case studies illustrating successes and failures of peer community engagement processes.

Capability Core Competencies

RTI International helps state and local governments, corporations, foundations, and federal agencies solve their most complex innovation challenges by providing market insights and innovation commercialization services. We leverage our staff of nearly 6,000 experts with degrees in more than 250 scientific, technical, and professional disciplines to bring uniquely broad and deep expertise in technology development and commercialization to provide clients with customized, actionable results. RTI regularly supports state and local governments in conducting community needs assessments, developing strategic plans to create equitable economic outcomes, identify opportunities for growth in emerging technologies, accelerate technology commercialization, assess workforce capacities and needs, to assess the readiness of specific sites for industrial development, model the energy and health impacts of proposed policy changes, and to conduct effective community engagement. RTI also conducts best practice research and advises clients on practical implementation steps to achieve equitable and sustainable outcomes.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

RTI has demonstrated expertise in the technical, economic, energy, and community engagement elements of commercializing new energy technologies. RTI has experience analyzing how a wide range new technologies can impact the energy grid and rates, emissions, and health disparities, both using industry-standard models in tools built in house. RTI provides market and strategic economic development analysis for state, local, and tribal governments, with specific expertise in innovation-driven economic development, technology commercialization, and the clean energy transition. Through work on multiple projects including the EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, RTI provides best practice research and facilitation services to organizations and coalitions working to produce equitable economic develop outcomes from the growth of new industry clusters, including several rooted in the energy transition and clean technology. Both domestically and internationally, RTI has experience managing community engagement and needs assessments with disadvantaged and directly impacted communities.

Capability Community Benefits

RTI’s mission to improve the human condition by turning knowledge into practice is embedded in our work. Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) are core institutional values at RTI. We work with equity-focused stakeholders around the country, including environmental justice organizations, rural community groups, minority-serving institutions, and community colleges. Additionally, RTI (RTI TRUE) has experts in Climate justice, and develops and employs methodologies to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion. We support communities creating equitable economic development strategies (e.g., running the community of practice for the US EDA Build Back Better ecosystem) implementing new energy technologies without reinforcing harms to vulnerable communities and marginalized workers. Equity is core to our work on the clean energy transition, focusing on how to maximize benefits for economically marginalized people, identifying and mitigating harms to vulnerable communities, and creating an energy system that does not reinforce legacy.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For this effort, RTI will require that our clients: (1) provide background data and information to enable the Community Benefits Assessment (2) commit time for senior personnel to contribute technical information in the project kickoff meeting, during regular updates on an ad-hoc basis to answer technical questions and participate in the bankability assessment throughout the project period of performance.

Geographic Constraints

We are capable of supporting projects across the US as we regularly work remotely with clients.

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

A scoping report that includes key technology details, background information on the proposed community, and the agreed-upon 1-3 focus areas.

Final Milestone Description

A document detailing findings and recommendations and a final client meeting to discuss the results and action steps.

Community Engagement Strategy and Materials

Voucher #

VO3-15

Organization:

Fedsprout

Details

City

PRINCETON

State

Zip

08540

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Our community engagement service addresses the challenges of siting and permitting clean energy technology demonstration projects. We focus on community education, developing feedback mechanisms, understanding community concerns, addressing resistance, ensuring transparent communication, identifying and including marginalized groups, building trust, addressing environmental impact concerns, and identifying community benefits. Timeframe for Deliverables:1. Stakeholder Identification (Weeks 1-4): Identify key community stakeholders.2. Communication and Feedback (Weeks 5-12): Discuss project details with stakeholders and gather initial feedback. 3. Design Engagement Strategies (Weeks 12-20): Create engagement strategies such as town hall meetings, focus groups, and surveys. Provide guidance on early engagement and transparency. Develop a list of potential community benefits from the demonstration project.4. Develop Educational Materials (Weeks 16-24): Develop materials to educate the community about the new technology. 5. Community Agreements and Implementation (Weeks 24-32): Assist in developing agreements with the community and support early engagement strategy implementation. By the end of the voucher project, besides the above deliverables, we will also provide a presentation summarizing the community engagement strategy, required educational materials, and progress with community agreements.

Capability Core Competencies

Here are a few examples of our past and current efforts: 1. Assisting a foreign energy storage system developer in securing funding opportunities for U.S. deployment and identifying communities and partners for a demonstration project.2. Developing community benefits plans and engagement strategies for various utilities nationwide. This includes educating clients, brainstorming creative approaches, developing budgets for community engagement, and guiding the creation of MoUs with potential partners. Our capabilities include:Workforce development strategiesDEI planningIdentifying and contacting unions, labor groups, and workforce institutions for negotiationsFederal regulations compliance for the DBE programEqual Employment Opportunity (EEO) plan development and reviewsCommunity perceptions and engagement strategiesDeveloping metrics around community benefitsAssessing impacts on communities from new technologiesDeveloping community agreements, including MoUsPlanning for meeting Justice40 goals (maximizing benefits to Disadvantaged Communities)

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Our team specializes in Community Benefits Planning, DEI compliance, Community Engagement, and Workforce Development. Each member has extensive experience in infrastructure and energy technologies, creating community benefits plans, and addressing environmental justice issues. Fedsprout includes energy technology experts, former utility and municipality managers, community engagement specialists, DEI experts, sustainability specialists, environmental scientists, and workforce development professionals. We collaborate with end users, including utilities deploying electrification technologies like energy storage systems. Our work spans both rural and urban communities, catering to diverse demographics. We have assisted numerous utilities and corporations nationwide by developing community benefits plans and engagement strategies. Additionally, we have created proprietary document templates and training materials for community benefits planning. We also conduct workshops to share best practices and goals, ensuring comprehensive understanding and effective implementation.

Capability Community Benefits

Our Community Engagement service focuses on understanding and collaborating with communities for project success. Our approach involves:1. Identifying stakeholders and demographics to understand the community.2. Summarizing community concerns that impact project success.3. Developing engagement strategies for effective collaboration.4. Guiding early project decision-making with stakeholders.5. Developing community benefits and agreements that capture project impacts and commitments.We engage communities early for stakeholder analysis, outreach, and partner identification before project deployment. We use community feedback to develop tailored outreach methods. We work closely with local stakeholders and community-based institutions to ensure alignment and trust, leveraging information from trusted community sources to enhance project acceptance. This structured approach ensures that our tactics are well-received and effective in the communities where projects are proposed.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Are you targeting a specific geographic area, and what is its population and size? Have you done community outreach before, and why do you need help now? Can you modify some aspects of your project to maximize positive impacts to the community? Are you open to transparent, two-way communication to gain acceptance and feedback? Are you willing to partner with local groups on project feedback and community engagement strategies? Do you have a budget for community engagement, if so, what funds are available? Do you have staff who are currently, or will be working on community engagement?

Geographic Constraints

We provide services across all US states and territories. Note that we will identify organizations that can collaborate on community engagement activities and that already have worked within the community to create trust in the community engagement process. Fedsprout will not implement the community engagement activities.

Additional details on matching preferences

We do not get into the regulatory and permitting details since our focus is more on community engagement and less on compliance.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Community Engagement Strategy Design Report

Final Milestone Description

Community Engagement Strategy Guidance and Education Materials

Clean Energy Planning, Techno-Economic Analysis & Community Benefits Experts

Voucher #

VO3-16

Organization:

Greenlink Analytics, Inc.

Details

City

Atlanta

State

Zip

30307

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Greenlink Analytics is an Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to advance a clean energy transition as fast and fair as possible. We help Tribal governments, cities, states, municipalities and organizations understand new clean energy technology benefits and challenges.Our team combines expert knowledge, data analytics, and machine learning to solve the most pressing climate and social issues, including energy burdens and pollution impacts, with the goal of improving lives and the environment. We are among the best in the nation at helping leaders, stakeholders and communities understand the impact of decisions made by and for them at the community, city and state level. We produce highly technical analysis and translate it into understandable formats that enable better decisions for the future. Data allows people to understand where they’ve come from and charts a course towards where they want to go. Knowledge is power, after all. Ultimately, we help develop the policy and program decisions that address the bedrock issues of climate change and inequitable development in the U.S.

Capability Core Competencies

Greenlink Analytics Core Competencies and Capabilities include: Carbon Footprint Accounting, Utility Resource Planning, Evaluating Policy Impacts, Urban Sustainability, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, equity Mapping And Techno-Economic Analysis. We provide data and equity analysis needed for community benefits impacts. Our advanced data analytics deliver detailed, accurate, and novel insights regarding the economic, social, and environmental impacts of energy use. The data serve as a springboard for empowering change that improves lives, especially for the people most harmed by climate change. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we partner with community organizations, cities, and other leaders to inspire change from the ground up.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Greenlink Analytics performs energy and equity planning and analysis. Tools we developed to support our expertise are: ATHENIA - a predictive modeling tool that uses machine learning to forecast how energy systems will operate under cleaner scenarios and estimates the impacts to economic development, health, and climate, amongst other things, based on thousands of historical data points. ACES - The Advanced Clean Energy Scenario (ACES) dashboard helps show city-specific electricity generation and emissions ranging from business-as-usual scenarios to the cleanest, cost-effective options. Greenlink Equity Map (GEM) 2.0 - The Greenlink Equity Map (GEM) is a web app that displays social and environmental disparities across neighborhoods and cities to clean up consumption and support equitable decision-making processes and policies. IAM - A building and transportation policy impact calculator that allows a deeper dive into how specific policy decisions will interact with other policies and play out over a decade.

Capability Community Benefits

Greenlink has expertise in developing Community Benefits and supporting organizations to develop robust and effective (CBPs).The Greenlink Equity Map (GEM) we developed contextualizes the intersection of equity and climate issues. GEM is an interactive mapping platform that guides users to understand how equity-related burdens are spread across their communities, allowing them to locate where high inequitable burdens exist helping them to make informed, data driven decisions. There are numerous indicators of equity that may be used to assess these burdens - the GEM tool allows users to explore over 40 equity indicators at the census tract level.These indicators may be visualized individually, or users may view multiple indicators at once to highlight the most burdened neighborhoods.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

We help all level of recipients from those who have limited expertise to experts in the field. We request recipients to generally understand their need. If they do not we can assist them with defining their scope and need.

Geographic Constraints

Our data and analysis territory is nation wide. (United States)

Additional details on matching preferences

Our primary expertise is supporting cities, states, municipalities and communities. We also support under-represented and disadvantaged communities.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Demographic Description. We describe the demographic or community that is targeted or impacted.

Final Milestone Description

Final plan that includes: Data needed to develop community benefits plan, techno-economic analysis and clean energy plan as requested.

Community Engagement Through Education to Foster Consensus and Support in Rural Communities.

Voucher #

VO3-14

Organization:

Energy Right

Details

City

Richmond

State

Zip

23219

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Energy Right excels in fostering constructive conversations among community residents and leaders to promote informed decision-making regarding clean energy. Our in-person presence and ability to create individual relationships with communities allows us to effectively address misinformation and educate communities on the benefits of clean energy. For this voucher project, we will engage the community with three inputs (milestones): First, Energy Right will host 4 community events, supplying experts from various clean energy disciplines to provide resources to interested community members. Events will be held in areas strategically chosen for accessibility. A successful engagement event will have roughly 80 attendees. Second, Energy Right will create and distribute curated resources and messages via key media channels to magnify the campaign elements. This would include specifically targeted petitions in order to gather collective support, strategic social media engagement, and the distribution of key resources to local media outlets. We will seek to distribute 1-2 petitions within the AHJ jurisdiction, produce 5-6 strategic social media engagements, and distribute 2-4 targeted messages through local media sources. Lastly, for measurement, Energy Right will distribute a pre- and post-test to community members to measure uninformed and informed community opinions regarding solar energy development.

Capability Core Competencies

Energy Right has both effectively increased public understanding and communicated the benefits of clean energy development in localities. With billions invested in Virginia’s rapid clean energy growth, this expansion can overwhelm localities, cause the spread misinformation, and provoke backlash. Organized opposition groups and local coalitions leverage their influence to create doubt and block solar projects during the permitting process. Energy Right has sought to address these issues through in-person, positive hands-on engagement in over 65 counties across the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have hosted multiple community events, making available experts in agrivoltaics, project development, and other clean energy disciplines to community members. Generally, these events produce roughly 80 attendees. Furthermore, as of June 2024 Energy Right has engaged in roughly 10 communities with petitions and messaging campaigns, receiving engagement from over 300 community members. Energy Right is astutely adept at empowering local communities to learn and support clean energy development.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Energy Right is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating Virginians and Tenneseeans on the benefits of renewable energy development at the local level. We prioritize working with local government leaders and community members in our effort to disseminate information to support common sense regulations regarding solar and LDES development. Energy Right’s work is supported by the United States Energy Foundation, multiple members of the renewable energy development industry, and business organizations in both Virginia and Tennessee. Furthermore, Energy Right routinely partners with local economic development agencies, renewable energy development companies, and experts in disciplines such as agrivoltaics and energy policy. Energy Right’s work has been supported and endorsed by the South Central Virginia Business Alliance and Solar/Energy Storage Trade Associations in Virginia and Tennessee.

Capability Community Benefits

Energy Right is committed to bringing economic benefits to rural, underserved, and underfunded communities through clean energy development. Many of the communities that we operate in are such and in need of economic investment and development. By helping communities understand the tangible economic benefits of siting solar projects—such as job creation, increased tax revenues, and local business growth—we foster a positive perception of solar energy. We engage community and local business leaders to demonstrate how these projects can be valuable partners and good neighbors, enhancing community wellbeing rather than being perceived as nuisances. We design community events strategically so that each event occurs in an accessible and new location and time, so that we maximize community engagement. Furthermore, we plan to identify stakeholders (individuals/groups) from all parts of the community. We aim to ensure that all community members have the opportunity to share their concerns about a project.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Recipients, specifically AHJs, must plan to present a "Community Opposition Report", or simple report on community opposition, describing the ways, means and capacity of the opposition in the jurisdiction. Further, AHJs are asked to prepare to have an opening conversation with Energy Right to discuss the history of solar in the jurisdiction, current regulations, and any clean energy development currently proposed or anticipated. Lastly, Energy Right asks that recipients prepare a list of relevant stakeholders.and groups that will be important in community engagement.

Geographic Constraints

Energy Right will only be able to provide service in Virginia or Tennessee Valley Authority Service Territory. We have the capacity to work in multiple different environments, but have vast experience working in rural and semi-rural communities.

Additional details on matching preferences

Energy Right is made up of a team of 4 as of June 2024. We are looking to grow the team in the coming months. This could increase our throughput, but at the time of application, it is likely that Energy Right would only be capable of supporting one voucher opportunity during this cycle.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Complete Launch Meeting with AHJ; Pre-test completed; 2 Community Engagement/Education Events; 2 Media Messages Distributed; 3 Social Media Engagements

Final Milestone Description

Post-test completed; 4 total community engagement events held; 4 Media Messages Distributed; 5-6 Social Media Engagements

Developing custom carbon management and energy roadmaps: helping communities prepare and plan for innovative clean technology deployment

Voucher #

VO3-13

Organization:

Carbon Solutions LLC

Details

City

Saint Paul

State

Zip

55105

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Carbon Solutions will help you develop and deploy technology in your state, tribal areas, or other jurisdictions with engagement planning and environmental justice and community assessment services. As a voucher provider, Carbon Solutions will work with AHJs to jointly develop a Carbon and Energy Roadmap, which will include a community-specific engagement plan with timeline, action steps, and anticipated costs for implementation. Carbon Solutions staff, comprised of planners, social scientists, scientists, policy experts, and engineers, are ready to provide guidance and development support on community, industry, and labor stakeholder engagement and outreach—from background research and planning to implementation and evaluation. We work across technology readiness levels, from bench-scale to pilot projects. We believe that communities (aka authorities having jurisdiction, or AHJs) should be equipped with complete information about the full suite of decarbonization opportunities available to them, including an understanding of the many benefits and potential impacts to consider in determining how a technology solution can best serve them. This information is crucial to helping community’s determine important decisions on not only siting and permitting for specific projects, but also the broader consideration of how and what decarbonization technologies can contribute to a unique community’s energy and climate future.

Capability Core Competencies

Carbon Solutions brings a proven track record directly leading successful community engagement efforts for a wide range of decarbonization technologies. In the last two years alone, our team has prepared or implemented 10+ federal community benefits plans, which require extensive understanding of innovative clean technology development trade-offs. Beyond federal compliance, Carbon Solutions provides dynamic engagement solutions, custom-tailored to project needs, including community assessments, stakeholder outreach matrices, workforce and labor, as well as environmental justice assessments, interviews with key stakeholders and regional focus groups, facilitated dialogues, and public meetings and presentations. Carbon Solutions staff are committed to robust communication and authentic outreach strategies, supporting projects with public website development, advisory boards, legal strategies like community benefit agreements, guidance on siting and permitting, and interactive engagement through public and participatory geographic information systems (GIS). Voucher execution customizes offerings to community-specific needs and readies recipients to embrace an informed, beneficial clean energy future.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Carbon Solutions has an impressive portfolio of community engagement, having helped develop or directly led 20+ private and federally funded projects with community benefits requirements or engagement components. Our expertise spans clean energy technologies, from established wind and solar, to emergent technology with next-generation fuels like hydrogen. In addition, Carbon Solutions leads the development of award-winning research software. Our software provides advanced modeling insights into complex questions of energy deployment and enhances translation of technical information for accessible engagement, ensuring that communities have the information necessary to empower informed decision-making. To this end, Carbon Solutions staff represent the core of our success; over half bring scientific PhDs to their work and actively collaborate with the dedicated planning, policy, regulatory, and business experts on staff with experience in climate and energy development. Together, our team expertly crafts solutions that underscore Carbon Solution’s mission to accelerate towards a carbon-zero economy.

Capability Community Benefits

Being intentional, cross-cutting, passionate, and collaborative shapes our approach to our business, community benefits and DEIA within our organization, and all our projects. We are passionate about our work and its impact, selecting projects and partnerships that are professionally fulfilling. This is made easier by our cross-cutting staff. With degrees in a wide range of subjects, such as geography, planning, policy, geology, chemistry, and engineering, we bring diverse perspectives and broad in-house expertise to every project. Our cross-cutting staff can provide in-house technical support on a range of challenges that arise in authentic conversations with stakeholders. We are also intentional about the engagement we do—matching outreach efforts to community needs. To date, we have supported communities around the nation on energy and decarbonization deployment efforts, ranging from guidance on stakeholder engagement to multi-year facilitated outreach. Our passion for equitable energy deployment fuels us to collaborate in communities.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Because the community assessment and engagement plan are custom-tailored to the project and location, the initial call will help determine the technologies of interest and any additional community constraints (i.e., timeline or budget needs for implementation). If a project partner requires a non-disclosure agreement for any reason, they must let Carbon Solutions, the voucher provider, know immediately to ensure that it is in place with ample time for the work to begin. If ample geospatial analysis is identified as key part of the AHJ's roadmap, any data the AHJ wishes to have used should be made available.

Geographic Constraints

Carbon Solutions can provide custom community assessment and engagement planning in any of the 48 states in the contiguous United States, Alaska, and Hawai’i.

Additional details on matching preferences

No special equipment or data is necessary to begin a project, and no prior experience with clean energy technology, community benefit plans, environmental justice, or community outreach and engagement efforts is required of the vendor recipient.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Preliminary research, including a review of siting practices by peer AJHs and an outline of the roadmap.

Final Milestone Description

A final carbon and energy roadmap, including engagement plan and timeline, as well as supplementary research refined from the mid-point.

American Nuclear Society offers expertise, training, and public engagement to support clean energy and advanced reactor projects, meeting Justice40 goals.

Voucher #

VO3-11

Organization:

American Nuclear Society

Details

City

Westmount

State

Zip

60559

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

The American Nuclear Society (ANS) offers the capability of: (i) providing technical expertise of eight individual ANS members to serve as volunteer liaisons to voucher recipients on matters related to radiation and nuclear science and technology aspects of advanced reactor projects, hydrogen projects, and (non-nuclear) clean energy “brownfield” projects on legacy mining and cleanup sites; (ii) identifying and surveying up to 24 national, regional and/or local vendors and suppliers across the nuclear supply chain on what they perceive as necessary siting and permitting obstacles, recommended regulatory reforms, best practices, and workforce and training capabilities, weakness and potential for supporting future deployments or specific projects, and (iii) organizing and hosting three virtual and one in-person discussion of local officials, experts, and organizations (including labor unions and conservationists), and nuclear suppliers on potential community benefits if a nuclear project is sited and how it would be aligned with Justice40 goals. The survey findings would be presented in a whitepaper.

Capability Core Competencies

The American Nuclear Society is the premiere nuclear professional and scientific and educational organization in the fields of nuclear science and technology. The non-industry, not-for-profit Society has over 10,000 members, 19 subject-matter Professional Divisions, and over 110 Local and Student Sections. ANS is engaged at the international, national, state, and local levels in public education and engagement on the benefits and science of all things nuclear and radiation related. ANS is a current recipient of DOE awards on consent-based siting and community engagement. ANS also serves as the non-industry voice for nuclear professionals and educators, providing expertise to decisionmakers and community leaders in the U.S. and around the world. Along with educational materials and certification training, ANS can offer connecting voucher recipients with technical experts, including across the nuclear supply chain and academia from college and university departments, including health physics, nuclear science and engineering, mechanical engineering and more.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

ANS was formed in the fifties at the advent of nuclear science and technology’s burgeoning capacity to improve our lives. As the premier U.S. association serving the nuclear field, today ANS members and professional divisions represent technical applications of nuclear (including energy, medicine, aerospace) as well as policy, workforce, and education. These expert working groups provide analysis and engage with the public, decision-makers, stakeholders, and the media. For the project, ANS will draw from this deep membership base. Select subject matter experts—part of the ANS Rapid Response Taskforce, managed by the ANS Communications Director—are at the forefront of the nuclear scientific community’s external engagements; helping to build bridges with community-based organizations across the U.S. and connecting journalists, the public, and policymakers with knowledgeable, articulate, and committed representatives of the nuclear field.

Capability Community Benefits

As reflective in its Statement on Diversity and the Diversity and Inclusion in ANS Committee, ANS is committed to creating a diverse and welcoming environment for all interested in nuclear science and technology. ANS is a home for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious faith, nationality and more. As a member of the “Equal by 30” campaign and the Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy, ANS aims to achieve equal pay, leadership, and opportunities for women in the clean energy sector by 2030. As a DOE award recipient for the consent-based siting program, ANS partners with four Minority Serving Institutions to engage underserved, under-resourced, and historically disadvantaged communities across the U.S. The ANS-led consortium program builds on successful community engagement, including Native American Tribes, faith-based institutions, labor unions, civic and civil society organizations. ANS favors addressing legacy pollution and impacts from uranium mining on Tribal lands.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

ANS will require the following information from voucher recipients: (1) utilization of and interest in nuclear science and technology in the community—legacy, current and proposed; (2) priority nuclear- and radiation-related issues to be addressed; (3) public engagement platforms including local media outlets and platforms associated with the state and municipality, faith-based organizations, schools, and others; and (4) demographics and related information regarding audiences to be served.

Geographic Constraints

With a nationwide membership and employee base, ANS can provide services to communities, municipalities. NGOs, or related organizations in any U.S. state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Additional details on matching preferences

ANS can customize approaches and deploy public engagement resources, primary of which are the cadre of subject matter experts, for any U.S. geographic area where nuclear energy and radiological “legacy” issues are part of the community conversation. Adapting to the needs of specific voucher recipients will ensure a focused and effective response to community needs as matched to resources. ANS also offers platforms to amplify the work and connect voucher recipients to nuclear professionals, national labs, universities, NGOs, and companies across the fields of nuclear science and technology. Platforms include conferences, webinars, social media, and ANS member communications.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Hosting two webinars, identifying and connecting technical experts per request of the voucher recipient, and surveying 12 stakeholders.

Final Milestone Description

Securing eight technical experts at the service of community needs, in-person discussion on nuclear’s community benefits, report on survey findings.

Stakeholder Clean Energy Technical Support

Voucher #

VO3-12

Organization:

Camelot Energy Group

Details

City

TOLLAND

State

Zip

01034

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Communities, utilities, and other stakeholders involved in siting and permitting clean energy projects often face challenges not easily addressed by a stock report or analysis. For these challenges, Camelot will provide dedicated and bespoke technical assistance to address stakeholder concerns, including:-Defining applicable codes and standards requirements for new technology-Preparing checklists and tools to support stakeholders reviewing new technologies-Reviewing project sponsor designs, operating plans, and other documents-Completing site inspections to verify safety and compliance with relevant codes, standards, and regulations-Providing best practices and supporting the development of relevant regulations, bylaws, and ordinances-Providing technical training and education on clean energy topics for stakeholders (e.g., energy storage safety for first responders) Camelot will work with each Recipient to develop a more specific scope of services drawn from these, and related, activities. In this way, we can provide bespoke support for each Recipient drawn from our extensive experience in clean energy project development, construction, and operations. Each award will include up to 220 hours of technical assistance, with an allowance of up to $5,000 for direct expenses (e.g., travel). Camelot will provide a concise written monthly report, describing activities completed, lessons learned, and level of effort expended.

Capability Core Competencies

The Camelot team is a clean energy focused consultancy well-suited to technical assistance engagements with a variety of stakeholders, from communities to large investors. Based on our experience, successful delivery under this Voucher Program will involve the following:-Collaborative engagement with stakeholders-Proactive project management-Evaluating infrastructure and readiness for projects-Capability building amongst Recipient stakeholdersFor each engagement, Camelot will identify a dedicated project manager to work with the Recipient and provide accountability and periodic reporting. That project manager will then draw on the expertise within the Camelot team to deliver on the requested technical assistance in a low-barrier and transparent manner, ensuring Recipients get reliable and predictable partnership paired with technical expertise. Our goal is for Recipients to feel like informed and empowered participants in clean energy projects, rather than relying on unreliable sources of information or the (sometimes limited) information shared by project developers.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Camelot has supported the development, construction, and operations of more than 7,000 MW of solar, storage, and hybrid projects and our team has substantial expertise in the applicable codes, standards, design practices, construction management, commissioning, and operations stages of clean energy projects. Our experts are drawn from engineering, construction, analytics, operations, and consulting backgrounds and we offer our clients a broad perspective rooted in real-world knowledge. Examples of key qualifications include:-Serving as owner’s engineers on numerous solar and energy storage projects-Technical due diligence on new projects, developers, and use cases-Numerous registered engineers and NABCEP certified installation professionals and inspectors on-staff-Thought leadership, with recent publications for the International Code Council and participation in the NABCEP inspection certificationIn addition to technical background in the applicable technologies, Camelot’s team members have supported numerous public entities such as utilities, clean energy programs, and state and local governments.

Capability Community Benefits

During the initial stages of engagement, Camelot will work with the Recipient to prepare a Community Benefits Plan for the planned technical assistance, with exploration of each of the 4 main categories. Examples of our approach include:-Community & Labor Engagement: Our technical assistance will support and educate local stakeholders to make informed decisions about clean energy projects in their communities. By providing impartial and actionable guidance, we will empower local stakeholders to be equal partners to developers and ensure that their communities receive an equitable share of the project benefits.-Investing in the American Workforce: Our technical trainings will support local community members with valuable skills and expertise related to clean energy. From firefighters to local officials, we will provide key stakeholders with actionable and in-demand skills and knowledge. -Support for DEI and Justice40 elements will be determined based on the nature of support requested by the Recipient.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Camelot will develop the initial work plan but input from Recipients regarding their concerns and needs is vital. We ask Recipients to briefly outline their requests or “pain points” early in the process, as well as providing a key point of contact who we will work closely with. Nobody knows the local situation like engaged members of the community and will rely on input and guidance from the Recipient to guide our work. For instance, advance knowledge on concerns raised previously by local stakeholders will allow us to tailor technical trainings or educational content to specific “on the ground” concerns.

Geographic Constraints

Camelot has national coverage and no geographic constraints for this Capability.

Additional details on matching preferences

The Capability is intentionally flexible to suit the needs of stakeholders. We have allowed for a sufficient block of technical assistance time to support most communities, utilities, or AHJs with detailed training and project-specific technical review and support. A typical engagement could include an 8-hour training on fire safety, advice on local ordinances, and support for projects in the design/construction phases but we will tailor the resources to the Recipient needs and these are merely examples of what a typical engagement might include. For example, the Capability could be used to fund several trainings or focus purely on a project.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Midpoint Progress Report detailing activities during first half of allotted budget

Final Milestone Description

Final Technical Assistance Report

Conduct roundtables and interviews with producers, advisors, and developers to identify barriers and solutions to increase agrivoltaics solar projects.

Voucher #

VO3-10

Organization:

American Farmland Trust

Details

City

Washington

State

Zip

20036

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Successful development of innovative agrivoltaics projects in a state or county will depend on engagement with and acceptance from the agricultural community. AFT offers communities and others a strategic engagement project with producers and solar developers to identify barriers and develop possible solutions to increase adoption of agrivoltaics solar projects. AFT would engage at least 50 participants in four roundtables (average ~10 in each) and through in-depth interviews with at least 10 participants. Interviews will be virtual while roundtables will be a combination of 2 in person and 2 virtual. Information and insights collected will identify specific social, technical, and economic barriers to agrivoltaics adoption and inform a set of recommendations for future research, policy, and educational resources to address those barriers. Findings and recommendations will be published in a final report and shared in a recorded 60-minute webinar. In addition, the project will generate educational materials of varied formats, including an educational Powerpoint presentation, fact sheets, and a 1–2-minute video. These will be available online and distributed widely including being sent to all participants, posted on the Smart Solar section of AFT’s web site, and sent to key stakeholder groups and policy makers within the region.

Capability Core Competencies

American Farmland Trust, a national non-profit organization, brings a holistic approach and national expertise in advancing smart solar and engaging the agricultural community to develop solutions that make our team uniquely well suited to execute on this outreach project. In 2022 AFT released Smart Solar principles (farmland.org/solar) to guide its clean energy work and help communities accelerate solar development in ways that strengthen farm viability and protect our best farmland. AFT is a national leader and recognized expert in innovative solutions to address tensions over solar energy on farmland. AFT is engaged in national level, multi-stakeholder dialogues to find common ground including the “Solar Uncommon Dialogue” (https://woods.stanford.edu/research/solar-landconservation) and its staff are frequent expert speakers at conferences including the recent Solar Farm Summit in Chicago. In addition, AFT is involved in many projects to increase the adoption of agrivoltaics by helping communities to work with farmers and ranchers and solar developers.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

AFT’s staff include experts in solar energy, agrivoltaics, regenerative agriculture, land use planning, and social research. AFT has conducted similar work as proposed here in several states utilizing farmer roundtables, interviews and other forums to produce a series of impactful reports and associated webinars including Smart Solar in Connecticut: Farmer Survey Findings and Initial Recommendations and Smart Solar Siting on Farmland: Achieving Climate Goals while Strengthening the Future for Farming in New York (2022). In In addition, AFT currently is conducting similar work in Colorado, Virginia and Texas. Lastly, AFT is responsible for developing curriculum and training for farmers on agrivoltaics as a partner on a project with Rutgers in New Jersey. AFT also is conducting smart solar outreach and education in Virginia, California, Washington, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Texas and Kentucky.

Capability Community Benefits

AFT’s approach to its Smart Solar work and this specific project incorporates core principles for community benefits plans such as engaging in the roundtables and interviews people who are impacted by the energy development to give them a role and a say in those decisions, including questions to understand equitable access to opportunities, and exploring workforce needs to address technical assistance for producers and developers. One of AFT’s four Smart Solar principles focuses on promoting equity and farm viability. Farmers and underserved communities should benefit from solar energy development. There must be inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure projects strengthen farm viability and reflect farmer interests, including underserved producers that face barriers to accessing land and other resources.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Clarify and agree on geographic coverage and target audiences for roundtables and interviews. Suggestions for local agencies and/or organizations who can assist in disseminating the survey and whom to invite to webinar presenting findings would be helpful.

Geographic Constraints

The roundtables (mixed in person and virtual) and interviews (virtual) can be conducted anywhere in the US. It is best to agree upon a set geographic area such as a state or county (or multi-county) level.

Additional details on matching preferences

None

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Completion of the first two roundtables with associated marketing activities, education materials, and agenda.

Final Milestone Description

Final report with findings with recommendations to expand opportunities and address challenges and webinar presenting findings and recommendations.

Community Benefits Assessment

Voucher #

VO1-22

Organization:

RTI International

Details

City

Research Triangle Park

State

Zip

27709

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

RTI will perform a Community Benefits Assessment and further provide a draft Agreement Plan to DOE-funded start-ups. This offering will help the startup identify and quantify a community’s needs that their technology can address, the benefits it could generate, potential harms and mitigating strategies, and guidance on engaging with regional community partners. Recognizing the uniqueness of each developing technology and community, RTI and the startup, at project kickoff, will prioritize 1-3 focus areas to explore within the Assessment. Options for analysis include 1) an Energy Equity Analysis covering the benefits and impacts of a technology’s development compared to alternative technological solutions, 2) a Health Equity Analysis modeling resultant emissions and the impacts of emissions on disadvantaged communities, 3) a Workforce Capacity Analysis identifying career opportunities resultant of technology, region-specific historically underutilized businesses that could benefit from job creation, and workforce programs necessary to meet community needs, or 4) an Economic Impact Assessment identifying the potential employment, income, and economic output impacts. Drawing on these analyses, RTI will deliver guidance on identifying and connecting with potential regional community partners.

Capability Core Competencies

RTI International helps corporations, foundations, and federal agencies solve their most complex innovation challenges by providing market insights and innovation commercialization services. We leverage our staff of nearly 6,000 experts with degrees in more than 250 scientific, technical, and professional disciplines to bring uniquely broad and deep expertise in technology development and commercialization to provide clients with customized, actionable results. Additionally, RTI brings technical expertise in electricity grid modeling, carbon management, long duration energy storage (e.g. hydrogen, batteries, pumped storage hydropower, etc.), clean hydrogen and industrial decarbonization. For example, RTI leads multiple carbon capture projects funded by DOE from bench-scale research to full-scale demonstration. RTI conducts needs and benefits assessments through the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program and support organizations applying to the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change grant program.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

RTI has demonstrated expertise in the technical, economic, energy, and community engagement elements of commercializing new energy technologies. RTI has experience analyzing how a wide range new technologies can impact the energy grid, emissions, and health disparities, both using industry-standard models in tools built in house. RTI provides market and strategic economic development analysis for businesses, state and local governments, and community-based organizations, with specific expertise in innovation-driven economic development, technology commercialization. Through work on multiple projects including the EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, RTI provides best practice research and facilitation services to organizations and coalitions working to produce equitable economic develop outcomes from the growth of new industry clusters, including several rooted in the energy transition and clean technology. Both domestically and internationally, RTI has experience managing community engagement and needs assessments with disadvantaged and directly impacted communities.

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Geographic Constraints

We are capable of supporting projects across the US as we regularly work remotely with clients.

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

A scoping report that includes key technology details, background information on the proposed community, and the agreed-upon 1-3 focus areas.

Final Milestone Description

A final report document detailing findings and recommendations and a final client meeting to discuss the results and action steps.

Bankability Assessment

Voucher #

VO1-19

Organization:

RTI International

Details

City

Research Triangle Park

State

Zip

27709

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Bankability

Capability Description

For this service, RTI will first work with the startup to gain a detailed understanding of the proposed project scope, key assumptions and the key risks associated with the project. The assumptions and risks could be based on construction timelines, project input costs, potential revenue streams and offtake agreements. RTI will verify the assumptions through a technology assessment and a market analysis, verify the risks through a risk assessment, and identify additional environmental and social impacts that should be considered in the business case. RTI will then develop a financial model, such as a discount cash flow model, or a similar model structure, to examine the financial attractiveness of the project based on various assumptions. RTI will present the results of the financial model and the supporting research in a pitch deck that potential investors can review when considering the investment potential of a project.

Capability Core Competencies

RTI International helps corporations, foundations, and federal agencies solve their most complex innovation challenges by providing market insights and innovation commercialization services. We leverage our staff of nearly 6,000 experts with degrees in more than 250 scientific, technical, and professional disciplines to bring uniquely broad and deep expertise in technology development and commercialization to provide clients with customized, actionable results. We have a long history of supporting EPA and other governmental intuitions in analyzing the environmental and economic impacts of GHG and non-GHG emissions and emissions control, thus bring experience with relevant costs, monetizing emissions reduction and analyzing potential markets for waste byproducts. Additionally, we bring an expertise in electricity grid modeling and technical experience with carbon management, long duration energy storage (e.g. hydrogen, batteries, pumped storage hydropower, etc), clean hydrogen and industrial decarbonization through work with startups, commercial clients, utilities and government organizations.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

RTI regularly develops custom business cases that include discounted cash flow modelling with sensitivity analyses to quantify the impact of various project risks. With this information we create pitch decks and have done so for energy and resource development projects, including energy efficiency and critical minerals manufacturing facilities in the Middle East. RTI also conducts cost-benefit analysis for investment in emerging technology. We develop economic models that analyze cash flows of monetary benefits versus program costs, as well as monetize other nonmonetary impacts from the investment. A key risk that must be analyzed in a bankability study is regulatory and government risk and RTI has extensive experience analyzing the impacts of regulations on manufacturing and energy production industries, including the proposed rules from the EPA office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS).

Capability Community Benefits

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

For this effort, RTI will require that our clients: (1) provide background data and information to enable the bankability assessment and (2) commit time for senior technical personnel to contribute technical information in the project kickoff meeting, during regular updates on an ad-hoc basis to answer technical questions and participate in the bankability assessment throughout the project period of performance.

Geographic Constraints

We are capable of supporting projects across the US as we regularly work remotely with clients.

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

The mid-point milestone will be a scoping report that details key project assumptions and risks.

Final Milestone Description

RTI will deliver and present a financial model and a pitch deck describing the bankability potential of the project.

Community Engagement and Consensus Building

Voucher #

VO3-1

Organization:

Strategen Consulting

Details

City

Sacramento

State

Zip

95827

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Leveraging its technical background and expert facilitators, Strategen can deliver engaging educational content, consensus building and technical assistance. Strategen recognizes the critical importance of peer sharing and dedicated engagement that enables robust discussions and ensures that diverse stakeholder and expert perspectives are represented. Strategen’s technical subject matter expertise enables us to accessibly communicate complex topics related to resource planning, clean energy technology innovation, and rate design for stakeholders. Our support is estimated and budgeted for 5 months with potential for an extended scope to conduct stakeholder engagement based on the Community Benefits Roadmap. The following outputs are provided at the end of the project and at key milestones during the project. 1) Stakeholder Engagement Matrix: A matrix detailing the key stakeholders impacted by the project, anticipated issues and perspectives, and approaches to engage with them. 2) Community Benefits Roadmap: An internal report with goals, milestones, measurement metrics, priority development opportunities to create local benefits, and a community engagement plan to facilitate community input.

Capability Core Competencies

Strategen is a recognized leader in engaging diverse stakeholders to receive and incorporate input, address concerns, and jointly develop solutions to complex issues throughout the energy ecosystem, especially around emerging technologies. Our approach to stakeholder engagement 1) recognizes that each project and situation is different; 2) meets people where they are; 3) makes engagement accessible; 4) focuses on data-driven and transparent analysis; and 5) utilizes a “listen-first” approach. Our team has experience from developing a webinar program with 8,000+ participants and managing several successful associations, and working with clients such as Utility Commissions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to convene stakeholders to discuss emergent technologies and regulatory programs. Strategen also has the necessary storage expertise and industry connections. We founded the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA) in 2009 and managed its operations until 2022.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

The Strategen team will be led by by Janice Lin, Strategen’s CEO. Janice co-founded the California Energy Storage Alliance in 2009, where she successfully served as Executive Director for ten years, growing the organization into the definitive voice for energy storage in the state and beyond with over 100 active members. Janice also co-founded and for seven years chaired the annual Energy Storage North America conference and expo, the only mission-driven and the leading standalone grid-connected energy storage event in North America. Strategen has also composed a robust support team of analyst-level staff to implement this scope of work guided by the in-depth expertise of core, senior team members. Strategen will prioritize allocation efficiency via the use of lower cost resources when possible.

Capability Community Benefits

Strategen is a certified minority and woman-owned business, with a commitment to facilitating a just transition that enables a sustainable and equitable approach to building a clean energy economy. Strategen’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice are foundational to our approach to both internal team engagement as well as our client service approach. Our expertise ranges from the quantitative work of modeling peaker plant retirement in disadvantaged communities to reduce pollution and improve community health; to development of regulatory frameworks that incorporate social and environmental equity; to direct engagement with stakeholders, including local communities, environmental justice groups, and tribal nations, to seek their input and collaboration. This scope of work will ensure that diverse voices are represented in LDES planning processes and will promote the realization of DEIA metrics through the development of a plan to address DEIA within the Community Benefits Roadmap.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

To develop an effective stakeholder engagement plan and build consensus, the following is required from our clients: 1) a defined geographic region for project focus;  2) a summary of the technology or product of focus;  3) if applicable, summary of community engagement conducted to date and relevant points of contact; and  4) at least 1 point of contact with decision-making ability to work with on a regular cadence.

Geographic Constraints

We can support projects in the continental US with historic expertise engaging with local stakeholders on the West Coast, the Northeast, and New England.

Additional details on matching preferences

N/A

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

A Stakeholder Engagement Matrix detailing the key stakeholders impacted by the project, anticipated issues and perspectives, and approaches to engage.

Final Milestone Description

An internal Community Benefits Roadmap with goals, milestones, and metrics and a community engagement plan to facilitate community input.

Community Benefits Planning

Voucher #

VO1-21

Organization:

Fedsprout

Details

City

PRINCETON

State

Zip

08540

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Our team will review the DOE's Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) data and perform a detailed stakeholder analysis to understand the communities where proposed projects will occur. These projects could be demonstration and deployment projects or locations where new manufacturing facilities will be established. We will identify key stakeholders in the community and engage with them to develop an initial list of community concerns and potential social, economic, and environmental impacts. We will provide guidance and lead brainstorming sessions to identify potential benefits focused on the four pillars of community benefits. We will create a community benefits plan tailored to the project. We will help develop community engagement strategies and a budget for effective and early two-way communication.By the end of the voucher project, we will deliver a community benefits plan and a detailed community engagement strategy and approach with an estimated budget that enables soliciting feedback from the community, educating community members, and modifying project plans in response to community feedback as the project progresses.

Capability Core Competencies

Here are a few examples of our past and current efforts: 1. Assisting a foreign energy storage system developer in securing funding opportunities for U.S. deployment and identifying communities and partners to positively impact disadvantaged communities.2. Developing community benefits plans/DEI Plans/PIER Plans and engagement strategies for various utilities and companies nationwide. This includes educating clients, brainstorming creative approaches, developing budgets for community engagement, and guiding the creation of MoUs with potential partners. Our capabilities include:Workforce development strategiesDEI planningIdentifying and contacting unions, labor groups, and workforce institutions for negotiationsFederal regulations compliance for the DBE programEqual Employment Opportunity (EEO) plan development and reviewsCommunity perceptions and engagement strategiesDeveloping metrics around community benefitsAssessing impacts on communities from new technologiesDeveloping community agreements, including MoUsPlanning for meeting Justice40 goals (maximizing benefits to Disadvantaged Communities)

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Our team specializes in Community Benefits Planning, DEI compliance, Community Engagement, and Workforce Development. Each member has extensive experience in infrastructure and energy technologies, creating community benefits plans, and addressing environmental justice issues. The Fedsprout team includes energy technology experts, former utility and municipality managers, community engagement specialists, DEI experts, sustainability specialists, environmental scientists, and workforce development professionals. We collaborate with end users, including utilities deploying electrification technologies like energy storage systems and innovative clean hydrogen technology solutions. Our work spans both rural and urban communities, catering to diverse demographics. We have assisted numerous utilities and corporations nationwide by developing community benefits plans and engagement strategies. Additionally, we have created proprietary document templates and training materials for community benefits planning. We also conduct workshops to share best practices and goals, ensuring comprehensive understanding and effective implementation.

Capability Community Benefits

Our Community Benefits Assessment service focuses on understanding and collaborating with communities for project success. Our approach involves:1. Identifying stakeholders and demographics to understand the community.2. Summarizing community concerns from stakeholder groups that impact project success.3. Developing engagement strategies for effective collaboration.4. Creating materials to facilitate early decision-making with stakeholders.5. Developing a community benefits plan that captures project impacts and benefits.We engage communities early for stakeholder analysis, outreach, and partner identification before project deployment. Using community feedback, we develop tailored outreach methods. We work closely with local stakeholders and community-based institutions to ensure alignment and trust, leveraging information from trusted community sources to enhance project acceptance. This structured approach ensures that our tactics are well-received and effective in the communities where projects are proposed.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Geographic Constraints

We provide services across all US states and territories.

Additional details on matching preferences

Community benefits planning is typically critical at higher TRLs - 6 and beyond, where community impacts may be more extensive. If you are seeking alignment with the DOE's community benefits planning objectives, our services are of great value since we support numerous entities applying for and receiving DOE funding. It is important to be willing to engage early with communities and make them feel as if they are being genuinely engaged with your project to have maximum community acceptance.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

Draft CBP developed

Final Milestone Description

Community engagement strategy report and budget developed

Custom carbon management and energy roadmaps: planning and preparing for innovative clean technology deployment with communities

Voucher #

VO1-20

Organization:

Carbon Solutions LLC

Details

City

Saint Paul

State

Zip

55105

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Community Benefits

Capability Description

Carbon Solutions will help commercialize clean energy technologies by preparing them for the market or integrating them into a large-scale first-of-a-kind (FOAK) demonstration project with custom engagement planning, as well as environmental justice and community benefits assessment services. Carbon Solutions staff, comprised of planners, social scientists, scientists, policy experts, and engineers, are ready to guide development on community, industry, and labor stakeholder engagement and outreach—from background research and planning to implementation and evaluation. We work across technology readiness levels, from bench-scale to pilot projects. For every client, we successfully tailor engagement efforts to the unique company, carbon management or next-generation fuel technology, and location(s). By the end of a voucher project, a recipient will have determined, with Carbon Solutions, the highest value engagement opportunities for their project or product. As a voucher provider, Carbon Solutions will complete an environmental justice and community assessment, initial stakeholder matrix, and proposed engagement plan aligned to project or product technical development. The engagement plan will include a variety of outreach methodologies, a ranking of their importance, anticipated costs associated with each activity, and their relevance to regulatory compliance. At the end of the award, recipients will have all materials necessary to start implementation.

Capability Core Competencies

Carbon Solutions brings a proven track record directly leading successful community engagement efforts for both bench-scale and demonstration decarbonization technologies. In the last two years alone, our team has prepared or implemented 20+ federal community benefits plans. Carbon Solutions staff are experts on developing Community Benefits Plans (CBP), Community Benefits Outcomes and Objectives (CBOO) plans, Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) plans, and more. Beyond federal compliance, Carbon Solutions provides dynamic engagement solutions, custom-tailored to project needs, including environmental justice and community assessments, stakeholder outreach matrices, interviews with key stakeholders and regional focus groups, facilitated dialogues, and public meetings and presentations. Carbon Solutions staff are committed to robust communication strategies, supporting projects with website development, advisory boards, legal strategies like community benefit agreements, and geographic information systems (GIS). Voucher execution customizes engagement planning and offerings to project-specific needs and prepares voucher recipients with everything necessary to implement their engagement.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

Carbon Solutions has an impressive portfolio of community engagement, having helped develop or directly led 20+ private and federally funded projects with community benefits requirements or engagement components. In addition to federal CBPs/CBOOs and SBIR PIER plans, Carbon Solutions leads the development of award-winning research software. Our software suite provides advanced modeling insights into complex, technical questions of energy deployment and enhances the fluency that Carbon Solutions brings to translate technical information for accessible engagement. Yet it is Carbon Solutions staff who ultimately represent the core of our success; over half bring robust technical and rigorous scientific PhDs to their work and actively collaborate with the dedicated planning, policy, and business experts on staff who bring experience in climate and energy development. Together, our team expertly crafts engagement, outreach, and commercialization strategies that underscore Carbon Solution’s mission to provide solutions to achieve a carbon-zero economy.

Capability Community Benefits

Being intentional, cross-cutting, passionate, and collaborative shape our approach to our business, community benefits, DEIA within our organization, and our projects. We are passionate about our work and its impact, selecting projects and partnerships that are professionally fulfilling. This is made easier by our cross-cutting staff. With degrees in a wide range of subjects, such as geology, geography, planning, chemistry, and engineering, we bring diverse perspectives and broad in-house expertise to every project. This translates directly into our community benefits plans and engagement planning. Our community engagement efforts have continually evolved alongside the federal Community Benefits planning requirements, providing dynamic engagement support from development to implementation on projects across a range of technologies— from CCUS and DAC, to hydrogen and geothermal. Our passion for equity fuels us to collaborate in communities, and we are intentional about the engagement we do—matching outreach efforts to community needs and project deliverables.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Because the community assessment and engagement plan are custom-tailored to the project, company, and location, the initial call will help determine what is unique to the product or technology to help shape unique engagement solutions. If a project partner requires a non-disclosure agreement, they must let Carbon Solutions, the voucher provider, know immediately to ensure that it is in place with ample time for the work to begin.

Geographic Constraints

Carbon Solutions can provide custom community assessment and engagement planning to both companies based in, but also companies aiming to pursue demonstration projects in, any of the 48 states in the contiguous United States, Alaska, or Hawai’i.

Additional details on matching preferences

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

A draft community and environmental justice assessment, an initial stakeholder matrix, and a draft engagement plan and timeline.

Final Milestone Description

A final community and environmental justice assessment, a final stakeholder matrix, and a final engagement plan, timeline, and budget.

Single Project Bankability Study

Voucher #

VO1-18

Organization:

Parabellum Strategic Group LLC

Details

City

Atlanta

State

Zip

30315

Activity Location State

Applicable Technology Area(s)

Category

Bankability

Capability Description

PSG will perform a bankability study on an internal project selected by the recipient. The study will assist with the understanding of the project’s overall viability, including assessment of potential cash flow and key risks as well as associated mitigation strategies. Key risks may include: financial; construction/completion; demand; operating; and political, legal, regulatory, environmental, and social. Bankability studies are critical as they help with: a) more informed decision-making regarding project viability and risk mitigation strategies; b) invaluable insights towards obtaining access to financing; c) higher quality stakeholder engagement; d) clearer path towards project scalability; and, e) improved investor confidence. Bankability study procedures may include, but are not limited to: -Define project scope-Data collection-Market analysis-Financial analysis-Risk identification and assessment-Risk mitigation strategies-Project overall risk score-Summary report preparation-Review and approval The deliverable will be a structured, summary report highlighting the findings and recommendations from the bankability study for management planning and decision-making purposes. Key contract milestones will include: project kickoff, delivery of initial findings and recommendations report, and delivery of final findings and recommendations report, inclusive of management feedback.

Capability Core Competencies

We have deep experience assisting the U.S. Department of Energy and large industry lenders with financial and credit due diligence services for loan/funding and M&A purposes. These procedures typically include: -Detailed review of the applicant (or seller’s) business plan, financial model, and related documentation-Identification of potential risks and mitigating factors-Compilation of a financial and credit due diligence package-Ongoing support through the negotiation/approval process-Final review of documentation/due diligence package prior to financial close-Where applicable, ongoing monitoring and performance analysis In addition, we have consulted clients with enhancing their credit risk management frameworks, developing financial and quantitative models to measure credit risk, and producing scenario analyses to understand the impact to credit of changes in key economic and project-specific inputs/assumptions. We have also provided model validation services, consisting of reviewing credit and other models and documentation developed by third parties and identifying gaps and suggested remediation actions.

Capability Qualifications and Credentials

PSG is an approved financial, market, and loan origination advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO), providing lender due diligence services for loan applications ($100 million to $2 billion). Broadly, PSG's professionals have 30+ years of combined experience, the majority at a ‘Big Four’ firm, in project finance related to manufacturing, innovative energy projects, capital investments, and loans and loan guarantees. Our team is fully comprised of senior leadership who have evaluated loan, loan guarantee, and grant applications at several government agencies, including DOE LPO and other sub-agencies of DOE. Key activities typically include review of strategic business plans and contracts, identifying and quantifying risks (such as permitting and regulatory risks, timeline risks, and cost overrun risks) and mitigants (e.g., insurance, reserve accounts, hedging, and properly allocated risk allocation), and preparing credit due diligence packages. If selected, PSG’s senior leadership will be directly delivering the services.

Capability Community Benefits

As a minority-owned and service-disabled-veteran-owned business, we deeply understand the importance of DEIA in the communities we serve. From a DEIA perspective, assisting private companies in the renewable and clean energy sector make progress towards commercial viability is important to us for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the expansion of new energy technologies or service areas is expected to foster economic growth and lead to the creation of high-value, high-paying domestic jobs in these sectors. Secondly, continued innovation in energy technology is expected to be the driving force behind energy sustainability and a decline in health-related hazards, such as quality/availability of food, drinkable water, and relief from extreme temperatures. Assessment of potential project bankability is a vital early step in the progress towards energy innovation and the aforementioned community benefits.

Approx. number of available voucher projects

Inputs required from voucher recipients

Voucher recipients are expected to provide the following information, in a usable electronic format, for the bankability study: • Current operating agreement • Historical financial and operating performance data (at least 2 years) • Current capital structure, funding sources, or other financial commitments • Strategic business plan and underlying financial model (if applicable) • Existing regulatory or commercial approvals (as available) • Other relevant contracts (materials, purchase agreements, teaming arrangements, legal/technical documents, etc.) • Feasibility and other relevant studies (technology, market/demand, environmental, etc.) • Other information relevant to their underlying technology and/or business model

Geographic Constraints

There are no geographic constraints for us to perform the bankability study. Much of the work can be performed remotely, and we are able to travel onsite for a meeting or two if required.

Additional details on matching preferences

Aside from the input requirements outlined above, there are no other minimum physical or informational requirements for us to perform the bankability study. We do request that the recipient provides timely access to the personnel, information, and documents necessary, and to promptly participate in the planning and cooperative activities required to successfully complete the services.

Estimated capability duration in weeks

Mid-point Milestone Description

The mid-point milestone will be the initial draft bankability study, highlighting the financial viability, including risks and remediation strategies.

Final Milestone Description

The final milestone will be the final bankability study, incorporating any feedback from the recipient.

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