SolSmart Program Management | DE FOA 0002513

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002513

The SolSmart Program Management funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0002513) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) solicitation, issued through the Golden Field Office, to select a single organization to manage and expand DOE's SolSmart program over a five-year period. SolSmart is a national community designation and technical assistance effort originally launched in 2016, and it has already recognized nearly 400 communities across the country, from Florida to Alaska. The overall purpose of this award is to help local governments make solar energy easier, faster, and less expensive to deploy by addressing the non-hardware barriers that slow projects down or add unnecessary expense.

A central focus of the opportunity is reducing "soft costs" of solar deployment, meaning the costs not tied to equipment like panels or inverters. These can include permitting and inspection processes, local zoning and land-use requirements, interconnection procedures, code compliance, administrative fees, and other paperwork or process-related expenses. DOE highlights that these soft costs can account for as much as 64 percent of the upfront cost of a residential solar installation, which makes them a major lever for improving affordability and accelerating adoption. By improving local rules, streamlining review timelines, and clarifying permitting pathways, communities can lower the total cost of going solar and widen access for residents and businesses.

Under this FOA, DOE is looking for an entity that can run the SolSmart program at scale and evolve it to meet new needs. That includes continuing the core model of providing technical assistance to local governments and awarding SolSmart designations that recognize communities for taking concrete steps to become more solar-ready. It also includes expanding the program to incorporate newer solar-related technologies, reflecting how the market and local government priorities have changed since the program began. The intent is to keep SolSmart relevant as communities deal not only with traditional rooftop solar, but also emerging approaches and related solutions that affect how solar is planned, permitted, and integrated.

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically signals that DOE expects substantial involvement during the project period rather than a hands-off grant. The opportunity is classified as discretionary funding within the energy activity category and is associated with CFDA number 81.117. DOE anticipates making one award, with an award ceiling of $10,000,000, meaning the selected program manager could receive up to ten million dollars to carry out the full scope of work over the performance period.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public, private, and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and even individuals. This wide eligibility suggests DOE is prioritizing capabilities and reach, aiming to select whichever applicant can best coordinate national technical assistance, community engagement, program operations, and continuous improvement for SolSmart.

Key logistics from the posting show it was created on May 4, 2021, with an original closing date of August 17, 2021. In practical terms, the FOA fits into the broader federal climate and clean energy agenda by targeting local, process-level barriers that often determine whether solar projects move quickly and equitably or get stuck in delays and added costs. The chosen awardee is expected to serve as the backbone organization for SolSmart, ensuring the program continues to help communities modernize their policies and practices while expanding the program's scope to keep pace with the changing solar landscape.

• The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SolSmart Program Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.117.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 04, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 17, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for DE FOA 0002513

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: