GFO-25-901 - California Training for Residential Energy Contractors (CA-TREC)

GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

California Training for
Residential Energy Contractors (CA-TREC)

The addendum includes revisions to the Solicitation Manual. Added language appears in bold underline, and deleted language appears in [strikethrough] and within square brackets.

GFO-25-901

Addendum 01

https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitation

State of California

California Energy Commission

[November] December 2025

Table of Contents

GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Attachments iii

I: Introduction 1

A. Purpose of Solicitation 1

B. Background 1

C. Definitions of Keywords 2

D. Key Activities and Dates 6

E. Funding 7

Amount Available and Minimum/ Maximum Funding Amounts 7

Award Funding and Disbursement Process 7

Match Funding Requirement 9

Match Funding Key Terms & Definitions 10

Change in Funding Amount 10

Allowable Costs 11

Participant Supportive Services 11

Unallowable Costs 12

F. Notice of Pre-Application Workshop 12

G. Questions and Communication Restrictions 13

H. Contact Information 14

I. Agreement Contingent on Funding Availability 14

II: Eligibility Requirements 15

A. Applicant Requirements 15

Eligibility 15

Terms and Conditions 15

Tribal Requirements 15

Reservation of Right to Cancel 16

California Secretary of State Registration 16

B. Project requirements 16

Performance Tracking, Objectives, and Metrics 16

Pre-existing, Established Program 17

Project Groups 17

C. Additional Requirements regarding environmental review 20

CEQA 20

D. CEC’s Rights and Remedies 21

III: Application Submission Instructions 22

A. Application Format, Page Limits 22

B. Method For Delivery 23

C. Modifying or withdrawal of application 24

D. Application Content 24

IV: Evaluation and Award Process 30

A. Application Evaluation 30

Stage One: Application Screening 30

Stage Two: Application Scoring 30

B. Ranking, Notice of Proposed Award, and Agreement Development 30

Ranking and Notice of Proposed Award 30

Debriefings 31

Agreements 31

C. Grounds to Reject an Application or Cancel an Award 32

D. Stage One: Application Screening 32

E. Stage Two: Application Scoring 34

V: Administrative 40

A. Cost of Developing Application 40

B. Applicants’ Admonishment 40

C. Solicitation Cancellation and Amendment 40

D. Confidentiality 40

E. Solicitation Errors 40

F. Immaterial Defect 41

G. Clarification Interviews 41

H. Opportunity to Cure Administrative Errors 41

List of Tables

Attachments

Attachment Number	Title
1	Project Narrative Form
2	Project Team Form
3	Scope of Work Template
4	Project Schedule
5	Budget
6	CEQA Compliance Form
7	Reference and Work Product Form
8	Commitment and Support Letters Form (requires signature)
9	Project Performance Metrics and Measurement & Verification Requirements
10	Applicant Declaration (requires signature)
11	Data Security Attestation Memo (requires signature)
12	CA-TREC Terms and Conditions
13	Federal Award Terms and Conditions

I: Introduction

A. Purpose of Solicitation

The California Energy Commission (CEC) announces the availability of $9,289,757 in grants through the California Training for Residential Energy Contractors (CA-TREC) Program to fund statewide training projects that support building energy efficiency.

Funded projects must: (1) develop the workforce needed for long-term market transformation in whole-home efficiency; (2) reduce the cost of training; and (3) support programs offering testing and certifications for contractors.

Programs must offer training in the installation and maintenance of residential energy efficiency equipment, such as heat pumps, heating ventilation and cooling equipment, and heat pump water heaters.

CA-TREC grants aim to reduce training costs, provide testing and certifications, and partner with organizations to implement a state-sponsored workforce development initiative. This solicitation supports California’s energy and workforce goals by expanding and strengthening existing programs, improving training accessibility and affordability, and developing a skilled residential energy efficiency workforce.

B. Background

Funds are administered by state energy offices and are designed to enhance household energy performance while boosting local economies. In California, the CEC manages the three federal programs – Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES), Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEEHRA), and CA-TREC - totaling approximately $592 million.

These programs represent a major opportunity to create high-quality jobs in construction, manufacturing, and the skilled trades. Upgrading the energy performance of homes and businesses generates long-term employment in fields like HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, and home energy assessment. As demand grows, so does the need for a trained workforce – particularly in rural communities and regions where there is growth opportunity for efficient residential upgrades and job creation is a priority.

The state has ambitious goals to upgrade homes and aging equipment with energy-efficient technologies. These upgrades will lower energy usage for homeowners and create new economic opportunities for small businesses and contractors across the state.

The CEC reserves the right to change the terms of the solicitation. Grant funds’ availability is contingent upon DOE funding and federal directives.

C. Definitions of Keywords

Table 1 provides the words or terms commonly used throughout this manual along with a definition.

Table 1: Definition of Keywords

Word/Term	Definition
Administrative Costs	All costs necessary for the effective administration of the program.
Applicant	An entity that submits an application in response to this solicitation.
Application	An applicant’s written response to this solicitation.
Authorized Representative	The person submitting the application who has authority to enter into an agreement with the CEC.
California Native American Tribe	A Native American Tribe located in California that is on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission for the purposes of Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004 (Pub. Resources Code, § 21073).
California Tribal Organization	A corporation, association, or group controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a California Native American tribe that is subject to its laws, the laws of the State of California, or the laws of the United States.
CAM	Commission Agreement Manager, the person designated by the CEC to oversee the performance of an agreement resulting from this solicitation and to serve as the main point of contact for the grant recipient.
CAO	Commission Agreement Officer, the person designated by the CEC to oversee the internal administrative processes and to serves as the main point of contact for solicitation applicants.
CEC	State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission or the California Energy Commission.
CEC Funds	CEC funds are CA-TREC grant funds awarded under this solicitation. Also referred to as grant funds.
CEQA	California Environmental Quality Act, California Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.
Contractor	Those licensed or in training for eventual licensing through The Contractors State License Board.
DOE	Department of Energy
Energy Community	Federal legislation defines energy communities as: 1. A “brownfield site” (as defined in certain subparagraphs of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)) 2. A “metropolitan statistical area” or “non-metropolitan statistical area” that has (or had at any time after 2009) • 0.17% or greater direct employment or 25% or greater local tax revenues related to the extraction, processing, transport, or storage of coal, oil, or natural gas; and • Has an unemployment rate at or above the national average unemployment rate for the previous year 3. A census tract (or directly adjoining census tract) • In which a coal mine has closed after 1999; or • In which a coal-fired electric generating unit has been retired after 2009
Equipment	Equipment (as part of match share) is an item with a unit cost of at least $5,000 and a useful life of at least one year. Purchasing equipment with match funding is encouraged as there are no disposition requirements at the end of the agreement for such equipment. Typically, grant recipients may continue to use equipment purchased with CEC funds if the use is consistent with the intent of the original agreement.
High-Road	A description of work in which skill, experience, and work quality are key elements driving competitive dynamics between firms.
Key Personnel	Individuals who will have significant roles in planning and implementing the proposed project on the part of the applicant and participants, including Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs).
Major Subrecipient	A subrecipient that is budgeted to receive $100,000 or more of CEC funds, not including any equipment or match funds that may be provided by the subrecipient.
Match Funds	Includes cash or in-kind (non-cash) contributions provided by the applicant, subrecipients, or other parties that will be used in performance of the proposed project. Does not include any CEC awards, CA-TREC funds received from other sources, future/contingent award from other entities (public or private), or the cost or value of the project work site. Categories of Match Funds: • “Cash” match means funding that is in the applicant’s or match partner’s possession and specifically committed to the project. Cash match must not be pledged to other projects and must be supported by documentation. It may include funds received from other agencies for related technology or studies, but not for identical work. • “In-Kind” match are non-cash contributions such as labor, equipment, supplies, or donated space that support the project and are not reimbursed with CEC funds. In-kind match must be valued at fair market rate, included in the agreement budget, and follow applicable accounting standards (e.g. GAAP for depreciation or labor). All contributions must be reasonable and allocable to the proposed project. See Match Funding Key Terms & Definitions for more information.
Match Share	Travel, equipment, and materials are examples of match share beyond administrative costs. See individual definitions for more information.
Materials	Materials (as part of match share) are project-related items that do not meet the equipment threshold. Match may be used for items such as laptops, tablets, and supplies that are not allowed with CEC funds.
Multifamily Building	A residential building consisting of at least five housing units.
NOPA	Notice of Proposed Award, a public notice by CEC staff that identifies proposed grant recipients.
Principal Investigator	The technical lead for the applicant’s project, who is responsible for overseeing the project; in some instances, the Principal Investigator and Project Manager may be the same person.
Project Manager	The person designated by the applicant to oversee the project and to serve as the main point of contact for the CEC.
Project Partner	A person or entity that contributes financially or otherwise to the project (e.g., match funding, provision of a test, demonstration, or deployment site), and does not receive CEC funds.
Recipient	A person or entity receiving a grant award under this solicitation. “Recipient” may be used interchangeably with “grant recipient”. With regard to federal funds as part of this agreement, this term is equivalent to “Subrecipient” as defined under 2 Code of Federal Regulation 200.1.
Residential Energy Contractors	Residential energy contractors are businesses, non-profits, and individuals that provide residential energy efficiency, and other energy services to new and existing homes in both single family and multi-family buildings through establishing subcontracts with individuals or organizations in construction trades and other roles.
Rural Communities	A city, town, or unincorporated area with a population less than or equal to 10,000 inhabitants. This definition is based on the one used in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Section 40103(c).
Solicitation	This entire document, including all attachments, exhibits, addenda, written notices, and questions and answers (“solicitation” may be used interchangeably with “Grant Funding Opportunity” or “GFO”).
Subrecipient	A person or entity that receives grant funds directly from a grant Recipient and is entrusted to make decisions about how to conduct some of the grant’s activities. A Subrecipient’s role involves discretion over grant activities and is not merely just selling goods or services.
Sub-Subrecipient/sub-contractor	Has the same meaning as a Subrecipient except that it receives grant funds from a Subrecipient or any lower tier level of a Sub-Subrecipient/sub-contractor.
State	State of California
Travel	Travel (as part of match share) is required to complete the tasks identified in Attachment 3 Scope of Work. Travel must be pre-approved by the CAM and is limited to in-state. CEC funds are limited to the reimbursement rates allowed by CalHR and only include necessary lodging and transportation (e.g., airfare, rental car, public transit, parking, mileage). CEC funds cannot be used for out-of-state travel, meals, and conferences (including registration fees).
TREC	Training for Residential Energy Contractors, the federal program and funding source for the training projects awarded under this solicitation. The California version of the program is referred to as CA-TREC.
Vendor	A person or entity that sells goods or services to the grant Recipient, Subrecipient, or any lower-tiered level of Sub-Subrecipient, in exchange for some of the grant funds, and does not make decisions about how to perform the grant’s activities. The Vendor’s role is ministerial and does not involve discretion over grant activities.

D. Key Activities and Dates

Table 2 lists the key activities, dates, and times for this solicitation and for agreements resulting from this solicitation are presented below. An addendum will be released if the dates change for activities that appear in bold.

Table 2: Key Activities and Dates

ACTIVITY	DATE	TIME
Solicitation Release	November 6, 2025
Pre-Application Workshop (must be at least 10 calendar days after solicitation release)	November 19, 2025	9:00 a.m.
Deadline for Written Questions	November 20, 2025	5:00 p.m.
Anticipated Distribution of Questions and Answers (date should be at least two weeks after the Deadline for Written Questions)	Week of December [8th] 22, 2025
Support for Application Submission in the Energy Commission Agreement Management System (ECAMS) until 5:00 p.m.	[December 22, 2025] January 16, 2026	5:00 p.m.
Deadline to Submit Applications	[December 22, 2025] January 16, 2026	11:59 p.m.
Anticipated Notice of Proposed Award Posting Date	Week of [February 23] March 9, 2026
Anticipated Energy Commission Business Meeting Date	[June] July 2026
Anticipated Agreement Start Date	[July] August 2026
Anticipated Agreement End Date	July 31, 2028

E. Funding

Amount Available and Minimum/ Maximum Funding Amounts

There is up to $9,289,757 available for grants awarded under this solicitation. Table 3 lists the total, minimum, and maximum funding amounts for each project.

Table 3: Project Groups and Available Funding

Project Group	Available funding	Minimum award	Maximum award	Minimum match funding
Group 1: Pre-Apprenticeship & Apprenticeship	$5,000,000	$2,500,000	$5,000,000	100 percent of administrative costs
Group 2: Workforce Enablement	$3,000,000	$1,500,000	$3,000,000	100 percent of administrative costs
Group 3: New and Expanding	$1,289,757	$640,000	$1,289,757	100 percent of administrative costs

Award Funding and Disbursement Process

DOE will release TREC award funding to the CEC in two tranches, or installments of funding.

Accessing Tranches and Evaluation Requirements

Funding will be awarded in two tranches. The CEC intends to approve awards up to the amount listed in the NOPA. However, only 45 percent of the total project amount will initially be made available to the recipient. This is the first tranche of funding. Additional funds up to the total amount approved (with 10 percent retention withheld) may be made available by amendment to the grant agreement. This is the second tranche of funding.

To access the second funding tranche, DOE requires the CEC to submit and receive DOE approval of a TREC Preliminary Evaluation Results Report showing overall program results for the first tranche. This requirement is set by the DOE, and the CEC has no authority to release the second funding tranche until DOE approval to do so is granted.

Amendment and access to full funding is also contingent on the recipient’s submittal of a Preliminary Evaluation Report to the CEC as described below; and, as determined by the DOE and CEC, meeting specified Project Performance Metrics and Measurement and Verification Requirements as described in Attachment 9 to this solicitation manual, among other things. In the application, Applicants must describe how they will complete the entire project in the Project Narrative and Scope of Work (SOW).

The SOW should break down all project tasks and clearly indicate which tasks will be completed using the first tranche of funding and which are planned for the second tranche of funding, if approved. No work can begin on tasks assigned to the second trance until the Budget and Project Schedule are amended.

In the application, Applicants must show how they plan to use the initial 45 percent of available funds in their Budget and Project Schedule. Only 45 percent of total funds requested will initially be available to recipients, and the Budget submitted with the application must reflect this. I.e., the Budget and Project Schedule submitted with the application should only include work for the first tranche.

Recipients must submit a Preliminary Evaluation Report to the CEC (by the date listed in Attachment 4 Project Schedule).

Federal rules state the report must at least include:

• Plans for incorporating the evaluation results into improving current programs.

• Progress against goals, activities, and metrics.

• Feedback from program participants collected by the program.

• Process and program design improvements that would increase the likelihood of meeting program goals, activities, and metrics.

• Review of program impacts.

• Recommendations for improvement as identified by the program evaluation.

The CEC will provide a template to assist with report submission.

It is the CEC’s policy to retain 10 percent of the total award until the end of the project and the Final Project Report is submitted. To request final payment, Recipients must submit a completed payment request form. See Attachment 12, CA-TREC Program Terms and Conditions, section 15(7), Payment of Funds, Retention for more information.

Summary of Funding Disbursement Steps

• Recipients are expected to complete and submit their Preliminary Evaluation Report by the date listed in Attachment 4 Project Schedule.

• The CEC will compile all Preliminary Evaluation Reports into a single report for DOE review and approval. This is a federal requirement. Practically, this means that work could pause while waiting for DOE approval.

• Recipients may bill up to 45 percent of the total award while waiting for DOE approval.

• Awardees may invoice for 45 percent of their total award; the recipient’s Agreement will initially only be funded for Tranche 1 work. Recipient may only begin Tranche 2 work after an amendment is executed to add Tranche 2 funding. This amendment is contingent, among other things, on DOE’s approval of CEC’s report to DOE.

• Per CEC policy, the final 10 percent (retention) is released after project completion and approval of the final report, and request for payment of retention is received.

Match Funding Requirement

Match funding is required to cover 100 percent of Applicant’s administrative costs. CEC funds from any source cannot be used for administrative costs; match must cover all administrative costs. As outlined in the Definitions of Keywords above, administrative costs include all costs necessary for the effective administration of the program.

The maximum amount to be reimbursed by the CEC under this Agreement is the Reimbursable Amount specified on the CEC-146. The Energy Commission award amount is fixed and will not be augmented. If actual Total Allowable Project Costs exceed estimated Total Allowable Project Costs, the Recipient is responsible for those additional costs.

The Recipient must maintain accounting records detailing the expenditure of the Match Share and provide documentation of expenditures as described in this Agreement (e.g., under this Exhibit C “Payment of Funds” and “Fiscal Accounting Requirements”). Applications must include (a) commitment letter(s) from each entity that is committing to providing match funding. See Attachment 8 Commitment and Support Letters Form.

If Applicants plan to provide additional, optional match funds to cover direct project costs, they must also include (a) commitment letter(s) verifying those commitments.

Match funds must be spent only during the agreement term, either before or concurrently with CEC funds or in accordance with an approved Match Fund Spending Plan. Match funds also must be reported on invoices submitted to the CEC.

Any match pledged in an application must be consistent with the amount or dollar value described in the commitment letter(s) (e.g., if $5,000 “cash in hand” funds are pledged in a commitment letter, Attachment 1 Project Narrative must match this amount). If the amounts listed in an application are inconsistent, only the total amount pledged in the commitment letter(s) will be considered for match funding points.

The grant recipient is expected to maintain appropriate documentation to support the fair market value of all in-kind match including match donated by third parties or major subrecipients. This documentation shall be shared with CEC upon request.

Match Funding Key Terms & Definitions

“Match funds” includes cash or in-kind (non-cash) contributions provided by the Applicant, subrecipients, or other parties that will be used in performance of the proposed project.

“Match funds” do not include any CEC awards, CA-TREC funds received from other sources, future/contingent awards from other entities (public or private), or the cost or value of the project work site.

Definitions of “match funding” categories are listed below:

• “Cash” match means funds that are in the grant recipient’s possession or proposed by a match partner and clearly identified in a support letter, and are reserved for the proposed project, meaning that they have not been committed for use or pledged as match for any other project. Cash match can include funding awards earned or received from other agencies for the proposed technologies or study (but not for the identical work). Proof that the funds exist as cash is required.

• “In-Kind” match can be in the form of goods or services that are not reimbursed with CEC funds such as labor (if reasonable and justified), donated space, existing equipment, existing supplies, services provided by a third-party or subrecipient, and other expendable property in support of the project. The value of in-kind match is based on the fair market value of the goods and services provided at the time it is claimed as match. The value of existing equipment must be prorated for its use in the project and depreciated or amortized over the term of the project using generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Labor rates for hours donated by non-employees must be consistent with those paid for similar work. Cost allocations must be reasonable and allocable to the proposed project. In-kind match share must be included in the agreement budget.

Travel, equipment, and materials are examples of match share beyond administrative costs. See the Definitions of Keywords above for more information.

Change in Funding Amount

Along with any other rights and remedies available to it, the CEC reserves the right to:

• Increase or decrease the available funding and the minimum/maximum grant award amounts described in this section.

• Allocate any additional or unawarded funds to passing applications, in rank order.

• Reallocate funding between any of the groups.

• Reduce funding to an appropriate amount if the budgeted funds do not provide full funding for agreements. In this event, the proposed grant recipient and Commission Agreement Manager (CAM) will attempt to reach agreement on a reduced Scope of Work commensurate with available funding.

Allowable Costs

For CEC to consider a cost allowable, it must be necessary for the execution of the grant, included in the approved budget, approved by DOE as an allowable cost, allowable per the terms and conditions of the resulting agreement, and adhere to applicable federal regulations, such as the cost principles outlined in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E and the Federal Acquisition Regulations (48 CFR, Ch.1, Subchapter E, Part 31, Subpart 31.2). The following are examples of allowable costs under an agreement resulting from this solicitation.

Participant Supportive Services

Grant funds may be utilized to offer supportive services that facilitate trainee participation and success in the program. These services can be administered by non-profit organizations or their partner organizations or as directed by the CEC.

• Use of Grant Funds for Supportive Services
Grant funds may support direct payments or financial assistance to participants as part of supportive service strategies. Grantees must maintain documentation justifying the need, method, and amount of any financial support provided to participants.

• Allowable Services
Allowable services include, but are not limited to:

o Linkages to community services, including services offered by partner organizations designed to support grant participants

o Transportation

o Financial counseling

o Assistance with childcare and dependent care

o Housing and food support

o Legal assistance

o Referrals for drug treatment

o Required items for participants engaged in training, work-based learning, or other project-related activities

o Provision of uniforms, work attire, and necessary work-related tools (e.g., eyeglasses, protective equipment, tools, supplies, books)

o Payment of fees for employment applications, testing, certifications, and licenses

Allowable financial mechanisms to deliver services:

o Wages or stipends (should be reflective of current competitive wage)

o Incentive payments (limited to 1.5% of total grant)

o Needs-based payments/emergency cash assistance: food/utilities (capped at 10% of total grant)

Eligible services may be provided directly by the grant recipient or partner organizations, or participants may be connected to external providers through linkages and referrals, as appropriate.

Unallowable Costs

Unallowable costs are costs that do not qualify as allowable. The following are examples of unallowable costs; this list is not comprehensive and additional costs may be unallowable in accordance with the terms and conditions.

• Administrative Costs – All costs necessary for the effective administration of the program.

• Profit – DOE and CEC funding cannot be used to pay for profit, except in the case of subrecipients and vendors.

• Forgone Profit – Organizations may not use grant funding to compensate for profit that would otherwise be collected in the normal course of business.

• Foregone Salary, Fringe, Indirect or Other Types of Costs – For example, a person normally charges or is paid $100 per hour but will only charge $50 per hour towards the CEC award, the difference is not reimbursable. Only actual costs incurred and paid to the employee are allowable.

• Union activity - Federal rules direct that funds under this award must not be used to directly or indirectly to assist, promote, or deter union organizing.

F. Notice of Pre-Application Workshop

CEC staff will hold one remote Pre-Application Workshop to discuss this solicitation with potential applicants. Participation is optional but encouraged. Applicants may attend the workshop via the internet (Zoom, see instructions below), or via conference call on the date and at the time and location listed below. Please refer to the CEC's Solicitation webpage at https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitations to confirm the date and time. Please be aware that the meeting will be recorded.

Date and time: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 9 a.m.

Participation Through Zoom: Remote access is available by computer or phone via Zoom. When attending remotely, presentations will appear on your computer/laptop/mobile device screen, and audio may be heard via the device or telephone. Please be aware that the pre-application workshop will be recorded.

Zoom Instructions: To join this workshop , go to Zoom at https://energy.zoom.us/j/85223192100?pwd=3yZFf4sOOMNxvPY5EU5CKGLVlUAlu6.1. You may also access this workshop by going to the Zoom webpage at https://zoom.us/join and enter the Meeting ID and password below:

Meeting ID: 852 2319 2100
Meeting Password: 855667
Topic: California Training for Residential Energy Contractors (CA-TREC) Solicitation Workshop

Telephone Access Only: Call 1-888 475 4499 (Toll Free) or 1-877 853 5257 (Toll Free). When prompted, enter the meeting number above. International callers may select a number from the Zoom International Dial-in Number List at https://energy.zoom.us/u/adjzKUXvoy. To comment, dial *9 to “raise your hand” and *6 to mute/unmute your phone line.

Access by Mobile Device: Download the application from the Zoom Download Center , https://energy.zoom.us/download.

Technical Support for Pre-Application Workshop:

• For assistance with problems or questions about joining or attending the meeting, please call Zoom Technical Support at 1-888-799-9666 ext. 2. You may also contact the CEC’s Public Advisor’s Office at publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov, or (916) 957-7910.

• System Requirements: To determine whether your computer is compatible, visit Zoom technical support at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-Windows-macOS-and-Linux.

• If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Erica Rodriguez by email at Erica.Rodriguez@energy.ca.gov or (916) 764-5705 at least five days in advance.

G. Questions and Communication Restrictions

During the solicitation process, direct questions to the CAO listed in Section I.H below.

Applicants may ask questions at the Pre-Application Workshop and may submit written questions via email to the CAO. However, all technical questions must be received by the deadline indicated in the Key Activities and Dates table located in Section I.D of this solicitation manual.

The questions and answers will be posted on the CEC's solicitations website at https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitations.

Questions received after the deadline may be answered at the CEC's discretion. Non-technical questions (e.g., questions concerning application format requirements or attachment instructions) may be submitted to the CAO at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. of the application deadline date.

Any verbal communication with a CEC employee concerning this solicitation is not binding on the State and shall in no way alter a specification, term, or condition of the solicitation. All communication must be directed in writing to the CAO assigned to this solicitation.

H. Contact Information

Cynthia Rodriguez, Commission Agreement Officer

California Energy Commission

715 P, MS-18

Sacramento, California, 95814

Email: Cynthia.Rodriguez@energy.ca.gov

I. Agreement Contingent on Funding Availability

Without limitation to any other of CEC’s rights and remedies, if any state funds used for any agreement resulting from this solicitation, or any of the federal funds for the CA-TREC program become unavailable, reduced, and/or deleted for any reason including, but not limited to, DOE’s failure to provide sufficient funds to reimburse the state of California for the work identified in any scope of work or for CEC administrative costs to oversee and implement any agreement resulting from this solicitation, the CEC may in its sole discretion: 1) cancel agreements with no liability occurring to the CEC and the state of California; or 2) offer an agreement amendment to the recipient to reflect a reduced amount of funds. Should CEC choose to cancel any agreement, CEC and the State of California shall have no liability to pay any funds whatsoever to the agreement recipient, any subrecipients, and any vendors; nor to furnish any other consideration under any agreement resulting from this solicitation; and the recipient shall not be obligated to perform any provisions of such an agreement.

II: Eligibility Requirements

J. Applicant Requirements

Eligibility

This solicitation is open to institutions of higher education, for-profit entities, non-profit entities, state and local government entities, California Native American tribes, and California Tribal Organizations.

Terms and Conditions

Each grant agreement resulting from this solicitation will include terms and conditions that set forth the grant recipient’s rights and responsibilities. By signing Attachment 10 Applicant Declarations, each Applicant agrees to enter into an agreement with the CEC to conduct the proposed project according to the CA-TREC terms and conditions and any other terms and conditions that correspond to its organization and project group, without negotiation. This includes (1) Attachment 12 CA-TREC Terms and Conditions; (2) Attachment 13 Federal Terms and Conditions; and (3) CEC standard terms and conditions located on the CEC's funding resources web page at https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/funding-resources.

Failure to agree to the terms and conditions by taking actions such as failing to provide the required authorizations and certifications or indicating that acceptance is based on modification of the terms may result in rejection of the application. Applicants must read the terms and conditions carefully.

The CEC reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions prior to executing grant agreements. The terms and conditions included in this Solicitation are subject to change based on, in addition to other potential reasons, modifications to federal program requirements or terms and conditions by DOE, feedback and guidance the CEC receives from DOE, and any project specific special terms and conditions the CEC deems appropriate for a particular award.

Tribal Requirements

If a California Native American Tribe (Tribe) or California Tribal Organization with sovereign immunity is listed as a proposed awardee in the Notice of Proposed Award, CEC staff must receive the following before bringing the proposed award to a CEC Business Meeting:

1. A resolution or other authorizing document by the governing body of the Tribe or California Tribal Organization authorizing the Tribe or California Tribal Organization to enter into the proposed agreement, including accepting the Special Terms and Conditions for California Native American Tribes and Tribal Organizations with Sovereign Immunity.

2. A limited waiver of sovereign immunity in the form and manner required by tribal law; and

3. A resolution or other authorizing document delegating authority to execute the agreement to an appropriate individual.

The above requirements may be provided in one or more documents. The document(s) will be included as an exhibit to the resulting grant agreement.

Any delay in the Tribe or Tribal Organization’s ability to provide such documentation may result in delayed award of the grant agreement.

Reservation of Right to Cancel

Funds available under this solicitation have encumbrance deadlines which the CEC must meet to avoid expiration of the funds. In addition to any other rights reserved to it under this solicitation or that it otherwise has, the CEC reserves the right to cancel a proposed award if it determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the documentation described above would likely not be provided prior to an encumbrance deadline, and that the CEC’s ability to meet its encumbrance deadline may thereby be jeopardized. In this instance, the CEC may cancel the proposed award and may award funds to the next highest scoring Applicant.

...