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

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment A to the CLEEN IV Cooperative Agreement, serving as the Cooperative Agreement Template. It outlines the terms and conditions for a cooperative agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a participating company for activities under the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program.

• Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and [COMPANY NAME].
• Purpose: To conduct activities under the CLEEN Program, focusing on reducing fuel burn, engine emissions, and noise through technology development, maturation, and testing for civil airplanes.
• Period of Performance: Extends from the final signature date to a specified date (e.g., 2027), with a potential one-year option to extend.
• Contributions: The FAA will pay no more than 50% of the total cost, with the Participant contributing at least 50% (1:1 cost share). Contributions can be cash or in-kind, with specific guidelines on what is acceptable and unacceptable.
• Scope of Work: Performance of specific aircraft technology work activities as referenced in Attachment B (company-specific SOW).
• Reporting and Submissions: Requirements for quarterly technical/schedule/risk progress reports and monthly financial reports.
• Intellectual Property and Data Rights: Governs the rights to data and intellectual property generated under the agreement.
• Term and Termination: Outlines the agreement's duration and conditions for termination.
• Liability and Indemnification: Defines the parties' responsibilities regarding liability.
• Special Provisions: Includes various clauses such as Points of Contact, Audit, Warranty, Force Majeure, Lobbying Certification, etc.
• Appendices: Includes Appendix A (Reimbursement of Costs Under CLEEN IV) and Appendix B (Intellectual Property - Section 106 Cooperative Agreements).

This document provides the foundational terms and conditions for participation in the CLEEN IV program. Potential bidders should review this template to understand the cost-sharing requirements, reporting obligations, intellectual property stipulations, and other contractual terms that would apply to a cooperative agreement under this program. It details the structure of the partnership between the FAA and the selected participant.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a comment matrix provided for vendors to submit questions, comments, and suggestions regarding the draft SIR documents for CLEEN IV. It guides bidders on how to structure their feedback.

• Column A - Document: Specifies which draft SIR document the comment pertains to.
• Column B - Page/Tab: Indicates the relevant page number or tab label.
• Column C - Section/para/Cell: Details the specific section, paragraph, or cell for the comment.
• Column D - Text: Requires the verbatim text from the document that the comment relates to.
• Column E - Comments: The space for bidders to provide their questions, comments, and suggestions.
• Column F - Rationale: Requires bidders to provide reasoning or justification for their comments or suggested changes.

This matrix is crucial for bidders to effectively communicate feedback on the draft solicitation documents. It ensures that all comments are organized, specific, and accompanied by rationale, facilitating a clear and constructive dialogue with the government before the final solicitation is issued.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Screening Information Request (SIR) seeks participants for the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program Phase IV (2026-2028). The program aims to mature and test certifiable technologies for civil airplanes to reduce fuel burn, engine emissions, and noise. It also seeks to inform the development of FAA environmental standards and improve environmental reviews for new aircraft technologies.

• Development, maturation, and testing of certifiable CLEEN aircraft, engine technologies, and jet fuels.

• Technologies must demonstrate benefits in fuel efficiency, noise reduction, NOx emissions reduction, or particulate matter reduction compared to current aviation products.

• Participants must conduct activities across five work elements: Project Management, Design, Fabrication/Procurement/Assembly, Technology Demonstration, and Technology Assessments/Reporting.

• Deliverables include Task Plans, Risk Assessments, Progress Reports, Design Review Packages, Test Reports, and Final Reports.

• Agreement Type: Cooperative Agreement.

• Period of Performance: Base period of 12 months with one optional 12-month period.

• Funding: 1:1 minimum cost share requirement (FAA funds up to 50% of total project cost). Total available funding for all projects is $25 million.

• Proposals are due by a specified date in Month DD, 2026, no later than 2:00 PM EDT.

• Proposals must be submitted in three volumes: Technical/Management, Pricing/Business, and Agreement Feedback.

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Merit, Value, Cost/Contribution, and Respondent Capability.

• Key evaluation factors include Corporate Experience (Pass/Fail), CLEEN IV Technology Benefits, and Technology Maturation Plan.

• Respondents must be located in the United States, incorporated in the United States, and primarily operate within the United States.

• Products must be manufactured substantially within the United States.

• The FAA may provide that not less than 2 of the cooperative agreements involve the participation of a small business concern.

• A sample Cooperative Agreement is attached.

• Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL) are important considerations, with TRL 6 or 7 demonstration preferred.

• Pre-award costs are not permitted.