Bipartisan Infrastructure Law titled: "BIL - Front-End Engineering and Design Studies for Production of Critical Minerals and Material from Coal-Based Resources"

Background
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Awards made under this FOA will be funded in whole with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest appropriations of $32 million for Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies for two different sizes, intermediate-scale and demonstration-scale, of Rare Earth Element (REE) Facilities that demonstrate the extraction, separation, and refining from coal and coal by-products to high purity individual or binary rare earth metals (REM) and/or critical minerals and materials (CMM).

Grant Details
The FOA consists of two Topic Areas: Topic Area 1 targets an intermediate-scale facility producing 30-100 t MREO/MRES per year, while Topic Area 2 focuses on a demonstration-scale facility producing 1-3 t MREO/MRES per day. Both areas aim to complete a FEED study based on an AACE Class 3 cost estimate resulting in saleable refined metal products. The projects are required to meet specific engineering deliverables, technology readiness levels, end-of-project success metrics, and participate in the Critical Materials Collaborative. Awardees must also participate as a member of the Critical Materials Collaborative.

Eligibility Requirements
All work for projects selected under this FOA must be performed in the United States. Interested organizations can express their interest to other applicants and explore potential partnerships by completing the Teaming Partner List provided as an Attachment to the announcement.

Period of Performance
The expected period of performance is from May 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025.

Grant Value
$32 million has been appropriated for Front-End Engineering and Design studies for Rare Earth Element Facilities.

Place of Performance
All work for projects selected under this FOA must be performed in the United States.