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

The document outlines a structured process for providing feedback on draft Solicitation for Information and Resources (SIR) documents, specifically using a matrix format. This feedback mechanism is designed to gather comments, questions, and suggestions related to federal government RFPs, federal grants, and state/local RFPs. Users are instructed to utilize a designated "Comments" tab and populate specific columns: "Document" (to identify the SIR document), "Page/Tab" (for location), "Section/Para/Cell" (for specific content reference), "Text" (the exact text being commented on), "Comment" (the actual feedback), and "Rationale" (the reasoning behind the comment). This systematic approach ensures comprehensive and organized input on critical government procurement and funding documentation, facilitating clear communication and efficient review.

This cooperative agreement between the FAA and a company outlines their collaboration on the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) Program, Phase IV. The program aims to reduce fuel burn, engine emissions, and noise through technology development and testing, also assisting the FAA in setting environmental standards. The agreement details contributions, with the FAA funding up to 50% and the company providing a 1:1 cost-share. It specifies reporting requirements, including quarterly technical and monthly financial reports, and outlines intellectual property rights, dispute resolution, and termination clauses. The document also addresses special provisions like audit rights, liability, publicity guidelines, and compliance with federal regulations concerning lobbying and payments to influence federal transactions. The total agreement duration, including options, is not to exceed two years.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued Screening Information Request (SIR) 693KA9-26-R-00006 for the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program (2026-2028) Phase IV. This program, authorized by 49 U.S.C. 106(l) and (m), seeks proposals for cost-sharing cooperative agreements to mature CLEEN technologies for civil airplanes. The objective is to reduce fuel burn, engine emissions, and noise, while also informing the development of FAA environmental standards and certification procedures. Eligibility requires respondents to be U.S.-incorporated and primarily operate within the U.S., with a minimum 1:1 cost share. The period of performance is a 12-month base with a 12-month option, and total FAA funding is $25 million for multiple awards. Proposals must detail corporate experience, technology benefits, and a maturation plan, covering design, fabrication, demonstration, and assessments. Deliverables include various reports and presentations, with intellectual property rights to be negotiated to allow for public sharing of non-proprietary information. Proposals are due by Month DD, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Screening Information Request (SIR) 693KA9-26-R-00006 for the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program Phase IV (2026-2028). This SIR seeks proposals for cooperative agreements to develop and mature aircraft and engine technologies that reduce fuel burn, emissions, and noise. Eligibility requires U.S.-based respondents and a 1:1 minimum cost share. The program, with $25 million in total FAA funding, focuses on improving environmental standards, certification procedures, and environmental reviews. Proposals must detail technical approaches, management plans, and financial contributions, addressing specific performance objectives and technology maturation through design, fabrication, demonstration, and reporting. The submission deadline for proposals is May 18, 2026.

The Cooperative Agreement between a company and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) outlines the terms for conducting activities under the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program, specifically Phase IV. This phase aims to reduce fuel burn, engine emissions, and noise by developing and testing certifiable technologies, and collecting information to inform FAA environmental standards and reviews. The FAA will contribute up to 50% of the total project cost, with the participant responsible for the remaining 1:1 cost-share, which can be cash or in-kind. The agreement details provisions for cost limitation, reimbursement, technical direction, and required submissions to the FAA, including quarterly technical reports, monthly financial reports, and various deliverables like risk assessments and test reports. Intellectual property and data rights are defined, with the FAA holding limited licenses for government purposes. The document also covers dispute resolution, termination clauses, liability, audits, and special provisions regarding lobbying, publicity, and electronic payment requests, all governed by federal law.

The document outlines a template for proposals related to the CLEEN Phase IV Technology program, focusing on technology summaries. Applicants are required to provide detailed information for each project or technology, including the applicant name, project number, and title. Key metrics such as starting and ending Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), fuel/energy efficiency benefits, noise benefits, and emissions benefits (NOx and nvPM) must be reported. Projects that do not apply to specific benefits should indicate "N/A." Additionally, proposals must specify aircraft categories, anticipated Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and FAA project costs. An optional comments section is available for additional details. This structured format ensures comprehensive evaluation of technologies aimed at improving aviation environmental performance within federal government grant and RFP contexts.

The Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV Program, managed by the FAA, aims to advance civil aircraft technologies to inform environmental standards and enhance the competitiveness of American civil aviation. With a total funding of $25 million for FY25, the program anticipates multiple awards with a 12-month base period and a 12-month option. Projects require a 1:1 cost share and must demonstrate benefits in fuel efficiency, noise, or emissions, with a preference for TRL 6 or 7 demonstrations. The program encourages proposals for emerging technologies and advanced aircraft configurations, focusing on data collection for environmental standards and reviews. Key considerations include domestic sourcing, intellectual property rights, and detailed reporting requirements.

The document outlines the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV Program, a public-private partnership aimed at maturing technologies for civil aircraft to inform environmental standards and rulemaking. With $25 million in funding for multiple awards, the program emphasizes a 1:1 cost share and a 12-month base period with a 12-month option. While focusing on reducing fuel burn, engine emissions (NOx, particulate matter), and noise, the program also seeks information to improve certification processes and environmental reviews. Respondents are required to be U.S.-based, and proposals should ideally lead to TRL 6 or 7 demonstrations. Key concerns raised include the short performance period, limited funding, intellectual property rights, and the shift in program emphasis towards standards development rather than solely technology maturation.

This order, 1600.75, provides guidance for identifying and protecting Sensitive Unclassified Information (SUI) within the FAA, affecting all employees, contractors, consultants, and grantees. It defines SUI, including For Official Use Only (FOUO), Sensitive Security Information (SSI), Sensitive Homeland Security Information (SHSI), and Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII), outlining their specific subject matter and intended audiences. The document details responsibilities for FAA offices and individuals, emphasizing the importance of a

The document is a matrix for collecting comments, questions, and suggestions on draft SIR (Solicitation for Information or Research) documents related to the CLEEN IV program. It outlines specific fields for feedback, including document reference, page/tab, section/paragraph/cell, applicable text, the comment itself, and the rationale. The matrix also includes a section for FAA responses. Key topics addressed in the comments and FAA responses include eligibility requirements for U.S. incorporation and manufacturing, page limits for proposals, subcontracting with non-U.S. suppliers, task plan submission requirements, corporate experience criteria, project duration, confidentiality of data, and the eligibility of government agencies as team members or subcontractors. The FAA's responses frequently refer to specific sections of the SIR and 2 CFR § 200.322 for guidance on U.S. product/service requirements.

This document outlines a Q&A matrix for the CLEEN IV SIR (Solicitation of Interest and Information) to address comments, questions, and suggestions regarding various draft SIR documents. Key areas of discussion include eligibility requirements, proposal page limits, the definition of a "recent and relevant" project for corporate experience, and the role of US incorporation and manufacturing. The document clarifies guidelines on foreign manufacturing involvement, the need for an initial Task Plan, and the reimbursement process for travel. It also specifies that projects must be performed by the prime Respondent, not team members, and details restrictions on government agencies participating as team members or subcontractors. Overall, the document provides crucial clarifications for potential respondents to the CLEEN IV SIR, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and program-specific requirements.