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

Other / Unclassified

This document is FAA Order 1600.75, titled "Protecting Sensitive Unclassified Information (SUI)". It establishes agency policy and guidance for identifying and protecting sensitive unclassified information that does not meet the standards for classified national security information, with a particular focus on information related to homeland security and the FAA's global aerospace structure.

While this document is an internal FAA policy, it is relevant to potential bidders as it outlines the handling and protection requirements for Sensitive Unclassified Information (SUI). Contractors, consultants, and grantees who create, handle, or have access to SUI must adhere to the policies and procedures detailed in this order. This includes understanding:

• Definitions of SUI: Such as For Official Use Only (FOUO), Sensitive Security Information (SSI), Sensitive Homeland Security Information (SHSI), and Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII).
• Access and Disclosure Rules: Who may access SUI and the "duty to protect" and "need-to-know" principles.
• Protective Measures: Requirements for marking, handling, storing, transmitting (including electronic mail and fax), and destroying SUI.
• Responsibilities: The roles of FAA offices, managers, and employees, as well as contractors, in protecting SUI.

Bidders should be aware that contracts may include clauses requiring adherence to these SUI protection standards, and understanding these requirements is crucial for compliance.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document is a comment matrix providing vendor questions and FAA responses regarding the CLEEN IV SIR (Solicitation for Irregularity Resolution) documents. It serves as a clarification tool for potential bidders.

• Eligibility for Non-U.S. Manufacturing: A U.S.-incorporated entity can propose projects involving subcontracted non-U.S. manufacturing, provided appropriate justification is given per 2 CFR § 200.322, as outlined in SIR Section 4.
• Proposal Page Limits: Page limits for Technical/Management Proposal Factors 2 and 3 are strictly per proposed CLEEN IV Technology Project and cannot be allocated across multiple projects within the total factor count.
• Task Plan Requirement: An initial Task Plan is not required as a separate submission. The plan required under Subfactor 3.1 (Technical Approach) will serve as the basis for the Statement of Work (SOW) if selected.
• Travel Report Template: No specific template is provided for travel reports; bidders must adhere to the information requirements detailed in SIR Section 12.4.
• Corporate Experience: Projects submitted for the 'Corporate Experience' requirement (Factor 1) must have been performed by the prime Respondent entity. Experience of team members or key personnel at prior organizations does not qualify.
• Government Agency Participation: Government agencies are ineligible to submit proposals or participate as team members. They cannot be paid with FAA funds as a Recipient, Subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, though they may be paid as a contractor using non-Federal participant cost share.
• Facility Commitment Letters: Letters of commitment from facility managers are required for all facilities, both internal and external sources.

This Q&A document clarifies several key aspects of the SIR, including eligibility, proposal structure, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria. Bidders should review these clarifications carefully to ensure their proposals meet all stated requirements.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains comments and responses regarding the draft Solicitation, Invitation for Bids (SIR) for the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV program. It addresses questions and suggestions from potential bidders to clarify requirements and inform the final SIR.

• Eligibility for Non-U.S. Partners: U.S.-based prime respondents are permitted to use non-U.S. partners or subcontractors for specific tasks, provided the prime remains responsible. Contributions from non-U.S. partners can count towards the U.S. prime's cost share.
• Small Business Eligibility: Specialized U.S.-based flight operations companies categorized as small businesses are eligible to serve as prime respondents, with larger OEMs as supporting partners.
• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): The FAA will remove the stated preference for TRL 6 or 7 demonstrations in the final SIR. Required aircraft technology work elements will be adjusted to allow proposals completing only a subset of design, build, and test elements.
• Period of Performance: The CLEEN Phase IV program will have a two-year period of performance ceiling, fully funded using existing appropriations (FY24, FY25). FY26 appropriations will not be used.
• Funding: The total funding available for all projects is $25 million for the program duration, based on FY25 Congressional appropriation levels. This is a significant reduction compared to prior CLEEN phases.
• Cost Share: A 1:1 minimum cost share is required. Contributions can include cash and in-kind services, including from non-U.S. government entities.
• Reporting & Reviews: Bi-weekly teleconference progress reviews are recommended to be changed to monthly. Informal test reports may be eliminated in favor of monthly telecons.
• Proposal Due Date: A 90-day proposal response period is requested by industry, though 60 days may be feasible.
• Executive Summary Excel File: Clarification on the content of the required Excel summary file will be provided with the Final SIR.
• Intellectual Property (IP) & Data Rights: The FAA intends to negotiate IP rights. The government will have limited rights in deliverables, and data produced with private expense remains limited rights if not used in agreement deliverables. The FAA intends to publish normalized test data, with joint concurrence on normalization required prior to publication.

Several sections of the draft SIR are being revised based on these comments, including the removal of TRL preferences, adjustments to work elements, and clarification on the period of performance (consolidated to 24 months). Specific details regarding the Excel summary file and other administrative aspects will be provided in the Final SIR. Industry feedback suggests a need for clarity on IP rights, cost share documentation, and reporting frequency.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

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

The work involves five major elements: Project Management, Design, Fabrication/Procurement/Assembly, Technology Demonstration, and Technology Assessments/Reporting. Proposals may cover a subset of elements 2, 3, and 4, but must include elements 1 and 5. Key performance objectives include improving fuel efficiency, reducing noise, lowering NOx emissions, and reducing particulate matter emissions, with metrics defined by ICAO standards. Technologies must demonstrate benefits relative to current aviation products.

• Agreement Type: Cooperative Agreement.

• Period of Performance: Up to 24 months.

• Funding: Minimum 1:1 cost share requirement (cash or in-kind contributions). FAA liability is capped at 50% of the total project cost. Total funding available for all projects is $25 million.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: May 18, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT.

• Submission Format: Three volumes: Executive Summary, Volume I (Technical/Management), Volume II (Pricing/Business), and Volume III (Agreement Feedback).

• Evaluation: Proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit, value to the CLEEN Program, cost/contribution, and respondent capability. Key evaluation factors include Corporate Experience (Pass/Fail), CLEEN IV Technology Benefits (adjectival rating), and Technology Maturation Plan (adjectival rating). Volume 1 is considered more important than Volume 2. Volume 3 will be reviewed for compliance but not rated.

• Respondents must be located in the United States.

• Must be incorporated in the U.S., primarily operate within the U.S., and manufacture products substantially within the U.S.

• Small business concerns are encouraged to participate, with at least two cooperative agreements involving small businesses required.

• The FAA anticipates multiple awards.

• Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL) are important, with specific definitions provided.

• A sample Cooperative Agreement Template is provided as Attachment A.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains comments and responses regarding the draft Solicitation for Invitation to Release (SIR) for the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Phase IV program. It serves to clarify requirements, address potential ambiguities, and incorporate feedback from potential bidders.

• Eligibility for Non-U.S. Partners: U.S.-based Prime Respondents are permitted to utilize non-U.S. based partners or subcontractors for specific technical tasks, provided the Prime remains responsible. Contributions from non-U.S. partners can count towards the U.S. Prime Respondent's cost share.
• Period of Performance: The program will have a two-year period of performance ceiling, fully funded using existing appropriations. The distinction between base and option periods will be removed in the final SIR.
• TRL Requirements: The preference for TRL 6 or 7 demonstration will be removed in the final SIR. Required aircraft technology work elements will be adjusted to allow for proposals completing only a subset of design, build, and test elements.
• Funding: The total funding available for all projects is $25 million. FY26 appropriations will not be used for CLEEN Phase IV.
• Cost Share: Contributions can be cash, non-cash (in-kind), or both, in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200. Pre-award costs are not permitted.
• Intellectual Property (IP) and Data Rights: The FAA intends to negotiate IP rights. The Government will have a limited license in deliverables. Specifics on data rights for publicly releasable versions versus government-limited versions will be project-specific.
• Reporting and Reviews: Bi-weekly progress reviews are noted, but monthly telecons are suggested as an alternative. Informal test reports may be eliminated in favor of monthly telecons.
• Proposal Submission: A 60-day response period is possible, though 90 days are requested due to changes in the draft SIR. The "Excel summary file" for the Executive Summary will be provided with the Final SIR.

Key aspects of the draft SIR, including the period of performance, TRL preferences, and reporting frequency, are subject to change in the final release based on these comments. Bidders should note the clarifications on international partnerships, cost sharing, and IP rights when preparing their proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment A to the CLEEN IV Cooperative Agreement, providing the template for the Cooperative Agreement Letter itself. It outlines the basic structure and key elements of the agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a participating company.

• Parties: Identifies the FAA and the [COMPANY NAME] as parties to the agreement.
• Purpose: States the agreement's purpose is to conduct activities under the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program.
• Period of Performance: Extends from the final signature date to a specified date (XXX).
• Contributions: References Article III for details on contributions of the parties.
• Signatures: Includes signature blocks for representatives of both [COMPANY NAME] and the FAA.

This document serves as a template for the cooperative agreement that will be established with selected participants in the CLEEN IV program. It provides an overview of the agreement's structure, purpose, and the general commitment of the parties. Bidders should review this template to understand the framework of the cooperative agreement they will enter into if selected.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "CLEEN IV Technical Summary," is an Excel spreadsheet intended for bidders to provide detailed technical information about each project or technology included in their proposal package for the CLEEN Phase IV opportunity. It serves as a structured template for submitting essential project data.

• Required Fields: Bidders must fill out one row per project/technology. All columns are required unless explicitly marked as "optional."
• Project Details: Includes Applicant Name, Project Number, Project Title, Starting TRL (Technology Readiness Level), and Ending TRL.
• Benefit Categories: Requires information on Fuel/Energy Efficiency Benefit, Noise Benefit, Emissions Benefit - NOx, and Emissions Benefit - nvPM. "N/A" should be inserted if a specific benefit category does not apply to the project.
• Aircraft Category: Specifies the relevant Aircraft Category(ies) for the technology.
• Anticipated EIS: Anticipated Environmental Impact Statement.
• FAA Project Cost: The estimated cost of the project from the FAA's perspective.
• Comments: An optional field for any additional relevant comments.

This attachment is critical for bidders to detail their proposed technologies and projects. Completing this form accurately and thoroughly is essential for the government's evaluation of the technical merit and potential benefits of each proposed solution. It directly impacts the assessment of how well the proposals align with the goals of the CLEEN Phase IV initiative.

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.