UPGrants - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For any of the LCA softwares, we want to ensure that we’re able to review the models exactly as the applicant or third-party analysts have constructed and used them for LCA results. To this end, an entire database export is preferred, as that reduces the chances for missing data or processing steps required by NETL. For example, if the LCA model is prepared in openLCA, we would prefer the model be submitted as a database backup (i.e., .zolca file). Some other examples are: Sphera GaBi (.gcd) and SimaPro (.SPBackup). Models based in non-LCA software should also submit a CO2U LCA Documentation Spreadsheet for clarity.

Upon completion of an LCA, vendors must fill out the submission form at https://netl.doe.gov/forms/upgrants-vendor-submissions. Within 2 business days, the organization point of contact will be emailed instructions to submitting the LCA, TEA, and Community Benefits Plan files (if applicable) to a secure file sharing site. Once these files have been uploaded, we will respond within a maximum of 2 weeks with either confirmation that all information necessary for review has been received or a request for more detail. After receipt of all necessary information, we will respond with a completed review within a maximum of 60 days. If the LCA does not meet UPGrants LCA standards, the vendor can re-submit changes and we will prioritize the re-submission to ensure fast feedback and work with vendors to receive an LCA sufficient to determine the qualification status.

Eligible entities can only receive grants to procure items from vendors with a qualified LCA. Therefore, the vendor who is expected to sell products to the eligible entities must submit an LCA to be qualified. If the vendor operating the carbon conversion process has, is, or will also submit an LCA for approval, this vendor and their LCA can be referenced in the submission of the “downstream” vendor. We will not provide information on the status or content of any other vendor’s LCA. However, vendors with an existing business relationship are free to coordinate information that is applicable to multiple LCA submissions and notify NETL of information they know to be redundant to assist a faster review process.

NETL has reviewed and updated baseline emissions LCA profiles for anticipated products. Vendors/manufacturers should use the appropriate NETL-provided technology baselines where available. If a vendor/manufacturer does not choose to use the NETL-provided baseline, the vendor/manufacturer must provide significant justification for why the provided product baseline is not equivalent for their product submission. Insufficient functional equivalence is the only acceptable reason to use a different technology baseline when an NETL-provided baseline is available. Please reach out to UPGrants-vendors@netl.doe.gov with questions on submitting your LCA or for more information on a product baseline substitution.

We are aware of the complexity of some products and industries (for example, variations in concrete mixtures) and are working to produce a set of baselines that are flexible (likely parameterizable) and thorough to meet this complexity. We do plan to incorporate the complexities of strength/mass/volume in the functional units to ensure the functional equivalence of the proposed vs. a comparison product system.