Commercialization Support

SUMMARY OF TEAMER PROGRAM RULES  

General Rules

  • The TEAMER Network is capable of providing testing support and expertise to test and validate technologies with the goal of making critical breakthroughs in the MRE sector. The TEAMER Program provides marine renewable energy ("MRE") technology developers and researchers with access to a network of United States ("U.S.") based testing facilities (each a "TEAMER Facility", collectively the "TEAMER Network").
  • TEAMER funding is not available for manufacturing or fabrication of marine energy devices.
  • For purposes of TEAMER, the term ‘‘marine energy’’ means energy from—waves, tides, and currents in oceans, estuaries, and tidal areas free flowing water in rivers, lakes, streams, and man-made channels differentials in salinity and pressure gradients differentials in water temperature, including ocean thermal energy conversion The term ‘‘marine energy’’ does not include energy from any source that uses a dam, diversionary structure, or impoundment for electric power purposes.
  • Applications must demonstrate a direct relevance and benefit to marine energy
  • TEAMER support has limitations on the extent of design work that can be requested. See our website's FAQ section for specific design limitation guidelines.
  • TEAMER support is not available for offshore wind technologies, however may be available for testing for components(i.e., mooring, anchors, etc.) that could be used as cross-cutting components for marine energy and offshore wind energy.
  • Technologies with Powering the Blue Economy applications, including Power at Sea and Resilient Coastal Communities, may apply for TEAMER support provided they are to be powered by MRE
  • TEAMER will not provide assistance for activities (numerical modeling, bench/lab testing, tank/flume testing, open water activities) that are already approved and planned using other Federal funding. This includes Federal financial assistance awards resulting from a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), prize, or challenge.
  • Applicants may request assistance through TEAMER for activities which may relate to, or whose results and/or outputs may be used to inform, activities that are already approved and planned using other Federal funding. The activities, scope, and reporting for each will remain separate (i.e. TEAMER activities versus other Federally funded activities) and will not be combined.
  • TEAMER funding for facility use is provided directly to the TEAMER Facility, not to those seeking assistance, or Technical Support Recipients (TSR).
  • Once approved for participation in the TEAMER Program, TSRs must also enter into an agreement with the selected TEAMER Facility and comply with the terms and conditions of use (including provisions related to intellectual property) as required by that Facility, prior to accessing that Facility. Prior to moving to the testing phase of the program, the TSR must work with the Facility to develop an Implementation, which will be approved by the TEAMER Technical Board. TSRs will have 2 months after notification of acceptance to turn in the Implementation Plan to teamer@pacificoceanenergy.org, and the Test Plan must be approved within 5 months of notification of acceptance.  Once the Test Plan has been approved, the TSR and Facility will move into the Test Access Period phase of the project. 
  • TSR is required to provide Pacific Ocean Energy Trust ("TEAMER Network Director") with reasonable access to the TSR's work site while testing at a TEAMER Facility, as well as allowing the Network Director to take photographs of the assistance activity for marketing purposes; provided that, prior to such publication, the TSR will be provided with the opportunity to redact, or restrict the publication of, photos that would otherwise disclose confidential intellectual property owned by the TSR.
  • Approved applicants, also referred to as Technical Support Recipients (TSRs), may be highlighted on the TEAMER and DOE websites. Highlighted information may include: TSR name, network facility partner, assistance category, project title, and Public Summary provided in application.
  • All intellectual property rights related to the TEAMER Program will be governed by the TEAMER Intellectual Property Management Plan.

Eligibility

  • TEAMER funding is available to support approved TSR’s, regardless of the TSR's country of origin, provided that (a) all work performed under the TSR award is performed in the U.S., and (b) the TSR understands and agrees to all the terms and conditions of the TEAMER Program and the Network Facility member. TSRs are responsible to ensure that the TEAMER Facility (in which the TSR will be testing) does not have non-US citizen access restrictions.
  • Research groups are permitted to apply for support at a facility within their own institution with the following restrictions: National laboratories (NLs) are permitted to apply for support at  TEAMER facilities, including their own laboratories, with the following  restrictions:Support must be provided by different department or cost center than the applicant;The NL applicant cannot receive  TEAMER AOP funds to contribute to RFTS application drafting, test plan  development, or support facility activities; however, NL applicants are  still responsible for meeting all TEAMER deliverables and  requirements. Funding available for internal institution support may not exceed the total  amount allotted for previously and currently supported external Requests  for Technical Support, less previously and currently supported internal  Requests for Technical Support. For example, if a facility has been  previously awarded external support of $100,000 and has not been awarded  internal support, then applications for support within their own  institution for up to $100,000 could be considered in the current RFTS.  If a facility has been previously awarded external support of $100,000  and has also been awarded support for an application within their own  institution for $25,000, then applications for support within their own  institution for up to $75,000 could be considered in the current RFTS.
  • In order to be considered for participation in the TEAMER Program, applicants must, (a) consult with a pre-approved test facility to determine whether their proposed test is within the capabilities of that facility, and (b) applicants must develop an RFTS application in collaboration with a TEAMER facility. Additional information on “how to apply” can be found here.
  • Participation by approved TSRs in the TEAMER Program requires the agreement of the approved TSRs to comply with applicable TEAMER Terms and Conditions. The current TEAMER Terms and Conditions can be found here. TEAMER Terms and Conditions are subject to change. Approved TSRs should consult the TEAMER website frequently.
  • Applicants, RFTS applications, and/or open water TEAMER applications may be disqualified if an applicant engages with the TEAMER Program in a manner that, in the sole discretion of the Network Director, is indecent, obscene, or lacking in professionalism. This includes but is not limited to the application itself, or emails to the facilities or Network Director.

Post Access Requirements  Within 60 days of the completion of an activity with a TEAMER facility, TSRs are required to complete a final Post-Access Report and post access survey. The specifics included in a Post-Access Report will vary depending on the activities undertaken during the assistance period, but may include the following:  

  • Summary of engagement with relevant stakeholders, which may include, but are not limited to: end users; customers; potential partnering organizations; entities providing funding, direct support or investment; or other interested parties. 
  • As relevant, any training materials, templates, or other resources that were developed as a part of this support and/or a description for how these training materials were leveraged by the TSR during the support period.  
  • All Post-Access Reports must include a reflection on how the TSR leveraged the provided support through the TEAMER program to improve the sustainability of their business and/or project and any lessons learned throughout the process that will inform the next steps of their business and/or project sustainability.  
  • Identification of any remaining challenges for business and/or project sustainability is strongly encouraged. 

Travel Reimbursement and Shipping Funding   The TEAMER Network Director is authorized to reimburse TSRs up to $2,000/week for certain travel related expenses. Travel reimbursement is contingent upon receipt and approval by the TEAMER Network Director of the TSR's completed Post Access Report. Additional expenses for shipping of test articles and other allowable expenses may be reimbursed, if pre-approved by the TEAMER Network Director. Please inquire with the TEAMER Network Director for more information.

Certain Restrictions

  • TSRs that are past due on any any TEAMER requirements will not be eligible to apply for participation in additional Request for Technical Support ("RFTS") cycles, nor will their travel/shipping stipends be reimbursed. TSRs that are delinquent in reporting may not be eligible for a travel reimbursement.
  • Any publication or scientific paper resulting from assistance received through TEAMER must acknowledge the TEAMER Program.
  • Additional requirements and restrictions may be contained in agreements entered into by the TSRs with network facility members and the Network Facility Director.
  • An applicant may not submit more than 2 applications per RFTS, and may have no more than 4 active projects at one time.
  • Applicants must demonstrate there are no co-dependencies between applications if more than one application is submitted per RFTS.
  • Multiple facility applications are permitted but must demonstrate coordination between facilities to accomplish the RFTS.
  • Applicable Special Terms and Conditions, as presented on the TEAMER website, also apply.

 

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