Department of Energy Announces Fleet Technical Assistance for Federal Agencies
February 28, 2011
Today the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its initiative to provide technical assistance to Federal Agencies to help reduce petroleum consumption. Leading by example, President Obama signed Executive Order 13514 on October 5, 2009, to set sustainability goals for federal agencies and focus on improving environmental, energy, and economic performance. Among a number of targets, the Executive Order requires federal agencies to reduce fleet petroleum consumption 30 % by 2020. As the nation's largest energy consumer, the federal government has a tremendous opportunity and clear responsibility to achieve substantial energy savings and avoid costs through improved efficiency.
DOE will provide technical assistance to federal agencies to provide the analysis needed to efficiently meet their vehicle fleet mandates to reduce petroleum use and increase the use of alternative fuels. The federal government currently operates more than 600,000 vehicles, and the Federal Energy Management Program's (FEMP) technical assistance call will provide a vital service to ensure that federal agencies invest their appropriated funds efficiently by using DOE expertise to support fleet analysis.
A variety of areas will be considered for these technical projects including inventory analysis, optimum acquisition plans, alternative fuel use plans, right sizing, and driver behavior change. Funding will be provided to DOE National Laboratories to provide technical expertise. Agencies applying for technical assistance under this call must demonstrate a commitment to follow through with project implementation, illustrate that the success of their project is significant to their agency, and provide a list of project team members committed to making the project a success.
Requests for technical assistance will be reviewed and selected based on compatibility with available expertise, availability of resources to meet agency needs, and value of anticipated project outcomes. The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications:
- Financial and Technical Merit
- Agency Support and Project Implementation Plan
- Replication Potential
- Project Description
FEMP will monitor each agency's progress in implementing the projects that receive technical assistance and analyze actual reductions in petroleum and increase in alternative fuel use as a result of DOE's technical assistance.
Federal Agencies interested in requesting technical assistance through FEMP must apply online through the FEMP Central website by close of business March 11, 2011.
For additional information please visit the FEMP technical assistance website.
