CHIPS Incentives Program – Facilities for Semiconductor Materials and Manufacturing Equipment

What the official notice requires

Pulled from the official notice CHIPS_-_Facilities_for_Semiconductor_Materials_and_Manufacturing_Equipment_NOFO.pdf (45 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.

Registrations you need first (1)

• SAM.gov, Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 26

  “Applicants should make efforts to complete the process of registering for the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), prior to submitting a full application.” Open page 26

The deadline is in 21 days. If your registration isn't already active, it may not be ready in time, so check it today. Get-ready checklist

What to submit

• Letters of support or commitment · p. 26

  “evidence could include, for example, company financials demonstrating the availability of cash; commitment letters; or other approaches to accessing the required funding. o Capital Investment:” Open page 26

• Memorandum of understanding (MOU) · p. 28

  “If applicable, any documentation and evidence of the planned operating model, such as the governance structure, decision-making authority/rights, contractual obligations, financial obligations, roles and responsibilities, and any memoranda of understanding…” Open page 28

• Audit or financial statements · p. 29

  “Applicants should note any commitments that have made or intend to make in CHIPS R&D initiatives, including commitments to participate in the NSTC. 60 See 15 U.S.C. § 4651(2). 61 If an applicant does not have access to audited consolidated financial…” Open page 29

• Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 33

  “The applicant should include one-page resumes for (a) all key construction management personnel and (b) all key personnel of contractors and any other entities that will play substantial roles in the construction of the project.” Open page 33

• Organizational chart · p. 33

  “Include an organizational chart of management and other key personnel for the facility, including contractors and any other entities that will play substantial roles in operating the proposed project.” Open page 33

• Environmental documentation · p. 33

  “Each applicant must also provide the requested information in the Environmental Questionnaire using the appropriate template on the CHIPS Incentives Program application portal: one template is for applicants proposing to construct a new facility, and one is…” Open page 33

• Form CD-511 · p. 36

  “CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying.” Open page 36

• Form SF-LLL · p. 36

  “SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable) 76 See 15 U.S.C. § 4652(a)(2)(B)(ii)(II). 77 See CHIPS Act of 2022, Sec. 104(c)(3).” Open page 36

• Form SF-424 · p. 37

  “In addition, applicants may be required to submit additional standard forms, such as the SF-424 and SF-424A/C/D, during the application review process.” Open page 37

• Form SF-424A · p. 37

  “In addition, applicants may be required to submit additional standard forms, such as the SF-424 and SF-424A/C/D, during the application review process.” Open page 37

• Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 37

  “Applicants with a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement must ensure all uses of Federal funds are charged as direct costs in the categories listed in Section I.B.6.” Open page 37

Length limits

• Consortium: 5 pages max · p. 24

  “Consortium Narrative (if applicable) Consortium members must also upload a separate consortium narrative of no more than 5 pages.” Open page 24

• Concept Plan Details: 15 pages max · p. 25

  “Concept Plan Details Each applicant must submit a project plan of no more than 15 pages that describes the project for which CHIPS Incentives funds are being requested.” Open page 25

• Consortium: 8 pages max · p. 27

  “Consortium Narrative (if applicable) Consortium members must also upload a separate consortium narrative of no more than 8 pages.” Open page 27

• Describe: 10 pages max · p. 29

  “Alignment with Economic and National Security Objectives Describe how the project meets economic and national security objectives in no more than 10 pages.” Open page 29

• Page limit (see quote): 3 pages max · p. 31

  “This strategy must identify the type of semiconductor materials or equipment the applicant will produce at the project facility and the customers, or categories of customers, for those materials or equipment.67 In no more than 3 pages, this section should…” Open page 31

• CHIPS Incentives: 5 pages max · p. 31

  “Financial Information A sound financial plan is also a component of having an executable plan to sustain the proposed facility without additional CHIPS Incentives.68 Each applicant must provide a financial plan in no more than 5 pages (excluding attachments…” Open page 31

• Page limit (see quote): 8 pages max · p. 32

  “In no more than 8 pages (excluding attachments to support details), the applicant should include the following:” Open page 32

How applications are scored (15 points listed)

• The availability and credibility of non-CHIPS funding sources for the project: 15 points · p. 38

  “The availability and credibility of non-CHIPS funding sources for the project (15 points).” Open page 38

Mistakes that get applications rejected (4)

• Outside what the program funds: Such projects will be deemed nonresponsive to this NOFO absent a compelling economic or national security... · p. 6

  “Such projects will be deemed nonresponsive to this NOFO absent a compelling economic or national security justification.11 Fourth, the CHIPS Act specifies that the covered entity must have a documented interest in constructing, expanding, or modernizing an…” Open page 6

• Missing a required part: Concept plans determined to be ineligible, incomplete, or nonresponsive will be rejected. · p. 40

  “Concept plans determined to be ineligible, incomplete, or nonresponsive will be rejected.” Open page 40

• Could get your application rejected: However, the Department, in its sole discretion, may continue the review process for a 81 Further... · p. 40

  “However, the Department, in its sole discretion, may continue the review process for a 81 Further submissions by the same applicant for the project proposed in a concept plan the Department chooses not to advance will not be reviewed or considered.” Open page 40

• Could get your application rejected: When the due diligence phase is substantially complete, the Department and the applicant will negotiate... · p. 41

  “When the due diligence phase is substantially complete, the Department and the applicant will negotiate the applicable terms of the CHIPS Incentives Award. 82 Further submissions by the same applicant for the project proposed in a denied application will not…” Open page 41