FAQ : FY2014/15 Supplementary Budget (1st Solicitation Round)
Regarding procedures for application
Is Is it allowable to simultaneously apply for some projects?
Yes. To apply for some projects, you need to submit proposals separately for each project. If you plan to apply for some projects, you must establish a scheme which enables you to complete the projects within the project duration even though you would implement some projects simultaneously.
Is an overseas company eligible for application independently?
Yes, any overseas companies are eligible for application independently as long as they satisfy the application requirements set forth in article 5, Application requirements in the Guidelines of the Subsidy Program, such as “(The entities) ensure organizations for properly conducting the relevant subsidized project.”, “(The entities) have the capacity, knowledge and experience required for conducting the relevant subsidized project”,etc.
How will the information contained in the application documents be handled?
METI and PMO will NOT use the contents of proposals submitted by applicants for other purposes than the evaluation/review. And we’ve made a non-disclosure agreement with all the members of the review committee. Nevertheless, you have to be noted that the information which has not been classified as confidential will be subject to disclosure as a response to the request for disclosure.
For the details of the private policy of this RFP, please refer to the “Private Policy” on the website below.
[URL]
https://en.dccc-program.jp/files/20160310PMSE.pdf
Can the costs for the application be covered by the Japanese Government?
No, we will not compensate for any costs for the application.
Is it possible to ask for additional data on plants, etc. in establishing a proposal or in implementation of the project?
If you need supplemental information, please contact us. We cannot assure we can release all of the information you need; and we will release the information if it is available.
Is an organization without juridical personality eligible for application?
An organization is also eligible as long as it satisfies the application requirements of stipulated in Item 5 in the Guidelines.
Is it allowable for different companies to establish a JV and apply?
We can accept proposals submitted by JVs. If you would like to apply for this project as a JV, please describe the leading company and the implementation scheme on the designated form.
Is it allowable to make a proposal through the methods other than filling in the specified application forms (i.e. by oral presentation or using the media such as brochures and image files)?
We will not accept any proposals not using the stipulated submission forms. Any other media you may use will NOT be taken into account for the paper screening.
We would like to make a proposal jointly with other companies. Is it possible for you to suggest or recommend partner companies or organizations for us?
No. You must find suitable partners and establish the implementation scheme by yourself.
If we apply for the project with other companies as a team, how will the process after the adoption be?
The leading organization takes charge of establishment of the implementation plan, preparation and submission of the accomplishment report. All of the organizations composing the JV must be investigated for the settlement of the subsidy amount.
The deadline of the application documents is March; is it acceptable to describe the implementation scheme based upon the personnel change taking place after April?
Yes, It is acceptable.
We have to submit 15 copies of the application documents; every copy needs sing or seal?
No. One copy with the sing or seal is indispensable; however the others can be its reproduction.
Regarding procedures for evaluation and adoption
Who is in charge of evaluation of the proposals?
The application documents shall firstly be evaluated by the review committee consisting of experts. If necessary, paper examination and applicants’ oral presentation shall be also conducted.
Will the results of evaluation or the names of the members of the review committee be released? Also, will the applicants be informed of the results of the evaluation?
We are going to announce the adopted projects and the name of the adopted entities (or the name of the leading company of the adopted JV) on our dedicated website. To ensure the fairness, the name of the review committee members will not be disclosed.
This solicitation seems to be more advantageous to Japanese companies because it is easier for them to observe the guidelines or the manual when compared with overseas companies.
This project is financed by Japanese governmental budget and is implemented in accordance with Japanese scheme and in compliance with Japanese laws. However, any Japanese companies will not be treated preferentially.
Regarding the evaluation criterion, what do the “basic points” and the “additional points” mean respectively?
The “basic point” refers to the conditions which must absolutely be met; and the “additional points” refer to the items which give additional points if the contents of the proposal are excellent. Please note that if you fail to meet a “basic points” condition, you will be disqualified.
Has it already been decided how many proposals will be adopted for each project?
ONE comprehensive proposal is planned to be adopted. Regarding the partial proposal, the number of the proposals to be adopted is not decided before the application.
Is there a possibility that a member of the review committee would use the proposal documents for any proposes other than their evaluation?
Because conclusion of the non-disclosure agreement is one of the conditions of appointment of the members of the review committee, they won’t make use of the application documents other than for the purpose of their evaluation.
When will the results of the paper screening be informed? When will the review committee be held?
We will inform the entity having passed the paper screening of the result as soon as possible. The review committee is planned to be held on a day in the last week of March.
Regarding the RFP (Miscellaneous)
When is the subsidy going to be paid?
Basically, the payment will be made when the subsidy amount is settled after the completion of the subsidy project. However, depending on the entity’s circumstance, the payment by estimate before the completion of the project may be admitted.
If an overseas entity is adopted, how will the meetings be held? And how often?
PMO and implementing entities will have meetings, interim report and final report as well as progress report of the project as necessary. The frequency of meetings depends on the necessity of these meetings and reports.
Can the subsidy amount to be actually paid be determined only after the “settlement of the amount” procedure, conducted after completion of the project?
The paid amount will be settled after expiration of the project period, confirmation of the project result, and inspection for settlement of the amount by PMO. This procedure is formulated by Japanese accounting rules.
Where can I find the latest unit prices of each grade which the Japanese health insurance designates in order to determine the premium and which METI refers to?
Please find the latest information in the “Health Insurance Grade Rate” uploaded to our website (Japanese text only).
How should the necessary expenses for the project be categorized in the proposal?
Please divide the necessary expenses into (1) labor costs and (2) operating costs (raw materials, consumables, design/fabrication/processing, facility/equipment, goods purchase, research, outsourcing, travel, remunerations, rent/depreciation and other necessities) as described in Exhibit 2 of the Grand Policy for Subsidy.
If we apply to a project of which financial source has not been determined, is it necessary to write “in the FY2014 Supplementary Budget” or “in the FY2015 Supplementary Budget” on the front page of the application document?
No, it is not necessary to write the year of the financial budget at the time of the proposal submission. For the adopted entities, we will notice the budget year after the arrangement of contents of the subsidized project.
General Question regarding Projects
Regarding [2] Gathering domestic and overseas wisdom in (3) of Contents of Project, must applicants consider how to establish the link of public bid information to PMO’s website?
No. Please inform PMO of the information of the public bid if an implementing entity plans to do it. The purpose of this information release is broad dissemination of the information.
Regarding “3. Project Term”. The description of some projects requires the implementation plan and the plan of the income and expenditure must be described for each project content; and the description of other projects requires the implementation plan and the plan of the income and expenditure must be described for each project term. Must an applicant prepare two patterns of the Form 2, “Outline of Subsidy Project”?
Please prepare two patterns of the Form 2; otherwise, please divide the description of the Form 2 into two parts so that we can distinguish the descriptions for each project content.
In “3. Project Term,” it says that the implementation plan and the plan of the income and expenditure must be described for each project content (or project term)” in the “Outline of Subsidy Project.” Is it necessary to show the plan of the income and expenditure which sums up the total amount of each content or term?
No, it is not necessary to describe the plan of the income and expenditure including the total amount of the project in Form 2, “Outline of Subsidy Project.” Please write the total amount of expenses/application amounts on the Exhibit of Form 1.
If an applicant is adopted as an entity of partial proposal, should its implementation plan be based on the plan of the entity of comprehensive proposal?
The plan of an entity of partial proposal must be based on the one of the entity of comprehensive proposal. During the decision of adoption and the grant decision, coordination will be done, if necessary.
“3. Project Term” of some projects states “The contents of the subsidy grant must be decided in consideration of the execution of the governmental budget”. What situation is supposed particularly?
In order to utilize the finite budget in the most effective way, the project costs are supposed to be allocated to the FY2014 Supplementary Budget and the FY2015 Supplementary Budget in an appropriate manner in accordance with the scale and implementation term of the project.
On-site tests might significantly be delayed because of the situation of the site. In the case, how should the implementing entity respond?
When an entity expects a delay of the implementation, please inform PMO of it as soon as possible. We would consider the response.
Regarding the projects (Upgrading Level of Grasping State inside Reactor)
(i) of (1) “Integrated analyses and evaluations of the state inside the reactor” in “2. Contents of Project”, it is stated that there could be addition or removal of the project items. If the contents are added, the budget must be larger than the originally requested amount. Is it acceptable?
If the budget exceeds the subsidy amount decided at the grant decision, Change of Plan procedure must be done; if an entity expects the necessary budget could exceed the original subsidy amount, please inform PMO of it immediately.
Regarding the projects (Development of Investigation Technology of Inside of PCV)
Project Term is divided into two parts: Item 2. (3) 1) and the other parts. Do the project contents of Item 2. (3) 1) include “(ii) Unit 1 pedestal exterior investigation” of “(2) Development of equipment and systems to access and investigate specific spots of Contents of Project? Furthermore, it is stated that “Item 2. (3) 1) : Starting on the day of grant decision and terminated on March 31, 2017.”. Must the contents regarding Item 2. (3) 1) be completed until March 31 2017 including accounting procedures?
“The project contents of Item 2. (3) 1)” means all of the implementation contents necessary for completion of the on-site investigation at the first unit until the end of the FY 2016. Therefore, it must include equipment development for the Item 2. (2) 2) and other necessary items. Also, accounting procedures must have been completed until March 31, 2017 as well.
Regarding the projects (Development of Investigation Technology of Inside of RPV)
The work step diagram referred to in (1) Establishment and updating of the investigation plan and development plan of Contents of Project and the work flow charts referred to in (4) Design and work plan of the integrated investigation system could be similar. Is it acceptable?
Applicants must organize the concepts before the proposal.
Must the implementing entity prepare the work step diagram referred to in (1) Establishment and updating of the investigation plan and development plan of Contents of Project be prepared within the first quarter of the FY 2016?
Proposals must include the decision whether the work step diagram would be covered by the investigation plan and development plan established and updated within the first quarter of the FY 2016 or by the later revision of the plan.
Regarding the projects (Development and Management of Evaluation Method of Seismic Performance/Impact of RPV and PCV)
“(3) Enhancement of safety scenario” of the project contents, it is stated that “The result of examination of the safety scenario will be organized by the end of December 2016 and the result will be provided as an interim assessment.”. Is it possible that the organization and interim assessment of the result would be conducted in around October?
The timing must be designated by applicants in range of a time before the end of December, 2016.
