Questions and Answers
Categ
oryNo.
QuestionsRegarding procedures for application
1 Is an overseas company eligible for application independently?

2018/4/10
Answers

Yes, any overseas companies are eligible for application independently as long as theysatisfy the requirements set forth in article 6. 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 andexperience required for conducting the relevant subsidized project", etc.

2 How will the information contained in the application documents be handled?

METI and PMO will NOT use the contents of application documents submitted for otherpurposes 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 theinformation which has not been classified as confidential will be subject to disclosure as a
response to the legal request for disclosure.
For the details of the private policy of this RFP, please refer to the "Private Policy" on thewebsite below.
[URL]
http://en.dccc-program.jp/files/20180330PMSE.pdf

3 Can the costs for the application be covered by the Japanese Government?

No, any costs for the application are not compensated.

4 Is it possible to ask for additional data on plants, etc. in establishing a proposal or in implementation of If you need supplemental information, please contact us. We cannot assure we can provide
the project?
all of the information you need; and if we provide the information, we will release thisinformation on the website.
5 Is an organization without juridical personality eligible for application?

This organization is also eligible as long as it satisfies the requirements of stipulated in Item
6 in the Guidelines.

6 Do you accept proposal from a JV of multiple organizations?

We can accept proposals submitted by JVs. If you would like to apply for this project as aJV, please describe the leading company and the implementation scheme on the designatedform.
We will not accept any proposals not using the stipulated submission forms. Any other form
will NOT be taken into account for the paper screening.

7 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)?

8 We would like to make a proposal jointly with other companies. Is it possible to recommend partner
No. You must find suitable partners and establish the implementation scheme by yourself.
companies or organizations for us?
9 If we apply for the project with other companies as a team, how will the process after the adoption be? The managing company (or managing organization) takes charge of establishment of theimplementation plan, preparation and submission of the accomplishment report. Eachcompanies and organizations composing the JV must be investigated for the settlement ofthe subsidy amount.
10 There may be some time lag between the deadline of the application documents and theYes, It is acceptable.
commencement date of the subsidized project. Is it acceptable to describe the implementation scheme
based upon the personnel change taking place after the deadline?
11 Regarding Form 5, what should we present the related documents to submit ?

If you have received approval of Export administration regulations from METI, please presentdocuments that can confirm the approval.

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Questions and Answers
Categ
oryNo.
Questions
12 Regarding Form 5, what should we write down if we don't have a plan to import or export somethingwhich requires permission under Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act ?

Regarding procedures for evaluation and adoption
13 Who is in charge of evaluation of the proposals?

2018/4/10

Answers
Please mark "〇" to the item "Not Required" and state the reason too.

The application documents shall firstly be evaluated by the review committee consisting ofexperts. Paper examination and if necessary, applicants' oral presentation shall be also
conducted.

14 For the presentation evaluation, can we supplement some information to the contents of theapplication document?

You can add supplementary explanation at the presentation evaluation.

15 Should the applicant come to the venue for the presentation evaluation?

If you cannot come to the venue for the presentation, please contact us in advance so thatyou can make a presentation via a Web conference, a TV conference and such. In such acase, however, the applicant may take risks of bad connection, etc.

16 How long is the time of oral presentation of the presentation evaluation?

The time of oral presentation may be changed according to the number of applicants.

17 This solicitation seems to be more advantageous to Japanese companies because it is easier for them This project is financed by Japanese governmental budget and is implemented in accordance
to observe the guidelines or the manual when compared with overseas companies.
with Japanese scheme and in compliance with Japanese laws. However, any Japanesecompanies will not be treated preferentially in the review process.
18 Regarding the evaluation criterion, what do the "basic points" and the "additional points" meanrespectively?

The "basic point" refers to the conditions which must absolutely be met; and the "additionalpoints" refer to the items which give additional points if the contents of the proposal areexcellent. Please note that if you fail to meet a "basic points" condition, you will bedisqualified.

19 Has it already been decided how many proposals will be adopted for each project?

One proposal is planned to be adopted.

20 Is there a possibility that a member of the review committee would use the proposal documents forany other purpose other than for evaluation ?

Because conclusion of the non-disclosure agreement is one of the conditions ofappointment of the members of the review committee, they won't make use of theapplication documents for any other purpose other than for evaluation.

21 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 aspossible. The review committee is planned to be held on April 25, 2018 (afternoon).

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Questions and Answers
CategoryNo.
Regarding the RFP (Miscellaneous)
22 When is the subsidy going to be paid?

Questions

2018/4/10
Answers

Basically, the payment will be made after the subsidy amount is settled following thecompletion of the subsidy project. However, depending on the entity's circumstance, thepayment by estimate before the completion of the project may be admitted.

23 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 asprogress report of the project as necessary. The frequency of meetings depends on thenecessity of these meetings and reports.

24 Is there any reference for METI's health insurance costs by grade?

Please see the latest list of the health insurance costs which is posted on our web site.

25 Can the subsidy amount to be actually paid be determined only after the "settlement of the amount"procedure, which is conducted after completion of the project?

The paid amount will be settled after expiration of the project period, confirmation of theproject result, and inspection for settlement of the amount by PMO. This procedure isformulated by Japanese accounting rules.

26 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 (rawmaterials, 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.

27 When is the date of subsidization decision ?

The date of subsidization decision is still uncertain at this moment. After the selection
results, we plan to make the decision to grant the subsidy promptly as soon as thesubmission of the application form for grant and the adjustment with PMO are completed.

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Questions and Answers
Categ
oryNo.
Questions
General Question regarding Projects
28 Is it possible for the entities with partial proposals to request the concerned organizations to provide
necessary information to implement the project by compiling input and output information?
29 What should we do when it's difficult to describe input and output information in detail at the time ofthe submission of proposal?

2018/4/10
Answers

We assume that the subsidized entity and the concerned organizations will share theinformation by the compilation of input and output information. If necessary, PMO will
cooperate in coordinating between them, etc.
For the proposal, you can draw it up as your planned basis.

30 Regarding the gathering domestic and overseas wisdom in "3. Operation of research and development" For the proposal, you can draw it up as your planned basis.
, it says that it is important to be validated and reviewed objectively by third parties such as academic
societies, etc. and such validation and review must distinctively be placed in the development plan or
be set as a milestone. Is it necessary to write down the determined contents on the proposal?
31 On-site demonstration might significantly be delayed because of the situation of the site. In the case,
how should the implementing entity cope with?

When an entity expects a delay of the implementation, please inform PMO of it as soon aspossible. We would consider how to cope with.

32 When foreign currencies other than Japanese Yen are used for this project, how will the exchange rate For the exchange rate, if the subsidized entity has an in-house rule of exchange rate, it canbe determined?
be applied. Otherwise, the basic exchange rate of Japanese currency of Bank of Japan will
be used. Please be noted that the subsidy can be paid only in Japanese yen after thedetermination of the amount.
33 Regarding "3. Operation of research and development [5] Cooperation with decommissioning activities PMO may also request the necessary information. When information on the implementationand other research and development", it says that the information on implementation of the projectof the project is obtained, the subsidized entity must also present them in a timely andmust be shared with and offered to PMO and the concerned organizations in a timely and appropriate appropriate manner.
manner so as to contribute to the decision making on the method of fuel debris retrieval, etc.. Is theinformation requested from PMO?
34 Are the deliverables of the subisidized entity a report?

As it is described in "3. Operation of research and development [8] Progress report ", you
are required to report the project results, etc. to PMO on request.

35 Describing the subcontractor (outsourced or commissioned entity) in the Implementation Organization For reasons of financial efficiency, in principle, subcontractor shall be subject to general
Chart, if it is adopted, will the special contract order of the subcontractor be approved?
competition or it is necessary to prepare a statement for selection stating clearly thereasons for selection. So, sole-source procurement cannot be accepted only by specifying
the subcontractor's name.
36 How do subsidized entities cooperate with each other in the case when multiple proposals areadopted?
37 How do applicants set the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) ?

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In this solicitation, only one proposal is planned to be adopted.
Please set the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by yourself considering the technicaldetails of your proposal.

Questions and Answers

2018/4/10

Categ
oryNo.
Questions
Answers
Regarding the Project "Development of Technologies for In-depth Investigation of PCV Inside (On-site demonstration of Technologies for In-depth Investigation through X-6 penetration)"
38 In "2. Contents of Project," it says formulation of a survey plan and a development plan, how do theIn this project, the subsidized entity should combine access/survey equipment with survey
subsidized entity separate implementation content from the project "Development of Technologies for technology being investigated in the said project etc., and formulate a survey plan and a
In-depth Investigation of PCV Inside" being currently implemented by another subsidized entity?
development plan targetting on-site demonstration. Therefore the subsidized entity shallarchieve a formulation of a survey plan and a development plan which is not covered inexisting projects.
39 In "2. Contents of Project," it says a field demonstration (field survey), what is the difference between In this project, both words are the same meaning.
field demonstration and field survey?
40 In "2. Contents of Project," who will review the survey plan?
The subsidized entity should improve the survey plan cooperating with entities implementing
related subsidized projects and the concerned organizations.
Regarding the Project "Development of Technologies for In-depth Investigation of PCV Inside (On-site demonstration of Technologies for In-depth Investigation considering measures of deposits)"
41 In "2. Contents of Project," it says formulation of a survey plan and a development plan, how do theIn this project, the subsidized entity should combine access/survey equipment with survey
subsidized entity separate implementation content from the project "Development of Technologies for technology being investigated in the said project etc., and formulate a survey plan and a
In-depth Investigation of PCV Inside" being currently implemented by another subsidized entity?
development plan targetting on-site demonstration. Therefore the subsidized entity shallarchieve a formulation of a survey plan and a development plan which is not covered inexisting projects.
42 In "2. Contents of Project," it says a field demonstration (field survey), what is the difference between In this project, both words are the same meaning.
field demonstration and field survey?
43 In "2. Contents of Project," who will review the survey plan?
The subsidized entity should improve the survey plan cooperating with entities implementing
related subsidized projects and the concerned organizations.

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