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

2017/12/22
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/20171206PMSE.pdf

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

No, any costs for the application arel 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 release
the project?
all of the information you need; and we will release the information if it is available and open
it on the website or so.
5 Is an organization without juridical personality eligible for application?

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

6 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 aJV, please describe the leading company and the implementation scheme on the designatedform.

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)?

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.

8 We would like to make a proposal jointly with other companies. Is it possible for you to suggest orNo. You must find suitable partners and establish the implementation scheme by yourself.
recommend partner 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 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.
10 There may be some time lag between the deadline of the application documents and thecommencement date of the subsidized project. Is it acceptable to describe the implementation
scheme based upon the personnel change taking place after the deadline?

Yes, It is acceptable.

11 We have to submit 2 copies of the application documents; every copy needs sign or seal?
Could we sign or seal on one application document and make a copy of it?

One copy with the sing or seal is indispensable; however the others can be its reproduction.

1/5

Questions and Answers
CategoryNo.
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?

2017/12/22

Answers
Please circle 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 alsoconducted.

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 Do all the applicants need to 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
to observe the guidelines or the manual when compared with overseas companies.
accordance with Japanese scheme and in compliance with Japanese laws. However, any
Japanese companies will not be treated preferentially.
18 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 "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 proposes other than their 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 other than for the purpose of their 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 as
possible. The review committee is planned to be held on any date from January 9 toJanuary 16, 2018.

2/5

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

Questions

2017/12/22
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 as
progress report of the project as necessary. The frequency of meetings depends on thenecessity of these meetings and reports.

20 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.

General Question regarding Projects
27 In "4. Project Term," it says to describe both "Implementation Plan" and "Plan of the Income andFor we can distinguish the descriptions by project contents, please prepare two patterns ofExpenditure"for each implementation item of 2. (1)(2)(3) on the "Outline of Subsidized Project". Must the Form 2, for each implementation item or please divide the description into two parts by
an applicant prepare the Form 2, "Outline of Subsidy Project" for each implementation year of project project contents in the Form 2.
contents ?
28 In "4. Project Term," it says to describe both "Implementation Plan" and "Plan of the Income andNo, it is not necessary to describe the plan of the income and expenditure including theExpenditure"for each implementation item of 2. (1)(2)(3) on the "Outline of Subsidized Project". Is it total amount of the project in Form 2, "Outline of Subsidy Project." Please write the total
necessary to show the plan of the income and expenditure which sums up the total amount of eachamount of expenses/application amounts on the Exhibit of Form 1.
content or term?

3/5

Questions and Answers
Category

2017/12/22

No.
Questions
29 Should the implementation plan of the project be developed based on the plan of the Comprehensive
Subsidized Project Operating Entities entity (the entity who carries out "Development ofTechnologies for Grasping and Analyzing Properties of Fuel Debris") with adopted comprehensive
proposal ?

Answers
If required, coordinate with the Comprehensive Subsidized Project Operating Entity between
the adoption decision and the grant decision, so that both parties can make a consistent
implementation plan. Rectification must be carried out as necessary.

30 In "2. Contents of Project", it says that the contents of proposal will be proceeded under theconsideration of risks of technology adoption and timing of actualization and Comprehensive
Subsidized project Operating Entity will conduct analysis and coordination. What does it actuallymean?

The contents of project may be changed as needed to coordinate it with a comprehensive
proposals, etc. from a point of view of risks of technology adoption and timing ofactualization, etc.

31 How to work together with the Comprehensive Subsidized Project Operating Entities entity (the entity The specific methods of collaboration may be coordinated according to the situation.
who carries out "Development of Technologies for Grasping and Analyzing Properties of Fuel
However, PMO can host a liaison meeting for the purpose of cooperation with theDebris") for implementing the project?
Comprehensive Subsidized Project Operating Entity.
32 Is it possible for the entities with partial proposals to request the entities of comprehensive proposal We assume that the entities of a comprehensive proposal and a partial proposal will shareto provide necessary information to implement the project by compiling input and output information? the information by the compilation of input and output information. If necessary, PMO willcooperate in coordinating between them, etc.
33 What should we do when it's difficult to describe input and output information in detail at the time ofthe submission of proposal?

For the proposal, you can draw it up as your planned basis.

34 Regarding the gathering domestic and overseas wisdom in "3. Operation of research anddevelopment" , 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 thedevelopment plan or be set as a milestone. Is it necessary to write down the determined contents onthe proposal?

For the proposal, you can draw it up as your planned basis.

35 On-site tests might significantly be delayed because of the situation of the site. In the case, howshould 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.

36 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.
Regarding the Project (Development of Technologies for Grasping and Analyzing Properties of Fuel Debris (Estimation of Aging Properties of Fuel Debris))
37 Regarding "2. Contents of Project (1)" of the Guideline, only the Fuel Debris of Chernobyl should be For examples other than the Chernobyl nuclear power plant case, it is possible to add it totargeted for survey?
the survey target if it is helpful.
Besides cases of fule debris at the Chernobyl nuclear mower plant, it is possible to add it
to the survey target if it is helpful.
38 Although this project is a partial proposal project of "Development of Technologies for Grasping and Allthough it is necessary to cooperate, both businesses are independent in terms ofAnalyzing Properties of Fuel Debris", is it possible to consider that it is separate from the document document procedures and business management.
procedure and business administration?
39 In applying for this solicitation, is it necessary to contact with the entity who carries out
It is not necessary. Applicants should decide.
"Development of Technologies for Grasping and Analyzing Properties of Fuel Debris"?
40 Regarding the project term, although it is judged whether or not the contents of items (2) and (3) canbe implemented on the project content based on (1), is it possible to judge whether to implement
items (2) and (3) at an earlier stage than the project term (the first half of 2018 Japanese FiscalYear) of (1)?
4/5

Considering the results of item (1) , the contents of items (2) and (3) will be reviewed.
Therefore, if the results of item (1) can be issued at an early stage, it is possible to decide
whether to implement (2) and (3) at an earlier time than the first half of 2018 JapaneseFiscal Year.

Questions and Answers
Categ
ory

2017/12/22

No.
Questions
Answers
41 Once informed that the decision on of the subsidy is made in FY 2017, the project term may exend to Basically, the amount of subsidy will ultimately be settled when all the contents of themore than one year, but can we understand that accounting is done every fiscal year? Also, theproject are completed, but in some cases there is a possibility of confirming the amount at
amount of subsidy will be settled not at the completion of (1), but in time when the project contents the stage when (1) is finished.
(2) and (3) ended?
42 In "2. Contents of Project" of the Guidelines, it says to implement the project based on an analysis For the "Development of Technologies for Grasping and Analyzing Properties of Fuel
Debris", we estimate the properties of fuel debris based on the acquired knowledge so far,and coordination by the Comprehensive Subsidized Project Operatiing Entity (the entity who carries
and compile and update the characteristics list of fuel debris.
out "Development of Technologies for Grasping and Analyzing Properties of Fuel Debris").
However, please indicate the specific content and the relationship with the Comprehensive Subsidized We intend to cooperate closely and promote subsidized projects so that useful information
Project Operatiing Entity .
such as described above can be obtained.

5/5