Questions and Answers

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2015/7/14

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Regarding procedures for application
1 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.

2 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 of the Guidelines for applying to the “Validationof technologies for contaminated water management project”, 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.

3 How will the information contained in the application documents behandled?

METI and PMO will NOT disclose the contents of proposals submitted byapplicants to anyone during and after the evaluation/review. Because
conclusion of the non-disclosure agreement is one of the conditions ofappointment of the members of the review committee, they won't release
the information obtained through the evaluation/review process as well.
Nevertheless, you have to be noted that the information which has notbeen classified as confidential might be subject to disclosure as aresponse 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]
http://en.dccc-program.jp/solicitation

4 Can the costs for the application be covered by the JapaneseGovernment?

No, we will not compensate for any costs for the application.

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5 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. The following page shows a sample of theinformation released by us.
http://dccc-program.jp/files/20140711/en/index.html
Furthermore, you can consult the “Plan of technical strategy fordecommissioning of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station toward Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap 2015” by NDF, which shows wherefuel debris and FP lie and the activities steps in the case of submerged
approach, etc.
http://www.dd.ndf.go.jp/ddwp/wpcontent/themes/theme1501/pdf/SP2015_20150624_en.pdf

6 Is an organization without juridical personality eligible for application?

An organization is also eligible as long as it satisfies the applicationrequirements of stipulated in Item 5 in the Guidelines.

7 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 forthis project as a JV, please describe the leading company and theimplementation scheme on the designated form.

8 Is it allowable to make a proposal through the methods other than filling in We will not accept any proposals not using the stipulated submission
the specified application forms (i.e. by oral presentation or using theforms. Any other media you may use will NOT be taken into account formedia such as brochures and image files)?

the paper screening.

9 We would like to make a proposal jointly with other companies. Is it
possible for you to suggest or recommend partner companies ororganizations for us?

2 / 10No. You must find suitable partners and establish the implementation
scheme by yourself.

Questions and Answers

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2015/7/14

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10 If we apply for the project with other companies as a team, how will theprocess after the adoption be?

The leading organization takes charge of establishment of theimplementation plan, preparation and submission of the accomplishment
report. All of the organizations composing the JV must be investigated forthe settlement of the subsidy amount. As a general rule, the subsidy will
be paid to the leading organization.

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

The application documents shall firstly be evaluated by PMO in the paper
examination; and applicants' oral presentations (in case it is necessary)
shall be evaluated by the review committee consisting of experts.

12 Will the results of evaluation or the names of the members of the review
committee be released? Also, will the applicants be informed of theresults of the evaluation?

We are going to release the adopted projects and the name of theadopted entities (or the name of the leading company of the adopted JV)
on our dedicated website. To ensure the fairness, the names of thereview committee members will not be disclosed.

13 This solicitation seems to be more advantageous to Japanese companies This project is financed by Japanese governmental budget and isbecause it is easier for them to observe the guidelines or the manual
implemented in accordance with Japanese scheme and in compliancewhen compared with overseas companies.

with Japanese laws. However, any Japanese companies will not betreated preferentially.

14 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 tomeet a "basic points" condition, you will be disqualified.

15 Has it already been decided how many proposals will be adopted foreach project?

3 / 10The number of proposal(s) scheduled to be adopted is as follows:
Comprehensive proposal: One
Partial proposal: More than 1

Questions and Answers

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16 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 theconditions of appointment of the members of the review committee, they
won't make use of the application documents other than for the purposeof their evaluation.

17 Regarding criterion for technical examination, how many points areallocated for the basic points and for the additional points respectively?

5 points are allocated for every basic point; and the remaining points areallocated for the additional points.

Regarding the RFP (Miscellaneous)
18 When is the contract supposed to be concluded?

Because of the nature of this project, that is, it is not a commercialtransaction but subsidized project, no contracts will be concluded
between PMO and the implementing entities; "decision on the grant ofsubsidies" can be compared to the contract. The grant of subsidies isscheduled to be decided within 1 through 2 months after the deadline ofthe application.

19 When is the subsidy going to be paid?

The subsidy is going to be paid after completion of the project and thesettlement of amount procedure.

20 If an overseas entity is adopted, how will the meetings be held? And how PMO and implementing entities will have meetings, interim report andoften?
final report as well as progress report of the project as necessary. The
frequency of meetings depends on the necessity of these meetings andreports.
21 Is it possible to watch the information session held on June 30, 2015?

4 / 10You can watch the videos of the session in our dedicated website.

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22 Is there a fixed upper limit of the subsidy amount?

The upper limits are different in each project and a comprehensive
proposal or a partial proposal. The subsidy amount is fixed and the upperlimits are as follows:
Project of Development of Fundamental Technologies for Retrieval ofFuel Debris and Internal Structures
Comprehensive proposal：4,000,000,000 JPY
Partial proposal：500,000,000 JPY
Project of Upgrading Approach and System for Retrieval of Fuel Debrisand Internal Structures
Comprehensive proposal：1,500,000,000 JPY
Partial proposal：500,000,000 JPY

23 Can the subsidy amount to be actually paid be determined only after the"settlement of the amount" procedure, conducted after completion of theproject?

In principle, the paid amount will be settled after expiration of the project
period, confirmation of the project result, and inspection for settlement ofthe amount by PMO. This procedure is formulated by Japanese
accounting rules.
However, there are some exemptions; for example, division of the project
period into some steps and payment at times when each step iscompleted and the completion is confirmed. In any case, details of theproject, subsidy amount etc. will be decided only after the grant decisionand coordination with the PMO and with METI. Therefore, in application,please clearly describe your specific request to the payment method, etc.

24 Where can I find the latest unit prices of each grade which the Japanese Please find the latest information in the "Health Insurance Grade Rate"
health insurance designates in order to determine the premium and which uploaded to our website (Japanese text only).
METI refers to?

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25 How should the necessary expenses for the project be categorized in the Please divide the necessary expenses into (1) labor costs and (2)proposal?
operating costs (raw materials, consumables,
design/fabrication/processing, facility/equipment, goods purchase,research, outsourcing, travel, remunerations, rent/depreciation and othernecessities) as described in Exhibit 2 of the Grand Policy for Subsidy.
26 The Guidelines state: "If you participate in this project as an entity ofpartial proposal, you have to submit a grant application the contents ofwhich are until the interim results and implement your project
accordingly". At the same time, we are required to propose design, tests,etc. of tests equipment, which would be necessary in the phase after theinterim results. How should the proposal be made?

6 / 10The proposal should include the contents after the interim results. If youare adopted, you will be required to submit the grant application which
includes the contents until the interim results.

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Regarding the projects (General)
27 In implementation of the project, is it possible to ask for necessary
information from the entity of comprehensive proposal (or the entity of

It is supposed that information will be shared among the entity ofcomprehensive proposal and the entity of partial proposal at the timing ofpartial proposal) using the organization of in-put/out-put information?

commencement of the project and other appropriate timings by organizing
the in-put/out-put information. PMO will support the coordination of theinformation sharing, etc., if needed.

28 How will the exchange rate between Japanese yen and other currencies
be fixed for the projects?

For the exchange rate, each subsidized entity's standard rate will beapplied if the entity has its own company rule stipulating it. Otherwise, we
use the "basic exchange rate" stipulated by Bank of Japan. Please notethat payments shall be made exclusively in Japanese yen.

29 Is there any possibility to have meetings regularly other than at the timing At this time, the meetings are supposed to be held at the timing of planof plan establishment and production of the final results among the entity establishment and production of the final results; however, it is possibleof comprehensive proposal and the entity of partial proposal?
that meetings will be held at the other necessary timings.
30 When do we have to define the Technology Readiness Level (TRL)?

The TRL required to be set at "[3] Clarification of tests conditions andspecifications for development" must be set before commencement of theelements tests and equipment design and it must be shared with theconcerned parties. The TRL required to be set at "[4] Definition of criterion
for judgment of degree of objective achievement" must be set at thetiming of the proposal.

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31 Is it possible that it will be necessary to reconsider the input/output
information supplementary in response to an information request fromother entities?

It is possible that you will be forced to reconsider the input/output
information; therefore, please estimate the costs and man-hours inconsideration of this possibility. Furthermore, it is possible that you haveto amend the project plan if it must be changed drastically.

32 In "[3] Clarification of tests conditions and specifications for development" The "concerned parties" indicate ANRE, NDF, the adopted entity andof "(4) Operation of research and development", it is stated thatPMO.
"information on the target of the degree of the tests and equipment
development compared to the requirement level must be shared withconcerned parties". Who is referred to as the "concerned parties"?
33 Regarding the schedule, when should the entity of partial proposal besupposed to submit the interim results?

The timing of the compilation of the interim results should be supposed to
be done at the end of March, 2016 for your reference.
Please be noted that it is possible that the timing or contents of theinterim results could be altered in accordance with the comprehensive
coordination with the entity of comprehensive proposal and as a result of
the evaluation and confirmation by the concerning organizations.

Regarding project (Project of Development of Fundamental Technologies for Retrieval of Fuel Debris and Internal Structures)
34 In the partial proposal, how should the proposal be divided?

One of the twelve elements tests is supposed to be a unit of a proposal.

35 At the step "Establishment of development conditions and develop target" PMO is going to support cooperation between the entity ofdone by the entity of comprehensive proposal, information must becomprehensive proposal and the entity of partial proposal; however,shared between the entity of comprehensive proposal and the entity ofsensitive information must be protected by the entities themselves
partial proposal; therefore the issue of protection of IP must be taken care properly.
of. To solve this issue, can we expect a support from PMO?

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36 In "vii) Cutting and dust gathering technology as well as visual imaging
If the method has an experience of cutting blended material which
technology and measurement technology in fuel debris retrieval" of ① of simulates fuel debris, it can be a target of the elements tests.
(2) in "2. Contents of Project", there is an expression: "blended material ofceramics, metal and concrete simulating fuel debris". Must the method
have the experience of cutting ceramics, metal and concrete withoutexception?
37 In "vii) Cutting and dust gathering technology as well as visual imaging
technology and measurement technology in fuel debris retrieval" of ① of(2) in "2. Contents of Project", it is stated that "Dust gathering tests will beconducted after evaluation and confirmation of the cutting tests byconcerned organizations.". Is it possible to implement cutting tests anddust collection tests simultaneously?

9 / 10The dust collection tests must be conducted after evaluation andconfirmation of the cutting tests as stipulated.

Questions and Answers

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2015/7/14

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Regarding project (Project of Upgrading Approach and System for Retrieval of Fuel Debris and Internal Structures)
38 In the partial proposal, how should the proposal be divided?

One of the three approaches must be deemed as a unit of a proposal.

39 The proposal requirements include consideration of "Whether or notequipment composing the system can be installed in the existing

You can focus on one of the three units; however, it is desirable that all ofthe units will be the subject of your consideration.

buildings". Do we have to consider this point for all of the three units?
40 (2) of "2. Contents of Project" refers to one of the three approaches; is it You can make a proposal deploying combination of some approaches asallowable to make a proposal combining the top-access approach and the a partial proposal as long as it is feasible.
side-access approach?

10 / 10