Federal Register #DOE-HQ-2024-0029

DOE Final Rule: Conflict of Interest and Commitment Policy Requirements for Financial Assistance Awards

This is a final rule issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding conflict of interest and commitment policies for financial assistance awards. - Government Buyer: - Department of Energy (DOE) - Office of Acquisition Management - Scope of Rule: - Amends DOE Financial Assistance Regulations at 2 CFR Part 910 - Establishes comprehensive conflict of interest (COI), conflict of commitment (COC), and organizational conflict of interest (OCI) requirements - Applies to non-Federal entities applying for or receiving DOE financial assistance awards - Codifies and standardizes disclosure, evaluation, resolution, and reporting procedures for conflicts - Aligns DOE policy with OMB guidance, National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM 33), and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 - Replaces DOE's interim COI policy; substantively similar to Public Health Service (PHS) standards - Excludes the DOE Office of Indian Energy from applicability - No OEMs, vendors, products, or services are being procured - This is a regulatory action, not a procurement opportunity

Description

The Department of Energy (DOE) is amending its Financial Assistance Regulations to establish conflict of interest and conflict of commitment policies and requirements for non-Federal entities applying for or receiving financial assistance awards from the Department. The rule implements and standardizes disclosure requirements applicable to financial assistance applications and awards, including responsibilities, general rules, and procedures for non-Federal entities to identify, evaluate, resolve, and report conflicts of interest, conflicts of commitment, and organizational conflicts of interest. This final rule codifies existing DOE policy consistent with national security and legislative mandates and replaces the interim COI policy. The rule is effective August 17, 2026.

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