Request for Letters of Interest
Open Solicitation Period: June 1 – 19, 2004

The Florida Hydrogen Initiative, Inc. (FHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida to move Florida to the forefront of the nation’s hydrogen economy. The FHI will use its resources to aid the development of a vigorous Florida-based hydrogen industry thereby establishing Florida as the cornerstone of a southeastern hydrogen hub. The nonprofit corporation is comprised of public leaders, university researchers, citizens, and industry representatives.

The FHI seeks to develop Florida’s hydrogen infrastructure by:

  • Brokering partnerships for applied technology demonstration projects throughout the state;
  • Sponsoring targeted research in the production, storage and use of hydrogen fuels;
  • Facilitating technology transfers between the public and private sectors to create, build and strengthen high-growth, high technology companies.

In 2004, FHI will receive approximately $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for projects in Florida. In March 2004, the Florida Hydrogen Initiative requested and received letters of interest to identify partners for projects that support our programmatic interests.

In an effort to expand the pool of possible projects, FHI is re-opening this solicitation for Letters of Interest.

Objectives for 2004: Developing Florida’s Hydrogen Infrastructure

FHI will entertain letters of interest from parties addressing the following priority areas:

Development of the hydrogen infrastructure in Florida
FHI is particularly interested in proposals that can leverage existing hydrogen infrastructure in Florida, expanding both infrastructure range and diversity, and capable of supporting mobile and/or stationary hydrogen energy technologies:

  • Mobile Technology Demonstration Projects
    -Hydrogen fueling stations and hydrogen-powered vehicles
    - Hydrogen-powered transit and visitor services projects
  • Stationary Technology Demonstration Projects
    - High-visibility advanced hydrogen energy technology installations

Hydrogen infrastructure research, development, and commercialization
FHI is most interested in research & development projects that result in hydrogen industry capital investment and job creation in Florida. Joint letters of interest from hydrogen-related companies and academia are particularly welcome. Specific priorities include:

  • Hydrogen infrastructure research and development;
  • Hydrogen production technologies, particularly in renewables that use Florida resources such as biomass, solar or landfill materials;
  • Hydrogen storage technologies; and
  • Policy and market analyses that will facilitate the growth of Florida’s advanced energy technology sector

FHI anticipates that DOE will apply cost-sharing provisions in which demonstration projects require a 50% cost-share (i.e., each dollar requested under a Letter of Interest must be matched by the party making the proposal). Research and development projects require a 20% cost-share.

Letters of Interest are due to FHI by midnight on Sunday, June 19, 2004. Please submit Letters of Interest by e-mail to: boardchair@h2florida.org

Final decisions about allocating FHI resources depend upon the type and quality of responses received, but the FHI Board of Directors anticipates that one or more demonstration projects will comprise the majority of FHI grant funds. Upon selection by the FHI board of directors, detailed statements of work and cost proposals will be requested.


Stephen Adams, Chair
Board of Directors
Florida Hydrogen Initiative, Inc.


What is the Purpose of the Letter of Interest?

FHI will be receiving a contract /grant for approximately $2 million from the DOE in 2004. The purpose of this notice is to request Letters of Interest from individuals, manufacturers, companies, organizations and/or universities stating interest in co-sponsoring particular hydrogen demonstration or research project. Note that one of the stipulations of the DOE award to FHI is that demonstration projects must have a 50% cost share and research projects must have a 20% cost share.

What must the Five Page Letter of Interest Contain?

The Letter of Interest must be no more than five pages in length (only the first five pages of any Letter of Interest will be evaluated) and must contain and/or address the following items:

1. Specific information on the demonstration and/or research project to be conducted by the submitting group. Please be specific with your topic and clearly state what you are going to do. Note that weight will be given with regard to the long-term sustainability of your project. For example, a demonstration that is installed and operates for six months with no follow-up will not be judged as high as one which shows long-term sustainability.

2. A preliminary estimate of the cost to complete the project. FHI will consider any project up to a total cost to DOE of $1.5 million. As part of the cost estimate, a statement must be made as to the ability of the proposing organization to meet the DOE cost share. Cost share for demonstrations is 50% and for research is 20%. (Note that you must also make a statement as to the type of project you are proposing, demonstration or research). For example, if proposing a demonstration project requesting funding of $800,000, then the submitter must supply a cost share of $800,000 making the total cost of the project at $1.6 million.

3. The document should be typed with a standard word processor (Microsoft Word preferred) and should be spaced at 1.5 with standard margins.

4. In addition to the five page project description mentioned above, the organization submitting the Letter of Interest may attach an additional five pages describing the submitting organization and short resumes of the individuals who will be conducting the work.

5. The Letter of Interest must be submitted electronically to Steve Adams at boardchair@h2florida.org

Will Acceptance of the Letter of Interest Guarantee the Organization a Contract or Grant?

No. A formal proposal with detailed cost information will be required following the acceptance of a Letter of Interest. At the time of the acceptance of the Letter of Interest, the project statement of work and project costs will be considered to be negotiable until such time as FHI and the proposal submitter reach a final agreement.

Who Will Evaluate the Letter of Interest?

It is anticipated that a Technical Review Committee will be established to make technical evaluations of Letters of Interest for research and development projects. The review committee will serve only as advisors to the FHI Board of Directors. The Board of Directors for the Florida Hydrogen Initiative, Inc. will have the final authority in making selections for projects to be funded.

When must the Letter of Interest be received?

The Letter of Interest must be transmitted to boardchair@h2florida.org by 12:00 midnight on Sunday, June 19, 2004.