FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LETTER:

The purpose of this FAL is to provide information and guidance regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE or Department) implementation of 2 CFR 200.112, Conflict of interest. Specifically, DOE is issuing an interim conflict of interest (COI) policy that addresses both financial and organizational conflicts of interest, which will be incorporated in and made enforceable through the Special Terms and Conditions for DOE financial assistance awards. The interim COI policy establishes standards that provide a reasonable expectation that the design, conduct, and reporting of projects wholly or in part funded under DOE financial assistance awards (e.g., a grant, cooperative agreement, or technology investment agreement) will be free from bias resulting from financial conflicts of interest or organizational conflicts of interest. As used in this FAL, reference to DOE includes both DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).