This article outlines the fields in EPIC necessary to create the NOI record and how to request the Green Light for the NOI. In addition, this document explains what steps take place outside of EPIC. 

Roles

Typically, the Technology Manager, TPO, or Project Monitor/Engineer should create the NOI in EPIC. You must have the EERE Project Lead role in EPIC to do so. If you need this role, click the gear icon in the upper right corner of EPIC, then click the Request New Roles link. The Office Administrator for your office must approve the new role. 

Step-by-step guide - Step 1: Create NOI in EPIC

  1. Click the Announcement Menu and select Announcement Management.  
  2. Click Create Announcement. A window opens to capture basic information about your new announcement.
  3. For Announcement Type, select NOI. 
  4. Enter a working Announcement Title. You can change this later if necessary. 

  5. Select Year of Publication. 

  6. Servicing Office will be either Golden or NETL, depending on which office will help you with the announcement. You will not be able to change this later, so make sure you have it correct. 
  7. Select your Technology Office. You will not be able to change this later, so make sure you have it correct. 
  8. Announcement Manager will default to your name. If you are creating this on behalf of someone else, start typing their email address to select that person from the drop down. You can change this later if necessary. 
  9. Under Related Announcements, use the search field to find the associated FOA or NOTA for your NOI. Click the check box. 
  10. When you’re finished, click the Save & Continue button. 

Step-by-step guide - Announcement Planning Tab

  1. You’ll start on the Basic Information page. This section displays information you entered when first creating the NOI. Skip all other fields on the Basic Information page.
  2. Click the Points of Contact page in the left-hand navigation.
  3. Confirm the Grants Officer field is correct, so that he or she will receive the green light notifications later in the process. If it is blank or incorrect, contact the GFO/NETL Branch Chief, who has permissions to make GMS/CS and GO assignments across all announcements in EPIC.
  4. If any other team members need edit rights to the NOI, assign them as an Announcement Manager Back-Up (only one person allowed), Announcement Editors (for Federal team members) or Contractor Support (for contractor team members). 
  5. Click on the Announcement Development Tab. 
  6. Enter your Announcement Issue Date. This populates weekly work plan reporting to EERE Leadership. 
  7. Click Save.  
  8. Reach out to your Technology Office Communications Lead and ask them to enter the following data into EPIC: 
    1. Public Announcement Type  
    1. Target Date of Public Announcement (typically the same date as the NOI Announcement Issue Date)  


  9. You are done with EPIC until it is time to request the green light.

Step 2: Draft NOI Document and Send for Review/Approval (Outside of EPIC)

10. The Technology Office is responsible for completing the Notice of Intent (NOI) Template on the Knowledge Hub. 

11. The NOI review and approval process takes place outside of EPIC. For instructions, see the FOA Development SOP. 

12. When the Technology Office Director approves the NOI, the Announcement Manager should ask the Technology Office Communications Lead to start the NOI public announcement review and approval process. For details, see the Comms - Public Announcement Approval and Green Light Process SOP.

Step 3: Green Light Status Page

One business day before the target NOI publication date, the Announcement Manager or Announcement Manager Back-up POC should request the NOI Sensitivity Check. Only the Announcement Manager or Backup can do so in EPIC. 

13. Hover over the Announcement menu and select Announcement Management.  

14.Click the Announcement Title to open your NOI. 

15. Click the Announcement Development tab, then click on the Green Light Status page in the left-hand navigation.

16. Click the Upload Documents link.  

17. Click the Choose Documents button. 

18. Select the final or near-final public announcement from your computer. Set the Document Type to Progress Alert or Press Release, as appropriate. Select the Document Status, then click Upload. 

19. Repeat steps 15-16 to upload the approved NOI.  

20. Click Save. The Request Sensitivity Check button will appear. 

21. Click Request Sensitivity Check to send the request to EERE Comms.  

22. The status will change to Publication Green Light Requested. 

Step 4: Publish NOI

  1. Upon receiving the green light, the Grants Officer should log into EPIC, access the NOI. 
  2. Go to the Publish page. 
  3. Upload an “Approved” NOI document. 
  4. Click on the action menu (3 blue dots). 
  5. Click Publish. The NOI will now be available to the public.  



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