Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Which roles have access to all of an organization's applications? are roles application specific?

A. AORs have access to all their organization’s applications and can assign application-specific permissions. If you are assigned a role by the individual(s) working on an application, you will only have access to that specific application. 

Q. Can there be multiple admin roles?

Yes. The Energy Program Information Center (EPIC) allows for multiple AORs to be associated with an organization only if the organization has multiple POCs listed in SAM.gov. Those POCs listed in SAM.gov will have the AOR role assigned to them during registration, as long as the email from SAM.gov is the same email entered into EPIC. If your affiliation is a FFRDC, you may have multiple AORs and should notify the EPIC Help Desk at EERE-epichelpdesk@ee.DOE.gov. Additionally, organizations can have multiple AAs, who can manage and approve user accounts for your organization. 

Q. What is the role of administrative staff at a DOE FFRDC? 

A. Once approved by an AOR, the AA role will allow the user to approve user accounts.

Q. In my role at my organization, I am responsible for tracking published opportunities. Which role do I need in the system to continue to do that?

A. Registration is not required to view open opportunities in EPIC. Both unregistered and registered users (with any role) can view opportunities.

Q. When someone leaves the organization, I assume the organization needs to initiate the disabling of their account—correct? 

A. Correct. The organization’s AOR or AA will have the ability to disable accounts; alternatively, they can contact the EPIC Help Desk at EEREepichelpdesk@ee.DOE.gov.

Q. Can an organization have more than one business POC in EPIC? 

A. Yes, but only one Business POC is associated with each application. If more than one administrative POC needs access to the application, the application can be shared with that user(s), which will provide them with edit access to the application. 

Q. Can the Business POC in EPIC be different than the Government Business POC in SAM.gov? 

A. Yes, the Business POC associated with an individual application can be different than the Government Business POC in SAM.gov. The Government Business POC in SAM.gov is used in the EPIC to designate the AOR. That person can be assigned as a Business POC to an application, but other users can also be assigned as a Business POC to an individual application. 

Q. Can the Business POC start and submit applications? Can multiple Business POCs be assigned?

A. Once assigned/approved by the AOR, the Business POC can create applications and submit applications that they are associated with. Only one Business POC is associated with each application. However, the application may be shared with other users, which will also provide them with edit access to the application. 

Q. As the Business POC, will my name appear on the application when I submit? Will the AOR's name be on there as well?

A. Yes, both names will appear on the submission.

Q. Can a Business POC share a submission? 

A. Yes. The Business POC can share the application with other users using the “Share Application Access” functionality. For more information on sharing application access, please review “Applying to Opportunities (NOFOs, NOTAs, NOIs, and RFIs),” accessible in the Help Center Training Materials section (top right corner of the EPIC webpage).

Q. Will the Business POC be able to see reviewer comments?

A. Yes, the AOR, Business POC, and Technical POC are all able to see the reviewer comments for the application(s) their roles are associated with.

Q. What is the role of the Technical POC? 

A. The Technical POC is responsible for directing/leading the proposed project. Typically, this would be the PI/Lead Lab POC on the application. Technical POCs can create, edit, and/or submit their assigned applications. 

Q. Can Technical POCs submit an application?

A. Yes, Technical POCs can create applications, as well as edit and submit any applications they are assigned to. 

Q. On an application, what is the difference between Business and Technical POCs?

A. Business POCs are typically responsible for administrative aspects of an application. Technical POCs are typically the principal investigator associated with the proposed project. Both of these roles have the same ability to view, edit, and/or submit applications on behalf of your organization.

Q. Some Financial Analysts do entry on behalf of the PI. It seems that the Financial Analyst would be able to choose the PI appropriately and route it. Would the Financial Analyst register as Business POC? 

A. The Business POC role is typically provided to users who are responsible for the administrative aspects of an application and resulting award. The Business POC can create, edit, and/or submit applications on behalf of their organization. This includes providing information for the Technical POC (PI) associated with an application. Once the Technical POC is assigned, they can also edit and/or submit the application.

Q. Can you have multiple PIs for an organization?

A. Yes, you can have multiple PIs for an organization. 

Q. When assigning a proxy, is the user required to have the same permissions as the identified proxy? 

No. A proxy can be selected and does not need to have the same role or permissions of the person selecting them as their proxy.