- DOE Contracting Officer Notification of DOE’s Suspension of DEI, CBP or PIER Plan, and Justice 40 Requirements in Financial Assistance Agreements – 1/31/2025
On January 20, 2025, the President signed an Executive Order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” which mandates the termination of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) performance requirements for employees, contractors, or grantees. In response, the Department of Energy (DOE) has directed the immediate suspension of DEI programs, Community Benefits Plans (CBP), and Justice40 activities in financial assistance awards. Effective immediately, all DEI, CBP/PIER Plans, and Justice40 activities associated with DOE’s Office of Science financial assistance awards are suspended pending a review. For any legal concerns or questions, recipients are advised to contact the DOE Contracting Officer, Cynthia A. Anderson.
- Executive Order update to PIER Plan requirement – 1/27/2025
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science has suspended Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans and halted the use of Community Benefits Plans (CBP) and Justice40 requirements in response to a new executive order ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Open solicitations will be amended to remove the PIER Plan requirement, and applicants can resubmit proposals without them. Selection decisions will not consider PIER Plans, and further guidance will be provided as available.
- Department of Energy: CBP and DEI Notification to existing recipients – 1/27/2025
The President has issued 43 Executive Orders, Presidential Memoranda, and Proclamations, including an Executive Order entitled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.
- Cease all activities associated with DEI and CBP – 1/27/2025
The memorandum from Sara Wilson, Acting Head of Contracting Activity for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, directs all recipients and subrecipients of DOE funding to cease activities related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, Community Benefits Plans (CBP), and Justice40 requirements, following President Trump’s executive orders. Effective immediately, costs associated with these activities will not be reimbursed, and recipients must enforce this directive with their subrecipients and contractors. Additional guidance will be provided, and award modifications will be initiated to align with the executive orders.
- Agency-wide Review of Program and Administrative Activities – 1/20/2025
The memorandum from the Acting Secretary of Energy, Ingrid C. Kolb, dated January 20, 2025, mandates an agency-wide review of all programmatic and administrative activities within the Department of Energy (DOE). This review aims to ensure alignment with the new Administration’s policies and priorities, including budgetary considerations. Effective immediately, all personnel actions, grants, loans, funding opportunities, contracts, procurement actions, rulings, decisions, enforcement actions, and publications are to be halted pending review. The goal is to ensure that DOE’s initiatives are consistent with Congressional authorizations and the Administration’s priorities, and that resources are allocated efficiently.