RFI - Rapid Encapsulation of Pipelines Avoiding Intensive Replacement (REPAIR) | DE FOA 0002263

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002263

The Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) issued this notice as a Request for Information (RFI) titled "Rapid Encapsulation of Pipelines Avoiding Intensive Replacement (REPAIR)" under opportunity number DE-FOA-0002263. Despite the FOA-style numbering, it is not a funding opportunity announcement and it is not accepting applications for financial assistance. The intent is to gather technical feedback that ARPA-E can use for program planning and to shape a possible future solicitation. In other words, ARPA-E is testing ideas, identifying technical gaps, and collecting real-world constraints from people who work directly with pipeline materials, inspection, operations, and rehabilitation.

At a high level, the concept behind REPAIR is to rehabilitate aging natural gas distribution pipelines by forming a new pipe inside the existing pipe, rather than performing full excavation and replacement. The target pipe populations include cast iron, wrought iron, and bare steel distribution mains, which are common in older systems and can be prone to leakage and integrity issues over time. The envisioned "pipe-within-a-pipe" solution is meant to create an internal liner or encapsulating layer that ultimately functions as the primary pressure-retaining barrier, not merely as a protective coating. ARPA-E describes a performance target where the rehabilitated line meets both utility and regulatory requirements, achieves a minimum service life of 50 years, and maintains sufficient mechanical and environmental durability to operate for its full life without relying on the structural integrity of the original outer pipe.

ARPA-E is specifically requesting comments on a draft technical section for a potential future program. The agency is looking for input from a broad set of experts and practitioners across the full technology stack required to make internal rehabilitation practical at scale. This includes pipeline testing and validation methods; advanced coating and liner materials; biomimetic approaches (materials inspired by biological structures or processes); smart materials that can self-heal damage or self-monitor for degradation; robotic or automated deposition tools capable of placing coatings/liners in situ; inspection and metrology techniques to verify adhesion, thickness, defects, and long-term integrity; and pipeline mapping tools paired with 3-D visualization and data management systems to understand the geometry and condition of the existing network. ARPA-E also calls out control and systems engineering expertise, reflecting that a workable solution will likely be an integrated system combining materials, robotics, sensing, and software, not a single standalone material innovation. Just as importantly, they are seeking perspectives from gas pipeline operators and service providers who actually locate, inspect, and replace distribution pipelines, since constructability, field conditions, and operational constraints tend to determine whether a rehabilitation method can be deployed broadly.

From a practical standpoint, the RFI signals ARPA-E's interest in approaches that reduce the disruptive and costly aspects of traditional pipeline replacement, such as excavation, street restoration, traffic impacts, and extended service interruptions. "Rapid encapsulation" implies a need for methods that can be deployed quickly, navigate existing pipe geometries, and work under realistic field conditions such as bends, diameter changes, service connections, corrosion products, debris, and variable internal surface conditions. The emphasis on inspection, mapping, and data systems also suggests that ARPA-E is thinking about end-to-end lifecycle assurance: not only installing a liner, but also proving it was installed correctly, documenting what was done, and enabling ongoing integrity management over decades.

Administrative details in the listing reflect standard government cataloging rather than an invitation to apply. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and tied to science and technology research and development (CFDA 81.135). The eligible applicant field is listed as unrestricted, but since this is an RFI, that mainly means ARPA-E is open to input from any relevant organization type (industry, academia, nonprofits, utilities, vendors, and others). The notice was created January 7, 2020, with an original response deadline of January 20, 2020. Any "award" fields shown in the metadata should not be interpreted as real grant parameters here, because ARPA-E explicitly states that no FOA exists at this time and no funding applications are being accepted.

The main takeaway is that REPAIR, as described in this RFI, is an early-stage market and technical sounding exercise for a potential future ARPA-E program focused on in-place creation of a long-life internal pipe within legacy natural gas distribution mains. ARPA-E is using the RFI to collect informed critiques, feasibility assessments, ideas for materials and robotic installation methods, and recommendations for inspection and qualification pathways that could eventually support a formal funding solicitation.

• The Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RFI - Rapid Encapsulation of Pipelines Avoiding Intensive Replacement (REPAIR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.135.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 07, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 20, 2020 This is a Request for Information only. This RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA). NO FOA EXISTS AT THIS TIME.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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