Request for Proposals: Ocean Innovation Network

MassCEC / Offshore Wind / Funding / Ocean Innovation Network

The Ocean Innovation Network Program will provide competitive funding for assets and initiatives that will strengthen the route to commercialization for start-ups and early stage companies working in marine science and technology and promote and connect organizations and entities to further grow existing clusters of businesses, suppliers, and associated institutions fostering mutual growth, innovation, and competitiveness through collaboration. Through this Request for Proposals, MassCEC is seeking applicants to MassCEC’s Ocean Innovation Network Program for funding through grants and service agreements in two complimentary program tracks:

Track 1: Development and Operation of OceanTech Testing Facilities and Sites

In this track, MassCEC seeks to advance the development of ocean testing and product validation sites, covering a range of archetypes from dockside test sites to open-ocean test beds. Cost-shared funding will be made available for:

  • Design, engineering, permitting, construction, deployment, and commissioning costs to create, improve, or expand access to facilities that enable testing and validation of ocean technology in representative ocean environments;
  • Initial phase of operations and maintenance (18-24 months) for the funded sites/facilities

Track 2: Ocean Innovation Network Support

In this track, MassCEC seeks to support and grow the ocean technology innovation ecosystem and smooth the path to commercialization. Cost-shared funding will be made available for:

  • Improving and enhancing existing co-work, office and maker spaces for start-up and early-stage companies;
  • Providing business coaching and supply-chain networking;
  • Supporting industry engagement and initiatives through events, workshops, roundtables, and working groups;
  • Coordinating access and vessel transportation, technical support, and deployment logistics to test sites/facilities;
  • Conducting marketing, outreach, and promotional activities to support startup engagement and industry visibility;
  • Scholarships that reimburse startup companies for expenses related to commercialization and in-water testing, including access and use of test sites.

Through this Program, MassCEC seeks to accelerate the growth of Massachusetts’ ocean technology innovation ecosystem through targeted investments that leverage existing assets, programs, partnerships, and concentrations of maritime industry and infrastructure, and further establish marine science and technology clusters to advance the Commonwealth as a leader in ocean technology innovation.

In addition to this grant opportunity, MassCEC is committing program resources to promote and highlight the Ocean Innovation Network, its projects, partners, and success stories. MassCEC anticipates working closely with awardees, as well as the broader ocean technology community, to identify opportunities, share resources, and connect the companies, institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies that comprise the MA ocean technology cluster.

Open
Award Potential

$3,000,000

Application Deadline

June 30, 2025

Questions? Contact

Procurement Schedule

Process Step Timing
Release of RFP May 16, 2025
Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website June 6, 2025
Proposals Due June 30, 2025
Notification of Award July 15, 2025
Deadline to Spend Track 1 Capital Funds December 31, 2026
Deadline to Spend All Other Funds December 31, 2028

 

Apply

Application Process

Applicants must use and submit the pre-formatted application template Attachment A.

Proposals should be:

  • Submitted via email to offshorewind@masscec.com
  • Submitted in MS Word or PDF Format, using Calibri font in 11 pt. size
  • Maximum of one file submitted; proposal followed by attachments

As described in Attachment A (Application Form), Applicants must provide detailed information about their organizations, experience and capabilities, their proposed scope of work, estimated budget, and supporting information for related elements such as user access plans, user costs, marketing and outreach, and other pertinent information.

Application Required Documents

  • Application Form (This Attachment A)
  • Signature Page (Attachment B)
  • Previous year’s financial statements (One full Fiscal Year or one full Calendar Year)
  • Resumes of Applicant Team

The application must be sent as one document, preferably as a searchable PDF file. Applicants should answer the questions as clearly and succinctly as possible.

Letters of Support

Letters of support are welcome and encouraged, but not required. Letters from relevant industry stakeholders that substantiate the Applicant’s project impact and market needs will be viewed favorably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applicant Eligibility

1. Would an applicant be eligible for funding under Track 2: Ocean Innovation Network Support, if the entity is registered to do business in another state? What if the project site is located in another state, but would be operated by an entity registered as a MA 501(c)(3)?

a. Applicants must be based in and registered to do business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A Massachusetts-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit could be eligible for Track 2 funding only if the primary base of the activity to be funded is in Massachusetts.

2. Does MassCEC anticipate offering similar funding opportunities in the future that would be available to state and quasi-state agencies?

a. Future funding opportunities under the Ocean Innovation Network are possible, but MassCEC has no funds committed for follow-on rounds at this time. The scope, focus, and eligibility criteria for future opportunities will be evaluated in light of this solicitation’s outcomes and may or may not include state and federal agencies.

3. Understanding that federal and state agencies are ineligible to apply to this solicitation, would such agencies be permitted as subcontracted partners on a proposal?

a. Federal or state agencies may participate as subcontractors within reason. Because this solicitation is intended to directly support local, private, and nonprofit entities in Massachusetts, proposals that pass the majority of funds through to a federal or state agency are unlikely to be competitive.

FAQs continued...

4. Can public-sector entities (municipalities, state agencies) partner on the application?

a. Municipalities and their agencies are eligible to apply to both program tracks. State and federal agencies may participate as subcontracted partners to an eligible lead applicant, but proposals that route a substantial portion of award funds to such agencies are not desired.

5. Are for-profit entrepreneur-support organizations or other for-profit entities eligible applicants? If ineligible to apply, can they be included on a proposal as subcontracted partners?

a. For-profit entities may apply as lead applicants for both program tracks and may also participate as subcontractors.

6. Are out-of-state fiscal-sponsor nonprofits eligible to apply if the programmatic work is carried out in Massachusetts?

a. No. While MassCEC values the regional network that supports OceanTech commercialization, only Massachusetts-based entities may serve as lead applicants.

7. Would current grantees under other MassCEC programs be eligible for funding under the Ocean Innovation Network RFP?

a. Yes. Having an active or past MassCEC grant neither disqualifies nor advantages an otherwise eligible applicant.

8. Can a Track 2 applicant serve as the access coordinator for multiple Track 1 test sites?

a. Yes. Depending on the final mix of grantees, access coordinators may need to develop working agreements with additional test-site operators to ensure access to all facilities.

9. How many awards are expected to be given under Track 2A and Track 2B?

a. MassCEC has not set a specific number of anticipated awards; the total will depend on the scope and quality of proposals received. We expect to make more than one award in each track.

10. Would MassCEC allow a branded program managed by a for-profit to be the operational delivery vehicle if funding flows through a nonprofit lead?

a. Yes. Both nonprofit and for-profit entities are eligible as leads, and applicants may include any appropriate organizations as subcontractors.

11. Can the same applicant apply for both Track 2A and Track 2B in one submission, or do these require separate applications?

a. Yes. An applicant may pursue multiple program tracks in one application, provided the proposal clearly states which tracks are being pursued and itemizes each discrete project so the review team can understand the value and funding required for each element.

Cost Share and Eligible Expenses

1. The RFP states that “project proposals must demonstrate a minimum ten percent (10 %) cost-share, which can comprise financial contributions, in-kind contributions, or a combination thereof.” Should the cost share be 10 % of the total project cost (MassCEC request + cost share) or 10 % of the MassCEC request?

a. The cost share must equal at least 10 % of the total project cost (MassCEC request + cost share), not merely 10 % of the MassCEC request.

2. If an applicant cannot provide matching funds equal to 10 % of the total project cost, is there any procedure to appeal the match requirement?

a. Applicants must demonstrate a 10 % cost share through cash, in-kind contributions, or both. If a full 10 % cash contribution is infeasible, applicants should state what cash amount they can provide and the value of proposed in-kind contributions. Applicants unable to meet a combined 10 % cost share are discouraged from applying.

3. Our organization has a federally negotiated indirect-cost (IDC) rate. Will MassCEC accept indirect costs calculated with that rate if we provide the agreement?

a. Yes. Indirect costs associated with construction projects under Tracks 1 and 2 are allowable, and federally negotiated IDC rates are acceptable if the agreement with the cognizant federal agency is included. For Track 1 operations-and-maintenance funding, only direct O&M costs are eligible; indirect costs may not be included.

Project Scope

1. If an applicant has multiple potential projects that meet the solicitation’s intent, may multiple efforts be proposed in one submission?

a. Yes. Multiple discrete projects may be combined in a single proposal if each is itemized so the review team can clearly understand its individual value and funding requirement.

2. We are considering a Track 1 infrastructure project that exceeds the $3 M cap for individual efforts. May we submit a phased Track 1 proposal?

a. Yes. Applicants may divide a large project into phases, provided each phase is discretely valuable, fundable, and executable on its own.

3. If multiple phases are allowed, is there a maximum cumulative project-cost request that the infrastructure component of a phase-1 proposal must not exceed?

a. The total available funding for Track 1 infrastructure costs is $5 M, and no single project—or phase—may exceed $3 M. While there is no formal cap on the sum of multiple phases (other than the $5 M program total), MassCEC intends to fund more than one project and more than one entity under Track 1.

4. Would MassCEC prefer one response from multiple entities (with one lead) covering all tracks, or separate responses (e.g., different leads for Tracks 1 and 2)?

a. MassCEC has no strong preference. Applicants should structure proposals to best achieve program outcomes and provide value to the Commonwealth.

5. Given the likelihood of different responses and scopes, will MassCEC “match-make” or help respondents align proposals?

a. MassCEC does not plan a formal matchmaking process but reserves the right to fund any proposal in whole or in part. Applicants should be prepared to collaborate in good faith with other grantees, potentially executing working agreements as needed.

6. Can Track 2 applicants include programming that helps startups navigate federal test sites, even though Track 1 test sites must be in state waters?

a. Yes. Navigator services funded under Track 2 may direct startups to the best facilities—regardless of location—to advance commercialization.

7. How will MassCEC evaluate proposals with programming distributed across multiple geographic sites rather than a single hub?

a. Proposals will be evaluated using the criteria on page 14 of the RFP, including the degree to which the project leverages or enhances existing assets, partnerships, networks, or industry clusters.

8. If an applicant has already completed engineering design, environmental, and permitting reviews, should these documents be submitted or just referenced?

a. Documentation that clarifies project scope and demonstrates advanced preparation is welcome as an appendix (up to ten additional pages).

b. If documentation exceeds ten pages, reference it in the narrative and make it available upon request. Note that MassCEC is subject to public-records laws, so confidential information must be clearly marked or it may be publicly disclosed.

9. For Track 1 operations-and-maintenance funding, when does the 18–24-month period begin, and must O&M funds be spent before the December 31 2026 construction-spending deadline?

a. The 18–24-month O&M period begins when a Track 1 project is completed. O&M funding is drawn from a different source and is not subject to the December 31 2026 deadline that applies to ARPA-funded construction activities.

Startup Scholarships

1. How will MassCEC disburse funds for Track 2B: Startup Scholarships?

a. Each Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) administering scholarships under Track 2B will receive an initial tranche of funds upon contract execution, based on its anticipated startup pipeline.

b. As that tranche is awarded to startups, the ESO may request additional funding to maintain sufficient scholarship reserves. Individual startups may receive up to $20,000 each.

c. MassCEC will check in with ESO grantees at least quarterly; the drawdown of initial funds will typically trigger additional tranches.

2. Can an operator of a Track 1 OceanTech testing facility offer scholarships to startups for use of the facility?

a. Yes. Track 1 facility operators may administer scholarship funds. Startups would apply using the standard application, list facility-use expenses, and cover 50 % of those costs themselves.

3. Can Track 2B scholarships be awarded to startups that are not formally part of the applicant’s program, provided eligibility and selection processes are followed?

a. Yes. Scholarships are available to any qualifying OceanTech startup, regardless of affiliation with a specific accelerator or program. ESOs administering funds should be prepared to work with startups outside their own programming.

MassCEC / Offshore Wind / Funding / Ocean Innovation Network