Review the following statements related to applications for testing technology at the Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL).

General Disclaimers

GSL Statement of Agreement – This serves as a formal pre-application acknowledgment for entities seeking participation in the GSL testing and evaluation program. Completion of this form is required before an application may be submitted for review. By proceeding, applicants confirm that they understand their responsibilities, the limitations of the testing environment, and the confidentiality and legal obligations required for participation. This ensures that all entities engage with full awareness of applicable federal requirements, program expectations, and non-certifying conditions.

Confidentiality and Data Use – The GSL and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will handle all proprietary and sensitive information in line with DOE requirements regarding rights in data, confidentiality, and data protection, including those in the PNNL Prime Contract and the terms of any applicable funding opportunity. Upon request, GSL will work with applicants to establish a Non-Disclosure Agreement before any exchange of confidential information. Application materials will be protected accordingly. The GSL may use anonymized or aggregated information that it generates to support internal analysis, reporting requirements, and program improvement.

Non-Certification Disclaimer – Participation in GSL testing does not result in product certification or formal compliance validation. The GSL is not a certifying body and does not provide endorsement under third-party standards (e.g., UL 9540, IEEE, NRTL). Testing results are for internal evaluation and developmental insight only and may not be represented as official certification or regulatory approval.

Non-Certification Acknowledgment – Testing participants acknowledge that GSL testing is conducted in a non-certifying environment and does not result in any formal product certification or compliance validation.
 

Application Phase

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) – This is a legal contract that protects proprietary information shared between parties. It prevents the receiving party from disclosing or using that information for purposes other than those specified in the agreement. An NDA defines what constitutes proprietary information, the receiving party's responsibilities, and the permitted uses of the information. NDAs establish a relationship between parties, ensuring that shared information remains confidential.

• Download a standard NDA

Selection and Contracting Phase

Entity Vetting – International collaboration and the openness of the U.S. scientific community are essential to advancing research and innovation. DOE supports access to its National Laboratories by non-DOE partners, including foreign entities, when the work aligns with DOE and laboratory missions and does not interfere with core DOE responsibilities. Entity vetting refers to the review criteria and process applied when evaluating an entity for access to lab facilities, information, and technologies, as well as the protection of classified or sensitive data, intellectual property rights, and U.S. competitiveness. Foreign collaborations require additional review to ensure they:

• Support U.S. strategic and foreign policy goals,
• Comply with U.S. laws and regulations,
• Address national security and counterintelligence concerns,
• Carefully consider the risks of sharing DOE research and technology.

Sponsor Registration Form – All industry partners must register with PNNL to access the DOE’s capabilities. The Sponsor Registration Form is used to obtain the information required for PNNL to perform the required entity vetting and to prepare the appropriate agreement and supporting documents access to the GSL.

Scope of Work/Participation – The scope statement for project transactions provides a clear and concise description of the objectives of the proposed project and distinguishes it from other PNNL or Battelle efforts. It states the objective of the work and the intended product, process, and place it will occur. This agreement applies to all prospective applicants submitting materials for evaluation by the GSL. Scope of participation includes eligibility screening, technical feasibility review, and, if selected, potential laboratory testing within a non-certifying research environment. Participants must comply with all applicable federal laws, laboratory safety protocols, and confidentiality provisions.

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) – This contractual agreement is formed between a federal laboratory and one or more industrial or university partners who agree to collaborate using a joint statement of work, share costs, and pool the results of a particular Research and Development (R&D) program. It is used to facilitate private sector collaboration, leveraging laboratories’ technologies, processes, R&D, or technical know-how, as well as similar items of the non-Federal participant. The Participant benefits from access to the laboratory's technologies, capabilities, and expertise; the option to negotiate up to an exclusive license in a field of use for any laboratory inventions that result from the work performed under the CRADA (subject inventions); and protection for up to five years of commercially valuable information generated through the work under the CRADA. A funding source for PNNL’s resources must be identified before work can start. The funding source can be from DOE-funded projects that are authorized for expenditure under a CRADA and/or funds-in from the CRADA Participant.

Non-Fed Strategic Partnership Project (NF-SPP) – An agreement between Battelle/PNNL and a non-federal sponsor. The Pacific Northwest Site Office (PNSO) is not required to approve the contract. A contracts specialist can approve the agreement, and work is invoiced via the approved contract. The terms are nonnegotiable, payment is required in advance of performance, and neither PNNL nor DOE assumes any risk. The project must support the missions of DOE/PNSO and cannot interfere with DOE programs. It must not compete directly with capabilities available in the U.S. domestic or private sector.

Agreement for Commercializing Technology – A contract between Battelle and a non-federal sponsor to commercialize PNNL-developed technology. No federal funding can be accepted under ACT. The terms are negotiable, advanced payment is negotiable, and Battelle can assume risk and charge an incremental fee. ACT cannot interfere or conflict with DOE work.