[Federal Register: March 24, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 58)]
[Notices]
[Page 15899-15900]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24mr00-50]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
National Energy Technology Laboratory; Notice of Financial
Assistance Solicitation
AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy
(DOE).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intent to issue Financial
Assistance Solicitation No. DE-PS26-00NT40779 entitled ``Hybrid Power
Systems.'' The goal of this procurement is to aid the development of
systems that will produce affordable, safe, environmentally-friendly
electrical power with a goal of eventually being 70+ percent efficient
(lower heating value) from fossil fuels. The work will focus on proof-
of-concept systems of suppliers' market entry product. The system shall
contain any combination of existing or ``near-term'' power industry
fuel-to-electricity conversion equipment. One of these components must
be a high-temperature fuel cell.
DATES: The solicitation will be available on the DOE/NETL's Internet
address at
[[Page 15900]]
http://www.netl.doe.gov/business on or about April 24, 2000. The
solicitation will allow for requests for explanation and/or
interpretation. Solicitations will not be distributed in paper form or
diskette. The exact date and time for the submission of proposals will
be indicated in the solicitation. However, at least a forty-five (45)-
day response time is currently planned.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly A. McDonald, MS I07, U.S.
Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory 3610
Collins Ferry Road, P.O. Box 880, Morgantown, WV 26507-0880, E-mail
Address: kelly.mcdonald@netl.doe.gov, Telephone Number: (304) 285-4113.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The work performed under this action will
consist of three phases. The first phase will entail identification and
resolution of barrier issues of the proposed hybrid system. This will
include concept identification, system definition, economic evaluation,
and experimental work to resolve any barrier issues. This information
will be used by the DOE for system validation. The second phase will
consist of a detailed design and cost study of the proposed system. The
third phase will include fabrication and proof-of-concept testing of
the proposed system. If a potential offeror believes that there are no
barrier issues in their proposed system, and has all of the information
that would be required in the first phase, the offeror can petition to
DOE to initially start the project in Phase II.
The proposed system must contain a high-temperature fuel cell
combined with other power generation modules. Other power generation
modules that may be proposed include: Another fuel cell; steam turbine;
gas turbine; diesels; other heat engines; etc. This solicitation does
not address photovoltaics, wind, or tidal energy systems. The system
must be fueled by natural gas. The offerer must be a commercial
producer of a major component of the proposed system or must partner
with commercial producers of the major components (defined as power
producing units such as fuel cells, turbines, etc.). While the goal of
this procurement is to produce systems with energy efficiencies greater
than 70 percent, it is anticipated that the initial market entry
systems investigated under this solicitation, may have efficiencies
less than this.
DOE anticipates multiple cooperative agreement awards resulting
from this solicitation and no fee or profit will be paid to a recipient
or subrecipient under the awards. For agreements spanning more than one
maturation stage, continuation decision points will be inserted at the
completion of each stage. Additional decision points may be required
depending upon the length of any one maturation stage. This particular
program is covered by Section 3001 and 3002 of the Energy Policy Act
(EPAct), 42 U.S.C. 13542 for financial assistance awards. EPAct 3002
requires a cost-share commitment of at least 20 percent from non-
Federal sources for research and development projects and at least 50
percent for demonstration and commercial projects. Depending on the
phase and maturation stage of the agreement, cost-share expectations
will range from 20 to 50 percent. The particular program is also
covered by Section 2306 of EPAct, 42 U.S.C. 13525 for financial
assistance awards. The solicitation will contain as part of the
application package the applicable EPAct representation form(s) for
Foreign-owned companies. Funds are not presently available for this
procurement. The Government's obligation under this award is contingent
upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for
award purposes can be made, however, it is anticipated that two to four
awards will be made during the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2001, with
an average total estimated cost from $5 to $15 million.
Prospective applicants who would like to be notified as soon as the
solicitation is available should register at http://www.netl.doe.gov/
business. Provide your E-mail address and click on the ``Advanced
Electric Power Generation'' technology choice located under the heading
``Fossil Energy.'' Once you subscribe, you will receive an announcement
by E-mail that the solicitation has been released to the public.
Telephone requests, written requests, E-mail requests, or facsimile
requests for a copy of the solicitation package will not be accepted
and/or honored. Applications must be prepared and submitted in
accordance with the instructions and forms contained in the
solicitation. The solicitation will allow for requests for explanation
and/or interpretation.
Issued in Morgantown, WV, on March 10, 2000.
Randolph L. Kesling,
Director, Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 00-7305 Filed 3-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P