[Federal Register: September 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 183)] [Notices] [Page 51296] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr22se99-54] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Oak Ridge Operations Office, Office of Transportation Technologies; Notice of Solicitation for Research and Development for Class 1-8 Truck Diesel Engine and Natural Gas Fueled Hybrid Propulsion Technologies: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technology for Transportation AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of solicitation availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces its interest in receiving financial assistance applications for research and development (R&D) on Technologies for Class 1-8 truck Diesel engine and hybrid propulsion technologies. DOE's Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (OHVT) has set a goal of improving the efficiency and emissions performance of Class 1-8 trucks through the use of advanced Diesel engines, emission control technologies, and hybrid electric propulsion systems. DATES: The complete solicitation document will be available on or about September 21, 1999. Preapplications are due October 4, 1999, and applications are due November 15, 1999. ADDRESSES: The complete solicitation document will be available on the DOE Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) Home Page at http:// doe-iips.pr.doe.gov/ under the heading ``IIPS Business Opportunities'', Solicitation Number DE-SC05-99OR22735. Any amendments to this solicitation will be posted at the IIPS site on the Internet. Please note that users will not be alerted when the solicitation is issued on the Internet or when amendments are posted on the Internet. Prospective applicants are therefore advised to check the above Internet address on a daily basis. The cooperative agreements are expected to be awarded on or about January 28, 2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth L. Holt, at (423) 576-0783, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 2001, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-8759; by fax at (423) 241-2549; or by e-mail at holtbl@oro.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Topic (1) is Heavy Truck Engine Program. The goal is to develop high efficiency, low emission Diesel engine technologies for Class 7-8 trucks. Topic (2) is Heavy Hybrid Vehicles Program. The goal is to develop hybrid electric vehicle systems technologies utilizing reciprocating natural gas engines for Class 3-6 urban trucks and buses. Topic (3) is Clean Diesel Engine Component Improvement Program. The goal is to develop component and technology improvements and/or alterations for increased efficiency, reduced emissions, and decreased manufacturing costs of Class 1-8 Diesel engines. The primary fuel for programs 1 and 3 is the applicable (per Environmental Protection Agency) Diesel certification fuel specified for Federal Test Procedure emissions testing. The fuel grade may be appropriately revised throughout the duration of the three research efforts to be consistent with EPA regulations or proposed rules. The impact of fuel properties on efficiency and performance is the focus of a companion program in OHVT. (If appropriate, new fuels identified in that companion program may be introduced into one or more of the three R&D programs described in this solicitation.) For program 3, applicant teams must propose to include a hybrid propulsion system using a reciprocating engine operating on natural gas. Proposals may be submitted for one, two, or all three programs. Proposals must be submitted separately for each program. Under Topic 1, approximately 2-4 awards will be made, with periods of performance ranging from twenty- four to sixty months, with total estimated DOE funding of $50,000,000 to $70,000,000. Under Topic 2, there will be approximately 3-5 awards, with periods of performance ranging from forty-eight to sixty months, with total estimated DOE funding of $30,000,000 to $50,000,000. Under Topic 3, there will be approximately 3-5 awards, with periods of performance ranging from twenty-four to forty-eight months, with total estimated DOE funding of $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. Topics 1 and 2 require a minimum 50 percent cost share; Topic 3 requires a minimum 25 percent cost share. Awards are subject to the availability of funds and the solicitation will not obligate DOE to make any awards(s). Any non- profit or for-profit organization, university, or other institution of higher education, or non-federal agency or entity is eligible to apply. Federal laboratory participation is encouraged and will be subject to DOE approval. The solicitation will provide further guidance in this area. Awards resulting from this solicitation will be subject to the requirements of the Energy Policy Act which in general requires that the awardee be a United States-owned company (including certain non- profits) or that the foreign country in which the parent company is located meets certain conditions of reciprocity in the treatment of investments, access to research and development programs, and protection of intellectual property. All responsible sources, as indicated above, may submit a preapplication or application which shall be considered by the Government. Issued in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on September 15, 1999. Peter D. Dayton, Director, Procurement and Contracts Division, Oak Ridge Operations Office. [FR Doc. 99-24645 Filed 9-21-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P