[Federal Register: June 11, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 112)] [Notices] [Page 31560] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr11jn99-42] [[Page 31560]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Chicago Operations Office; Solicitation for Financial Assistance Applications for Sensor and Control Technologies for Industrial Manufacturing Applications AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of solicitation availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces its interest in receiving applications for federal assistance to assist U.S. manufacturing industries in research, development, and demonstration projects on advanced sensor and control technologies. Each project must: (1) meet the high priority needs identified in the eight Industries of the Future (IOF) technology roadmaps. Roadmaps have been issued for each of the following eight IOF's: agriculture, aluminum, chemical, forest products, glass, metalcasting, mining, and steel; (2) have wide applicability across the IOF industries; and (3) improve energy efficiency and productivity as well as reduce the impact of U.S. manufacturing industries on the environment through a reduction in the generation of wastes and pollutants. The financial assistance applications should clearly describe how the project objectives will be achieved. DATES: The complete solicitation document will be available on or about June 17, 1999, on the Internet by accessing the DOE Chicago Operations Office Acquisition Group Home Page at http://www.ch.doe.gov/business/ ACQ.htm under the heading ``Current Solicitations'', Solicitation No. DE-SC02-99CH10999. Applications (in hard copy only) will be due at the DOE Chicago Operations Office no later than 3:00 p.m. local time on August 20, 1999. Any amendments to this solicitation will be posted 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 15, 2000. ADDRESSES: Completed applications referencing Solicitation No. DE-SC02- 99CH10999 must be submitted to: U.S. Department of Energy, Chicago Operations Office, Attn: Denise Clarke, Bldg. 201, Room 3D-04, 9800 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439-4899. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE's Office of Industrial Technology (OIT) supports industry efforts to increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity. OIT's goal is to accelerate research, development, demonstration and commercialization of energy efficient, renewable and pollution prevention technologies benefiting industry, the environment, and U.S. energy security. As a result of this solicitation, DOE anticipates providing a total of $1 million in FY 2000. The awards made through this solicitation will provide seed support (in the range of $100,000 or less) for innovative research and development during the first year of a phased approach. This will allow more data or information to be generated for assessment of the likelihood of success of the proposed research and development in impacting IOF vision plans. A down-selection process will occur after the completion of the proposed Phase I research and development to determine whether a project awarded under this solicitation will continue to the next stage of development and demonstration. The down-selection process will be based on an assessment of the following: the project's progress toward meeting the Phase I performance objectives; its impact on IOF industry vision plans; and the remaining technological risks. The out-year funding from DOE/OIT, which is subject to availability of funds, shall not exceed $400,000 per project per year; and the life cycle for awards resulting from this solicitation, from research through development and demonstration, is normally three years, with a potential extension of two additional years for exceptional quality of innovation and leap- frog advancement to sensor and control technologies. Any non-profit or for-profit organization, university, or other institution of higher education, or non-federal agency or entity is eligible to apply. DOE National Laboratory participation as a prime participant is not allowed but is permissible as a subcontractor and is limited to no more than 50% of the total project costs for each budget period. A minimum non-federal cost-sharing commitment of 20% of the total approved budget for each budget period is required for each awardee. For demonstration projects, the minimum cost-sharing commitment is 50% of the total cost of the project. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Clarke at (630) 252-2107, U.S. Department of Energy, 9800 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439-4899, by facsimile at (630) 252-5045 or by electronic mail at denise.clarke@ch.doe.gov. Issued in Argonne, Illinois on June 4, 1999. John D. Greenwood, Acquisition and Assistance Group Manager. [FR Doc. 99-14882 Filed 6-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P