[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19298]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

 

Financial Assistance Award: Intent To Award Cooperative Agreement 
to University of New Mexico Board of Regents New Mexico Engineering 
Research Institute

AGENCY: Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office.

ACTION: Notice of Noncompetitive Financial Assistance Award.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), Albuquerque Operations Office, 
announces that, pursuant to the DOE Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 
600.6(a)(5), it is making a discretionary financial assistance award 
based on the criterion set forth in 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2)(i)(D) to the New 
Mexico Engineering Research Institute (NMERI), an institute within the 
College of Engineering of the University of New Mexico (UNM), under the 
DOE New Independent States Industrial Partnering Program (IPP). NMERI 
will support the activities of the DOE National Laboratories, 
commercial firms, and universities in their efforts to construct 
working agreements which will engage scientists and technologists in 
the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union (FSU) in 
cooperative ventures for the commercialization of NIS technologies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan L. Connor, U. S. Department of 
Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office, Energy and Technologies 
Division, P.O. Box 5400, Albuquerque, NM 87185-5400, Telephone: (505) 
845-4345, FAX (505) 845-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The objective of this award is to comply 
with Section 575 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and 
Related Programs Appropriation Act of 1994, which contains provisions 
to establish a DOE program with the NIS. The Act authorizes the 
Secretary of Energy to enter into partnerships involving U.S. industry, 
universities, and the DOE National Laboratories and key NIS institutes 
to promote U.S. competitiveness and to encourage enterprise development 
in the NIS.
    NMERI will provide organizational, management, administrative and 
logistical support to the United States Industry Coalition (USIC), a 
for-profit corporation established for the purpose of selecting and 
facilitating industry cost-share partnerships with DOE National 
Laboratories involving public and private funding for product 
commercialization. NMERI will also serve as a catalyst to bring 
together a consortium of universities to support the Section 575 
program. One of the principal purposes for establishing a consortium of 
universities is to provide equal opportunities for universities from 
across the U.S. to participate in USIC programs and projects.
    NMERI will organize and coordinate the activities of the 
Universities Consortium which will (1) develop curricula and teach 
courses to NIS institutes related to program management and business, 
and (2) team with U.S. industries to establish, maintain and operate a 
voice, data, and video telecommunications capability between involved 
entities in the U.S. and the NIS.
    DOE has performed a review in accordance with 10 CFR 600.7 and has 
determined that the proposed project is meritorious and that the 
probability of achieving the anticipated objectives is high. The 
applicant has exclusive domestic capability to perform the activity 
successfully, based upon unique technical expertise. The qualifications 
and capabilities of the key personnel are exceptional, including 
expertise and experience in collaborative research with Russian 
scientists, Russian studies, management, engineering, international 
business, computer science, and document preparation.
    In late 1992 NMERI developed and began executing a plan for 
establishing the Center for the Exchange of technology between Russia 
and the U.S. (CEDRUS). The CEDRUS plan included (a) development of 
U.S./Russia telecommunication links; (b) establishment of technology 
transfer partnerships between U.S. companies, U.S. universities, and 
Russian research institutions; and (c) development and delivery of 
telecommunications-based management and business practices training for 
Russian participants. During early 1993 several meetings were held with 
representatives of U.S. industry, DOE National Laboratories, DOD 
laboratories and U.S. universities interested in Russia technology 
transfer. In June, 1993, NMERI and the National Technological 
University conducted a technology transfer teleconference test which 
included 25 U.S. companies, the Central Design Bureau in St. Petersburg 
and the Kurchatov Institute in Moscow. This experience, along with 
NMERI's extensive R&D work with the Russians on the TOPAZ space reactor 
in Albuquerque, provides the foundation for the only existing program 
that could feed directly into, act as the model for, and support all 
aspects of USIC organization and operations. In addition, through the 
TOPAZ program NMERI is providing special assistance to the Russian 
institutes by arranging for support services for Russian nationals 
residing in the U.S. The President of UNM, Dr. Richard Peck, has 
received letters of support and intent to participate in the IPP 
program from six FSU scientific institutes and associations.
    NMERI has already accomplished much toward forming the Universities 
Consortium and the industry coalition. NMERI has experience managing 
large complex contracts for the federal government, foreign 
governments, and the public-private sector, with management and 
administrative systems in place. NMERI is currently under contract to 
develop and implement a high computing center with a broad-band 
communications network connecting Maui, Hawaii, with Albuquerque, New 
Mexico, and other U.S. locations.
    DOE funding for the proposed activity is estimated to be $3 
million, with no cost sharing required. A 12-month project period is 
anticipated.

    Issued in Albuquerque, New Mexico July 27, 1994.
Richard A. Marquez,
Assistant Manager for Management and Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-19298 Filed 8-5-94; 8:45 am]
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