[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 230 (Thursday, December 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29375]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 1, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 941003-4303]
RIN 0693-ZA02
Grant Funds--Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory--
Availability of Funds
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to inform potential applicants
that the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is continuing its program
for grants and cooperative agreements in the following fields of
research: Ceramics, Metallurgy, Polymer Sciences, Neutron Scattering
Research and Spectroscopy. Each applicant must submit one signed
original and two copies of each proposal along with a Grant Application
(Standard Form 424 REV. 4/92), as referenced under the provisions of
OMB Circular A-110 and 15 CFR 24.
DATES: Applications will be received through September 30, 1995.
Applicants should allow up to 120 days processing time.
ADDRESSES: Applications should be submitted to The National Institute
of Standards and Technology, Materials Science and Engineering
Laboratory, Building 223, Room B344, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001;
Attention: Ellen Altman. Each application package should be clearly
marked to identify the field of research.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical inquiries should be directed to the following Program
Managers: George Birnbaum--(301) 975-5727 [Office of Intelligent
Processing Materials], Dr. Ronald Munro--(301) 975-6127 [Ceramics
Division], Bruno Fanconi--(301) 975-6762 [Polymers Division], John
Manning--(301) 975-6157 [Metallurgy Division--transformations, phases,
microstructure and kinetic processes in metals and their alloys], Dr.
Neville Pugh--(301) 975-5960 [Metallurgy Division--sensors for
analytical models for metallurgical processes], Richard Ricker--(301)
975-6023 [Metallurgy Division--degradation of materials in their
service environment], John Rush--(301) 976-6220 [Reactor Radiation
Division]. Inquiries should be general in nature. Specific inquiries as
to a laboratory's needs, the usefulness or merit of any particular
project, or other inquiries with the potential to provide any
competitive advantage to an applicant are not acceptable.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Eligibility: Academic institutions, non-Federal agencies,
independent and industrial laboratories are eligible to apply.
Authority: As authorized 15 U.S.C. 272 (b)(6) and (c)(16), the
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory conducts a basic and
applied research program directly and through grants and cooperative
agreements to eligible recipients.
Funding Availability: Approximately $500,000 will be available to
support grants and cooperative agreements under this program.
Type of Funding Instrument: The Materials Science and Engineering
Laboratory Grants Program is limited to innovative ideas generated by
the proposal writer on what research will be performed and how. Grants
awarded under the MSEL program will generally provide financial
assistance to the recipient without substantial NIST involvement in the
projects. Cooperative agreements awarded for MSEL projects will
generally involve a close working relationship between a group of NIST
experts and the recipient.
Award Period: Any financial assistance whether for grants or
cooperative agreements, will be provided on a one (1) year period.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 11.609 ``Measurement
and Engineering Research and Standards.'')
Program Objectives: All proposals submitted must be in accordance
with the program objectives listed below. The appropriate Program
Manager for each field of research may be contacted for clarification
of the program objectives.
I. Office of Intelligent Processing of Materials, 851--The primary
objective is to measure the far infrared (FIR) and mid-infrared
continuum absorption of primarily nonpolar gases and liquids found in
the atmospheres of the outer planets, in particular, gaseous and liquid
CH4, and gaseous mixtures of N2 and CH4, and to analyze these data.
II. Ceramics Division, 852--The primary objective is to supplement
division activities in the area of ceramic processing, tribology,
composites, machining, interfacial chemistry, and microstructural
analysis.
III. Polymers Division, 854--The primary objective is to support
Division programs in polymer blends, composites, electrical
applications and dental polymeric materials through participation in
research on synthesis, processing and characterization of structure,
and mechanical and electrical properties.
IV. Metallurgy Division, 855--The primary objective is to develop
techniques to predict, measure and control transformations, phases,
microstructure and kinetic processes in metals and their alloys.
V. Metallurgy Division, 855--The primary objective is to develop
new and improved sensors, measurement techniques, and analytical models
for metallurgical processes in order to facilitate the development and
adoption of intelligent processing systems for materials.
VI. Reactor Radiation Division, 856--The primary objective is to
develop cold and thermal neutron research approaches and related
physics, chemistry and materials applications.
Proposal Review Process: Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of
individuals knowledgeable about the particular scientific area
described above that the proposal addresses. Both the technical value
of a proposal and the relationship of the work proposed to the needs of
the specific NIST program will be taken into consideration.
Evaluation Criteria: The criteria to be used in evaluating the
proposal include: Rationality (coherence of approach, relation to
scientific/technical issues), Qualifications of Technical Personnel,
Resources Availability, and Technical Merit of Contribution. Each of
these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation process.
Matching Requirements: There are no matching requirements.
Application Kit: An application kit, containing all required
applications forms and certifications is available by calling Ellen
Altman at (301) 975-5727. An application kit includes the following:
SF 424 (Rev 4/92)--Application for Federal Assistance
SF 424 A (Rev 4/92)--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
SF 424B (Rev 4/92)--Assurances--Non Construction Programs
CD 511 (7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying
CD 512 (7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusions--Lower Tier Covered Transactions
and Lobbying
SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Continuation Sheet
SF-LLL-A--Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Continuation Sheet
Selection Procedures: The chief of each division will make the
final award selection, taking into account the score received by the
applicant and the compatibility of the applicant's proposal with the
needs of the particular division that the proposal addresses. Award
will not necessarily be made to the highest-scored applicants.
Paperwork Reduction Act: The Standard Form 424 and Standard Form
LLL mentioned in this notice are subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act and have been approved by OMB under Control
Numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046.
Primary Application Certification: All primary applicants must
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby
provided:
1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to
15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
2. Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26,
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
3. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever
is greater.
4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosure. Any applicant that has paid or will
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.
5. Lower-Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower
Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to NIST. SF-LLL
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to
NIST in accordance with the instructions contained in the award
document.
Preaward Activities: Applicants who incur any costs prior to an
award being made do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed
by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that may have
been provided, there is no obligation on the part of NIST to cover
preaward costs.
No obligation for Future Funding: If an application is accepted for
funding, DoC has no obligation to provide any additional future funding
in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding
or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of NIST.
Past Performance: Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.
Name Check Reviews: All for-profit and nonprofit applicants will be
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been
convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud,
theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the
applicant's management, honesty, or financial integrity.
False Statements: A false statement on an application is grounds
for denial or termination of funds, and grounds for possible punishment
by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Delinquent Federal Debts: No award of Federal funds shall be made
to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until
either:
1. The delinquent account is paid in full,
2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one
payment is received, or
3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.
Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products: Applicants are
hereby notified that they will be encouraged, to the greatest extent
practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products with
funding provided under this program in accordance with Congressional
intent as set forth in the resolution contained in Public Law 103-317,
Sections 607 (a) and (b).
Indirect Costs: The total dollar amount of the indirect costs
proposed in an application under this program must not exceed the
indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal
agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent
of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application,
whichever is less.
Federal Policies and Procedures: Awards under the Materials Science
and Engineering Laboratory Research Program shall be subject to all
Federal laws and Federal and Departmental regulations, policies, and
procedures applicable to financial assistance awards. The Materials
Science and Engineering Grants Program does not directly affect any
state or local government. Accordingly, the Department of Commerce has
determined that Executive Order 12372 is not applicable to the
Materials Science and Engineering Grants Program.
This funding notice has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Dated: November 23, 1994.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 94-29375 Filed 11-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M