[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