[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 127 (Monday, July 3, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 34524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16296]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Deviations for Expedited Financial Assistance Projects

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Class deviations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to 10 CFR 600.4, 
hereby announces three deviations from its Financial Assistance Rules 
for an expedited financial assistance pilot program with commercial 
firms. The approval of these deviations ensures that the program goals 
and objectives are achieved and that public funds are conserved.
    A process improvement team has been established to execute cost-
shared projects with commercial firms using best commercial practices. 
The goal of this team is to test techniques for improving DOE's process 
for entering into cooperative agreements for research and development 
with commercial firms.
    The three deviations have been approved because they are required 
to achieve program objectives. The first deviation waives the 
requirement for a principal program purpose determination, the second 
deviation will permit budget periods in excess of 12 months; and the 
third deviation permits DOE to withhold payments following verbal 
notification.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 18, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Yee, Office of Clearance and 
Support, (HR-522.2), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-1140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In this notice, the DOE announces that, 
pursuant to 10 CFR part 600, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Procurement and Assistance Management has made a determination of the 
need for three deviations to the DOE Financial Assistance Rules. The 
determination document, dated June 20, 1995, provides for deviations 
for recipients as explained below (i.e., a ``class deviation'').
    Deviation Number 1 waives the requirement for execution of 
Principal Program Purpose Determinations required by 600.5. The program 
office will be represented on the process improvement team, thereby 
ensuring that the program is appropriate for financial assistance, and 
a transaction determination will be made by the Contracting Officer.
    Deviation Number 2 deviates from the 12-month budget period 
limitation contained in 600.31(b). This deviation is necessary to 
permit awards to projects with budget periods in excess of 12 months, 
if necessary to meet project objectives.
    Deviation Number 3 permits the withholding of payment for failure 
to meet established milestone schedules with verbal notice of failure 
to make progress, thereby providing adequate advance notice of non-
compliance. This is a deviation to 600.122(h) and 600.28 and furthers 
the program objective of reducing administrative burden.
    This deviation expires on September 30, 1997.

    Issued in Washington, DC June 20, 1995.
Richard H. Hopf,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Assistance Management.
[FR Doc. 95-16296 Filed 6-30-95; 8:45 am]
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