[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53174-53175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25223]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Notice of Intent To Solicit National Industrial Competitiveness 
Through Energy, Environment and Economics (NICE3) Grants

AGENCY: The Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Solicit.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Industrial Technologies of the Department of 
Energy is funding a State Grant Program entitled National Industrial 
Competitiveness through Energy, Environment and Economics (NICE3). 
The goals of the NICE3 Program are to improve energy efficiency, 
promote cleaner production, and to improve competitiveness in industry.

 
[[Page 53175]]

DATES: The solicitation will be available November 1, 1995. 
Applications must be received by January 16, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Hass and/or Doug Hooker at the 
U.S. Department of Energy Golden Field Office (NREL), 1617 Cole 
Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401, (303) 275-4728 for referral to 
appropriate DOE Regional Support Office or State Agency.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1995 the Department of Energy contributed 
$6.2 for this program. Fourteen projects were selected for funding.

Availability of Fiscal Year 1996 Funds

    With this publication, DOE is announcing the availability of up to 
Six million dollars in grant/cooperative agreement funds for fiscal 
year 1996. The awards will be made through a competitive process. In 
response to the solicitation, a State agency may include up to 10 
percent, not to exceed $25,000 per project, for State agency program 
support. Size of grants including State agency program support may 
range up to $425,000. Projects may cover a period of up to 3 years.

Restricted Eligibility

    Eligible applicants for purposes of funding under the program 
include any authorized agency of the 50 States, the District of 
Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and 
any territory or possession of the United States. For convenience, the 
term State in this notice refers to all eligible State agency 
applicants. Local governments, State and private universities, private 
non-profits, private businesses, and individuals, who are not eligible 
as direct applicants, must work with the appropriate State agencies in 
developing projects and forming participation arrangements. DOE 
strongly encourages and requires these types of cooperative 
arrangements in support of program goals.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number assigned to this 
program is 81.105. Up to $6 million in Federal funds will be made 
available by DOE for this effort. Cost sharing is required by all 
participants. The Federal Government will provide up to 45 percent of 
the funds for the Project. The remaining funds must be provided by the 
eligible applicants and/or cooperating project participants. Cost 
sharing, by industry/State partners, beyond the 55 percent required 
match is desirable. In addition to direct financial contributions, cost 
sharing can include beneficial services or items, such as manpower 
equipment, consultants, and computer time that are allowable in 
accordance with applicable cost principles. Industrial partners are 
required for a proposal to be considered responsive to this 
announcement and eligible for grant consideration. A State agency 
application signed by an authorized State official is required for a 
proposal to be responsive.

Evaluation Criteria

    The first tier, administrative review will occur at the appropriate 
DOE Regional Support Office. Applications will receive technical and 
final evaluation review by a panel comprised of members representing 
DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. More detailed 
information is available from the U.S. Department of Energy Golden 
Field Office at 303/275-4728.
    DOE reserves the right to fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or 
none of the proposals submitted in response to this notice.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on September 21, 1995.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 95-25223 Filed 10-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P