[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16752-16754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9478]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 960305060-6060-01]
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 and other required forms), as referenced 
under the provisions of OMB Circular A-110 and 15 CFR 24. Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance No. 11.609: ``Measurement and Engineering 
Research and Standards.''

DATES: Applications will be received through September 30, 1996. 
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 A305, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001; 
Attention: Patty Salpino. 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: 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. This 
level of funding is subject to change under Fiscal Year 1996 Department 
of Commerce Appropriations Act.
    Type of Funding Instrument: The Materials Science and Engineering 
Laboratory Grants Program is limited to innovative ideas generated by 
the

[[Page 16753]]

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.

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. 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.
    II. 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.
    III. 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.
    IV. 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.
    V. Reactor Radiation Division, 856--The primary objective is to 
develop high resolution cold and thermal neutron research approaches 
and related physics, chemistry, macromolecular 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 Patty 
Salpino at (301) 975-5731. 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--Dislcosure of Lobbying Activities

    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 
relationship to the mission 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 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 Transaction 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

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applicant have been convicted of or are presently facing criminal 
charges such as fraud, theft, prejury, 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 are encouraged, to the extent feasible, to 
purchase American-made equipment and products with funding provided 
under this program.
    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 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: April 11, 1996.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 96-9478 Filed 4-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M