[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 151 (Monday, August 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 40629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19799]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Oak Ridge Operations Office; Notice of Program Interest; Diesel 
Engine Technologies for Light Trucks

AGENCY: Transportation Technologies, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of program interest--diesel engine technologies for 
light trucks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy is today publishing the Notice of 
Program Interest for support of the cooperative development of 
technologies for a high efficiency, very low emission, diesel engine 
for light trucks, specifically pickups and sport utility vehicles. The 
Department of Energy has sponsored research in high efficiency diesel 
engines for several years. These programs have assisted industry in 
continuously improving the technology in diesel engines for large 
trucks (class 6-8) which have resulted in efficiencies approaching 45% 
in current production (vs 27% for gasoline engines) and 55% in advanced 
research designs. Current penetration of diesels has been limited to 
the larger pickups (over 8500 lbs GVW) due to emission regulations. The 
Department is proposing the application of this advanced technology to 
diesel engines specifically designed for the light truck market. This 
market segment has grown from 23% in 1984 to over 42% in 1995 
representing a substantial influx of low fuel economy vehicles into the 
public and private fleets. This trend threatens to increase the rate of 
U.S. dependence on foreign petroleum beyond current projections.

DATES: This notice expires at 4:00 PM EDT on September 9, 1996, and 
applications may be submitted at any time prior to that time.

ADDRESSES: Submit five (5) copies of the application prior to the 
expiration date of this notice to: U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge 
Operations Office, Procurement and Contracts Division, Environmental 
Acquisitions Branch, 200 Administration Road, P. O. Box 2001, Oak 
Ridge, TN 37831, Attn: Mary Lou Crow, Contract Specialist. (Telephone: 
423-576-7343.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING: Mary Rawlins, 
DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office, Telephone: 423-576-4507; William L. 
Siegel, DOE Headquarters, Telephone: 202-586-2457.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The new design must meet all proposed 
emission regulations for vehicles under 8500 GVW, while maintaining 
performance levels expected of current production gasoline engines. 
Efficiency targets will be cited in terms of vehicle miles per gallon 
(equivalent BTU basis) and at least a 35% improvement is sought over 
comparable, current production vehicles. The criteria for selection and 
funding will be based on the offeror's internal technical capabilities 
in terms of diesel engine development and manufacturing, and a 
demonstration of the intent in moving the resultant technology to 
production targeted for light trucks. The latter can be shown by 
partnering with a domestic, high volume light truck manufacturer on 
this development effort. The following types of factors will be 
considered in DOE's evaluation: (1) The overall merit of the proposed 
project or activity. (2) The anticipated objectives to be achieved and 
the probability of achieving the stated objectives. (3) The facilities 
or techniques which the applicant proposes to make available to achieve 
the proposed project's objectives. (4) The qualifications of the 
proposed project director or key personnel who are considered to be 
critical to the achievement of the proposed project's objectives.

APPLICATIONS: A four (4) to five (5) year, 50% cost shared competitive 
program is anticipated with multiple industry teams. A financial 
assistance cooperative agreement award instrument will be used. Total 
program costs are expected to be in the range of $25 to $50 million per 
team. Award will be subject to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, Section 
2306, which contains the following limitation: ``Section 2306. Limits 
on Participation by Companies--A company shall be eligible to receive 
financial assistance under sections XX through XXIII of this Act only 
if-- (1) the Secretary finds that the company's participation in any 
program under such titles would be in the economic interest of the 
United States, as evidenced by investments in the United States in 
research, development, and manufacturing (including, for example, the 
manufacture of major components or subassemblies in the United States); 
significant contributions to employment in the United States; an 
agreement with respect to any technology arising from assistance 
provided under this section to promote the manufacture within the 
United States of products resulting from that technology (taking into 
account the goals of promoting the competitiveness of United States 
industry), and to procure parts and materials from competitive 
suppliers; and (2) either-- (A) the company is a United States-owned 
company; or (B) the Secretary finds that the company is incorporated in 
the United States and has a parent company which is incorporated in a 
country which affords to United States-owned companies opportunities, 
comparable to those afforded to any other company, to participate in 
any joint venture similar to those authorized under this Act; affords 
to United States-owned companies local investment opportunities 
comparable to those afforded to any other company; and affords adequate 
and effective protection for the intellectual property rights of United 
States-owned companies.'' All responsible sources may submit an 
application. All applications will be evaluated as unsolicited 
applications. Applications are to be prepared in accordance with 10 CFR 
600.10 and shall not exceed five (5) pages. Along with the application, 
applicants are required to submit (1) SF-424, Application for Federal 
Assistance, (2) Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility matters; and Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements, (3) Assurance of Compliance Nondiscrimination in 
Federally Assisted Programs, and (4) DOE F 4620.1, Budget Page. These 
forms may be obtained from the Contract Specialist and will not be 
included in the five (5) page limitation

    .Issued in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on July 29, 1996.
Peter D. Dayton,
Director, Procurement and Contracts Division, Oak Ridge Operations 
Office.
[FR Doc. 96-19799 Filed 8-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P