[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 154 (Thursday, August 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 41388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20210]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Notice of Intent To Solicit National Industrial Competitiveness 
Through Energy, Environment and Economics (NICE 3) Grants

AGENCY: The Department of Energy, (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of Intent To Issue a Solicitation.

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

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 (NICE 
3). The goals of the NICE 3 Program are to improve energy 
efficiency, promote cleaner production, and to improve competitiveness 
in industry. The intent of the NICE 3 program is to fund projects 
that have completed the research and development stage and are ready to 
demonstrate a fully integrated commercial unit. Some industrial 
technologies that the NICE 3 project has funded follow: SO3 
Cleaning Process in the Manufacture of Semiconductors; Innovative 
Design of a Brick Kiln Using Low Thermal Mass Technology; Continuously 
Reform Electroless Nickel Plating Solutions; Recovery and Reuse of 
Water-Washed Overspray Paint; and HCl Acid Recovery System. For the 
past five years the NICE 3 program has offered 64 grants 
(approximately $20.9 million) to fund innovative industrial 
technologies.

DATES: The solicitation will be available September 3, 1996. 
Applications must be received by January 15, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Johnson and/or Doug Hooker at the 
U.S. Department of Energy Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Boulevard, 
Golden, Colorado 80401, (303) 275-4716 for referral to appropriate DOE 
Regional Support Office or State Agency.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1996 the Department of Energy offered 
$6.1 million in grants to 17 U.S. companies in 14 states.

Availability of Fund in FY 1997

    With this publication, DOE is announcing the availability of up to 
$5 million dollars in grant/cooperative agreement funds for fiscal year 
1997. The awards will be made though 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 $5 
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. The inclusion of Industrial partners is required for a 
proposal to be considered responsive to the solicitation to be 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 303/275-4716. 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 July 29, 1996.
John W. Meeker.
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 96-20210 Filed 8-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P