[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 173 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 46894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22690]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Centers of Excellence in Airworthiness Assurance; Meeting

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of information meeting for FAA Aviation Research Center 
of Excellence (COE) in Airworthiness Assurance.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of an information meeting regarding 
technical proposals for the establishment of an FAA Aviation Research 
Center of Excellence in Airworthiness Assurance.

DATES: The meeting will be held October 23, 1996, from 9 am to 4 pm.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Director's Conference Room, 
Fourth Floor, Technical and Administrative Building, at the William J. 
Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Research and Technology 
Applications, AAR-201, FAA Aviation Research Centers of Excellence 
Program Office, Building 270, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 
08405, telephone (609) 485-5043, facsimile (609) 485-6509.

    Note: The FAA will hold an information meeting on October 23, 
1996, to explain further the FAA research needs, procedures, and 
criteria for the selection of the FAA Aviation Research Center of 
Excellence in Airworthiness Assurance. Questions and suggestions 
from attendees will be addressed at this meeting. Interested parties 
are encouraged, but not required, to attend the information meeting.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA intends to award a 50-50 cost share 
cooperative agreement to establish a COE in Airworthiness Assurance at 
a qualified college or university. The cooperative agreement will be 
awarded in 3 year increments up to a maximum of 10 years. It is the 
FAA's intent to fund a minimum of $1.5 million over the first three 
years. It is also the intent of the FAA to award a single-source 
indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to the winner 
of the competition, under which orders may be placed for developmental 
products.
    The Center shall conduct research which includes the entire 
spectrum (i.e. basic research through engineering development, 
prototyping and testing) within the scope of Airworthiness Assurance. 
This scope includes but is not limited to: crashworthiness, advanced 
materials, maintenance, inspection, and repair.
    The FAA intends to provide long-term funding to establish and 
operate a prestigious partnership with academia, industry and 
government. To this end the FAA encourages offerors to team with 
organizations that complement their expertise from academia, industry, 
state/local government and other government agencies. The successful 
offeror is required to match FAA grant funds with non-federal funding 
over the term of the cooperative agreement. Matching funds are not 
required for any orders placed under the IDIQ contract. Separate cost-
sharing contracts may be awarded when deemed appropriate.

Selection Criteria

    The COE will be selected primarily on technical merit and the 
ability of the team to meet the following criteria mandated by the 
enabling legislation, Public Law 101-508:

--The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant is 
located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air 
transportation services and facilities.
--The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the 
applicant for carrying out the intent of the legislation.
--The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making 
national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range 
and immediate air transportation problems.
--The extent to which the applicant has an established air 
transportation program.
--The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results of 
air transportation research and educational programs through a 
statewide or region-wide continuing education program.
--The projects that the applicant proposes to carry out under the 
grant.

    Those persons wishing to attend this informational meeting are 
requested to register by no later than October 21, 1996. To register 
for the meeting or to obtain more information about the meeting, 
contact Ms. Patricia Watts by facsimile (609) 485-6509 at the Office of 
Research and Technology Applications, at the William J. Hughes 
Technical Center, Building 270, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 
08405.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 29, 1996.
Patricia Watts,
Acting Director, Office of Aviation Research.
[FR Doc. 96-22690 Filed 9-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M