[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 242 (Monday, December 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66071-66072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31864]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Availability of Solicitation for Center of Excellence (COE) in 
Airworthiness Assurance

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is soliciting competitive proposals from academic 
institutions to form an airworthiness assurance Center of Excellence 
(COE). A COE is that entity at a college or university designated as 
the principal focus for long-term research in selected areas of 
aviation technology. Centers of Excellence are designated through an 
evaluation and award procedure established pursuant to Title IX of 
Public Law 101-508, the FAA Research Engineering and Development 
Authorization Act of 1990. The FAA will provide long-term funding to 
establish and operate the COE in support of airworthiness assurance. 
The grant recipient is required to match FAA funds with non-Federal 
funding over the term of the grant.


[[Page 66072]]


DATES: The closing date for submitting final proposals is February 15, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Solicitation packages may be obtained by contacting Ms. 
Patricia Watts, Office of Research and Technology Applications, AAR-
201, Building 270, Atlantic City International Airport, New Jersey 
08405, phone number (609) 485-5043, facsimile number (609) 485-6509. 
Before final proposal submission, the proposal may be discussed with 
the Centers of Excellence Program Manager.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA intends to award a 50-50 cost share 
cooperative agreement to establish a Center of Excellence in 
Airworthiness Assurance to a qualified college or university, or to a 
team of such institutions. 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 FAA has identified a need for a Center of Excellence in 
airworthiness assurance. The Center will 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, the following 
five functional areas:
    1. Maintenance, Inspection, and Repair;
    2. Crashworthiness;
    3. Propulsion and Fuel Systems Safety Technologies;
    4. Landing Gear Systems Performance and Safety; and/or
    5. Advanced Materials.
    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 compliment their expertise from academia, industry, 
state/local government and other governmental 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.

Eligibility

    Colleges and universities are eligible for cooperative agreements 
to establish a Center of Excellence in airworthiness assurance. 
Individuals are not eligible for a COE designation and do not qualify 
for grants under this program. The FAA is seeking to ensure an 
equitable geographical distribution of funds and to encourage the 
inclusion of minority institutions.

Matching Funds Requirement

    A Center of Excellence receives funding annually in the form of 
single or multiple continuing research grants over a three-year period. 
The federal government provides 50 percent of the cost to establish and 
operate a Center of Excellence. The institution must show a continuing 
source of non-Federal matching funds available for the remaining 
research and operational expenses at the Center. Once the COE is 
established, a fiscal report declaring the sources and amount of 
funding and expenditures must be submitted for review every six (6) 
months to The Office of Research and Technology Applications at the FAA 
Technical Center. A full review and grant close-out takes place at the 
conclusion of each three-year phase.
    The Center of Excellence and the FAA shall agree upon the maximum 
expected costs in each fiscal year. Any cost incurred in excess of the 
maximum costs agreed upon with the agency shall be the sole obligation 
of the Center of Excellence.
    The Center of Excellence is expected to account for funds granted 
and matched, utilized to establish, operate, and conduct the specified 
research activities of the Center of Excellence.

Maintenance of Effort and Center Operations

    The Center of Excellence is required to maintain its aggregate 
expenditures from all other sources for establishing and operating the 
Center of Excellence and related research activities at or above the 
average level of such expenditures in its two (2) fiscal years 
preceding November 5, 1990. The establishment of a Center of Excellence 
is intended to augment the level of aviation research activities at the 
institution.
    The Center of Excellence shall maintain a close working 
relationship with the corresponding agency research program office. 
This relationship shall extend to participation in conferences, 
meetings, joint research efforts, and submission of significant 
activity reports to the FAA on a routine basis. The COE shall prepare 
quarterly and semi-annual reports, and a fully inclusive annual report 
on research projects and fiscal expenditures, and shall host an on-site 
review of all research activities.
    The FAA may require the COE to hold an annual joint symposium with 
the agency on topics relating to the status and results of the 
designated technology area. Researchers at the COE may serve as 
consultants by providing technical advice to the sponsoring agency 
program office. They may also be asked to participate on major planning 
and investigative committees related to airworthiness assurance.

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 research projects that the applicant proposes to carry out under 
the grant.

Award Date

    The final selection of the Center of Excellence in Airworthiness 
Assurance will be announced within this fiscal year, which ends 
September 30, 1997.

    Issued in Atlantic County, New Jersey on December 4, 1996.
Particia Watts,
Program Manager, FAA Centers of Excellence Program Office, AAR-201.
[FR Doc. 96-31864 Filed 12-13-96; 8:45 am]
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