[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 113 (Friday, June 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 32194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15721]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Golden Field Office; Notice of Solicitation for Financial 
Assistance Applications; National Industrial Competitiveness Through 
Energy, Environment and Economics (NICE \3\)

AGENCY: Golden Field Office, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for financial assistance applications 
for the national industrial competitiveness through energy, environment 
and economics (NICE \3\), DE-PS36-98GO10294.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Industrial Technologies of the Department of 
Energy, Golden Field Office 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 innovative 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\ program 
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; Fiber Loading for Paper Manufacture; and HCl Acid Recovery 
System. For the past eight years the NICE \3\ program has offered 88 
grants (approximately $29.3 million) to fund innovative industrial 
technologies. In 1998 the Department of Energy offered $3.8 million in 
grants to 10 U.S. companies in 8 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico.

DATES: DOE expects to issue the solicitation on June 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the solicitation, once issued, eligible 
parties may write to the U.S. Department of Energy Golden Field Office, 
Attention: Jim Damm, Contract Specialist, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, 
Colorado 80401. Facsimiles and electronic mail are acceptable and can 
be transmitted to(303) 275-4788 or [email protected]. Beginning June 
15, 1998, applicants are encouraged to obtain an electronic copy 
through the Golden Field Office Home Page at http://www.eren.doe.gov/
golden/solicitions.htm. Only written requests for the solicitation will 
be honored.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Damm, Contract Specialist at 303-
275-4744 or Eric Hass at 303-275-4728.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 
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. Cost sharing is required by all participants. 
The Federal Government will provide up to 50 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 50 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.

Availability of Funds in FY 1999

    With this publication, DOE is announcing the availability of up to 
$6 million in grant/cooperative agreement funds for fiscal year 1999. 
The awards will be made through 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. The 
Federal share of grants including State agency program support may 
range up to $425,000 with a maximum of $400,000 for the industrial 
partner. Projects may cover a period of up to 3 years. 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 June 5, 1998.

    Dated: June 4, 1998.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 98-15721 Filed 6-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P