[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51899-51901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26064]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket Number 980722187-8187-01]
RIN 0693-ZA21


Upgrading of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/
Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) Accreditation Manual

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: ASCLD/LAB has requested that the Office of Law Enforcement 
Standards (OLES) at NIST assist in upgrading its laboratory 
accreditation program to meet applicable international standards. 
ASCLD/LAB operates an accreditation program for crime laboratories, 
with members consisting of 139 domestic and 14 foreign laboratories. 
The work of performing laboratory audits and reviewing audit reports 
for accreditation is performed on a voluntary basis. The program 
includes criteria to judge the quality and performance of a crime 
laboratory and the operation of an evaluation program to identify those 
laboratories meeting ASCLD/LAB criteria. Accreditation is a tool to 
ensure that the laboratories' contributions to the criminal justice 
system are consistent, repeatable, and scientifically based. The 
current criteria and accreditation program consists of procedures 
prepared by members of the ASCLD/LAB based on their professional 
knowledge and experience in crime laboratory operations prior to the 
establishment of international standards. They must now be modified to 
conform to established world-wide accepted standards.
    As part of the phenomena of globalization of markets, several 
international organizations have prepared generic criteria for 
competence of laboratory operations and for operating accreditation 
programs to measure laboratory competence. The International 
Organization for Standards (ISO) has prepared ISO Guide 25 General 
Requirements for the Competence of Calibration and Testing

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Laboratories and ISO Guide 58 General Requirement for Operation and 
Recognition of Calibration and Testing Laboratory Accreditation 
Program. The International Laboratory Accreditation Conference (ILAC) 
has provided an international forum for national laboratory 
accreditation programs to meet and contribute to the ISO standards 
effort. The ISO and ILAC effort have produced an international 
consensus on what constitutes a competent laboratory and how an 
accreditation program to measure that competence should operate. The 
objective has been to promote world-wide acceptance of test reports 
from accredited laboratories. The Agreement on Technical Barriers to 
Trade (that created the World Trade Organization which was adopted in 
the U.S. as the Trade Agreement Act of 1995) includes an obligation for 
governments to base technical regulations on such international 
standards when they exist. It also includes strong pressures for 
private organizations such as ASCLD/LAB to do as well.

DATES: Applicants must submit their proposals (an original and two (2) 
copies) to the address below no later than 5 pm Eastern Standard Time 
on October 30, 1998. The final award decision will be made no later 
than January 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Office of Law Enforcement Standards, NIST, Building 225, 
Room A323, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001, ATTENTION: Dr. Alim A. 
Fatah. The envelope should reflect, ``Upgrading of ASCLD/LAB 
Accreditation Manual''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alim A. Fatah, (301) 975-2757 for technical questions and an 
application kit. For administrative questions concerning this notice 
may be directed to the NIST Grants Office at (301) 975-6329.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number: Measurement 
and Engineering Research and Standards--11.609

    Authority: 42 USC Sections 3721; 3722(c), (d); 3788(b), (c) and 
15 USC Sections 272(b) (1), (2), (9); (c)(1), (2), (3), (19).

    Program Objectives/Description: The primary objective of this 
solicitation is to provide financial assistance to an organization 
with expertise and a strong desire to upgrade the policies and 
procedures of the ASCLD/LAB to meet applicable international 
standards, in accordance with the ISO Guide 25 and ISO Guide 58 
General Requirements. Proposals should cover the following:
    1. Revised accreditation manual in accordance with ISO 25 and 58 
guide Requirements;
    2. A summarization of changes to the current practices;
    3. Recommendations of the Operations Manual based on the ISO 58 
Requirements;
    4. Recommendations for the changes to the bylaws necessary to 
conform to the criteria of the ISO Guides 25 and 58; and
    5. Recommendations for a transition plan to fully implement the 
new criteria and procedures.
    Proposals should show the applicant's familiarity with ISO and 
past and current performance of these standards.
    The vision of the OLES at the NIST is to apply science and 
technology to the needs of the criminal justice community, including 
law enforcement corrections, forensic science and fire service. 
While the primary focus is on the development of minimum performance 
standards, which are promulgated by the sponsoring agency as 
voluntary national standards. OLES also undertakes studies leading 
to new technology development and evaluations, new measuring science 
protocols, new standard reference materials and standard reference 
collections for application to the criminal justice system, and 
issuance of technical reports and user guidelines.
    Eligibility: State, local, and tribal governments; colleges and 
universities; non-profit and for-profit (commercial) entities are 
eligible to apply.
    Funding Availability and Type of Funding Instrument: 
Approximately $40,000.00 for one (1) cooperative agreement award is 
available. NIST will be substantially involved in this activity by 
collaborating with the applicant who is selected by providing 
technical guidance, expertise and review of accomplishments during 
the award period.
    Selection Process: Proposals will be reviewed according to the 
evaluation criteria below, by three (3) or more reviewers with 
expertise in the criminal justice field. The proposals will be 
ranked based on the reviewers' scores. The Selecting Official, who 
is the Director of OLES, will consider the evaluation criteria, the 
scores of the reviewers, and the cost in making the final award 
decision.
    Evaluation Criteria: The criteria to be used in evaluating these 
proposals include:
    1. The applicants' understanding of the technical approach 
demonstrating how they plan to meet the requirement of the 
solicitation. Key elements include the applicants' understanding of 
Forensic Crime Laboratory quality and accreditation issues. (10 
points)
    2. The applicants' past performance with inclusion of at least 
three (3) references from two (2) sources for similar services. At 
least one of the references shall include the understanding and 
familiarity with ISO guidelines for laboratory accreditation 
programs, specifically ISO Guide 25 and ISO Guide 58 and the ability 
to closely work with Forensic Technical and Professional 
Associations, such as ASCLD, ASCLD/LAB and American Association of 
Forensic Sciences (AAFS). (60 points)
    3. One key person, the Project Manager, shall have the expertise 
in Forensic Crime Laboratory quality and accreditation issues and 
will have at least one year of experience. Key qualifications 
include experience with ISO guidelines for laboratory accreditation 
programs, specifically ISO Guide 25 and ISO Guide 59. (30 points)
    Technical approach is paramount, but cost will be considered in 
negotiating the award. In addition to submitting documents in hard-
copy format, the applicant selected for the award will be encouraged 
to submit progress reports and other documents in electronic 
readable format (diskette or CD-ROM).
    Award Period: It is NIST's intent to fund the cooperative 
agreement for a one (1) year period.
    Matching Requirements: This program does not require matching 
funds.
    Application Kit: An application kit, containing all of the 
required application forms and certifications is available by 
contacting Alim Fatah at (301) 975-2757. The application kit 
includes the following:

SF-424 (Rev 7/97) Application for Federal Assistance
SF-424A (Rev 7/97) Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
SF-424B (Rev 7/97) Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
CD-511 (7/91) Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and 
Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and 
Lobbying
CD-512 (7/91) Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions and Lobbying
SF-LLL-Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

    Paperwork Reduction Act: The Standard Form 424 and other 
Standard Forms in the application kit are subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act and have been approved 
by OMB under Control No. 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0043, and 0348-
0046. The applicants must submit one (1) original and two (2) copies 
of all applications and proposals.
    Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection, subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reductions Act, unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

Additional Requirements

    Primary Application Certifications: All primary applicant 
institutions must submit a completed form CD-511, ``Certification 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; 
Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following 
explanations must be provided:
    1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension: Prospective 
participants (as defined in 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject 
to 15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurment Debarment and Suspension'' and 
the related section of the certification form prescribed above 
applies;
    2. Drug-Free Workplace: Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, 
``governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (``Grants'') 
and the related section of the certification form prescribed above 
applies;

[[Page 51901]]

    3. Anti-Lobbying: Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, Section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain 
Federal contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying 
section of the certification form prescribed above applies to 
applications/bids for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts 
for more than $100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than 
$150,000, or the single family maximum mortgage limit for affected 
programs, whichever is greater.
    4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosure: Any applicant institutions that has 
paid or will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit form SF-
LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR 
part 28, appendix B.
    5. Lower-Tier Certifications: Recipients shall require 
applicant/bidder institutions for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts 
or other lower tier covered transactions at any tier under the award 
to submit, if applicable, a completed form CD-512, ``Certifications 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary 
Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered transactions and Lobbying'' and 
disclosure form, SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form 
CD-512 is intended for the use of the recipients and should not be 
transmitted to NIST. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or 
subrecipient should be submitted to NIST in accordance with the 
instructions contained in the award document.
    6. Name Check Reviews: All for-profit and non-profit applicants 
will be subject to a name check review process. Name checks are 
intended to reveal if any individuals associated with the applicant 
have been convicted of or are presently facing, criminal charges 
such as fraud, theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly 
reflect on the applicant's management honesty or financial 
integrity.
    Pre-award Activities: Applicants (or their institutions) who 
incur any costs prior to an award being made do so solely at their 
own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding 
any verbal assurance that may have been provided, there is no 
obligation on the part of NIST to cover pre-award costs.
    No Obligation for Future Funding: If an application is accepted 
for funding, DoC has no obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to 
increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total 
discretion of NIST.
    Past Performance: Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal 
awards may result in an application not being considered for 
funding.
    False Statements: A false statement on an application is grounds 
for denial or termination of funds, and grounds for possible 
punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    Delinquent Federal Debts: No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt 
until either:
    1. The delinquent account is paid in full;
    2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least 
one payment is received; or
    3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.
    Indirect Costs: No Federal funds will be authorized for Indirect 
Cost (IDC).
    Purchase of American-made Equipment and Products: Applicants are 
hereby notified that they are encouraged, to the greatest 
practicable extent, to purchase American-made equipment and products 
with funding provided under this program.
    Federal Policies and Procedures: Recipients and subrecipients 
under the above grant program shall be subject to all Federal laws 
and Federal and Departmental regulations, policies, and procedures 
applicable to financial assistance awards. The above grant program 
does not directly affect any state or local government.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs.''
    Executive Order Statement: This funding notice was determined to 
be ``not significant'' for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: September 22, 1998.
Robert E. Hebner,
Acting Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 98-26064 Filed 9-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M