[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 48 (Friday, March 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 12294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6149]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office


Notice of Availability of Solicitations for Mining Industry of 
the Future Crosscutting Technologies

AGENCY: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE) Office of 
Industrial Technologies (OIT) through the Federal Energy Technology 
Center (FETC), Pittsburgh, Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Issuance of Two (2) Related Financial Assistance Solicitations.

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SUMMARY: The U. S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy (EE) Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) in 
conjunction with the Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) announces 
that it intends to issue two (2) competitive Program Solicitations 
(PS), Nos. DE-PS26-99FT40298 and DE-PS26-99FT40299 in support of DOE/EE 
``Mining Industry Roadmap for Crosscutting Technologies'' initiative 
<http://www.oit.doe.gov/mining/roadmap.html>. This announcement for the 
two solicitations is combined because each has identical program goals 
and evaluation criteria. One solicitation directs government funding to 
the DOE national laboratories (#40298), whereas the other is directed 
primarily at private sector (#40299) funding. Through the issuance of 
these solicitations, the DOE seeking field work proposals/applications 
for cost-shared research and development of technologies which will 
enhance economic competitiveness, reduce energy consumption and reduce 
environmental impacts of the mining industry. Field work proposals and 
applications will be subjected to a comparative merit review by 
industry and DOE technical panels, and awards will be made to a limited 
number of proposers on the basis of the scientific merit of the field 
work proposals/applications, application of relevant program policy 
factors, and the availability of funds.

DATES: Both of the solicitations are expected to be ready for release 
by March 5, 1999. Field work proposals/applications must be prepared 
and submitted in accordance with the instructions and forms in the 
Program Solicitations and the respective closing dates are April 19, 
1999 (i.e., National Laboratory field work proposals) and May 17, 1999 
(private sector applications). Prior to submitting proposals or 
applications to these solicitations, check for any changes (i.e. 
closing date of solicitation) and/or amendments, if any through the 
Internet at FETC's Home Page <http://www.fetc.doe.gov/business>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Keith R. Miles, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Federal Energy Technology Center, P.O. Box 10940 (MS 921-143), 
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940; (Telephone: 412-892-5984; Facsimile: 412-
892-6216; E-Mail: [email protected]).

ADDRESSES: The solicitation will be available through the Internet at 
FETC's Home Page <http://www.fetc.doe.gov/business>. Telephone requests 
will not be accepted for any format version of the solicitation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In June 1998, the mining industry and 
Department of Energy signed a compact pledging to work together through 
research and development partnerships. In September 1998, the mining 
industry released a vision for 2020 and beyond: ``The Future Begins 
With Mining, A Vision of the Mining Industry of the Future'' <http://
www.oit.doe.gov/mining/vision.html> which focuses on advanced 
technologies that increase productivity and permit exploration, 
extraction, and processing to occur with minimal environmental impact.
    The objective of these two (2) solicitation is to support this 
partnership by funding research, development and demonstration projects 
at the National Laboratories and within the private sector which 
address the priorities identified in the ``Mining Industry Roadmap for 
Crosscutting Technologies''. Proposals must address the selected 
research priorities from this document that meet the OIT programmatic 
objectives of increasing energy efficiency and reducing waste. The 
relevant passage from the roadmap that justifies the proposed effort 
should be cited.
    The specific focus of this solicitation is these three (3) research 
goals from Table 1 of the ``The Future Begins With Mining, A Vision of 
the Mining Industry of the Future'':
    (1) Low Cost and Efficient Production--Use advanced technologies to 
improve process efficiencies from exploration to final product,
    (2) Superior Exploration and Resource Characterization--Develop 
ways to find and define larger high grade reserves with minimal 
environmental disturbance, and
    (3) Safe and Efficient Extraction and Processing--Use advanced 
technologies and training to improve the worker environment and reduce 
worker exposure to hazards that reduces lost time accidents and 
occupational diseases to near zero.

    Note: Applications offering emissions or waste disposal, 
remediation, or treatment as a primary focus are not eligible for 
funding under this solicitation. This limitation does not include 
applications which target materials recycling or by-product 
utilization as their primary focus.

    DOE currently has available $1.8 million for the first year of 
selected National Laboratory research efforts and has budgeted $2.0 
million in FY 2000 for private sector projects. Out-year funding shall 
depend upon availability of future year appropriations. DOE anticipates 
multiple awards with a duration of 3 years or less. A minimum 50% non-
federal cost-share is required for all applications. Collaboration 
between industry, university, and DOE National Laboratories is strongly 
encouraged.

    Issued in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 2, 1999.
Dale A. Siciliano,
Contracting Officer, Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 99-6149 Filed 3-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P