[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55261-55262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26553]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Optional Pre-Proposal Process for the National Industrial 
Competitiveness Through Energy, Environment and Economics 
(NICE3) Program

AGENCY: Golden Field Office, Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Optional pre-proposal process for potential applicants under 
the DOE NICE\3\ program solicitation.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Industrial Technologies of the Department of 
Energy 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.

DATES: A pre-proposal abstract for the proposed project may be 
submitted to the Golden Field Office on or before March 17, 2000. Pre-
proposal abstracts received between March 18, 2000 and July 31, 2000 
(the open period of the solicitation) will not receive a response until 
after the solicitation closes on July 31, 2000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background Information

    The Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Industrial Technologies' 
(OIT) National Industrial Competitiveness Through Energy, Environment, 
and Economics (NICE\3\) Program funds up to $525,000 (50% cost sharing 
is required) for the first commercial demonstration of innovative 
industrial technologies that reduce energy consumption, waste 
production, and operating costs. Applications must be submitted by an 
authorized state agency with an appropriate industrial partner. The 
NICE\3\ Program emphasizes funding projects within the following OIT 
focus industries: Agriculture, Aluminum, Chemicals, Forest Products, 
Glass, Metalcasting, Mining, Petroleum, and Steel. Please see the OIT 
website at www.oit.doe.gov for additional details on these focus 
industries. OIT is part of the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy (EE/RE), and consideration will also be given to 
projects that involve non-OIT focus industries and industrial processes 
in the other three EE/RE sectors (buildings, transportation, and 
power).

Pre-Proposal

    An optional pre-proposal may be submitted to DOE's Golden Field 
Office through March 17, 2000 for the May 2000 solicitation. DOE will 
provide a timely response regarding the technology's program relevance. 
The pre-proposal must be typed, must not exceed two pages, and should 
utilize the prescribed format. The pre-proposal must be submitted 
through a state agency. The submission of a pre-proposal abstract is 
not mandatory for submitting an application under the May 2000 
solicitation. A suggested abstract format will be available through the 
NICE\3\ website, http://www.oit.doe.gov/nice3 or by the contacts listed 
below. The DOE reviews and comments under the pre-proposal process will 
not be used by DOE in

[[Page 55262]]

evaluating or awarding applications under the May 2000 solicitation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Blazek, at (303) 275-4723, at 
the U.S. Department of Energy Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Boulevard, 
Golden, Colorado 80401, FAX (303) 275-4788. In addition, information on 
the NICE\3\ program can be located at http//www.oit.doe.gov/nice3. The 
Contract Specialist is James Damm, at (303) 275-4744.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on October 1, 1999.
Matthew Barron,
Acting Procurement Director, GO.
[FR Doc. 99-26553 Filed 10-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P