[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68322-68324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31606]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket Number: 991019280-9280-01]
RIN 0693-ZA34


Partnership for Advancing Technologies in Housing Cooperative 
Research Program (PATH-CoRP)--Notice of Availability of Funds

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to inform potential applicants 
that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is 
offering financial assistance for the Partnership for Advancing 
Technology in Housing Cooperative Research Program (PATH CoRP). PATH is 
working to expedite the development and use of advanced housing 
technologies, through partnerships between U.S. businesses and the 
Federal government. These technologies, which improve the quality, 
affordability, durability, energy efficiency and environmental 
performance of a home, help everyone--industry, consumers, and the 
environment. Specifically, PATH encourages developing innovative 
housing components and systems, designs, and production methods as well 
as reducing the amount of time needed to move quality technologies to 
the market place. With research assistance from NIST, the PATH program 
is led by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (http:/
/www.pathnet.org).
    The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing Cooperative 
Research Program (PATH CoRP) is seeking proposals for cost-shared, 
industry-led research projects with the potential to result in new 
products that can be rapidly implemented in the construction of new 
site-built, factory-built, and manufactured housing and the upgrade of 
existing homes in support of the PATH program goals.

DATES: The closing date for the submission of applications under this 
notice is February 7, 2000. Applications must be post-marked on or 
before February 7, 2000. NIST will not accept applications post-marked 
after the closing date of this notice. Applicants whose applications 
are post-marked after the closing date and those that are substantially 
incomplete are hereby notified that the applications will not be 
considered and will be returned to the applicants with a reason for the 
return. Applicants should allow 90 days processing time.

ADDRESSES AND CONTACT INFORMATION: Applicants are requested to submit 
any technical questions to: Dr. H.S. Lew, National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, Building and Fire Research Laboratory, 
Structures Divisions, 100 Bureau Drive, STOP 8610, Gaithersburg, 
Maryland 20899-8610, Telephone: (301) 975-6060, E-mail: [email protected]. 
Administrative questions should be directed to Joyce F. Brigham, NIST 
Grants Office, 100 Bureau Drive, STOP 3573, Gaithersburg, Maryland 
20899-3573 Telephone (301) 975-6329.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The CFDA number is 
11.609--Measurement and Engineering Research Standards.

    Authority: As authorized under 12 U.S.C. Section 1701z-1, 2 and 
15 U.S.C. Section 272(b)(1),(8),(c)(15), NIST is participating with 
the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the 
implementation of the PATH CoRP program. Funds for the PATH CoRP 
program were transferred from HUD to NIST under the authority of the 
Economy Act, 31 U.S.C. Section 1535.

Program Description/Objectives:

    The PATH CoRP program is intended to stimulate the research and 
development of innovative technologies that can be rapidly implemented 
into new products for new site-built, factory-built, and manufactured 
housing as well as the upgrade of existing homes to meet the four goals 
of the PATH program. The goals are as follows:
    1. Reduce the monthly cost of new housing by 20%.
    2. Cut the environmental impact and energy use of new housing by 
50% or more and reduce the energy use in at least 15 million existing 
homes by 30% or more.
    3. Improve durability and reduce maintenance costs by 50%.
    4. Reduce by at least 10% the risk of loss of life, injury, and 
property destruction from natural hazards and reduce by at least 20% 
residential construction work illnesses and injuries.
    Proposals will be accepted for research projects in the following 
seven areas of interest:
    1. Labor-saving processes for manufactured, factory-build, and 
site-constructed housing to reduce cycle-time, enhance worker safety, 
and simplify construction processes.
    2. Advanced materials and systems for structural integrity.
    3. Advanced and innovative foundation systems for site-build, 
factory-built, and manufactured homes for all types of soil conditions.
    4. Advanced materials and systems for the building envelope to 
control moisture in walls or control infestation by termites and other 
insects.
    5. New or innovative methods incorporating traditional exterior 
finishes with advanced framing systems.
    6. Advanced materials and systems for interior finishes (ceiling, 
walls, built-in equipment).
    7. Advanced materials and systems for home function and operation.
    Research projects must be designed to produce at least one tangible 
result that can be implemented into a new product addressing the PATH 
goals within eighteen months.

Eligibility

    The PATH CoRP program is open to participation by for-profit or 
non-profit industry organizations and industry-led teams of 
organizations. Applicant organizations and teams must be industrial 
organizations or industry-led because the focus of the PATH CoRP is on 
the development of technologies that can be rapidly implemented into 
products.
    Although teams are encouraged, an application must be submitted by 
a

[[Page 68323]]

single industry organization, which will serve as the project 
administrator. Team members may participate as subrecipients or 
contractors. Subrecipients may provide matching funds, but contractors 
may not. Teams may include universities, state and local governments, 
and/or Federal government laboratories. A university, state or local 
government, or Federal government laboratory is not eligible to submit 
a proposal or administer a project. Federal government laboratories may 
participate only as authorized by law.

Funding Availability

    The total anticipated funding level of this program is $1 million. 
It is anticipated that this program will result in 5-10 cooperative 
agreements ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 each. If additional funds 
are made available, NIST may make additional awards. Cost-sharing is 
required. (See Matching Requirements for further details).

Proposal Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

    Proposals will be reviewed by a panel consisting of at least three 
independent reviewers based upon technical expertise in the research 
area addressed by the proposal, either from within NIST or from outside 
organizations. Individual reviewers will be ineligible for 
participating in any fashion in PATH CoRP proposals or research 
projects. The Review Panel will evaluate the proposals as follows:
    All proposals must meet the following requirements:
    1. The proposal must demonstrate that the innovation has the 
potential to address PATH Goal 1 (Reduce the monthly cost of new 
housing by 20% or more).
    2. The proposal must demonstrate that the innovation has the 
potential to address at least one additional PATH Goal.
    3. The proposal must address at least one of the seven research 
areas identified in the Program Description/Objectives section.
    4. The proposer must commit to a cost-share of at least 30% of the 
total proposed project value. At least 20% of the proposed cost-share 
must be in cash.
    Proposals not satisfying any or all of the four requirements will 
be eliminated from further evaluation. Proposals meeting these 
requirements will be evaluated against the following criteria:
    A. The extent to which the proposal demonstrates the capability and 
past experience of the applicant and its team, if applicable, in 
successfully conducting research and development related to materials, 
products, components, assemblies, subsystems, or systems for housing 
and other applicable technologies and transfer or research results into 
new products. (Weight: 0-40 points)
    B. The technical merit of the project and the extent to which the 
technology transfer plan will lead to a successful transition from 
research and development to manufacturing and marketing introduction. 
(Weight: 0-30 points).
    C. The level and type (cash or in-kind) or cost-sharing commitment 
to the project over and above the required cost sharing. (Weight: 0-20 
points)
    D. The proposal must include a detailed program plan including 
scheduled milestones and decision points demonstrating the extent to 
which the project is likely to meet proposed project objectives and 
produce at least one significant output within the first 18 months 
following the award start date that can be implemented into a new 
product or products that address the PATH Goals (Weight: 0-10 points)
    The review panel will evaluate all proposals and make 
recommendations to the Director of the Building and Fire Research 
Laboratory (``Director'') for application selections. In making 
application selections, the Director will take into consideration the 
results of the panel's evaluations, including rank, and the Director's 
judgment as to which applications, when the slate is taken as a whole, 
are likely to best further the objectives of the PATH CoRP program. The 
final approval of selected applications and award of cooperative 
agreements will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on compliance 
with program requirements and whether the recommended applicants appear 
competently managed, responsible, and committed to achieving project 
objectives. The decision of the Grants Officer is final.

Award Period

    Proposals will be considered for research projects up to 36 months.

Matching Requirements

    A minimum cost-share of 30% of the total project budget is required 
for this program. Cost-share must be either cash or in-kind and must be 
described in detail in the proposal. At least 20% of the cost-share 
must be in cash. Cost-share will be used as an evaluation criterion for 
this program. Successful applicants will be required to provide the 
minimum level of cost-sharing (either cash or in-kind) to augment NIST 
funding.

Application Kit

    Each applicant must submit one signed original and two copies of 
each proposal along with the Grant Application forms delineated below.
    An application kit, containing all required application forms and 
certifications is available by contacting Mr. Alexander Phillips, (301) 
975-6069 or e-mail, [email protected]. 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-346 (Rev. 6/97)--Applicant for Funding Assistance

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

    Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine 
transmission or electronic mail.

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 Number 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 
0348-0040, and 0348-0046.
    Notwithstanding any other provision 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 of information, subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

Additional Requirements

    Primary Application Certification: All primary applicant 
institutions must submit a completed form CD-511, ``Certifications 
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 ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension,'' and the 
related section of

[[Page 68324]]

the certification form prescribed above applies;
    2. Drug-Free Workplace: Grantees (as defined in 15 CFR Part 26; 
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Government-
wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants),'' and the related 
section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying: Persons (as defined in 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 institution that has 
paid or will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required in 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, ``Certification 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 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.

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.

Preaward Activities

    Applicants (or their institutions) who incur any costs prior to an 
award being made do so at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the 
Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that may have been 
provided, there is no liability 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 the 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. Sec. 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 (IDC)

    Indirect Costs will not be allowable charges against the award 
unless specifically included as a line item in the approved budget 
incorporated into the award.
    If the applicant has not previously established an IDC rate with a 
Federal Agency, the negotiation and approval of a rate is subject to 
the procedures in the applicable cost principles and the DoC policy.
    Regardless of any approved IDC rate applicable to the award, the 
maximum dollar amount of allocable IDC for which the DoC will reimburse 
the Recipient shall be the lesser of:
    (a) The Federal share of the total allocable IDC of the award based 
on the negotiated rate with the cognizant Federal agency as established 
by audit or negotiation; or
    (b) The line item of the Federal share of IDC contained in the 
approved budget of the award.

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 this program are subject to all 
Federal laws and Federal and Departmental regulations, policies, and 
procedures applicable to financial assistance awards.

Executive Order 12372

    Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs''. This program 
does not directly affect any state or local government.

Executive Order 12866

    This funding notice was determined to be ``not significant'' for 
the purposes of Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: December 1, 1999.
Karen Brown,
Deputy Director, NIST.
[FR Doc. 99-31606 Filed 12-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M