[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
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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
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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