[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68324-68331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31607]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 990907248-9248-01]
RIN 0693-ZA32


Precision Measurement Grants et al.; Availability of Funds

    (1) Precision Measurement Grants--Availability of Funds; (2) 
Physics Laboratory (Physics), 2000 Summer Undergraduate Research 
Fellowships (SURF); (3) Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory 
(MSEL), 2000 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF); (4) 
Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory (MEL), 2000 Summer Undergraduate 
Research Fellowships (SURF); (5) Materials Science and Engineering 
Laboratory (MSEL) Grants Program, Availability of Funds; (6) Fire 
Research Grants Program--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 following programs of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST) are offering financial assistance as follows: (1) The 
Precision Measurement Grants Program; (2) the

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2000 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) in the areas of 
Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) and Radiation Physics, in Materials 
Science and Engineering, and in Manufacturing Engineering; (3) the 
Materials Science and Engineering Grants Program; and (4) the Fire 
Research Grants Program.

    The Precision Measurement Grants Program is seeking proposals for 
significant, primarily experimental, research in the field of 
fundamental measurement or the determination of fundamental constants. 
The programs ``SURFing the Physics Laboratory,'' SURFing the Materials 
Science and Engineering Laboratory,'' and ``SURFing the Manufacturing 
Engineering Laboratory'' will provide an opportunity for the Physics 
Laboratory (PL), the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory 
(MSEL), the Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory (MEL), and the 
National Science Foundation (NSF) to join in a partnership to encourage 
outstanding undergraduate students to pursue careers in science and 
engineering. The PL program will function by exposing students to world 
class atomic, molecular, optical (AMO) and radiation physicists and 
facilities in the NIST Physics Laboratory, and by strengthening 
undergraduate AMO physics curricula by forming the basis for ongoing 
collaborations. The MSEL program will function by providing research 
opportunities with internationally known NIST scientists in the fields 
of ceramics, solid state chemistry, metallurgy, polymers, neutron 
condensed matter science, and materials reliability. The MEL program 
will function by providing research opportunities with internationally 
known NIST scientists in the fields of intelligent systems, automated 
production, precision engineering, and manufacturing systems 
integration. The NIST Program Directors will work with physics, 
materials science, manufacturing engineering, intelligent systems, 
automated production, precision engineering, and other science-related 
department chairs and directors of multi-disciplinary centers of 
excellence to identify outstanding undergraduates (including graduating 
seniors) who would benefit from off-campus summer research in an honors 
academy environment. The Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory 
(MSEL) Grants Program is continuing its program for grants and 
cooperative agreements in the following fields of research: Ceramics, 
Metallurgy, Polymer Sciences, Neutron Scattering Research and 
Spectroscopy. The Fire Research Grants Program is limited to innovative 
ideas in the fire research area generated by the proposal writer, who 
chooses the topic and approach, consistent with the program 
description/objectives of this notice.

DATES: Applicants for the Precision Measurement Grants Program must 
submit an abbreviated proposal for preliminary screening. Based on the 
merit of the abbreviated proposal, applicants will be advised whether a 
full proposal should be submitted. The abbreviated proposals must be 
received at the address listed below no later than the close of 
business February 1, 2000. The semi-finalists will be notified of their 
status by March 24, 2000, and will be requested to submit full 
proposals to NIST by close of business on May 12, 2000. Selection of 
the awards will be made by Friday, August 15, 2000.
    The Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Program proposals must be received 
no later than the close of business February 15, 2000.
    The MSEL Grants Program proposals must be received no later than 
the close of business September 30, 2000. Each applicant must submit 
one signed original and two copies of each proposal along with a Grant 
Application (Standard Form 424 REV. 7/97 and other required forms).
    The Fire Research Grants Program proposals must be received no 
later than the close of business September 30, 2000.

ADDRESSES: For the Precision Measurement Grants Program, applicants are 
requested to direct technical questions and submit an abbreviated 
proposal (original and two (2) signed copies) with a description of 
their proposed work of no more than five (5) double spaced pages to: 
Dr. Barry N. Taylor, Chairman, NIST Precision Measurement Grants 
Committee, Bldg, 225, Rm. B161, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8401, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8401, 
Tel: (301) 975-4220, E-mail: [email protected], Website: http://
physics.nist.gov/ResOpp/grants/grants.html
    For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, applicant institutions 
must submit one signed original and two (2) copies of the proposal to:
    For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs: Attn: Ms. Anita 
Sweigert, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau 
Drive, Stop 8400, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8400, Tel: (301) 975-4200, E-
mail: [email protected], Website: http://www.surf.nist.gov
    Technical questions for the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs 
should be directed to the following contact persons: for the Physics 
SURF Program, Dr. Marc Desrosiers, Tel: (301) 975-5639, E-mail: 
[email protected]; for the MSEL SURF Program, Dr. Terrell A. 
Vanderah, Tel: (301) 975-5785, E-mail: [email protected]; and 
for the MEL SURF Program, Ms. Lisa Jean Fronczek, Tel: (301) 975-6633, 
E-mail: [email protected].
    For the MSEL Grants Program, submit one signed original and two 
copies of the proposal, clearly marked to identify the field of 
research, to: Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, Attn.: Ms. 
Patty Salpino, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 
Bureau Drive, Stop 8501, Building 223, Room A305, Gaithersburg, 
Maryland 20899-8501, Tel: (301) 975-5731, E-mail: 
[email protected]
    For the Fire Research Grants Program submit one signed original and 
two copies of the proposal to: Building and Fire Research Laboratory 
(BFRL), Attn.: Ms. Sheilda Bryner, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8630, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-
8630, Tel: (301) 975-5851, E-mail: [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: All grants administration questions 
concerning these programs should 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: The authority for the Precision Measurement Grants 
Program is as follows: As authorized by 15 U.S.C. 272 (b) and (c), 
NIST conducts directly, and supports through grants and cooperative 
agreements, a basic and applied research program in the general area 
of fundamental measurement and the determination of fundamental 
constants of nature. The authority for the Physics, MSEL and MEL 
SURF Programs is as follows: 15 U.S.C. 278g-1 authorizes NIST to 
expend up to 1 per centum of the funds appropriated for activities 
of NIST in any fiscal year, as the Director deems appropriate, for 
financial assistance awards in the form of cooperative agreements to 
students at institutions of higher learning within the United 
States. These students must show promise as present or future 
contributors to the missions of NIST. Cooperative agreements are 
awarded to assure continued growth and progress of science and 
engineering in the United States, including the encouragement of 
women and minority students to continue their professional 
development. The authority for the MSEL Grants Program is as 
follows: As authorized under 15 U.S.C. 272(b)(6) and (c)(16), the

[[Page 68326]]

MSEL conducts a basic and applied research program directly and 
through grants and cooperative agreements to eligible recipients. 
The authority for the Fire Research Grants Program is as follows: As 
authorized by 15 U.S.C. 278f, the NIST Building and Fire Research 
Laboratory conducts directly and through grants and cooperative 
agreements, a basic and applied fire research program.

Program Description/Objectives

    The program description/objectives for the Precision Measurement 
Grants Program are as follows: As part of its research program since 
1970, NIST has awarded Precision Measurement Grants to U.S. 
universities and colleges so that faculty may conduct significant, 
primarily experimental research in the field of fundamental measurement 
or the determination of fundamental constants. NIST sponsors these 
grants and cooperative agreements to encourage basic, measurement-
related research in U.S. universities and colleges and to foster 
contacts between NIST scientists and those faculty members of U.S. 
academic institutions who are actively engaged in such work. The 
Precision Measurement Grants are also intended to make it possible for 
such faculty members to pursue new, fundamental measurement ideas for 
which other sources of support may be difficult to find. There is some 
latitude in research topics that will be considered under the Precision 
Measurement Grants Program. The key requirement is that the proposed 
project support NIST's ongoing work in the field of basic measurement 
science, which includes:
    1. Experimental and theoretical studies of fundamental physical 
phenomena which test the basic laws of physics or which may lead to new 
or improved fundamental measurement methods and standards.
    2. The determination of important fundamental physical constants.
    In general, proposals for experimental research will be given 
preference over proposals for theoretical research because of the 
greater expense of experimental work. Proposals from workers at the 
assistant and associate professor level who have some record of 
accomplishment are especially encouraged in view of the comparative 
difficulty aspiring researchers have in obtaining funds.
    Typical projects which have been funded through the NIST Precision 
Measurement Grants Program include:
    (1) Eotvos experiment-cryogenic version, D.F. Bartlett, University 
of Colorado.
    (2) A test of local Lorentz invariance using polarized \21\ Ne 
nuclei, T.E. Chupp, Harvard University.
    (3) A new method to search for an electric dipole moment of the 
electron, L.R. Hunter, Amherst College.
    (4) High-precision timing of millisecond pulsars, D.R. Stinebring, 
Princeton University.
    (5) Development of an atom interferometer gyroscope for tests of 
general relativity, M. Kasevich, Stanford University.
    (6) Spectroscopy of francium: towards a precise parity 
nonconservation measurement in a laser trap, Luis A. Orozco, State 
University of New York at Stony Brook.
    (7) Measurement of the magnetically-induced QED birefringence of 
the vacuum, Siu Au Lee, Colorado State University.
    (8) Measurement of Newton's constant G using a new method, J.H. 
Gundlach, University of Washington.
    The program description/objectives for the Physics, MSEL and MEL 
SURF Programs are as follows: To build a mutually beneficial 
relationship between the student, the institution of higher learning 
and NIST. This is the seventh year of the Physics SURF Program which is 
partially funded by the NSF Physics Division as a Research Experience 
for Undergraduates (REU) site. This is the third year of a proposed 
three year MSEL SURF Program funded by the NSF Division of Materials 
Research (DMR) as a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site. 
This is the second year of proposed five year MEL SURF Program funded 
by the NSF Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) as a 
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site. Between ten and 
twenty percent of the associated student stipends, travel and housing 
has been provided in cost sharing by the participating institutions in 
previous years.
    NIST is one of the nation's premiere research institutions for the 
physical sciences and, as the lead Federal agency for technology 
transfer, is providing a strong interface between government, industry 
and academia. On-site researchers at NIST come from a broad range of 
institutions. Owing to its unique mission to support the U.S. economy 
by working with industry, NIST embodies a special science culture, 
developed from a large and well-equipped research staff that 
enthusiastically blends programs that address the immediate needs of 
industry with longer-term research that anticipates future needs. This 
occurs in few other places and enables the Physics Laboratory, the 
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, and the Manufacturing 
Engineering Laboratory to offer unique research and training 
opportunities for undergraduates, providing them a research-rich 
environment and exposure to state of the art equipment, to scientists 
at work, and to professional contacts that represent future employment 
possibilities.
    Attending to the long term needs of many U.S. high-technology 
industries, NIST's Physics Laboratory conducts basic research in the 
areas of quantum, electron, optical, atomic, molecular, and radiation 
physics. To achieve these goals, PL staff develop and utilize highly 
specialized equipment, such as polarized electron microscopes, scanning 
tunneling microscopes, lasers, and x-ray and synchrotron radiation 
sources. Research projects can be theoretical or experimental and will 
range in focus from computer modeling of fundamental processes through 
trapping atoms and choreographing molecular collisions, to standards 
for radiation therapy.
    NIST's Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory conducts basic 
research in the electronic, magnetic, optical, superconducting, 
mechanical, thermal, chemical, and structural properties of metals, 
ceramics, polymers, and composites. Much of this applies research is 
devoted to overcoming barriers to the next technological revolution, in 
which individual atoms and molecules will serve as the fundamental 
building blocks of devices. Preparation of unique materials by atomic 
level tailoring of multi-layers, perfect single crystals, and 
nanocomposites are just some of the future technologies being developed 
and explored in NIST's MSEL. To achieve these goals, staff develop and 
utilize highly specialized equipment, such as high resolution electron 
microscopes, atomic force microscopes, neutron scattering instruments, 
x-ray diffraction sources, lasers, magnetometers, plasma furnaces, melt 
spinners, molecular beam epitaxy systems, and powder atomization 
chambers. Research projects can be theoretical or experimental and will 
range in focus from the structural, chemical, and morphological 
characterization of advanced materials made in the NIST laboratories to 
the accurate measurement of the unique properties possessed by these 
special materials.
    NIST's Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory conducts theoretical 
and experimental research in length, mass, force, vibration, acoustics, 
and ultrasonics, as well as intelligent machines, precision control of 
machine tools, information technology for the integration of all 
elements of a product's

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life cycle. Much of this applied research is devoted to overcoming 
barriers to the next technological revolution, in which manufacturing 
facilities for spread across the glove. MEL's research and development 
leads to standards, test methods and data that are crucial to 
industry's success in exploiting advanced manufacturing technology. 
Critical components of manufacturing at any level are measurement and 
measurement-related standards, not just of products, but increasingly 
of information about products and processes. Thus, MEL programs enhance 
both physical and information-based measurements and standards. 
Research projects can be theoretical or experimental, and will range in 
focus from intelligent machine control, characterizing a manufacturing 
process or improving product data exchange to the accurate measurement 
of an artifact's dimensions.
    SURF students will work one-on-one with our Nation's top physical 
scientists both from NIST and from some of our Nation's leading, high 
tech industries. It is anticipated that successful SURF students will 
move from a position of reliance on guidance from their research 
advisors to one of research independence during the twelve-week period. 
One goal of this partnership is to provide opportunities for our 
Nation's next generation of scientists and engineers to engage in 
world-class scientific research at NIST, especially in ground-breaking 
areas of emerging technologies. This carries with it the hope of 
motivating individuals to pursue a Ph.D. in physics, materials science, 
engineering, mathematics, or computer science, and to consider research 
careers. SURFing the Physics Laboratory, SURFing the Materials Science 
and Engineering Laboratory and SURFing the Manufacturing Engineering 
Laboratory will help to forge partnerships with NSF and with post-
secondary institutions that demonstrate strong, hands-on undergraduate 
science curricula, especially those with a demonstrated commitment to 
the education of women, minorities, and students with disabilities.
    The program description/objectives for the MSEL Grants Program are 
as follows: All proposals submitted must be in accordance with the 
program objectives listed below. The appropriate Program Manager for 
each field of research may be contacted for clarification of the 
program objectives.
    I. Ceramics Division, 852--The primary objective is to supplement 
division-activities in the area of ceramic processing, tribology, 
composites, machining, interfacial chemistry, and microstructural 
analysis. The contact person for this division is: Dr. Ronald Munro and 
he may be reached at (301) 975-6127.
    II. Polymers Division, 854--The primary objective is to support 
division programs in polymer blends, composites, electrical 
applications, as well as, dental and medical polymeric materials 
through participation in research on metrolgy, synthesis, processing 
and characterization of structure, mechanical, thermal and electrical 
properties. The contact person for this division is: Dr. Bruno Fanconi 
and he may be reached at (301) 975-6769.
    III. Metallurgy Division, 855 (Process Control)--The primary 
objective is to develop techniques to predict, measure and control 
transformations, phases, microstructure and kinetic processes as well 
as mechanical, physical and chemical properties in metals and their 
alloys. The contact person for this division is: Dr. Robert J. Schaefer 
and he may be reached at (301) 975-5961.
    IV. Metallurgy Division, 855 (Intelligent Processing Systems)--The 
primary objective is to develop new and improved sensors, measurement 
techniques, and analytical models for metallurgical structures and 
processes in order to facilitate the development and adoption of 
intelligent processing systems for materials. The contact person for 
this division is: Dr. Robert J. Schaefer and he may be reached at (301) 
975-5961.
    V. NIST Center for Neutron Research, 856--The primary objective is 
to develop high resolution cold and thermal neutron scattering research 
approaches and related physics, chemistry, macromolecular and materials 
applications. The contact person for this division is: Dr. John J. Rush 
and he may be reached at (301) 975-6231.
    The program description/objectives for the Fire Research Grants 
Program are as follows:
    A. Fire Dynamics: To develop understanding and predictive methods 
for dynamic fire phenomena to advance fire science and engineering 
practice. To perform research to understand the heat and mass transfer 
processes occurring in fires in order to improve predictions of the 
growth, spread, suppression, and emissions from fires of all scales. 
Experiments and metrology are developed and used to develop, support, 
and verify advanced computer simulations of fire phenomena, fire 
hazards, fire protection, and fire fighting.
    B. Large Fire Research: To develop understanding of the behavior, 
prevention, and control of large fires through measurement, prediction 
and demonstration. This includes new understanding and technology 
related to: fire suppression and control, fire fighting operations, 
burning characteristics of assemblies, thermal and chemical emission, 
smoke transport processes; fire modeling; fire investigations; fire 
suppression agents; use of combustion for environmental cleanup; and 
field measurement of both structural and unconfined fires. To perform 
research the results of which are used in fire fighting, fire 
protection, fire investigation, and construction to reduce the impact 
of fire on people, property, and the environment.
    C. Fire Safety System: To perform research and development and 
demonstrate the advanced fire safety systems that utilize deterministic 
fire modeling. These systems are intended to enhance the quality, 
reliability, and accuracy of data predictions available to quantify 
fire events with applications to buildings, fire protection systems, 
transportation systems and vehicles, training, fire fighting, fire 
investigations, and codes and standards. To perform research to advance 
the capabilities of fire models and their applications, including: 
developing methods to assess fire hazard and risk; creating advanced, 
usable models for the calculation of building fires and their effect on 
the environment and structure; integrating fire models with building 
control and fire alarm systems, developing advanced information systems 
for fire fighters; developing a protocol for determining the accuracy 
of algorithms and comprehensive models; developing data bases to 
facilities use of fire models; and advancing the concepts of 
performance-based engineering.
    D. Advanced Fire Measurements: To produce the scientific basis and 
robust measurement methods for characterizing fires and their effluents 
at full- and reduced-scales. This includes discrete point, volume-
integrated, and time- and space-resolved measurements for such 
properties as temperature, smoke density, chemical species, and flow 
velocity. Laboratory and computational research are also performed to 
understand the underpinning fire phenomena to ensure the soundness of 
the developed measurement techniques.
    E. Materials Fire Research: To perform research enabling the 
confident development by industry of new, less-flammable materials and 
products. This capability is based on understanding fundamentally the 
mechanisms that control the ignition, flame spread and burning rate of 
materials, as well as and

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the chemical and physical characteristics that affect these aspects of 
flammability. This includes: developing methods of measuring the 
response of a material to fire conditions that enable assured 
prediction of the full-scale performance of the final product; 
developing computational molecular dynamics and other mechanistic 
approaches to understand flame retardant mechanisms and the effects of 
polymer chemical structure on flammability; characterizing the burning 
rates of charring and non-charring polymer and composites; and 
delineating the modeling the enthalpy and mass transfer mechanisms of 
materials combustion.
    F. Fire Sensing and Extinguishment: To develop understanding, 
metrology and predictive methods to enable high-performance fire 
sensing and extinguishment systems; and devising new approaches to 
minimize the impact of unwanted fires and the suppression process. This 
includes: performing research for the identification and in-situ 
measurement of the symptoms of pending and nascent fires and the 
consequences of suppression; devising or adapting monitors for these 
variables and the intelligence for timely interpretation of the data; 
developing methods to characterize the performance of new approaches to 
fire detection and suppression; determining mechanisms for deflagration 
and detonation suppression by advanced agents and principles for their 
optimal use; and modeling the extinguishment process.

Eligibility

    For the Precision Measurement Grants Program, universities and 
colleges in the United States. For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF 
Programs, colleges and universities in the United States with degree 
programs in materials science, chemistry, engineering, computer 
science, mathematics, or physics. Participating students must be U.S. 
citizens or permanent U.S. residents. For the MSEL Grants Program and 
the Fire Research Grants Program, these programs will be open to 
academic institutions, non-federal agencies, independent and industrial 
laboratories, and research organizations. Immediate family members of 
NIST Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) staff are ineligible 
for support from the Fire Research Grants Program.

Funding Availability

    For all Financial Assistance programs listed below, awards are 
contingent on the availability of funds. For the Precision Measurement 
Grants Program, the annual budget is approximately $300,000. If an 
applicant proposes a mult-year project, the scope of work must be 
clearly severable into annual increments of meaningful work that 
represent solid accomplishments if continuing funding if not made 
available to the applicant. Because of commitments for supporting 
multi-year programs, only a portion of the budget is available to 
initiate new programs or renew existing ones in any one year.
    For the Physics SURF Program, the NIST Physics Laboratory will 
commit approximately $50,000 to support these cooperative agreements. 
The NIST Physics Laboratory's REU Program is anticipating renewal of 
funding by the NSF at the level of $70,000 per year. The anticipated 
direct costs for stipends, travel, housing, and conference attendance 
for twenty-five students is about $150,000. The actual number of awards 
made under this announcement will depend on the level of cost sharing 
by academic partners.
    For the MSEL SURF Program, the NIST Materials Science and 
Engineering Laboratory anticipates receiving funding as a NSF REU 
Program at the level of $50,000 per year. For the NEL SURF Program, the 
NIST Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory anticipates receiving funding 
as a NSF REU Program at the level of $52,000 per year. It is 
anticipated that the funding for both of these programs would provide 
for the costs of stipends, travel and housing, and the conference 
attendance of eight students for each program. The actual number of 
awards made under this announcement will depend on the level of cost 
sharing by academic partners.
    For the MSEL Grants Program, proposals will be considered for 
research projects from one to three years. When a proposal for a multi-
year award is approved, funding will usually be provided for only the 
first year of the program. If an application is selected for funding, 
NIST has no obligation to provide any additional 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. Funding for 
each subsequent year of a multi-year proposal will be contingent upon 
satisfactory progress, continuing relevance to the mission of the MSEL 
program, and the availability of funds. The multi-year awards must have 
scopes of work that can be easily separated into annual increments of 
meaningful work that represent solid accomplishments if prospective 
funding is not made available to the applicant (i.e., the scopes of 
work for each funding period must produce identifiable and meaningful 
results in and of themselves). In fiscal year 2000, the MSEL Grants 
Program anticipates funding of approximately $750,000, including new 
awards and continuing projects.
    For the Fire Research Grants Program, the annual budget is $1.34 
million. Because of commitments for the support of multi-year projects, 
only a portion of the budget is available to initiate new programs in 
any one year. Most grants and cooperative agreements are in the $10,000 
to $100,000 per year range.

Proposal Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

    For the Precision Measurement Grants Program, to simplify the 
proposal writing and evaluation process, the following selection 
procedure will be used:
    The abbreviated proposals will be reviewed on the bases of the 
evaluation criteria below. The NIST Precision Measurement Grants 
Committee and the Outside Review Committee will then select 
approximately four to eight semifinalists and request that these 
candidates submit full proposals. The same committees will evaluate the 
detailed proposals based on the evaluation criteria. In recommending 
applications for funding, the program's selecting official will take 
into consideration the results of the evaluations, the needs of the 
NIST laboratories, and the committees' judgment as to which 
applications, when the slate is taken as a whole, are likely to best 
further the goals of the NIST Precision Measurements Grants Program. 
Two grantees for fiscal year 2000 will be selected. 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.
    The evaluation criteria to be used in evaluating the preapplication 
proposals and full proposals are:
    1. The importance of the proposed research--Does it have the 
potential of answering some currently pressing question or of opening 
up a whole new area of activity?
    2. The relationship of the proposed research to NIST's ongoing 
work--Will it support one of NIST's current efforts to develop a new or 
improved fundamental measurement method or physical standard, or to 
better

[[Page 68329]]

understand an important, but already existing, measurement method or 
physical standard?
    3. The feasibility of the research--Is it likely that significant 
progress can be made in a three year time period with the funds and 
personnel available?
    4. The past accomplishments of the applicant--Is the quality of the 
research previously carried out by the prospective grantee such that 
there is a high probability that the proposed research will be 
successfully carried out?
    Each of these factors is given equal weight in the selection 
process.
    For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, all proposals will be 
reviewed and ranked by a panel of three NIST scientists appointed by 
the Program Directors on the basis of the evaluation criteria. 
Proposals should include the following:
    (A) Student Information:
    (1) Official transcript for each student nominated for 
participation (students must have a recommended G.P.A. of 3.0 or 
better, out of a possible 4.0);
    (2) A personal statement from each student and statement of 
commitment to participate in the 2000 SURF program, including a 
description of the student's prioritized research interests;
    (3) A resume for each student; and
    (4) Two letters of recommendation for each student.
    (B) Information About the Applicant Institution:
    (1) Description of the institution's education and research 
philosophy, faculty interests, on-campus research program(s) and 
opportunities, and overlapping research interests of NIST and the 
institution; and
    (2) A statement addressing issues of academic credit and cost 
sharing.
    For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, the evaluation 
criteria are: Evaluation of Student's Academic Ability and Commitment 
to Program Goals (70%): Includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of 
the following: Completed course work; expressed research interest; 
prior research experience; grade point average in courses relevant to 
program; career plans; honors and activities.
    Evaluation of Applicant Institution's Commitment to Program Goals 
(30%): Includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of the following: 
Institution's focus on AMO physics, materials science, manufacturing 
research and all of its components, including but not limited to 
engineering, computer science, physics, and mathematics; overlap 
between research interests of the institution and NIST; emphasis on 
undergraduate hands-on research; undergraduate participation in 
research conferences/programs; on-campus research facilities; past 
participation by students/institution in such programs; and commitment 
to educate women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. In the 
spirit of a true partnership, successful applicant institutions will be 
encouraged to contribute some partial support to the program. A 
suggested level of participation would be to directly cover student 
travel (one round trip by common carrier) or housing costs 
(approximately $2000); stated intent to support the participating 
students at a research conference, and/or awarding of academic credit 
for the student research.
    In recommending applications for funding, the program's selecting 
official will take into consideration the results of the panel's 
evaluations, including rank, the needs of the NIST laboratories, and 
the selecting official's judgment as to which applications, when the 
slate is taken as a whole, are likely to best further the goals of the 
SURF 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.
    For the MSEL Grants Program, proposals will be reviewed in a two-
step process. First, a panel of at least three individuals 
knowledgeable about the particular scientific area described in the 
section above that the proposal addresses will conduct a technical 
review of proposals, as they are received on a rolling basis, based on 
the evaluation criteria. Second, the Division Chief or Center Director 
will make final award selections. In making final award selections, the 
Division Chief or Center Director will take into consideration the 
results of the panel's evaluations, including rank, the compatibility 
of the applicant's proposal with the program objectives of the 
particular division or center that the proposal addresses, and the 
Division Chief or Center Director's judgment as to which applications, 
when the slate is taken as a whole, are likely to best further the 
objectives of the MSEL Grants Program. These objectives are described 
above in the ``Program Objectives'' section. If an award is made to an 
applicant that does not receive the highest score in its category by 
technical reviewers, the Division Chief or Center Director shall 
justify the selection in writing. 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.
    For the MSEL Grants Program, the evaluation criteria the technical 
reviewers will use in evaluating the proposals are as follows:
    1. Rationality. Reviewers will consider the coherence of the 
applicant's approach and the extent to which the proposal effectively 
addresses scientific and technical issues.
    2. Qualifications of Technical Personnel. Reviewers will consider 
the professional accomplishments, skills, and training of the proposed 
personnel to perform the work in the project.
    3. Resources Availability. Reviewers will consider the extent to 
which the proposer has access to necessary facilities and other support 
to accomplish project objectives.
    4. Technical Merit of Contribution. Reviewers will consider the 
potential technical effectiveness of the proposal and the value it 
would contribute to the field of materials science and engineering and 
neutron research.
    Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation 
process, except where much of the work is to be carried out at NIST, 
which would lower the weight of criterion 3.
    For the Fire Research Grants Program, all proposals are assigned, 
as received on a rolling basis, to the appropriate group leader of the 
six programs listed above in the program description/objectives. 
Proposals are evaluated for technical merit based on the evaluation 
criteria by at least three reviewers chosen from NIST professionals, 
technical experts from other interested government agencies, and 
experts from the fire research community at large. Both the technical 
value of the proposal and the relationship of the work proposed to the 
needs of the specific program are taken into consideration in the group 
leader's recommendation to the Division Chief. In making the final 
selections, the Division Chief will take into consideration the results 
of the evaluations, the scores of the reviewers, and the Division 
Chief's judgment as to which applications, when the slate is taken as a 
whole, are likely to best further the goals of the Fire Research Grants 
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

[[Page 68330]]

and whether the recommended applicants appear competently managed, 
responsible, and committed to achieving project objectives. The 
decision of the Grants Officer is final. Applicants should allow up to 
90 days processing time.
    For the Fire Research Grants Program, the technical evaluation 
criteria includes the following:

a.  Technical quality of the research: 0-35 points.
b.  Potential impact of the results: 0-25 points.
c.  Staff and institution capability to do the work. 0-20 points.
d.  Match of budget to proposed work: 0-20 points.

Award Period

    For the Precision Measurement Grants Program, NIST is now accepting 
applications for two new grants in the amount of $50,000 per year to be 
awarded for the period October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001 
(fiscal year 2001). Each grant may be renewed for up to two additional 
years; however, future or continued funding will be at the discretion 
of NIST based on satisfactory performance, continuing relevance to 
program objectives, and the availability of funds.
    For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, these programs are 
anticipated to run between May 22 through August 11, 2000; adjustments 
may be made to accommodate specific academic schedules (e.g., a limited 
number of 10-week cooperative agreements).
    For the MSEL Grants Program, proposals will be considered for 
research projects from one to three years. When a proposal for a multi-
year award is approved, funding will generally be provided for only the 
first year of the program. If an application is selected for funding, 
NIST has no obligation to provide any additional 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. Funding for 
each subsequent year of a multi-year proposal will be contingent upon 
satisfactory progress, continued reverence to the mission of the MSEL 
program, and the availability of funds.
    For the Fire Research Grants Program, proposals will be considered 
for research projects from one to three years. When a proposal for a 
multi-year is approved, funding will initially be provided for only the 
first year of the program. If an application is selected 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 DoC. 
Funding for each subsequent year of a multi-year proposal will be 
contingent on satisfactory progress, continuing relevance to the 
mission of the NIST Fire Research Program, and the availability of 
funds.

Matching Requirements

    Each of the above grants programs does not involve the payment of 
any matching funds, with the exception of the Physics, MSEL and MEL 
SURF Programs, which use cost-sharing as an evaluation criterion.

Application Kit

    An application kit, containing all required application forms and 
certifications is available by contacting: for the Precision 
Measurement Grants Program, Ms. Michelle Hane, (301) 975-4397; for the 
Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, Ms. Anita Sweigert, (301) 975-
4200, websites for each program's application kit may be accessed 
through the following website: http://www.surf.nist.gov; for the MSEL 
Grants Program, Ms. Patty Salpino, (301) 975-5731; and for the Fire 
Research Grants Program, Ms. Sheilda Bryner, (301) 975-5851. The 
application kit includes the following:

SF 424 (Rev 7/97)--Application for Federal Assistance
SFA 424A (Rev 7/97)--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
SF 424B (Rev 7/97)--Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
CD 511 (Rev 7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and 
Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and 
Lobbying
CD 512 (Rev 7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions 
and Lobbying
SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
CD-346--Applicant for Funding Assistance

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. 0348-0043, 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, 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 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 at 15 CFR part 26, Section 
105) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and 
Suspension'' and the related section of the certification form 
prescribed above applies.
2. Drug-Free Workplace
    Grantees (as defines at 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 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 institution that has paid or will pay for lobbying 
using any funds must submit an 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

[[Page 68331]]

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 key 
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. Form CD-346 must be completed for all 
personnel with key programmatic or fiduciary responsibilities.

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 on 
repayment is received, or
    3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.

Indirect Costs

    Regardless of any approved indirect cost rate applicable to the 
award, the maximum dollar amount of allocable indirect costs for which 
the DoC will reimburse the Recipient shall be the lesser of:
    (a) The Federal Share of the total allocable indirect costs of the 
award based on the negotiated rate with the cognizant Federal agency as 
established by audit or negotiation; or
    (b) The line item amount for the Federal share of indirect costs 
contained in the approved budget of the award.
    For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, no Federal funds will 
be authorized for Indirect Costs (IDC); however, an applicant may 
provide for IDC under his/her portion of Cost Sharing.

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 Polices and Procedures

    Recipients and subrecipients under each of the above grant programs 
shall be subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Departmental 
regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to financial 
assistance awards.
    Each of the above grant programs does not directly affect any state 
or local government.
    Applications under these programs 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: December 1, 1999.
Karen H. Brown,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 99-31607 Filed 12-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M