[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4814-4815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2060]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Chicago Operations Office; Office of Industrial Technologies 
(OIT); Notice of the Glass Industry of the Future Solicitation

AGENCY:  Chicago Operations Office, DOE.

ACTION:  Notice of Solicitation Availability.

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SUMMARY:  The U.S. Department of Energy announces its interest in 
receiving applications for federal assistance for cost shared research 
and development of technologies which will enhance economic 
competitiveness, reduce energy consumption and reduce environmental 
impacts of the U.S. glass industry. The key objective of this 
solicitation and the resulting projects are improvement of the 
manufacture of glass in the U.S. focusing on production efficiency, 
energy efficiency, environmental protection and recycling, and 
innovative types and/or uses of glass. These objectives are intended to 
be achieved through several avenues, including the development of 
improved technologies and better application of existing technologies.

DATES:  The complete solicitation document will be available on or 
about February 15, 2000 on the Internet by accessing the DOE Chicago 
Operations Office Acquisition and Assistance Group Home Page at http://www.ch.doe.gov/business/ACQ.htm under the heading ``Current 
Solicitations'', Solicitation No. DE-SC02-00CH11037. Applications are 
due on or about April 3, 2000. Awards are anticipated by August 1, 
2000, pending availability of funding.

ADDRESSES:  Completed applications must be submitted to: U.S. 
Department of Energy, Chicago Operations Office, Attn: David E. 
Ramirez, Bldg. 201, Communications Center, Room 168, 9800 South Cass 
Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439-4899.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  David Ramirez at (630) 252-2133; by 
mail at U.S. Department of Energy, 9800 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 
60439-4899; by facsimile at (630) 252-5045; or by electronic mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    DOE through its Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) supports 
industries in their efforts to increase energy efficiency, reduce waste 
and increase productivity. The goal of OIT is to accelerate the 
development and use of advanced energy efficiency, renewable and 
pollution prevention technologies that benefit industry, the 
environment, and U.S. energy security. OIT's core program is the 
Industries of the Future Program (IOF), which focuses on basic 
materials and processing industries such as the glass industry.

Solicitation Topics

    In keeping with the IOF strategy, this solicitation will seek 
applications for financial assistance in projects that address the 
research needs identified in one or more of the topical areas listed 
below:

A. Production Efficiency

    New ways of improving product quality and increasing volume using 
existing furnaces must be developed if each manufacturing sector is to 
maintain its revenue. Applications will be sought in the areas of 
advanced technologies that can cost-effectively enhance glass-
manufacturing capabilities.

B. Energy Efficiency

    The industry believes the development of more energy-efficient 
manufacturing technologies will achieve significant energy savings and 
help to strengthen the competitiveness of glass products both 
internationally and with other materials, especially in the event that 
energy prices rise significantly. Applications will be sought in the 
areas of advanced technologies to effectively reduce the energy use in 
glass manufacturing.

C. Environment

    The glass industry would be much better equipped to reduce 
emissions if it had a stronger understanding of the formation and fate 
of emissions in current processes, as well as a better understanding of 
the fundamental process mechanisms and chemical reactions involved. 
Applications will be sought for technology and underlying fundamental 
knowledge in reduced emissions and increased recycling.

D. Innovative Uses of Glass

    The industry needs to develop more cost-effective manufacturing 
techniques to compete against other materials in new and existing 
markets, and support business and technical research to create 
completely new, innovative glass-containing products and processes in 
markets which previously did not use glass products. Applications will 
be sought for processing techniques and underlying fundamental 
knowledge that will enable improved or innovative glass products.
    All projects must contribute to enhancing the economic 
competitiveness of the glass industry through significant benefits in 
energy and environmental quality. Subtopics and specific details under 
the above topical areas will be available in the solicitation document.

[[Page 4815]]

Type and Number of Anticipated Awards

    It is the Government's intent to award approximately seven (7) to 
ten (10) Cooperative Agreements under this solicitation with a maximum 
estimated DOE funding of $500,000 per year for each Cooperative 
Agreement up to a three (3) year period, subject to the availability of 
funds. Total estimated Government funding for the solicitation is 
approximately $10 million for the maximum three-year period.

Application Requirements

    Teaming arrangements will be required. Applications, which do not 
propose a teaming arrangement of at least two glass industry companies, 
will not be evaluated. A ``glass industry company'' is defined as a 
private (profit or non-profit) organization that manufactures glass and 
allied products or provides products or services to such manufacturers. 
In addition, raw material suppliers, equipment and technology 
suppliers, architectural and engineering companies, software and 
consulting firms, trade and professional associations, and research 
institutes, that routinely conduct a minimum of 10% of their business 
with glass industry manufacturers are within the scope of the 
definition.
    Teams may also include, but are not limited to, universities, trade 
associations, DOE National Laboratories, and small businesses which 
facilitate technology transfer to the private sector, promote 
commercialization, and enhance U.S. competitiveness. Any non-profit or 
for-profit organization, university or other institution of higher 
education, or non-federal agency or entity is eligible to apply unless 
otherwise restricted by the Simpson-Craig Amendment.
    Applicants are required to cost share a minimum of 50% of the total 
project costs to be incurred under the proposed project to be eligible 
for award under this solicitation. The minimum cost share requirement 
of 50% must be met for each year, phase, or budget period, as 
appropriate, under the proposed project. Teaming arrangements with DOE 
National Laboratories must be such that the Laboratory participation 
may not exceed 50% of the total estimated cost of the project.
    In addition to the foregoing, other evaluation and selection 
criteria will be developed in accordance with 10 CFR 600.10--Form and 
Content of Applications and 10 CFR 600.13--Merit Review.

    Issued in Argonne, Illinois, on January 20, 2000.
John D. Greenwood,
Manager, Acquisition and Assistance Group.
[FR Doc. 00-2060 Filed 1-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P