[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12223-12224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5656]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Golden Field Office; Supplemental Announcement to the Broad Based 
Solicitation for Financial Assistance Applications Involving Research, 
Development and Demonstration for the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy; University Research for the Advancement of the Solar 
Dish/Converter Technology

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Supplemental Announcement 06 to the Broad Based Solicitation 
for Submission of Financial Assistance Applications Involving Research, 
Development and Demonstration DE-PS36-00GO10482

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE 
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.8, is announcing its intention 
to solicit applications from accredited colleges or universities for 
the advancement of solar dish/converter technology. The financial 
assistance awards issued as a result of this Supplemental Announcement 
will be cooperative agreements.

DATES: DOE expects to issue the Supplemental Announcement in March 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Supplemental Announcement, once issued, can be 
obtained from the Golden Field Office Home page at http://
www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicitations.html. It is DOE's intention not 
to issue hard copies of the Solicitation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under this Supplemental Announcement, DOE is 
soliciting Applications from accredited colleges or universities for 
fundamental research that advances solar dish/converter technology. 
Innovative subsystem, component, or system concepts are sought for 
ultimate integration into a technically and economically viable dish/
converter system in the 1 to 5 kWe range. The

[[Page 12224]]

development of alternate or advanced power conversion devices, 
advancements of dish concentrator components, and the integration of 
these conversion devices and concentrator concepts are of specific 
interest.
    A goal of DOE's Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Program is the 
development of clean, competitive, and reliable power options using 
concentrated sunlight. To achieve this goal, the Department of Energy 
is interested in fundamental research that will advance existing solar 
dish/converter technology through improved performance, increased 
reliability, and reduced cost. The DOE is also interested in supporting 
research of new and innovative system concepts which have the potential 
for efficiently converting concentrated solar energy to electricity in 
the 1 to 5 kWe range. To improve the economic viability, 
small-scale (5-10 m \2\) concentrators can be combined with potentially 
reliable, low-cost 1-5 kWe converter options such as 
concentrating PV or small free-piston Stirling engines.
    Applicants are requested to conduct fundamental research that 
either advances the performance of dish/converter technologies or the 
development of new system concepts and to demonstrate system or 
component performance through test, modeling, or analysis. Research 
should be directed towards the design and development of subsystems, 
components, or system designs through the enhancement or adaptation of 
existing technology or through the development of advanced 
technologies.
    System or component concepts with the potential to improve dish/
converter technology performance, operability, and economics will be 
major factors in selecting Applications for award. Successful 
Applicants will develop designs that can lower system cost (i.e., 
capital, installation, operation, or maintenance), improve performance, 
and increase system reliability and maintainability. As part of the 
research, design concepts or component performance must be verified 
through test, modeling, or analysis. Submittal and acceptance of an 
interim report, along with a design review, will be required prior to 
proceeding with prototype development or concept verification. 
Eligibility for continued funding will be based on the quality of the 
interim report, results of the design review, viability of the design, 
and the availability of DOE funding.
    Applications under this Supplemental Announcement must demonstrate 
the capabilities, commitment, and resources necessary to conduct the 
research and the potential to either enhance or adapt existing 
technology or advance the state of solar dish/converter technology. 
Technical support and assistance may be provided by the Department of 
Energy, through the National Laboratories. Any specific support through 
a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), which 
includes all DOE National Laboratories, should be included as a 
separate task in the Statement of Work and the related costs separately 
identified. These costs should not be included in the proposed budget.
    Only accredited colleges or universities are eligible to apply for 
Financial Assistance under this Supplemental Announcement. Awards under 
this Supplemental Announcement will be Cooperative Agreements with 
terms of up to three years. Subject to funding availability, a total of 
$2,000,000 in DOE funding is anticipated over a three year period for 
all awards under this Supplemental Announcement. The DOE anticipates 
selecting three to five applications for award under this Supplemental 
Announcement. However, upon funding availability, DOE reserves the 
right to fund portions of additional applications. As fundamental 
research is solicited through this Supplemental Announcement, no cost 
share is required in order to be considered for award under this 
solicitation. However, cost share will be considered in selecting 
applications for award.
    Solicitation Number DE-PS36-00GO10482, in conjunction with 
Supplemental Announcement 06, will include complete information on the 
program including technical aspects, funding, application preparation 
instructions, application evaluation criteria, and other factors that 
will be considered when selecting projects for funding. Responses to 
the Supplemental Announcement will be due approximately 90 days 
following issuance of the Supplemental Announcement. Questions should 
be submitted in writing to: Ruth E. Adams, DOE Golden Field Office, 
1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393; transmitted via facsimile 
to Ruth E. Adams at (303) 275-4788; or electronically to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Adams, Contracting Officer, at 
303-275-4722, e-mail [email protected].

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on February 29, 2000.
Jerry L. Zimmer,
Procurement Director, GO.
[FR Doc. 00-5656 Filed 3-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P