[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 23, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33312-33313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12932]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Competitive Financial Assistance for the Office of 
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of Financial Assistance Solicitation DE-PS01-00NN20115; 
Biological Detection and Enabling Science.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Research and Engineering (NN-20) of the Office 
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (NN), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 
hereby announces its interest in receiving grant applications for its 
Chemical and Biological Nonproliferation Program. Research is sought 
for experimental and computational studies for biological detection and 
the underlying enabling science.

DATES: The formal solicitation document, which will include greater 
detail about specific program areas of interest, application 
instructions, and evaluation criteria, is expected to be issued in 
early June 2000. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to submit 
a brief two to four page pre-application. All pre-applications, 
referencing solicitation DE-PS01-00NN20115, should be received by DOE 
by 2:30 p.m., EST, June 23, 2000. A response encouraging or 
discouraging the submission of a formal application will be 
communicated by electronic mail by June 30, 2000. The due date for 
applications in response to the formal solicitation will be 2:30 p.m., 
EST, July 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Both pre-applications and applications should be submitted 
electronically through the Department's Industry Interactive 
Procurement System (IIPS) located at http://doe-iips.pr.doe.gov. 
Further information and

[[Page 33313]]

instructions for using the IIPS system are provided under the 
Supplementary Information section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Leotta, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Headquarters Procurement Services, ATTN: MA-542, 1000 
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585, telephone number (202) 
426-0063, facsimile number (202) 426-0168 or e-mail at: 
[email protected]. Questions or comments related to using the 
Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) should be directed to 
the IIPS help-line at 1-800-683-0751. The preferred method of 
submitting questions is through e-mail. Only questions and/or comments 
submitted to Mr. Leotta will be considered. Questions or comments that 
are technical in nature will be directed by Mr. Leotta to the program 
office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The formal solicitation document will be 
disseminated electronically as solicitation number DE-PS01-00NN20115 
through the Department's Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) 
located on the Doing Business with DOE Homepage located at http://doe-iips.pr.doe.gov. This is the primary way for the Office of Headquarters 
Procurement Services to conduct competitive acquisitions and financial 
assistance transactions. IIPS provides the medium for disseminating 
solicitations, receiving financial assistance applications and 
proposals, evaluating, and awarding various instruments in a paperless 
environment. To get more information about IIPS and to register your 
organization, go to http://www.doe-iips.pr.doe.gov. Click on one of the 
buttons on the left-hand side of the screen (information, register, 
log-in or browse IIPS). Registration is a prerequisite to the 
submission of an application, and applicants are encouraged to register 
as soon as possible. A help document, which describes how IIPS works, 
can be found at the bottom of the main page.
    The Chemical and Biological Nonproliferation Program (CBNP) is an 
applied research and development program that seeks to develop advanced 
technologies and capabilities to counter the domestic chemical and 
biological threat. The program supports a diverse set of technology 
development efforts and related demonstration programs in areas 
including: biological detection, modeling, decontamination and the 
underlying biological sciences. Additional information on the program 
content and context are available on the CBNP website at: 
www.nn.doe.gov/cbnp.

Biological Detection and Enabling Science

    A key component in the U.S. strategy to counter the threat posed by 
biological agents is biological detection. Early detection of a 
biological attack whether by direct detection of airborne biological 
agents, or rapid detection of those who have been exposed (pre-
symptomatic) is essential to minimize the impact of such attacks. The 
DOE program is investing in technological approaches that have the 
potential to provide rapid detection of a suite of agents with high 
sensitivity and high selectivity. The existing portfolio of CBNP-
supported projects are described on the CBNP website (www.nn.doe.gov/cbnp).
    The CBNP is interested in projects that will further the knowledge 
of, and lead to improvements in, and techniques to bind and recognize 
specific biological pathogens. Selected projects will contribute to the 
public purpose by enhancing the understanding of the general scientific 
area of biological recognition, and will complement existing detector 
development projects underway within the CBNP. We are particularly 
interested in approaches that would ultimately lead to improved 
biological detection through higher sensitivity, specificity or shelf-
live of reagents, or via decreased dependence on reagent use or sample 
preparation. Technological approaches need not be antigen-based, but 
may include nucleic acid recognition or other possible mechanisms.
    Examples of possible topics include, but are not limited to:
     Structurally-based ligand design
     Molecularly imprinted polymers
     Combinatorial receptor design
     Phage display
    Preference will be given to those applications that seek to develop 
approaches that will have broad generality to classes of pathogens. In 
addition, applications that propose to use biological targets relevant 
to the CBNP mission will be preferred over those that focus loosely on 
surrogate compounds.
    The Statutory authority for this program is listed under the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 81.113.

Carol M. Rueter,
Director, Division C, Office of Headquarters Procurement Services.
[FR Doc. 00-12932 Filed 5-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P