[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 103 (Friday, May 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34149-34151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13299]



[[Page 34149]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket Number: 000505126-0126-01
RIN 0693-ZA37


Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, NIST Center for 
Neutron Research Supplemental 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 National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for 
Neutron Research (NCNR) is establishing a supplemental program within 
the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL) Grants Program, 
offering financial assistance in the field of Neutron Scattering 
Research and Spectroscopy.

DATES: Proposals for the NCNR Supplemental Grants Program must be 
received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (June 26, 2000). 
Applications received after the closing time and date will not be 
accepted, and they will be returned to the sender.

ADDRESSES:  Each applicant must submit one signed original and two 
paper copies of a proposal with a Grant Application (Standard Form 424, 
Rev. 7/97 series and other required forms) to Denise Sullivan, National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST Center for Neutron 
Research, STOP 8560, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8560, Phone (301) 
975-5831. Facsimile, electronic mail, and other forms of electronic 
application submissions will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Ms. Denise Sullivan (301) 975-5831.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number: Measurement 
and Engineering Research and Standards--11.609.

    Authority: As authorized under 15 U.S.C. 272(b)(7) and (c)(16), 
the MSEL conducts a basic and applied research program directly and 
through grants and cooperative agreements to eligible recipients.

Program Description/Objectives

    The primary objective of the supplemental program in Neutron 
Research is to develop new areas of neutron instrumentation with 
emphasis on cold neutrons; to explore and develop new areas of neutron 
scattering science, with emphasis on macromolecular science, condensed 
matter physics, and chemistry; to assist and train facility users in 
their research, and to conduct other outreach and educational 
activities that advance the use of neutrons by U.S. university and 
industrial scientists.

Eligibility

    The NCNR Supplemental Grants Program will be open to colleges and 
universities in the United States.

Funding Instrument

    The funding instrument will be a cooperative agreement, to allow 
substantial NIST involvement in directing and collaborating on the 
scope of work.

Funding Availability

    Proposals will be considered for research projects with durations 
up to five years, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress, and continuing relevance to the objectives of the NIST Center 
for Neutron Research. The anticipated level of funding for the 
supplemental program in Neutron Research in the MSEL Grants Program is 
for one ward of up to $2,000,000 per year.

Proposal Review and Evaluation Criteria

    Proposals will be reviewed in a two-step process. First, an 
independent, objective panel of at least three individuals 
knowledgeable about neutron scattering research and spectroscopy will 
conduct a technical review of proposals, based on the evaluation 
criteria. Second, the Center Director will make the final award 
selection. In making the final award selection, the 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 NCNR, and the Center Director's judgment as 
to which application, when the slate is taken as a whole, is likely to 
best further the objectives of the NCNR Supplemental Grants Program, 
described above in the ``Program Description/Objectives'' section. If 
an award is made to an applicant inconsistent with the ranking by 
technical reviewers, the Center Director shall justify the selection in 
writing. The final approval of the selected application and award of a 
cooperative agreement 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 NCNR Supplemental Grants Program, the evaluation criteria 
the technical reviewers will use in evaluating the proposals are a 
follows:
    1. Qualifications and experience of the Principle Investigator in 
neutron scattering research, as demonstrated by extensive publications 
and invited lectures in condensed matter physics, chemistry, material 
science, macromolecular science or ralted fields. (15%)
    2. Qualifications and experience of the proposed staff of the 
university in neutron scattering research or in related scientific or 
engineering areas that are key to the activities contained in the 
proposal, as demonstrated by resumes of staff proposed for this 
program. (25%)
    3. Quality of the proposed research and development plan and its 
potential impact on neutron scattering science, particularly in the 
areas of macromolecular science, condensed matter physics, and 
chemistry. (30%)
    4. Quality of the plan in the terms of providing research 
assistance to U.S. neutron researchers using the NCNR facilities and 
related training, education, and outreach plan. (20%)
    5. Quality of the plan for special engagement and outreach to 
minority or female students, professional scientists, or institutions. 
(10%)

Award Period

    Proposals will be considered for research projects with a duration 
of up to five 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 relevance to the mission of the NCNR 
program, and the availability of funds.

Matching Funds

    This program does not require the recipient to provide any matching 
funds.

Application Kit

    An application kit, containing all required application forms and 
certifications is available by contacting Ms. Denise Sullivan, (301) 
975-5831. The application kit includes the following:


[[Page 34150]]


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 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
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, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001.
    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, ``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 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 defined 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 
contacting 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--LL, 
``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 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.

Preaward 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 one 
payment 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.

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 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

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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: May 22, 2000.
Karen H. Brown,
Deputy Director, NIST.
[FR Doc. 00-13299 Filed 5-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M