[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21129-21131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10503]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Initiative on Cooperative Programs with States for Research, 
Development and Demonstration

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of competitive financial assistance solicitation.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) is announcing a competitive 
solicitation for applications for cooperative agreements to pursue 
applied research, development and demonstration involving energy 
efficiency. Demonstrations will be limited to field tests that are 
primarily designed to provide critical operational feedback to 
researchers and/or manufacturers for the purpose of improving technical 
performance or lowering costs. The solicitation will not support 
demonstration projects intended primarily to stimulate market 
acceptance or build institutional support for available technologies. 
It is estimated that funding of approximately $6 million will be 
available for 6 to 10 awards under this solicitation in fiscal year 
2001. Projects may be for a maximum of three years with total DOE 
funding of no more than $1,000,000 (DOE funding of approximately of 
$300,000 per year). The following areas of interest have been 
identified: (1) Buildings; (2) State Industries of the Future; (3) 
Combined Heat and Power and Distributed Power; and (4) Transportation.

DATES: The formal solicitation document, which includes greater detail 
about specific program areas of interest, application instructions, due 
dates and evaluation criteria, is available on the Golden Field Office 
website (see address below). Prospective applicants will be required to 
submit a pre-application, not longer than two pages, by May 4, 2001. 
Any pre-applications which have been submitted to DOE under this 
solicitation in 2001, prior to this published notice, are not required 
to be re-submitted. All pre-applications must be submitted by an 
eligible applicant. A response to the pre-application encouraging or 
discouraging a formal application will be communicated to the 
applicant. Submission of a pre-application is a requirement for 
submitting an application under this solicitation.

ADDRESSES: The formal solicitation document is available electronically 
as Solicitation No. DE-PS36-01GO90010 through the Golden Field Office's 
World Wide Web site at: http://www.golden.doe.gov/businessopportunities.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole 
Blvd., Golden, CO 80401. The Contract Specialist is James Damm, at FAX 
(303) 275-4788 or e-mail at [email protected]. All questions or comments 
concerning this announcement must be in writing and should be directed 
to the attention of Mr. Damm. The preferred method of submitting 
questions and/or comments is through e-mail. Only questions and 
comments submitted to Mr. Damm will be considered. Questions and/or 
comments requiring coordination with EERE program officials will be 
directed by Mr. Damm to the cognizant offices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposals will be subject to the objective 
merit review procedures for the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy (EERE). Eligibility for this assistance is restricted 
to state agencies, (including state energy offices or organizations 
that represent state energy offices), and organizations that represent 
state energy research entities. Institutions of higher education are 
not eligible to be recipients under this solicitation. However, these 
institutions can participate as subawardees to eligible applicants. 
Eligible applicants may enter teaming arrangements with industry, DOE 
national laboratories, institutions of higher education, non-profit 
organizations, and Native American organizations.
    Applications by DOE management and operating contractors (M&O) will 
not be eligible for award. However, applications that include 
performance of a portion of the project, not to exceed 50 percent of 
the total effort, by an M&O contractor will be eligible provided that 
the proposed use of any such entity is specifically authorized in 
writing by the

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DOE Contracting Officer or authorized designee responsible for the M&O.
    This solicitation provides opportunities to leverage funds for 
Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) designed to advance 
technologies that promote energy efficiency. A minimum of 20 percent 
non-Federal cost-sharing will be required for all projects receiving 
awards. Any proposed cost-sharing above the minimum 20 percent will be 
given favorable consideration in the selection process.
    The Office of EERE implements DOE's strategic objectives of 
increasing the efficiency and productivity of energy use, while 
limiting environmental impacts; reducing the vulnerability of the U.S. 
economy to disruptions in energy supplies; ensuring that a competitive 
electric utility industry is in place that can deliver adequate and 
affordable supplies with reduced environmental impacts; supporting U.S. 
energy, environmental, and economic interests in global markets; and 
delivering leading-edge technologies.
    The purpose of the solicitation is to pursue applied research, 
development, and demonstration (including field testing) with state 
energy offices and state energy research organizations in the following 
technology areas (or combination of technology areas) as described 
below:

1. Building Technologies

A. Whole Buildings

    Through a whole building (or ``systems engineering'') approach, 
individual building components and subsystems are considered 
collectively in terms of their interactions and joint impacts on 
building occupants and building operating performance. Projects should 
focus on the following topics: daylighting, indoor environmental 
quality, commissioning and controls.

B. Building Components

    Building Equipment--energy conversion and control equipment 
supplying lighting, space conditioning (heating, cooling, 
dehumidification and ventilation), water heating, refrigeration, 
laundry, computing and information services and conveniences to 
building occupants and commercial operations. Specific needs include 
electric heat pump water heating, lighting controls, thermal 
distribution, unitary HVAC systems performance and dehumidification.
    Building Envelope--materials, components and systems for the 
windows, walls, roofs, foundations, and other elements which comprise 
building exteriors and provide thermal integrity and daylighting. 
Specific research needs include moisture research and window systems.

2. State Industries of the Future

    Specific needs include the following:
    Projects will be considered for funding that have been identified 
through a State Industries of the Future needs assessment exercise 
(local industry identification of priority research, development and 
demonstration needs that will result in enhanced energy efficiency, 
waste reduction and operational performance for that industry.) Only 
projects that address the nine Office of Industrial Technologies 
Industries of the Future will be considered. These industries are 
agriculture, aluminum, chemicals, forest products, glass, metal 
casting, mining, petroleum refining and steel. (Please visit our 
website at www.oit.doe.gov for a detailed explanation of the Industries 
of the Future.)
    Projects will be considered for funding that are not specifically 
addressed in one of the Office of Industrial Technologies national 
industry specific solicitations. Projects considered for funding will 
be projects that state industries have determined will address priority 
energy, environmental and operational needs, but are not included in 
the current national level solicitations. These needs might have either 
a state specific or national focus.
    Participating state agencies are highly encouraged to partner with 
a State Land Grant University. Proposals will discuss how the Land 
Grant Extension Service will be utilized to promote the technology and 
to disseminate results to the local industrial and manufacturing 
communities. Other partners including other universities, research 
institutions and laboratories may also be included in the project.

3. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Distributed Power

    Applications will be accepted for work involving distributed power 
and combined heat and power technologies. This work includes, but is 
not limited to, applied research and field testing to address:
    (a) Transmission constraints, interconnect barriers, and to 
encourage strategic placement of distributed power technologies, 
consistent and streamlined siting and permitting regulations, and an 
equipment pre-certification program to avoid long and costly permitting 
delays;
    (b) New commercial and industrial development and urban infill 
redevelopment for distributed generation utilizing several DOE 
developed technologies (e.g., fuel cells, microturbines, industrial 
turbines, photovoltaics, wind, solar geothermal and energy storage) and 
demand-side management measures to examine systemic operational 
parameters and capabilities;
    (c) Advanced distributed power and combined heat and power 
technologies at state and federal facilities; and
    (d) Hybrid applications (e.g., hybrid wind/fuel cell/microturbine 
applications) for institutional and commercial application.

4. Transportation

    Projects should focus on field research and technology validations 
/ operational tests designed to maximize the benefits of clean and 
efficient vehicle technologies. Cooperative projects should focus on 
the following:
    (a) Establishing benefits of emission control technologies:
    (1) Develop and validate sophisticated emissions models that can 
predict the emissions potential for a variety of engine (Compression-
ignition, direct injection (CIDI), Spark-ignition, direct injection 
(SIDI), microturbines) and exhaust after treatment systems in various 
hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) configurations;
    (2) Public sector field-testing of HEV performance (including 
emission effects) using various alternative fuels; and
    (3) Working with a national laboratory or University to develop a 
simple model of the engine out and tailpipe emissions performance of 
HEV.
    (b) Operational research on refueling infrastructure for 
alternative fuel vehicles (i.e. high pressure storage, low temperature 
liquefaction processes, fast charging and convenience charging issues).
    (c) Demonstration of the performance, reliability and durability of 
advanced transportation technologies (i.e. fuel cells, hybrid start/
stop propulsion systems, and motor with integrated controller systems) 
while providing feedback for furthering technology development.
    Additional information about the programs of the Office of EERE can 
be obtained at the Office's Internet site at http://www.eren.doe.gov.


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    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on April 20, 2001.
Jerry L. Zimmer,
Director, Office of Acquisition and Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 01-10503 Filed 4-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P