[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71542-71543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30407]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


National Energy Technology Laboratory; Notice of Availability of 
a Financial Assistance Solicitation

AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Department of 
Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Financial Assistance Solicitation.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intent to issue Financial 
Assistance Solicitation No. DE-PS26-03NT41714 entitled ``Support of 
Advanced Fossil Resource Utilization Research by Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities and other Minority Institutions.'' The 
Department of Energy announces that it intends to conduct a competitive 
Program Solicitation and award financial assistance (grants) to U.S. 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Other Minority 
Institutions (OMI) in support of innovative research and development of 
advanced concepts pertinent to fossil resource conversion and 
utilization. Applications will be subjected to a review by a DOE 
technical panel, and awards will be made to a select number of 
applicants based on the scientific merit of the application, relevant 
program policy factors, and the availability of funds. Collaboration 
with private industry is encouraged.

DATES: The solicitation was made available on the ``Industry 
Interactive Procurement System'' (IIPS) webpage located at http://e-
center.doe.gov on November 21, 2002. Applicants can obtain access to 
the solicitation from the address above or through DOE/NETL's Web site 
at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela M. Delmastro, MS 921-107, U.S. 
Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, 626 
Cochran's Mill Road, Pittsburgh PA 15236, E-mail Address: 
[email protected], Telephone Number: 412-386-5038.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE anticipates issuing Financial Assistance 
(Grants) awards. Approximately 1.0 to 1.5 million of DOE funding is 
planned to award between 4 to 8 projects from this solicitation.
    The intent of the Fossil Energy HBCU/OMI Program is to establish a 
mechanism for cooperative HBCU/OMI research and development projects; 
to provide faculty and student support at the institutions; to foster 
private sector participation and interaction with HBCU/OMIs in fossil 
energy research and development; to provide for the exchange of 
technical information and research hardware; to raise the overall level 
of competitiveness by the HBCU/OMIs with other institutions in the 
field of fossil research; and to tap a heretofore under-utilized 
resource by increasing the number of opportunities in the areas of 
science, engineering and technical management for HBCU/OMIs. The 
collaborative involvement of professors and students from the HBCU/OMI 
and the commercial sector in the development and execution of fresh new 
research ideas, and the establishment of linkages between the HBCU/OMI 
and private sector fossil energy community are essential to the success 
of this program and equally consistent with the goal of ensuring the 
U.S. a future supply of technically competent managers, scientists, 
engineers and technicians from a previously under-utilized resource. It 
will also serve to maintain and upgrade the educational, training, and 
research capabilities of our HBCUs/OMIs in the fields of science, 
engineering and technical management, and provide the talent for an 
improved utilization of the nation's fossil fuel resources. Therefore, 
the DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) invites HBCUs/
OMIs, in collaboration with the private sector, to submit applications 
for innovative research and development of advanced concepts related to 
fossil energy utilization and conversion. The overall purpose of this 
collaborative effort is to improve prospective U.S. commercial 
capabilities, and to increase scientific and technical understanding of 
the chemical and physical processes involved in the conversion and 
utilization of fossil fuels, thereby broadening fossil resource and 
technology benefits to our commerce and the consumer. Thus, HBCU/OMI 
faculty members and their institutions, in collaboration with the 
private sector, are strongly encouraged to undertake fossil energy-
related research and development or to continue ongoing work in this 
area. Pursuant to 10 CFR 600.6(b), eligibility for award under the 
subject solicitation is restricted to HBCUs/OMIs. Statutory authority 
for this Program is provided by Pub. L. 95-224, as amended by 97-258.
    Once released, the solicitation will be available for downloading 
from the IIPS internet page. At this Internet site you will also be 
able to register with IIPS, enabling you to submit an application. If 
you need technical assistance in registering or for any other IIPS 
function, call the IIPS Help Desk at (800) 683-0751, or e-mail the Help 
Desk personnel at IIPS center.doe.gov">HelpDesk@e-center.doe.gov. The solicitation will 
only be made available in IIPS, no hard (paper) copies of the 
solicitation and related documents will be made available.
    Prospective applicants who would like to be notified as soon as the 
solicitation is available should subscribe to the Business Alert 
Mailing List at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business. Once you subscribe, 
you will receive an announcement by E-mail that the solicitation has 
been released to the public. Telephone requests, written requests, E-
mail requests, or facsimile requests for a copy of the solicitation 
package will not be accepted and/or honored. Applications must be 
prepared and submitted in accordance with the instructions and forms 
contained in the solicitation. The actual solicitation document will 
allow for requests for explanation and/or interpretation.


[[Page 71543]]


    Issued in Pittsburgh, PA on November 19, 2002.
Dale A. Siciliano,
Director, Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 02-30407 Filed 11-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P