[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9999-10000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4865]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Number DE-PS36-03GO93004]


Inventions and Innovation Program

AGENCY: Golden Field Office, Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for financial assistance applications.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy (EERE), Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, 
is funding a competitive grant program entitled the Inventions and 
Innovation (I&I) Program. The goals of the I&I Program are to improve 
energy efficiency through the promotion of innovative ideas and 
inventions that have a significant, potential energy impact and a 
potential, future commercial market. The following EERE offices and 
programs are of particular

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interest to I&I: Biomass Program; Building Technologies Program; 
Distributed Energy & Electric Reliability Program; Federal Energy 
Management Program; FreedomCAR & Vehicle Technologies Program; 
Geothermal Technologies Program; Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure 
Technologies Program; Industrial Technologies Program; Solar Energy 
Technology Program; Weatherization & Intergovernmental Program; and 
Wind & Hydropower Technologies Program.

DATES: DOE issued the solicitation on February 13, 2003. The deadline 
for receipt of applications will be 3 p.m. Mountain Time on April 12, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: All Golden Field Office (GO) solicitations will be posted on 
the Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) Web site at http://
e-center.doe.gov; however, you may access them, along with IIPS 
instructions, through links on the GO Web site at: http://www.golden.doe.gov/businessopportunities.html by clicking on 
``Solicitations.'' IIPS provides the medium for disseminating 
solicitations, receiving financial assistance applications, and 
evaluating the applications in a paperless environment. Completed 
applications are required to be submitted via IIPS. Individuals who 
have the authority to enter their company into a legally binding 
contract/agreement and intend to submit proposals/applications via the 
IIPS system must register and receive confirmation that they are 
registered prior to being able to submit an application on the IIPS 
system. Questions regarding the operation of IIPS may be e-mailed to 
the IIPS Help Desk at center.doe.gov">IIPS_HelpDesk@e-center.doe.gov or call the help 
desk at (800) 683-0751.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margo Gorin, Contract Specialist, at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Solicitation Specifications: Eligibility 
requirements include the following:
    (1) Individuals that are U.S. citizens, either native-born or 
naturalized; (2) Small businesses (as defined by the Small Business 
Administration) that are incorporated and operating in the U.S. and 
that conduct at least 50% of the effort; or (3) Institutions of higher 
learning located in the U.S.--eligible to apply only under Category 1. 
Individual inventors and very small businesses (15 or fewer employees) 
are especially encouraged to participate. More than one application may 
be submitted by an applicant for different innovations. However, 
funding will be limited to one award per applicant, per cycle. Also 
more than one organization may be involved in an application as long as 
the lead organization and lead financial assistance management 
responsibilities are defined. The Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance number assigned to the I&I Program is 81.036. Cost sharing 
by applicants and/or cooperating participants is not required but 
highly encouraged. In addition to direct financial contributions, cost 
sharing can include beneficial services or items such as manpower, 
equipment, consultants, and computer time that are allowable in 
accordance with applicable cost principles.
    The Golden Field Office has been assigned the responsibility of 
issuing the solicitation and administering the awards. Ideas that have 
a significant energy savings impact and future commercial market 
potential are chosen for financial support through the competitive 
solicitation process. The I&I Program will provide financial assistance 
of up to $75,000 for Category 1 and up to $250,000 for Category 2 to 
applications that fall within the ``conceptual'' and ``developmental'' 
stages of development, respectively. To be considered for a Category 2 
award, a bench-scale model and/or other preliminary investigations must 
be complete. Each award may cover a project period of up to one year 
for Category 1 and up to two years for Category 2.
    A selection of former projects funded by the I&I Program that have 
reached commercial markets include the following:
    [sbull] Meta-Lax Stress Relief Equipment offers distinct advantages 
over conventional heat treatment methods. It uses less energy, is 
portable, can handle any size metal part, and treats metal stress in 
hours versus days.
    [sbull] Aero Cylinder Technology replaces conventional cylinders by 
combining air spring bellows into assemblies for use on machines (such 
as punch presses) to control motion and large masses. The air springs 
act as counter balancers and press cushioners to eliminate alignment 
problems. This proper alignment reduces downtime and compressed air 
losses, resulting in significant energy savings.
    [sbull] Electro-Optic Inspection of Heat Exchangers is a laser-
based, nondestructive evaluation system for inspecting heat exchanger 
tubing for internal corrosion, erosion, scale buildup, and deformation. 
Benefits to petrochemical, pulp and paper, and power-generation plants 
include reduced downtime and increased efficiency.
    [sbull] Hydrodynamic Multi-Deflection Pad Bearings optimize bearing 
operation in high-speed, combined heat and power turbines, high-load 
electric motors or gear boxes, air or gas compressors, and air 
conditioning refrigeration equipment. Energy loss due to friction is 
reduced up to forty-percent by using fluids as a wedge between pads and 
moving parts.
    Availability of Funds for FY 2003: DOE is announcing the 
availability of up to $1.2 million in agreement funds for Fiscal Year 
2003. The awards will be made through a competitive solicitation. DOE 
reserves the right to fund in whole or in part any, all, or none of the 
proposals submitted in response to this notice.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on February 13, 2003.
Jerry L. Zimmer,
Director, Office of Acquisition and Financial Assistance, Golden Field 
Office.
[FR Doc. 03-4865 Filed 2-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P