[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 66 (Friday, April 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17112-17116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6505]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket Number: 070309054-7055-01]


NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Neutron Research and 
Neutron Scattering, and Sample Environment Equipment Financial 
Assistance Programs; Availability of Funds

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
announces that the following programs are soliciting applications for 
financial assistance for FY 2007: (1) NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron 
Scattering Financial Assistance Program, and (2) the NCNR Sample 
Environment Equipment Financial Assistance Program. Each program will 
only consider applications that are within the scientific scope of the 
program as described in this notice and in the detailed program 
descriptions found in the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) 
announcement for these programs.

DATES: Complete paper and electronic applications for each program must 
be received by 5 p.m. Daylight Savings Time on May 7, 2007.

ADDRESSES: For both programs, a complete application package may be 
obtained by contacting Tanya Burke, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, NIST Center for Neutron Research, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail 
Stop 6100, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6100.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For complete information about both 
programs and instructions for applying by paper or electronically, read 
the Federal Funding Opportunity Notices (FFO) at http://www.grants.gov. 
A paper copy of the FFO may be obtained by calling (301) 975-6328. The 
NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering Financial Assistance 
Program and the NCNR Sample Environment Equipment Financial Assistance 
Program will publish separate FFOs on www.grants.gov. For both 
programs, technical questions may be directed to Dr. Dan Neumann, NIST 
Center for Neutron Research, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 6102, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6102; telephone: (301) 975-5252; e-mail: 
[email protected]. For both programs, grants administration 
questions should be addressed to Judy Murphy, NIST Grants and 
Agreements Management Division, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1650, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1650; telephone: (301) 975-5603; e-mail: 
[email protected]. The NCNR Web site is: http://www.ncnr.nist.gov.
    For assistance with using Grants.gov, contact [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number: Measurement 
and Engineering Research and Standards--11.609.
    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 272(b)(7) and (c)(8, 10, 16, 17, 
19).
    Application Submission: Paper Applications--Each applicant must 
submit one signed original and two paper copies of the complete 
application as described in the Federal Funding Opportunity to Tanya 
Burke, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Center for 
Neutron Research, STOP 6100, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6100, 
telephone (301) 975-4711. Facsimile, electronic mail, and other forms 
of electronic application submissions, other than electronic 
applications submitted through Grants.gov, will not be accepted.
    For electronic submission: Applicants should follow the Application 
Instructions provided at Grants.gov when submitting a response to this 
funding opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to start early and not 
wait to the approaching due date before logging on and reviewing the 
instructions for submitting an application through Grants.gov.
    Eligibility: The NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering 
Financial Assistance Program and the NCNR Sample Environment Equipment 
Financial Assistance Program are open to institutions of higher 
education; hospitals; nonprofit organizations; commercial 
organizations; State, local, and Indian tribal governments; foreign 
governments; organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments; and international organizations.
    Cost Sharing or Matching: There is no cost sharing or matching 
requirements for these programs.

[[Page 17113]]

NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering Financial Assistance 
Program

    Program Description: The primary program objectives of the 
financial assistance program in Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering 
are 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 explore and develop new areas of neutron 
imaging or neutron physics; to assist and train NCNR 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. This will entail stationing scientific staff at 
the NCNR who, in collaboration with NIST and visiting scientists, 
advance these objectives.
    NIST does not require or anticipate full scope proposals, i.e. 
proposals need not address the fields of Neutron Research (which 
includes neutron imaging and neutron physics) and Neutron Spectroscopy 
(which includes neutron diffraction and neutron spectroscopy) at the 
same time. Proposals should instead be focused on one (or more) of the 
primary objectives listed above, i.e. the development of neutron 
instrumentation, new areas of neutron scattering science, new areas of 
neutron imaging, and/or new areas of neutron physics. Applicants and 
team members must possess the education, experience, and training, to 
pursue and advance the fields of Neutron Research or Neutron Scattering 
efficiently. In addition, the applicant and team members must possess a 
demonstrated record of excellence in the development of neutron 
instrumentation or in research involving neutron imaging, neutron 
physics, or neutron scattering methods.
    Additional information on the NCNR can be found at: http://www.ncnr.nist.gov.
    Funding Availability: The funding instrument used in this program 
will be a cooperative agreement. The nature of NIST's ``substantial 
involvement'' will generally be collaboration with the recipient(s) by 
working jointly with recipient scientists in carrying out the scope of 
work, or specifying direction or redirection of the scope of work due 
to inter-relationships with other programs requiring such cooperation.
    Proposals will be considered for cooperative agreements with 
durations of up to five years, subject to the availability of funds, 
satisfactory progress, and the continuing relevance to the objectives 
of the NIST Center for Neutron Research. The anticipated level of 
funding is up to $5,000,000 ($5 million) per year. One to five awards 
are likely.
    NIST will determine whether to fund one award for the full amount; 
to divide available funds into multiple awards of any size, and 
negotiate scopes of work and budgets as appropriate; or not to select 
any proposal for funding, upon completing the selection process 
described below.
    Awards are anticipated to contain a start date of September 3, 
2007.
    Review and Selection Process: All applications received in response 
to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether they are 
complete and responsive to the scope of the stated program objectives. 
Incomplete or non-responsive applications will not be reviewed for 
technical merit. The Program will retain one copy of each non-
responsive application for three years for record keeping purposes and 
destroy all other copies.
    Responsive proposals will be evaluated using the Evaluation 
Criteria for the NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering Financial 
Assistance Program described in this notice by an independent, 
objective panel composed of at least four individuals who are 
knowledgeable about neutron research, neutron spectroscopy, and neutron 
instrumentation. The reviewers will reach a consensus score resulting 
in a rank order of applicants. However, if non-Federal reviewers are 
used, each reviewer will evaluate and provide a score for each proposal 
without reaching a consensus.
    The NCNR Director, serving as the Selecting Official, will make the 
award selection. In making the award selection, the NCNR Director will 
take into consideration the panels' technical evaluation. The NCNR 
Director, as the Selecting Official, may choose a proposal out of rank 
order based upon one or more of the following factors: (1) Availability 
of funds, (2) Redundancy, (3) Balance/distribution of funds by research 
areas described in the Funding Opportunity Description section of this 
Notice, (4) Program objectives described above in the Funding 
Opportunity Description section of this Notice, and (5) Logistical 
concerns that would be detrimental to the success or timely completion 
of the proposal objectives. Therefore, the highest scoring proposals 
may not necessarily be selected for an award. If an award is made to an 
applicant that deviates from the scores of the reviewers, the NCNR 
Director shall justify the selection in writing based on selection 
factors described above. The NCNR Director may select all, none, or 
some of the applications for funding.
    The final approval of selected applications and award of financial 
assistance will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on compliance 
with application requirements as published in this notice, compliance 
with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, whether the 
application furthers the objectives of the Department of Commerce, and 
whether the recommended applicants appear to be responsible. Applicants 
may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets and provide 
supplemental information required by the agency prior to award. The 
award decision of the Grants Officer is final. Applicants should allow 
up to 90 days processing time.
    Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. The Program 
will retain one copy of each unsuccessful application for three years 
for record keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
    Evaluation Criteria: For the NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron 
Scattering Financial Assistance Program, the technical reviewers will 
use the following criteria to evaluate the proposals:
    1. Qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator in 
neutron research or neutron scattering as demonstrated by extensive 
publications and invited lectures in condensed matter physics, 
chemistry, material science, macromolecular science, neutron imaging, 
neutron physics, or related fields. (20%)
    2. Qualifications and experience of the proposed university staff 
in neutron research or neutron scattering 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. (10%)
    3. Quality of the proposed research and development plan and its 
potential impact on neutron research or neutron scattering, 
particularly in the areas of condensed matter physics, chemistry, 
material science, macromolecular science, neutron imaging, or neutron 
physics. (20%)
    4. Quality of the plan in terms of providing research assistance to 
U.S. neutron researchers using the NCNR facilities, including related 
training, education, and outreach. (30%)
    5. Quality of the plan to integrate university staff effectively 
into the activities of the NCNR facility,

[[Page 17114]]

including establishing robust communications between the university and 
the NCNR. (15%)
    6. Cost effectiveness of the plan, including the completeness of 
the estimate to achieve the objectives stated in the proposal. (5%)

NCNR Sample Environment Equipment Financial Assistance Program

    Program Description: The primary objectives of this financial 
assistance program are to develop, design, and construct new, state-of-
the-art equipment for dedicated use by the general scientific community 
on NCNR neutron beam stations that provide specific and well-controlled 
environments of scientific interest for in-situ studies of the 
microscopic properties of a broad range of sample materials such as 
molecular solids, thin films, biomolecules and biological membranes, 
solid state materials, polymers, and complex fluids, using neutron 
scattering and imaging techniques. Examples of sample environments 
include high (and/or pulsed) magnetic fields, high pressures, high 
(and/or pulsed) electric fields, variable humidity, high or low 
temperatures, variable shear, and various combinations thereof. A list 
of all the sample environment equipment at the NCNR that is currently 
available to the general user community is located at http://www.ncnr.nist.gov/equipment/ancequip.html.
    Applicants and team members must possess the education, experience, 
and training, to pursue and advance the field of Neutron Scattering 
efficiently. In addition, the applicant and team members must possess a 
demonstrated record of excellence in research involving neutron 
scattering methods. In some cases one or more scientific staff members 
may be stationed at the NCNR to work in collaboration with NIST and 
other visiting scientists to help advance these program objectives.
    Additional information on the NCNR can be found at: http://www.ncnr.nist.gov.
    Funding Availability: The funding instrument used in this program 
will be a cooperative agreement. The nature of NIST's ``substantial 
involvement'' will generally be collaboration with the recipient(s) by 
working jointly with recipient scientists in carrying out the scope of 
work, or specifying direction or redirection of the scope of work due 
to inter-relationships with other programs requiring such cooperation.
    Proposals will be considered for cooperative agreements with 
durations of up to three years, subject to the availability of funds, 
satisfactory progress, and the continuing relevance to the objectives 
of the NIST Center for Neutron Research. The anticipated level of 
funding is up to $150,000 per year. One to two awards are likely.
    NIST will determine whether to fund one award for the full amount; 
to divide available funds into multiple awards of any size, and 
negotiate scopes of work and budgets as appropriate; or not to select 
any proposal for funding, upon completing the selection process 
described below.
    Awards are anticipated to contain a start date of September 3, 
2007.
    Review and Selection Process: All applications received in response 
to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether or not they 
are complete and responsive to the scope of the stated program 
objectives. Incomplete or non-responsive applications will not be 
reviewed for technical merit. The Program will retain one copy of each 
non-responsive application for three years for record keeping purposes 
and destroy all other copies.
    Responsive proposals will be evaluated using the above criteria by 
an independent, objective panel composed of at least four individuals 
who are knowledgeable about neutron research, neutron spectroscopy, and 
neutron instrumentation. The reviewers will reach a consensus score 
resulting in a rank order of applicants. However, if non-Federal 
reviewers are used, each reviewer will evaluate and provide a score for 
each proposal without reaching a consensus.
    The NCNR Director, serving as the Selecting Official, will make the 
award selection. In making the award selection, the NCNR Director will 
take into consideration the panels' technical evaluation. The NCNR 
Director, as the Selecting Official, may choose a proposal out of rank 
order based upon one or more of the following factors: (1) Availability 
of funds, (2) Redundancy, (3) Balance/distribution of funds by research 
areas described in the Funding Opportunity Description section of this 
Notice, (4) Program objectives described above in the Funding 
Opportunity Description section of this Notice, and (5) Logistical 
concerns that would be detrimental to the success or timely completion 
of the proposal objectives. Therefore, the highest scoring proposals 
may not necessarily be selected for an award. If an award is made to an 
applicant that deviates from the scores of the reviewers, the NCNR 
Director shall justify the selection in writing based on selection 
factors described above. The NCNR Director may select all, none, or 
some of the applications for funding.
    The final approval of selected applications and award of financial 
assistance will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on compliance 
with application requirements as published in this notice, compliance 
with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, whether the 
application furthers the objectives of the Department of Commerce, and 
whether the recommended applicants appear to be responsible. Applicants 
may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets and provide 
supplemental information required by the agency prior to award. The 
award decision of the Grants Officer is final. Applicants should allow 
up to 90 days processing time.
    Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. The Program 
will retain one copy of each unsuccessful application for three years 
for record keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
    Evaluation Criteria: For the NCNR Sample Environment Equipment 
Financial Assistance Program, the technical reviewers will use the 
following criteria to evaluate the proposals:
    1. Qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator in 
neutron scattering research, as demonstrated by extensive publications 
and invited lectures in condensed matter physics, chemistry, material 
science, polymer science, biology, macromolecular science, and/or 
related fields. (10%)
    2. Qualifications and experience of the proposed university staff 
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. (5%)
    3. Feasibility and rationality of the design and construction plan 
of the proposed sample environment equipment and its potential impact 
on neutron-based research, particularly in the areas of biology, 
macromolecular science, polymer science, condensed matter physics, and 
chemistry. (30%)
    4. Quality of the plan in terms of providing assistance to U.S. 
researchers using the NCNR neutron facilities through sustained and 
dedicated access to unique and novel sample environment equipment. 
(20%)
    5. Quality of the plan to integrate the sample environment 
equipment for dedicated use on one or more of the NCNR research 
facility neutron beam stations. (25%)
    6. Cost effectiveness of the plan, including the completeness of 
the

[[Page 17115]]

estimate to achieve the objectives stated in the proposal. (10%)
    The following information applies to both programs announced in 
this notice:
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The Department of Commerce Pre-Award 
Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements 
contained in the Federal Register notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 
78389). On the form SF-424, the applicant's 9-digit Dun and Bradstreet 
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number must be entered in the 
Applicant Identifier block (68 FR 38402).
    Collaborations with NIST Employees: All applications should include 
a description of any work proposed to be performed by an entity other 
than the applicant, and the cost of such work should ordinarily be 
included in the budget.
    If an applicant proposes collaboration with NIST, the statement of 
work should include a statement of this intention, a description of the 
collaboration, and prominently identify the NIST employee(s) involved, 
if known. Any collaboration by a NIST employee must be approved by 
appropriate NIST management and is at the sole discretion of NIST. 
Prior to beginning the merit review process, NIST will verify the 
approval of the proposed collaboration. Any unapproved collaboration 
will be stricken from the proposal prior to the merit review.
    Use of NIST Intellectual Property: If the applicant anticipates 
using any NIST-owned intellectual property to carry out the work 
proposed, the applicant should identify such intellectual property. 
This information will be used to ensure that no NIST employee involved 
in the development of the intellectual property will participate in the 
review process for that competition. In addition, if the applicant 
intends to use NIST-owned intellectual property, the applicant must 
comply with all statutes and regulations governing the licensing of 
Federal government patents and inventions, described at 35 U.S.C. sec. 
200-212, 37 CFR part 401, 15 CFR 14.36, and in section B.20 of the 
Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements, published 
on December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389). Questions about these requirements 
may be directed to the Counsel for NIST, 301-975-2803.
    Any use of NIST-owned intellectual property by a proposer is at the 
sole discretion of NIST and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis 
if a project is deemed meritorious. The applicant should indicate 
within the statement of work whether it already has a license to use 
such intellectual property or whether it intends to seek one.
    If any inventions made in whole or in part by a NIST employee arise 
in the course of an award made pursuant to this notice, the United 
States government may retain its ownership rights in any such 
invention. Licensing or other disposition of NIST's rights in such 
inventions will be determined solely by NIST, and include the 
possibility of NIST putting the intellectual property into the public 
domain.
    Collaborations Making Use of Federal Facilities and Equipment: All 
applicants are encouraged to make full use of any NCNR facilities and 
equipment deemed necessary, subject to approval by appropriate NIST 
management. Such use is at the sole discretion of NIST. All 
applications should include a description of any work proposed to be 
performed using Federal facilities and equipment. If an applicant 
proposes use of NIST facilities and equipment, the statement of work 
should include a statement of this intention and a description of the 
facilities and equipment. Prior to beginning the merit review process, 
NIST will verify the availability of the facilities and equipment and 
approval of the proposed usage. Any unapproved facility and equipment 
use will be stricken from the proposal prior to the merit review. 
Examples of some facilities and equipment that may be available for 
collaborations are listed on the NIST Technology Services Web site, 
http://patapsco.nist.gov/ts/220/external/facilities.htm.
    Initial Screening of all Applications: All applications received in 
response to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether or 
not they are complete and responsive to the scope of the stated 
objectives for each program. Incomplete or non-responsive applications 
will not be reviewed for technical merit. The Program will retain one 
copy of each non-responsive application for three years for record 
keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: The standard forms in the application kit 
involve a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have 
been approved by OMB under the respective Control Numbers 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.
    Research Projects Involving Human Subjects, Human Tissue, Data or 
Recordings Involving Human Subjects: Any proposal that includes 
research involving human subjects, human tissue, data or recordings 
involving human subjects must meet the requirements of the Common Rule 
for the Protection of Human Subjects, codified for the Department of 
Commerce at 15 CFR part 27. In addition, any proposal that includes 
research on these topics must be in compliance with any statutory 
requirements imposed upon the Department of Health and Human Services 
(DHHS) and other federal agencies regarding these topics, all 
regulatory policies and guidance adopted by DHHS, FDA, and other 
Federal agencies on these topics, and all Presidential statements of 
policy on these topics.
    NIST will accept the submission of human subjects protocols that 
have been approved by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) registered 
with DHHS and performed by entities possessing a current, valid 
Federal-wide Assurance (FWA) from DHHS. NIST will not issue a single 
project assurance (SPA) for any IRB reviewing any human subjects 
protocol proposed to NIST.
    On August 9, 2001, the President announced his decision to allow 
Federal funds to be used for research on existing human embryonic stem 
cell lines as long as prior to his announcement (1) the derivation 
process (which commences with the removal of the inner cell mass from 
the blastocyst) had already been initiated and (2) the embryo from 
which the stem cell line was derived no longer had the possibility of 
development as a human being. NIST will follow guidance issued by the 
National Institutes of Health at http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/humansubjects/guidance/stemcell.pdf for funding such research.
    Research Projects Involving Vertebrate Animals: Any proposal that 
includes research involving vertebrate animals must be in compliance 
with the National Research Council's ``Guide for the Care and Use of 
Laboratory Animals,'' which can be obtained from National Academy 
Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20055. In 
addition, such proposals

[[Page 17116]]

must meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et 
seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3, and if appropriate, 21 CFR part 58. 
These regulations do not apply to proposed research using pre-existing 
images of animals or to research plans that do not include live animals 
that are being cared for, euthanized, or used by the project 
participants to accomplish research goals, teaching, or testing. These 
regulations also do not apply to obtaining animal materials from 
commercial processors of animal products or to animal cell lines or 
tissues from tissue banks.
    Limitation of Liability: Funding for the programs listed in this 
notice is contingent upon the availability of funds. In no event will 
the Department of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation 
costs if these programs fail to receive funding or are cancelled 
because of other agency priorities. Publication of this announcement 
does not oblige the agency to award any specific project or to obligate 
any available funds.
    Executive Order 12866: This funding notice was determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that 
this notice does not contain policies with federalism implications as 
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
    Executive Order 12372: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and 
comment are not required under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 
U.S.C. 553) or any other law, for rules relating to public property, 
loans, grants, benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553 (a)). Because notice 
and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, for 
rules relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts 
(5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required 
and has not been prepared for this notice, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.

    Dated: March 30, 2007.
James E. Hill,
Acting Deputy Director, NIST.
[FR Doc. E7-6505 Filed 4-5-07; 8:45 am]
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