[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18784-18787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8411]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket Number: [100311135-0139-01]


FY 2010 NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Comprehensive 
Grants Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
announces that the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) 
Comprehensive Grants Program is soliciting applications for financial 
assistance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. The NIST Center for Neutron 
Research (NCNR) Comprehensive Grants Program is seeking proposals for 
significant research involving Neutron Research and Spectroscopy 
specifically aimed at assisting visiting researchers at the NIST Center 
for Neutron Research, developing new instrumentation for Neutron 
Research, conducting collaborative research with NIST scientists, and 
to conduct other outreach and educational activities that advance the 
use of neutrons by U.S. university and industrial scientists.

DATES: All applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Savings Time on Friday, May 7, 2010. Please see ``Application 
Submission Information'' for more information.

ADDRESSES: Paper copies of full proposals must be submitted to the 
address below. Paper submissions require an original and two copies: 
Tanya Burke, NIST Center for Neutron Research; National Institute of 
Standards and Technology; 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 6100; Gaithersburg, 
Maryland 20899-6100. Electronic submissions of full proposals must be 
submitted to: http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tanya Burke, NIST Center for Neutron 
Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau 
Drive, Stop 6100, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6100. Tel (301) 975-
4711, E-Mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic access: Applications are strongly 
encouraged to read the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) available at 
http://www.grants.gov/for complete information about this program, all 
program requirements, and instructions for applying by paper or 
electronically.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. Sec.  272(b) and (c), 15 U.S.C. Sec.  278g-
1(a), (b), 15 U.S.C. Sec.  7501(b)
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.609

Program Description

Program Objectives

    The mission of the NIST Center for Neutron Research is to assure 
the availability of neutron measurement capabilities to meet the needs 
of U.S. researchers from industry, academia and other government 
agencies. The primary program objectives of the NIST Center for Neutron 
Research (NCNR) Comprehensive Grants Program are:
    1. To advance, through cooperative efforts with one or more 
recipients, research consistent with the mission of NIST, and NCNR 
specifically. See http://www.nist.gov/ncnr/ and 15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.
    2. To encourage significant research involving Neutron Research and 
Spectroscopy specifically aimed at assisting visiting researchers at 
the NIST Center for Neutron Research.
    3. To develop new instrumentation for Neutron Research.
    4. To conduct collaborative research with NIST scientists and to 
conduct other outreach and educational activities that advance the use 
of neutrons by U.S. academic and industrial scientists.
    The NCNR intends this financial assistance program to address all 
of these objectives through one or more Cooperative Agreements. An 
eligible applicant is not prohibited from including any collaborating 
subrecipients in its application.
    Additional information about the NCNR can be found at: http://www.nist.gov/ncnr.
    Additional information about the NIST Center for Neutron Research 
(NCNR) Comprehensive Grants Program NCNR may be found in the Federal 
Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement for this program.
    Funding Availability: NIST anticipates making 1-3 awards for a 
period of performance of up to 5 years at $1,500,000--$2,000,000 per 
year per award.
    Total Amount to be Awarded: Up to $25 million in Cooperative 
Agreements.
    The funding instrument used in this program will be a Cooperative 
Agreement.
    Proposals will be considered for Cooperative Agreements with 
durations of up to five years, funded in one year increments, 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 $2,000,000 per year and one 
or more awards may be approved. Between one and three awards are 
likely. Projects are expected to start by October 1, 2010.
    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.
    Cost Share Requirements: None.
    Eligibility: This program is 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.

Evaluation Criteria

    The applications will be evaluated and scored on the basis of the 
following evaluation criteria:

[[Page 18785]]

    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, macromolecular science or related fields (10%)
    2. Qualifications and experience of the Applicant's proposed 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 (30%).
    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 (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 the applicant's staff 
effectively into the activities of the NCNR facility, including 
establishing robust communications between the university and the NCNR 
(10%).
    Selection Factors: The Selecting Official shall recommend award 
based upon the rank order and recommendations of the reviewers, but may 
select out of rank order based on one or more of the following factors:
    a. Availability of Federal funds;
    b. Balance/distribution of funds to ensure research opportunities 
for all types of NCNR scientific research areas described in the 
Funding Opportunity Description section of this Notice; and
    c. Applicant's prior award performance.
    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 Selecting Official will 
justify the selection in writing based on selection factors described 
above.

Review and Selection Process

    All timely submitted applications received in response to this 
announcement will be reviewed to determine whether they are complete 
and responsive to the scope of the stated objectives of the Program. 
Incomplete or non-responsive applications will not be reviewed for 
technical merit. NIST will retain one copy of each incomplete or non-
responsive application for three years for record keeping purposes. The 
remaining copies will be destroyed.
    Each complete and responsive application will be reviewed by at 
least four independent, objective NIST employees, who are knowledgeable 
in the subject matter of this announcement and its objectives and who 
are able to conduct a review based on the evaluation criteria for the 
Program as described in this notice. The reviewers will reach a 
consensus score resulting in a rank order of applications and make 
recommendations for funding to the Selecting Official. In making final 
selections, the Selecting Official (Director, NCNR) will select funding 
recipients based upon the rank order of the proposals, but may select 
out of rank order based on one or more of the Selection Factors. The 
final award of Cooperative Agreements will be made by the NIST Grants 
Officer in Gaithersburg, Maryland, based on compliance with application 
requirements as published in this notice, compliance with applicable 
legal and regulatory requirements, and whether the recommended 
applicants are determined to be responsible. Unsatisfactory performance 
on any previous Federal award may result in an application not being 
considered for funding. Applicants may be asked to modify objectives, 
work plans, or budgets, and provide supplemental information required 
by the agency prior to award. The decision of the Grants Officer is 
final.
    Timely submission of an application, whether submitted 
electronically or in paper format, is the responsibility of the 
applicant.
    Application Submission Information: All applicants should be aware 
that adequate time must be factored into applicant schedules for 
delivery of the application for both electronic and paper submission. 
Applicants who submit electronic applications are advised that volume 
on Grants.gov may be extremely heavy, and if Grants.gov is unable to 
accept applications electronically in a timely fashion, applicants are 
encouraged to exercise their option to submit applications in paper 
format.
    Applications must be received on time, as the review process is 
expected to begin shortly after the deadline.
    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, which 
are contained in the Federal Register Notice of February 11, 2008 (73 
FR 7696), are applicable to this notice. On the form SF-424 items 8.b. 
and 8.c., the applicant's 9-digit Employer/Taxpayer Identification 
Number (EIN/TIN) and 9-digit Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number must be consistent with the information 
on the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) (http://www.ccr.gov) and 
Automated Standard Application for Payment System (ASAP). For complex 
organizations with multiple EIN/TIN and DUNS numbers, the EIN/TIN and 
DUNS numbers MUST be the numbers for the applying organization. 
Organizations that provide incorrect/inconsistent EIN/TIN and DUNS 
numbers may experience significant delays in receiving funds if their 
proposal is selected for funding. Please confirm that the EIN/TIN and 
DUNS numbers are consistent with the information on the CCR and ASAP.
    Collaborations with NIST Employees: Collaboration with NIST is 
presumed in the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Comprehensive 
Grants Program. If any applicant proposes any activities involving 
specific NIST employees, the statement of work should include a 
statement of this intention, a description of the collaboration, and 
prominently identify the NIST employee(s) involved. Any collaboration 
by a NIST employee must be approved by appropriate NIST management and 
approval 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. 200-
212, 37 CFR part 401, 15 CFR 14.36, and in Section B.21 of the 
Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements, 73 FR 7696 
(Feb. 11, 2008). Questions about these requirements may be directed to 
the Chief 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

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statement of work whether it already has a license to use such 
intellectual property or whether it intends to seek one.
    If any invention made in whole or in part by a NIST employee arises 
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 
invention will be determined solely by NIST, and include the 
possibility of NIST putting NIST's rights in the intellectual property 
into the public domain.
    Collaborations making use of Federal Facilities: All applications 
should include a description of any work proposed to be performed using 
Federal Facilities.
    If an applicant proposes use of NIST facilities, the statement of 
work should include a statement of this intention and a description of 
the facilities. Any use of NIST facilities 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 
availability of the facilities and approval of the proposed usage. Any 
unapproved facility use will be stricken from the proposal prior to the 
merit review. Examples of some facilities that may be available for 
collaborations are listed on the NIST Technology Services Web site, 
http://ts.nist.gov/.
    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, 424 (R&R), SF-LLL, and 
CD-345 has been approved by OMB under the respective Control Numbers 
0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 4040-0001, 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 of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information 
displays a 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 (Common Rule), 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, the Food and Drug 
Administration, 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) possessing a current registration 
filed with DHHS and to be performed by institutions 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.
    President Obama has issued Executive Order No. 13,505 (74 FR 10667, 
March 9, 2009), revoking previous Executive Orders and Presidential 
statements regarding the use of human embryonic stem cells in research. 
On July 30, 2009, President Obama issued a memorandum directing that 
agencies that support and conduct stem cell research adopt the 
``National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Human Stem Cell 
Research'' (NIH Guidelines), which became effective on July 7, 2009, 
``to the fullest extent practicable in light of legal authorities and 
obligations.'' On September 21, 2009, the Department of Commerce 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a statement of 
compliance with the NIH Guidelines. In accordance with the President's 
memorandum, the NIH Guidelines, and the Department of Commerce 
statement of compliance, NIST will support and conduct research using 
only human embryonic stem cell lines that have been approved by NIH in 
accordance with the NIH Guidelines and will review such research in 
accordance with the Common Rule, as appropriate. NIST will not support 
or conduct any type of research that the NIH Guidelines prohibit NIH 
from funding. NIST will follow any additional polices or guidance 
issued by the Administration on this topic.
    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 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 Fiscal Year 2010 
appropriations. Publication of this announcement does not oblige NIST 
or the Department of Commerce to award any specific project or to 
obligate any available funds.
    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): 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 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs): 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.
    Reporting: Recipients will be required to submit, on a semi-annual 
basis, for the periods ending March 31 and September 30 of each year, a 
technical progress report and a SF-269, Financial Status Report. From 
time to time, and in accordance with the Uniform Administrative 
Requirements and other terms and conditions governing the award, the 
recipient may need to submit property and patent reports.

Anticipated Announcement and Award Date

    NIST plans to make awards by September 30, 2010.


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    Dated: April 1, 2010.
Marc G. Stanley,
Acting Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-8411 Filed 4-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P