[Federal Register: March 26, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 58)]
[Notices]               
[Page 14690-14691]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26mr98-58]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

 
Notice of Intent To Provide Optional Prescreening Process for the 
National Industrial Competitiveness Through Energy, Environment and 
Economics (NICE\3\) Program

AGENCY: The Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of intent to provide optional prescreening process for 
potential applicants under the DOE NICE\3\ program solicitation.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Industrial Technologies of the Department of 
Energy is funding a State Grant Program entitled National Industrial 
Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics (NICE\3\). 
The goals of the NICE\3\ Program are to improve energy efficiency, 
promote cleaner production, and to improve competitiveness in industry.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Hass, at (303) 275-4728, or Steve 
Blazek, at (303) 275-4723, at the U.S. Department of Energy Golden 
Field Office, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401, FAX (303) 
275-4788. In addition, information on the NICE3 program can be located 
at http//www.oit.doe.gov/Access/nice <SUP>3</SUP>. The Contract 
Specialist is James Damm, at (303) 275-4744.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background Information

    The intent of the NICE\3\ program is to fund projects that have 
completed the research and development stage and are ready to 
demonstrate a fully integrated commercial unit. For the past seven 
years the NICE\3\ program has funded innovative industrial 
technologies. Some industrial technologies that the NICE\3\ program has 
funded follow: SO<INF>3</INF> Cleaning Process in the Manufacture of 
Semiconductors; Innovative Design of a Brick Kiln Using Low Thermal 
Mass Technology; Continuously Reform Electroless Nickel Plating 
Solutions; Recovery and Reuse of Water-Washed Overspray Paint; and HCl 
Acid Recovery System.
    Eligible applicants for funding include any authorized agency of 
the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the 
United States. For convenience, the term State in this notice refers to 
all eligible State agency applicants. Local governments, State and 
private universities, private non-profits, private businesses, and 
individuals, who are not eligible as direct applicants, must work with 
the appropriate State agencies in developing projects and forming 
participation arrangements. The state applicant is required to have an 
industrial partner to be eligible for grant consideration.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number assigned to this 
program is 81.105. It is anticipated that up to $6 million in Federal 
funds will be made available in FY 1999 by DOE for the June 1998 
solicitation. 50% cost sharing is required by all applicants and/or 
cooperating project participants. The DOE share for each award shall 
not exceed $425,000. The industrial partner may receive a maximum of 
$400,000 in DOE funding. A maximum of $25,000, or 10% of the total 
amount to industry, whichever is less, may be used to support the state 
applicant's cost share, if any, for costs associated with technology 
transfer/dissemination, marketing, etc. 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.

Presolicitation

    This notice is to advise potential applicants and project 
participants of the June 1998 solicitation and that DOE will accept 
presolicitation submissions that set out a brief description of the 
potential projects. The submissions

[[Page 14691]]

should not exceed two pages and should adhere to the format laid out in 
the preproposal format. This format can be obtained by calling the U.S. 
Department of Energy's Golden Field Office contacts or the OIT website 
(listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section). All 
preproposal submissions will be reviewed by NICE<SUP>3</SUP> project 
monitors at the Golden Field Office. The monitors will provide comments 
to the submitter on the proposed project's applicability to the NICE\3\ 
program. In addition, the reviewers will provide feedback which the 
applicant can use to formulate and refine their proposal.
    The submission of a presolicitation description is not mandatory 
for submitting an application under the June 1998 solicitation. The DOE 
reviews and comments under the presolicitation process will not be used 
by DOE in evaluating or awarding applications under the solicitation. 
The only purpose of the presolicitation process is to assist potential 
applicants, who may need assistance, in refining their application.

DATES: A brief description of the proposed project can be submitted to 
the Golden Field Office on or before May 15, 1998. All summaries must 
be submitted through a state agency.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on March 17, 1998.

    Dated: March 13, 1998.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 98-7955 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P