[Federal Register: April 8, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 67)]
[Notices]               
[Page 17160-17161]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08ap98-54]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

 
Golden Field Office; Solicitation for Financial Assistance 
Applications

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Solicitation for financial assistance applications, development 
of Niche markets for solar water heating systems.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE 
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.8, is announcing its intention 
to solicit responses for Federally cost-shared collaborative projects 
that implement innovative approaches to the development of sustainable 
niche markets for solar water heating systems in the building industry.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the solicitation, once issued, write to 
the U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole 
Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401-3393, Attention: Beth H. Peterman, 
Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimiles and electronic 
mail are acceptable and can be transmitted to (303) 275-4788 or 
beth__peterman@nrel.gov. Applicants are encouraged to obtain the 
solicitation electronically through the Golden Field Office Home Page 
at http://www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicit.htm. Only written requests 
for the solicitation or notifications of receipt will be honored.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through cooperative agreements, DOE is 
proposing to support business development projects that integrate solar 
water heating systems into the building sector under provisions of the 
Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct): Public Law 102-486. It is the goal 
of DOE to accelerate the establishment of markets for solar water 
heating systems (SWH) by assisting industry in developing sustainable 
niche markets within the building sector through Federally cost-shared 
projects. The projects are intended to focus on market development 
combined with strategic partnering leading to the integration of solar 
water heating in both new construction and existing buildings. The 
ultimate goal of the program is a sustainable market for the SWH 
products within the conventional residential and commercial building 
industry without Federal assistance.
    Successful applications shall demonstrate an innovative approach 
for integrating SWH into new construction or existing buildings (e.g., 
residential or commercial). Respondents are encouraged to form 
appropriate consortia or other business arrangements with utilities 
and/or Energy Service Company's (ESCO's), new home construction 
industry, and solar water heating suppliers or demonstrate a plan for 
establishing a business arrangement for implementing the solar business 
venture. Viability of the consortia to develop a sustainable niche 
market for solar water heating will be a major factor in selecting 
projects for Federal assistance. Respondents should demonstrate an 
innovative and cost

[[Page 17161]]

effective approach to integrating SWH into the building sector; 
capabilities and resources to implement the business venture; and plan 
to identify and address barriers which might retard market penetration. 
The collaborative projects are intended to include the following 
components: (1) Business and market planning; (2) market and business 
development; and (3) a pilot program for installation of solar water 
heating systems; and (4) a plan for a sustainable business venture 
beyond Federal involvement.
    As there is a reasonable expectation that the recipients of a 
cooperative agreement will receive significant future economic benefits 
as a result of the performance of this project, cost sharing on the 
part of the recipient is required. All respondents must propose a cost 
share of at least 50% of the total project costs from non-Federal 
sources. Examples of potential applicants include, but are not limited 
to, home builders, utilities, and energy service companies in 
partnership with solar companies.
    Solicitation Number DE-PS36-98GO10323 will include complete 
information on the program including technical aspects, funding, 
application preparation instructions, application evaluation criteria, 
and other factors that will be considered when selecting projects for 
funding. Issuance of the solicitation is planned for May 1, 1998, with 
responses due 45 days following solicitation release. Issuance of the 
solicitation is planned on a semi-annual basis beginning in 1998.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on April 1, 1998.
Beth H. Peterman,
Contracting Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-9194 Filed 4-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P