Research, Development and Demonstration of New and Advanced Technology for the Glass Industry; Financial Assistance

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Research, Development and Demonstration of New and Advanced

Technology for the Glass Industry; Financial Assistance

AGENCY: Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office.

ACTION: Solicitation for Financial Assistance: Research, Development

and Demonstration of New and Advanced Technology for the Glass

Industry.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given pursuant to Public Law 93-577, the

Federal Non-nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, that

the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office (ID), is

seeking cost-shared applications for research, development and

demonstration of new and advanced technologies to assist the glass

industry to remain competitive, reduce energy consumption, and reduce

negative environmental impacts. A minimum 20% non-DOE cost-share for

research and development phases and a minimum 50% non-DOE cost-share

for the demonstration phase is required. [[Page 4609]] This is a

complete solicitation document.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of applications is 4:00 p.m. MDT, March

22, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Applications shall be submitted to: B. G. Bauer, Contracting

Officer; Procurement Services Division; U. S. Department of Energy;

Idaho Operations Office; 850 Energy Drive, MS 1221; Idaho Falls, Idaho

83401-1563. [NUMBER DE-PS07-95ID13346]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dallas Hoffer, Contract Specialist,

Telephone (208) 526-0014, Facsimile (208) 526-5548.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

Projects sponsored by the DOE Office of Industrial Technologies

(OIT) are based on the needs and concerns of industry. The program

advances technology to the point of commercialization. Historically,

activities have focused on industrial competitiveness, the development

of energy efficient, environmentally benign technology and equipment.

As part of this program, this solicitation for DOE financial assistance

applications is being issued.

B. Project Description

DOE anticipates awarding one or more Cooperative Agreements in

accordance with DOE Financial Assistance regulations appearing at Title

10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter II Subchapter H, Part

600 as a result of this solicitation, and funds are available. Federal

funds appropriated for this solicitation are approximately $2,000,000

and are to be used to fund the entire research effort. The Catalog of

Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program is 81.078. All

projects shall be cost shared by DOE and the participant. Applicants

should be aware that any awardee shall be required to have a cost share

of not less than 20% of the total cost of the program for the research

and development phases and 50% of the total cost of the program for the

demonstration phase. For the purpose of cost share determination, Phase

I and Phase II tasks are considered to be research and development

while Phase III tasks are demonstration. No fee or profit will be paid

to the award recipients. Under Cooperative Agreements it is anticipated

there will be substantial involvement by DOE.

DOE suggests, but does not require, a multi-phase approach and

projects may be initiated at the bench scale (Phase I), laboratory/

pilot scale (Phase II), or demonstration (Phase III), levels.

Individual project duration will not exceed 3 years. Project(s) with

durations of less than 3 years and in any phase of development are

eligible, if conclusive evidence is presented that previous phase(s)

have been completed successfully. All applications with project periods

of 3 years or less will be given equal consideration. The period of

performance for the first phase is anticipated to be 12 months. At the

end of Phase I, provided satisfactory progress has been made and funds

are available, DOE may award a continuation of work to undertake

further development if the participant demonstrates a continuing need

for federal assistance, shows sufficient progress in the research

effort, has completed the work in compliance with a mutually agreed

management plan, and identifies the new research planned.

The objective of this solicitation is research, development and

demonstration of new and advanced technologies to assist the glass

industry to remain competitive, reduce energy consumption, and reduce

negative environmental impacts. Utilizing the recommendations of the

flat, fiber, container and specialty glass industry sectors the below

listed priority research subject areas have been identified. Proposals

for research in areas not included in the list below will not be

considered. Proposals shall have applications that cut across two or

more of the flat, fiber, container or specialty glass industry sectors.

Applications must identify the priority area being addressed, explain

why industry is not already performing the proposed research, and why

DOE funding is appropriate.

C. Glass Industry Research Priorities

This solicitation is to be focused on the following glass industry

research priorities identified by the industry.

1. Materials

a. Develop improved, cost effective refractories that have greater

service capabilities, do not contain materials that are classified as

hazardous, or that are well suited for applications of oxy-fuel and gas

reburn.

2. Equipment

a. Develop equipment that will improve energy recovery from the

melter (for example: preheating of glass cullet and batch raw

materials, generation of electricity, or drive processes).

b. Improve recycling equipment (i.e. recycled material sorting,

separation, size reduction, processing).

c. Develop equipment to recycle facility waste products and remove

or render harmless hazardous material.

d. Develop improved, cost effective air emissions systems or

optimized furnace designs to meet the more stringent regulations of the

future (i.e. removal of NOX, SOX and particulate emissions).

Integrated process improvements are preferred over add on devices.

e. Improve process water treatment and control.

3. Computer Modeling

a. Develop models to improve basic understanding of the glass

chemistry. This includes chemical kinetics of pre-melting, solid state

reactions, batch melting and reactions in glass, chemical equilibria

and solubility data, and chemical kinetics during (re)fining.

b. Study effect of gas bubbles on the physical and transport

properties of the glass melt.

c. Develop models with ability to correlate furnace design and

operation with glass quality, or elimination of defects.

d. Develop furnace models that can calculate transient thermal and

chemical behavior and can be used to develop methods to optimize energy

use and reduce air emissions.

e. Develop models to optimize fuel combustion and heat release,

heat transfer models to calculate glass melting and temperature

conditioning, or improved combustion models for prediction of pollutant

production.

4. Instrumentation and Control

a. Advanced instrumentation to measure glass chemical and physical

properties required for optimizing production (cost effective non-

contact or direct contact types).

b. Develop non-contact stress analyzers and surface property

analyzers.

c. Develop low cost direct contact sensors that can be used in

molten glass so that relatively large arrays can be used to provide

information to improve process control.

d. Develop improved monitoring and process control systems to

reduce air emissions.

e. Instrumentation to measure refractory thickness (condition/

serviceability).

f. Develop methods to correlate numerical data and operating

parameters and use them for development of control systems (i.e.

expert, fuzzy logic, or neural networks) [[Page 4610]] including

systems for melting, processing, or emissions control to improve glass

quality and yield.

g. Develop instrumentation for recycled glass streams.

D. Proposal Requirements

Each proposal must contain the following:

1. Identify the priority area being addressed, explain why industry

is not already performing the proposed research, and why DOE funding is

appropriate;

2. Demonstrated support of the glass industry by describing:

a. how industry has participated in deciding what research

activities will be undertaken;

b. how industry will participate in the evaluation of the

applicant's progress in research and development activities;

c. the extent of industry involvement in conducting trials at their

facilities to accomplish or validate the research; and

d. the extent to which industry funds are committed to the

applicant's proposal;

3. Demonstrated commitment for cost sharing funds from non-federal

sources, which shall consist of:

a. cash, and/or

b. as determined by DOE, the fair market value of equipment,

services, materials, appropriate technology transfer activities, and

other assets directly related to the proposed project;

4. Provide a management plan that outlines how the research,

development, and technology transfer activities will be carried out and

administered. The management plan shall:

a. outline the research, development, and technology transfer

activities by Task expected to be performed;

b. include a detailed statement of work of technical work to be

performed;

c. outline who will conduct those research activities and their

qualifications;

d. establish the time frame over which the research activities will

take place; and

e. define the overall program management and direction by:

1. identifying managerial, organizational and administrative

procedures and responsibilities;

2. outlining how the coordination of work between the individuals

and organizations involved will be achieved;

3. demonstrating how implementation and monitoring of the progress

of the research project after receipt of funding from DOE will be

achieved;

4. demonstrating how recommendations and implementations on

modifications to the plan, if any, will be achieved; and

5. providing sufficient rationale to support the project costs.

5. State the annual cost of the proposal and a breakdown of those

costs for each task and a break down of the percentage of time devoted

for each key individual performing the work;

6. Provide a critical review of existing and emerging technologies,

relevant patents, on-going research, and practices, and a description

of the hurdles that must be overcome to ensure commercial viability and

commercialization of the proposed technologies;

7. Justify the project with an initial economic evaluation

indicating the potential for a significant reduction in manufacturing

cost and/or a significant improvement in product value resulting from

the proposed research;

8. Identify the technical hurdles for commercialization and how

they will be addressed; and

9. Provide evidence of having the facilities and equipment or

industrial partner(s) capable of conducting laboratory scale and

demonstration testing.

10. All proposals shall include a demonstration phase.

11. Proposals shall have applications that cut across two or more

of the flat, fiber, container or specialty glass industry sectors.

Note: Underlying assumptions along with detailed calculations to

support the claimed economic and energy efficiency benefits must be

included in the application.

E. Qualified Applicants

Government-owned laboratories, private research organizations,

nonprofit institutions, or private firms.

F. Proposal Evaluation

a. Application Deadline

The deadline for receipt of applications is 4:00 p.m. MST, March

22, 1995. Late applications will be handled in accordance with 10 CFR

600.13.

b. Selection of Proposals

Only those proposals which meet all of the requirements of this

solicitation will be considered for selection. Selections will be made

in accordance with the following selection criteria and programmatic

considerations:

Criterion 1--The research proposal demonstrates a thorough

knowledge of the glass industry by highlighting its technology needs,

barriers to their development and commercialization, and provides a

credible management plan to achieve, and evidence to support the

benefits identified in the proposed research.

Criterion 2--The research proposal contains evidence of strong

support by the glass industry by identifying significant industry

involvement in preparation of the proposal and in performing the

research activities.

Criterion 3--The research proposal identifies a viable mechanism to

facilitate the transfer of the technology to the glass industry at the

earliest practicable time; Proposals that include conducting trials at

multiple plants to accomplish or validate work are preferred.

Criterion 4--The research proposal offers technology which is new

and advanced and is based upon sound scientific, environmental, and

engineering principles, are technically feasible and cost effective,

have practical industrial application, and will provide the greatest

benefits per dollar invested in the U.S. glass industry.

c. Weighting of Criteria

Criterion 1, 2, 3, and 4 are each weighted 25% of the total score.

d. Programmatic Selection Considerations

In conjunction with the evaluation results and rankings of

individual proposals, the Government will make selections for

negotiations and planned awards from among the highest ranking

proposals utilizing the following programmatic considerations:

(1) The proposed cost of the project will not be point scored.

Applicants are advised, however, that notwithstanding the lower

relative importance of the cost considerations, the evaluated cost may

be the basis for selection. In making the selection decision, the

apparent advantages of individual technical and business applications

will be weighed against the probable cost to the government to

determine whether the application approaches (excluding cost

considerations) are worth the probable cost differences.

(2) It is desirable to implement each research and development

project as a continuing collaborative effort in which the participants

represent both the scientific/engineering research disciplines as well

as members of the glass industry engaged in its practical, daily

operations and experienced in the application of glass industry

processes.

(3) Proposals that have the potential to save significant energy,

reduce negative environmental impacts and provide significant cost

benefits are preferred.

e. Merit Reviews

All Applications will be evaluated under the procedure for

``Objective [[Page 4611]] Merit Review of Discretionary Financial

Assistance Applications'' which was published in the Federal Register

on May 31, 1990 (Vol. 55, No. 105). Selections for negotiations are

expected to be made May 10, 1995, and financial assistance awards are

expected to be made beginning July 21, 1995.

SECTION III--GENERAL CONDITIONS

The applications will be evaluated in accordance with the Office of

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Merit Review Procedure, and the

criteria and programmatic considerations set forth in this

solicitation. In conducting this evaluation, the Government may utilize

assistance and advice from non-Government personnel. Applicants are

therefore requested to state on the cover sheet of the applications if

they do not consent to an evaluation by such non-Government personnel.

The applicants are further advised that DOE may be unable to give full

consideration to an application submitted without such consent. DOE

reserves the right to support or not to support any, all, or any part

of any application. All applicants will be notified in writing of the

action taken on their applications in approximately 90 days after the

closing date for this solicitation, provided no follow-up

clarifications are needed. Status of any application during the

evaluation and selection process will not be discussed with the

applicants. Unsuccessful applications will not be returned.

A. Instructions for Preparation of Applications

Each application in response to this solicitation should be

prepared in one volume. One original and nine copies of each

application are required. Proposals shall be a maximum of 30 pages

excluding costing information and, assurance and certification forms

provided in the DOE Application Instruction package. The application

facesheet is the Standard Form 424. The application is to be prepared

for the complete project period.

a. Proprietary Proposal Information

Applications submitted in response to this solicitation may contain

trade secrets and/or privileged or confidential commercial or financial

information which the applicant does not want used or disclosed for any

purpose other than evaluation of the application. The use and

disclosure of such data may be restricted provided the applicant marks

the cover sheet of the application with the following legend,

specifying the pages of the application which are to be restricted in

accordance with the conditions of the legend:

The data contained in pages ____ of this application have been

submitted in confidence and contain trade secrets or proprietary

information, and such data shall be used or disclosed only for

evaluation purposes, provided that if this applicant receives an

award as a result of or in connection with the submission of this

application, DOE shall have the right to use or disclose the data

herein to the extent provided in the award. This restriction does

not limit the government's right to use or disclose data obtained

without restriction from any source, including the applicant.

Further, to protect such data, each page containing such data shall

be specifically identified and marked, including each line or paragraph

containing the data to be protected with a legend similar to the

following:

Use or disclosure of the data set forth above is subject to the

restriction on the cover page of this application.

It should be noted, however, that data bearing the aforementioned

legend may be subject to release under the provisions of the Freedom of

Information Act (FOIA), if DOE or a court determines that the material

so marked is not exempt under the FOIA. The Government assumes no

liability for disclosure or use of unmarked data and may use or

disclose such data for any purpose. Applicants are hereby notified that

DOE intends to make all applications submitted available to non-

Government personnel for the sole purpose of assisting the DOE in its

evaluation of the applications. These individuals will be required to

protect the confidentiality of any specifically identified information

obtained as a result of their participation in the evaluation.

b. Budget

A budget period is an interval of time (usually 12 months) into

which the project period is divided for funding and reporting purposes.

Project period means the total approved period of time that DOE will

provide support contingent upon satisfactory progress and availability

of funds. The project period may be divided into several budget

periods. The project period shall not exceed three years. Each

application must contain Standard Forms 424 and 424A. The budget

summary page only needs to be completed for the first budget period;

all other periods of support requested should be shown on the total

costs page. The proposal should contain full details of the costs

regarding the labor, overhead, material, travel, subcontracts,

consultants, and other support costs broken down by task and by year.

Every cost item should be justifiable and further details of the costs

may be required if the proposal is selected for the award. It is

essential that requested details be submitted in a timely manner for

the actual award. Items of needed equipment should be individually

listed by description and estimated cost, inclusive of tax, and

adequately justified. The destination and purpose of budgeted travel

and its relation to the research, should be specified. Anticipated

consultant services should be justified and information furnished on

each individual's expertise, primary organizational affiliation, daily

compensation rate and number of days of expected service. Consultant's

travel costs should be listed separately under travel in the budget.

c. Cost Proposal

In the event there are multiple projects proposed in a submittal, a

separate cost proposal should be included for each project proposed for

funding. The cost proposal should have sufficient detail that an

independent evaluation of the labor, materials, equipment and other

costs as well as a verification of the proposed cost share can be

performed.

B. Notices to Applicants

a. False Statements: Applications must set forth full, accurate,

and complete information as required by this solicitation. The penalty

for making false statements is prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

b. Application Clarification: DOE reserves the right to require

applications to be clarified or supplemented to the extent considered

necessary either through additional written submissions or oral

presentations.

c. Amendments: All amendments to this solicitation will be mailed

to recipients who submit a written request for the DOE Application

Instruction package.

d. Applicant's Past Performance: DOE reserves the right to solicit

from available sources relevant information concerning an applicant's

past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

e. Commitment of Public Funds: The Contracting Officer is the only

individual who can legally commit the Government to the expenditure of

public funds in connection with the proposed award. Any other

commitment, either explicit or implied, is invalid.

f. Effective Period of Application: All applications should remain

in effect for at least 180 days from the closing date. [[Page 4612]]

g. Availability of Funds: The actual amount of funds to be

obligated in each fiscal year will be subject to availability of funds

appropriated by Congress.

h. Assurances and Certifications: DOE requires the submission of

preaward assurances of compliance and certifications which are mandated

by law. Prospective applicants intending to submit an application in

response to this solicitation should request a DOE Application

Instruction package, which includes standard forms, assurances and

certifications, by notifying the DOE Contract Specialist. It is advised

that prospective applicants submit their requests in writing no later

than February 21, 1995.

i. Questions & Answers: Questions regarding this solicitation

should be submitted in writing to the DOE Contract Specialist no later

than February 15, 1995. Questions and answers will be issued in writing

as an amendment to this solicitation.

j. Preaward Costs: The government is not liable for any costs

incurred in preparation of an application. Awardees may incur preaward

costs up to ninety (90) days prior to the effective date of award.

Should the awardee take such action, it is done so at the awardee's

risk and does not impose any obligation on the DOE to issue an award

(10 CFR 600.103)

k. Patents, Data, and Copyrights: Applicants are advised that

patents, data, and copyrights will be treated in accordance with 10 CFR

600.33.

l. Environmental impact: An applicant environmental checklist will

be provided in the DOE Application Instruction package. Award will not

be made until all environmental requirements are completed.

m. EPACT: Applicants shall be required to comply with Section 2306

of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) [42 U.S.C. 13525], in the

event EPACT applies to financial assistance instruments issued as a

result of this solicitation. A copy of Section 2306 will be included in

the DOE Application Instruction package.

Dated: February 12, 1995.

Brad Bauer,

Director, Procurement Services Division.

[FR Doc. 95-1755 Filed 1-23-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P