Oak Ridge Operations Office; Notice of Program Interest; Diesel Engine Technologies for Light Trucks

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Oak Ridge Operations Office; Notice of Program Interest; Diesel

Engine Technologies for Light Trucks

AGENCY: Transportation Technologies, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of program interest--diesel engine technologies for

light trucks.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy is today publishing the Notice of

Program Interest for support of the cooperative development of

technologies for a high efficiency, very low emission, diesel engine

for light trucks, specifically pickups and sport utility vehicles. The

Department of Energy has sponsored research in high efficiency diesel

engines for several years. These programs have assisted industry in

continuously improving the technology in diesel engines for large

trucks (class 6-8) which have resulted in efficiencies approaching 45%

in current production (vs 27% for gasoline engines) and 55% in advanced

research designs. Current penetration of diesels has been limited to

the larger pickups (over 8500 lbs GVW) due to emission regulations. The

Department is proposing the application of this advanced technology to

diesel engines specifically designed for the light truck market. This

market segment has grown from 23% in 1984 to over 42% in 1995

representing a substantial influx of low fuel economy vehicles into the

public and private fleets. This trend threatens to increase the rate of

U.S. dependence on foreign petroleum beyond current projections.

DATES: This notice expires at 4:00 PM EDT on September 9, 1996, and

applications may be submitted at any time prior to that time.

ADDRESSES: Submit five (5) copies of the application prior to the

expiration date of this notice to: U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge

Operations Office, Procurement and Contracts Division, Environmental

Acquisitions Branch, 200 Administration Road, P. O. Box 2001, Oak

Ridge, TN 37831, Attn: Mary Lou Crow, Contract Specialist. (Telephone:

423-576-7343.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING: Mary Rawlins,

DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office, Telephone: 423-576-4507; William L.

Siegel, DOE Headquarters, Telephone: 202-586-2457.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The new design must meet all proposed

emission regulations for vehicles under 8500 GVW, while maintaining

performance levels expected of current production gasoline engines.

Efficiency targets will be cited in terms of vehicle miles per gallon

(equivalent BTU basis) and at least a 35% improvement is sought over

comparable, current production vehicles. The criteria for selection and

funding will be based on the offeror's internal technical capabilities

in terms of diesel engine development and manufacturing, and a

demonstration of the intent in moving the resultant technology to

production targeted for light trucks. The latter can be shown by

partnering with a domestic, high volume light truck manufacturer on

this development effort. The following types of factors will be

considered in DOE's evaluation: (1) The overall merit of the proposed

project or activity. (2) The anticipated objectives to be achieved and

the probability of achieving the stated objectives. (3) The facilities

or techniques which the applicant proposes to make available to achieve

the proposed project's objectives. (4) The qualifications of the

proposed project director or key personnel who are considered to be

critical to the achievement of the proposed project's objectives.

APPLICATIONS: A four (4) to five (5) year, 50% cost shared competitive

program is anticipated with multiple industry teams. A financial

assistance cooperative agreement award instrument will be used. Total

program costs are expected to be in the range of $25 to $50 million per

team. Award will be subject to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, Section

2306, which contains the following limitation: ``Section 2306. Limits

on Participation by Companies--A company shall be eligible to receive

financial assistance under sections XX through XXIII of this Act only

if-- (1) the Secretary finds that the company's participation in any

program under such titles would be in the economic interest of the

United States, as evidenced by investments in the United States in

research, development, and manufacturing (including, for example, the

manufacture of major components or subassemblies in the United States);

significant contributions to employment in the United States; an

agreement with respect to any technology arising from assistance

provided under this section to promote the manufacture within the

United States of products resulting from that technology (taking into

account the goals of promoting the competitiveness of United States

industry), and to procure parts and materials from competitive

suppliers; and (2) either-- (A) the company is a United States-owned

company; or (B) the Secretary finds that the company is incorporated in

the United States and has a parent company which is incorporated in a

country which affords to United States-owned companies opportunities,

comparable to those afforded to any other company, to participate in

any joint venture similar to those authorized under this Act; affords

to United States-owned companies local investment opportunities

comparable to those afforded to any other company; and affords adequate

and effective protection for the intellectual property rights of United

States-owned companies.'' All responsible sources may submit an

application. All applications will be evaluated as unsolicited

applications. Applications are to be prepared in accordance with 10 CFR

600.10 and shall not exceed five (5) pages. Along with the application,

applicants are required to submit (1) SF-424, Application for Federal

Assistance, (2) Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment,

Suspension and Other Responsibility matters; and Drug-Free Workplace

Requirements, (3) Assurance of Compliance Nondiscrimination in

Federally Assisted Programs, and (4) DOE F 4620.1, Budget Page. These

forms may be obtained from the Contract Specialist and will not be

included in the five (5) page limitation

.Issued in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on July 29, 1996.

Peter D. Dayton,

Director, Procurement and Contracts Division, Oak Ridge Operations

Office.

[FR Doc. 96-19799 Filed 8-2-96; 8:45 am]

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