Optional Preproposal Process for the National Industrial Competitiveness Through Energy, Environment and Economics (NICE \3\) Program

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Optional Preproposal Process for the National Industrial

Competitiveness Through Energy, Environment and Economics (NICE \3\)

Program

AGENCY: Golden Field Office, Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice. Optional preproposal process for potential applicants

under the DOE NICE \3\ program solicitation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

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. 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. 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 2000 by DOE for the May 1999

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.

Preproposal

Prior to issuance of the solicitation, the DOE offers potential

applicants a chance to submit to the Golden Field Office a brief

description of their proposed project. The submissions should not

exceed two pages and should adhere to the format laid out in the

preproposal format. DOE's technical staff will review these abstracts

and provide constructive feedback to the potential applicant within a

two week period. The submission of a preproposal abstract is not

mandatory for submitting an application under the May 1999

solicitation. The DOE reviews and comments under the preproposal

process will not be used by DOE in evaluating or awarding applications

under the solicitation. All abstracts must be submitted through a state

agency.

DATES: A brief description of the proposed project can be submitted to

the Golden Field Office on or before April 2, 1999.

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 NICE\3\ program can be

located at http//www.oit.doe.gov/Access/nice3. The Contract Specialist

is James Damm, at (303) 275-4744.

Issued in Golden, Colorado, on February 25, 1999.

Matthew A. Barron,

Acting Procurement Director, GO.

[FR Doc. 99-5615 Filed 3-5-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P