[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30194-30196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14733]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 970520119-7284-02]
RIN 0693-ZA15
Grant Funds--Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory--
Availability of Funds
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to inform potential applicants
that the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL), National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is continuing its program
for grants and cooperative agreements in the following fields of
research: Ceramics, Metallurgy, Polymer Sciences, Neutron Scattering
Research and Spectroscopy. Each applicant must submit one signed
original and two copies of each proposal along with a Grant
Application, (Standard Form 424 REV. 7/95 and other required forms), as
referenced under the provisions of OMB Circular A-110 and 15 CFR 24.
DATES: Applications must be received no later than the close of
business September 30, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Applications should be submitted to the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, Materials Science and Engineering
Laboratory, Building 223, Room A305, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001;
Attention: Patty Salpino. Each application package should be clearly
marked to identify the field of research.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical inquiries should be directed
to the following Program Managers: Dr. Ronald Munro--(301) 975-6127
[Ceramics Division], Bruno Fanconi--(301) 975-6762 [Polymers Division],
John Manning--(301) 975-6157 [Metallurgy Division--transformations,
phases, microstructure and kinetic processes in metals and their
alloys], Dr. Neville Pugh--(301) 975-5960 [Metallurgy Division--sensors
for analytical models for metallurgical processes], Richard Ricker--
(301) 975-6023 [Metallurgy Division--degradation of materials in their
service environment], John Rush--(301) 976-6220 [NIST Center for
Neutron Research]. Inquiries should be general in nature.
Specific inquiries as to a laboratory's needs, the usefulness or
merit of any particular project, or other inquiries with the potential
to provide and
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competitive advantage to an applicant are not acceptable.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: ``Measurement and
Engineering Research and Standards'', No. 11.609.
Eligibility: Academic institutions, non-Federal agencies,
independent and industrial laboratories are eligible to apply.
Authority: As authorized under 15 U.S.C. 272(b)(6) and (c)(16), the
MSEL conducted a basic and applied research program directly and
through grants and cooperative agreements to eligible recipients.
Funding Availability: Approximately $500,000 is available to
support grants and cooperative agreements under this program. All
awards are contingent on the availability of funds.
Type of Funding Instrument: The MSEL Grants Program is limited to
innovative ideas generated by the proposal writer on what research will
be performed and how. Grants awarded under the MSEL program will
generally provide financial assistance to the recipient without
substantial NIST involvement in the projects. Cooperative agreements
awarded for MSEL projects will generally involve a close working
relationship between a group of NIST experts and the recipient.
Award Period: Proposals will be considered for research projects
from one to three years. When a proposal for a multi-year award is
approved, funding will initially be provided for only the first year of
the program. If an application is selected for funding, NIST has no
obligation to provide any additional funding in connection with that
award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of
performance is at the total discretion of NIST. Funding for each
subsequent year of a multi-year proposal will be contingent upon
satisfactory progress, in relation to the mission of the MSEL program,
and the availability of funds. The annual awards must have scopes of
work that are clearly severable and can be easily separated into annual
increments of meaningful work, which represent solid accomplishments if
prospective funding is not made available to the applicant, (i.e., the
scopes of work for each funding period must produce identifiable and
meaningful results in and of themselves).
Program Objectives
All proposals submitted must be in accordance with the program
objectives listed below. The appropriate Program Manager for each field
of research may be contacted for clarification of the program
objectives.
I. Ceramics Division, 852--The primary objective is to supplement
division activities in the area of ceramic processing, tribology,
composites, machining, interfacial chemistry, and microstructural
analysis.
II. Polymers Division, 854--The primary objective is to support
division programs in polymer blends, composites, electrical
applications, as well as, dental and medical polymeric materials
through participation in research on metrology, synthesis, processing
and characterization of structure, mechanical, thermal and electrical
properties.
III. Metallurgy Division, 855--The primary objective is to develop
techniques to predict, measure and control transformations, phases,
microstructure and kinetic processes as well as mechanical, physical
and chemical properties in metals and their alloys.
IV. Metallurgy Division, 855--The primary objective is to develop
new and improved sensors, measurement techniques, and analytical models
for metallurgical structures and processes in order to facilitate the
development and adoption of intelligent processing systems for
materials.
V. NIST Center for Neutron Research, 856--The primary objective is
to develop high resolution cold and thermal neutron research approaches
and related physics, chemistry, macromolecular and materials
applications.
Proposal Review Process
Proposals will be reviewed in a two-step process. First, a panel of
at least three individuals knowledgeable about the particular
scientific area described above that the proposal addresses, and that
are not employed by the applicable division, will conduct a technical
review of proposals. Second, the chief of each division will make final
award selections.
Technical Evaluation Criteria
The criteria the technical reviewers will use in evaluating the
proposals are as follows:
1. Rationality. Reviewers will consider the coherence of the
applicant's approach and the extent to which the proposal effectively
addresses scientific and technical issues.
2. Qualifications of Technical Personnel. Reviewers will consider
the professional accomplishments, skills, and training of the proposed
personnel to perform the work in the project.
3. Resources Availability. Reviewers will consider the extent to
which the proposer has access to necessary facilities and other support
to accomplish project objectives.
4. Technical Merit of Contribution. Reviewers will consider the
potential technical effectiveness of the proposal and the value it
would contribute to the field of materials science and engineering.
Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation
process.
Selection Procedure
In making final award selections, the chief of each division will
take into account the score received by the applicant and the
compatibility of the applicant's proposal with the program objectives
of the particular division that the proposal addresses. These
objectives are described above in the ``Program Objectives'' section.
If an award is made to an applicant that does not receive the highest
score in its category by technical reviewers, the division chief shall
justify the selection in writing.
Application Process
Matching Requirements: There are no matching requirements.
Application Kit: An application kit, containing all required
applications forms and certifications is available by calling Patty
Salpino at (301) 975-5731. An application kit includes the following:
SF 424 (Rev 7/97)--Application for Federal Assistance
SF 424 A (Rev 7/97)--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
SF 424B (Rev 7/97)--Assurances--Non Construction Programs
CD 511 (7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying
CD 512 (7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusions--Lower Tier Covered Transactions
and Lobbying
SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
Paperwork Reduction Act: The Standard Form 424 and Standard Form
LLL mentioned in this notice are subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act and have been approved by OMB under Control
Numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040 and 0348-0046. Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to nor
shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply
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with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays
a current valid OMB control number.
Primary Application Certification: all primary applicants must
submit a completed form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby
provided:
1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to
15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies.
2. Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26,
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section
of the certification form prescribed above applies.
3. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever
is greater.
4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosure. Any applicant that has paid or will
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.
5. Lower-Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower
Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to NIST. SF-LLL
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to
NIST in accordance with the instructions contained in the award
document.
Preaward Activities: Applicants who incur any costs prior to an
award being made do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed
by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that may have
been provided, there is no obligation on the part of NIST to cover
preaward costs.
No obligation for Future Funding: If an application is accepted for
funding, NIST has no obligation to provide any additional future
funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase
funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion
of NIST.
Past Performance: Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.
Name Check Reviews: All for-profit and nonprofit applicants will be
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been
convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud,
theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the
applicant's management, honesty, or financial integrity.
False Statements: A false statement on an application is grounds
for denial or termination of funds, and grounds for possible punishment
by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Delinquent Federal Debts: No award of Federal funds shall be made
to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until
either:
1. The delinquent account is paid in full,
2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one
payment is received, or
3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.
Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products: Applicants are
hereby notified that they are encouraged to the greatest extent
practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products with
funding provided under this program.
Indirect Costs: The total dollar amount of the indirect costs
proposed in an application under this program must not exceed the
indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal
agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent
of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application,
whichever is less.
Federal Policies and Procedures: Awards under the MSEL Grants
Research Program shall be subject to all Federal laws and Federal and
Departmental regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to
financial assistance awards. The MSEL Grants Program does not directly
affect any state or local government. Accordingly, the Department of
Commerce has determined that Executive Order 12372 is not applicable to
the MSEL Grants Program.
This funding notice has been determined not to be not significant
for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Dated: May 27, 1998.
Robert E. Hebner,
Acting Deputy Director, NIST.
[FR Doc. 98-14733 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
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