[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 242 (Monday, December 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66071-66072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31864]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Availability of Solicitation for Center of Excellence (COE) in
Airworthiness Assurance
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is soliciting competitive proposals from academic
institutions to form an airworthiness assurance Center of Excellence
(COE). A COE is that entity at a college or university designated as
the principal focus for long-term research in selected areas of
aviation technology. Centers of Excellence are designated through an
evaluation and award procedure established pursuant to Title IX of
Public Law 101-508, the FAA Research Engineering and Development
Authorization Act of 1990. The FAA will provide long-term funding to
establish and operate the COE in support of airworthiness assurance.
The grant recipient is required to match FAA funds with non-Federal
funding over the term of the grant.
[[Page 66072]]
DATES: The closing date for submitting final proposals is February 15,
1997.
ADDRESSES: Solicitation packages may be obtained by contacting Ms.
Patricia Watts, Office of Research and Technology Applications, AAR-
201, Building 270, Atlantic City International Airport, New Jersey
08405, phone number (609) 485-5043, facsimile number (609) 485-6509.
Before final proposal submission, the proposal may be discussed with
the Centers of Excellence Program Manager.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA intends to award a 50-50 cost share
cooperative agreement to establish a Center of Excellence in
Airworthiness Assurance to a qualified college or university, or to a
team of such institutions. The cooperative agreement will be awarded in
3 year increments up to a maximum of 10 years. It is the FAA's intent
to fund a minimum of $1.5 million over the first three years. It is
also the intent of the FAA to award a single-source indefinite delivery
indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to the winner of the competition,
under which orders may be placed for developmental products.
The FAA has identified a need for a Center of Excellence in
airworthiness assurance. The Center will conduct research which
includes the entire spectrum (i.e. basic research through engineering
development, prototyping and testing) within the scope of Airworthiness
Assurance. This scope includes, but is not limited to, the following
five functional areas:
1. Maintenance, Inspection, and Repair;
2. Crashworthiness;
3. Propulsion and Fuel Systems Safety Technologies;
4. Landing Gear Systems Performance and Safety; and/or
5. Advanced Materials.
The FAA intends to provide long-term funding to establish and
operate a prestigious partnership with academia, industry and
government. To this end, the FAA encourages offerors to team with
organizations that compliment their expertise from academia, industry,
state/local government and other governmental agencies. The successful
offeror is required to match FAA grant funds with non-federal funding
over the term of the cooperative agreement. Matching funds are not
required for any orders placed under the IDIQ contract. Separate cost-
sharing contracts may be awarded when deemed appropriate.
Eligibility
Colleges and universities are eligible for cooperative agreements
to establish a Center of Excellence in airworthiness assurance.
Individuals are not eligible for a COE designation and do not qualify
for grants under this program. The FAA is seeking to ensure an
equitable geographical distribution of funds and to encourage the
inclusion of minority institutions.
Matching Funds Requirement
A Center of Excellence receives funding annually in the form of
single or multiple continuing research grants over a three-year period.
The federal government provides 50 percent of the cost to establish and
operate a Center of Excellence. The institution must show a continuing
source of non-Federal matching funds available for the remaining
research and operational expenses at the Center. Once the COE is
established, a fiscal report declaring the sources and amount of
funding and expenditures must be submitted for review every six (6)
months to The Office of Research and Technology Applications at the FAA
Technical Center. A full review and grant close-out takes place at the
conclusion of each three-year phase.
The Center of Excellence and the FAA shall agree upon the maximum
expected costs in each fiscal year. Any cost incurred in excess of the
maximum costs agreed upon with the agency shall be the sole obligation
of the Center of Excellence.
The Center of Excellence is expected to account for funds granted
and matched, utilized to establish, operate, and conduct the specified
research activities of the Center of Excellence.
Maintenance of Effort and Center Operations
The Center of Excellence is required to maintain its aggregate
expenditures from all other sources for establishing and operating the
Center of Excellence and related research activities at or above the
average level of such expenditures in its two (2) fiscal years
preceding November 5, 1990. The establishment of a Center of Excellence
is intended to augment the level of aviation research activities at the
institution.
The Center of Excellence shall maintain a close working
relationship with the corresponding agency research program office.
This relationship shall extend to participation in conferences,
meetings, joint research efforts, and submission of significant
activity reports to the FAA on a routine basis. The COE shall prepare
quarterly and semi-annual reports, and a fully inclusive annual report
on research projects and fiscal expenditures, and shall host an on-site
review of all research activities.
The FAA may require the COE to hold an annual joint symposium with
the agency on topics relating to the status and results of the
designated technology area. Researchers at the COE may serve as
consultants by providing technical advice to the sponsoring agency
program office. They may also be asked to participate on major planning
and investigative committees related to airworthiness assurance.
Selection Criteria
The COE will be selected primarily on technical merit and the
ability of the team to meet the following criteria mandated by the
enabling legislation, Public law 101-508:
--The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant is
located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air
transportation services and facilities.
--The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the
applicant for carrying out the intent of the legislation.
--The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making
national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range
and immediate air transportation problems.
--The extent to which the applicant has an established air
transportation program.
--The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results of
air transportation research and educational programs through a
statewide or region-wide continuing education program.
--The research projects that the applicant proposes to carry out under
the grant.
Award Date
The final selection of the Center of Excellence in Airworthiness
Assurance will be announced within this fiscal year, which ends
September 30, 1997.
Issued in Atlantic County, New Jersey on December 4, 1996.
Particia Watts,
Program Manager, FAA Centers of Excellence Program Office, AAR-201.
[FR Doc. 96-31864 Filed 12-13-96; 8:45 am]
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