[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15547-15552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7278]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Partnerships for a Strong Economy/Renewable Energy
Commercialization--Geothermal Power
AGENCY: Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office.
ACTION: Solicitation for Financial Assistance: Energy Partnerships for
a Strong Economy/Renewable Energy Commercialization--Geothermal Power.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Public Law 93-577,
Federal Non-nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974; Public
Law 93-410, Geothermal Energy Research, Development and Demonstration;
and Section 2306 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT); the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office (ID) is seeking
applications for cost-shared research, development and demonstration of
geothermal power. A minimum 50% non-federal cost share for the project
is required. This notice is solicitation document DE-PS07-95ID13349.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Hallum, Contract Specialist,
telephone (208) 526-5545, facsimile (208) 526-5548. The Contracting
Officer is Brad Bauer, (208) 526-0090.
DATES: The effective date of this solicitation is March 24, 1995. The
deadline for receipt of applications is 3 p.m. MDT, May 16, 1995. Late
applications will be handled in accordance with 10 CFR 600.13.
Prospective applicants should request the application package by
March 30, 1995 (which includes necessary forms, assurances and
certifications), by writing to the DOE Contract Specialist. Facsimile
requests are authorized. Questions regarding this solicitation should
be submitted in writing to the DOE Contract Specialist no later than
April 10, 1995. Questions and answers will be issued in writing as an
amendment to this solicitation. Preproposal conferences may be
available if a sufficient number of applicants request one. Preproposal
conference requests should be made no later than April 10, 1995.
DOE anticipates that this solicitation will result in the award of
one or more cooperative agreements. Substantial involvement by DOE is
anticipated. Selections for negotiations are expected to be made on or
about June 28, 1995. All awards are expected to be made prior to
September 30, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Applications shall be submitted to: Procurement Services
Division; Attention: SOL DE-PS07-95ID13349 (Hallum/Bauer); U.S. DOE,
Idaho Operations Office; 850 Energy Drive, MS 1221; Idaho Falls, Idaho
83401-1563.
CFDA Number: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for
this program is 81.087.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Energy efficiency and renewable energy
projects entered into by both the public and private sectors are the
cornerstone of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy
Partnerships for a Strong Economy. The purpose of various Energy
Partnerships programs is to strengthen the economy and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. In support of this objective, DOE, in
collaboration with the geothermal industry and the electric utilities,
has developed an initiative for furthering the commercialization of
geothermal power. A primary strategy of the initiative is the
acceleration of geothermal development through cost-shared projects.
This solicitation requests applications from industry for one or
more collaborative efforts to support the development of new geothermal
power generation. These efforts are to promote the commercialization of
this energy source, and result in a near-term increase in the amount of
electrical power generated from geothermal energy for sale to an end
user in the United States. The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of
Utility Technologies will provide $800,000 in funding for one or more
projects. The DOE funds may be utilized only for activities directly
related to the applicant's power plant. Applications are solicited
which will result in the sale in the United States of new electrical
power generated from geothermal energy by the end of 1997.
Objectives
The objectives of this solicitation are to promote the
commercialization of geothermal energy for the production of electrical
power, and to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the United
States. By accomplishing these objectives, it is anticipated that jobs
will be created and that the nation's geothermal industry will be
better positioned to compete and win in the global marketplace. The
sale of the new power generated by the cost-shared project(s) and
further growth of the geothermal industry will off-set the use of
fossil fuels to generate electrical power, thereby reducing the
nation's emissions of greenhouse gases.
Priorities
To promote the commercialization of geothermal energy, DOE's
geothermal power initiative identified the utilization of previously
undeveloped geothermal resources and the use of innovative technologies
in power plants to convert the geothermal energy to electrical power as
specific areas for emphasis in the solicitation of applications for new
geothermal power capacity.
Scope
All applications that can demonstrate an existing or pending sales
agreement for the power generated, and result in a net increase in
geothermal power generation, will be accepted and considered.
Applications that address either of the following two areas will
receive a higher technical ranking than applications that utilize
currently developed geothermal resources and/or conventional power
plant energy conversion system technologies.
1. Installation of a plant that initiates the commercial power
production from a new geothermal resource, accelerating the development
of this new resource.
2. Retrofitting existing plants and/or constructing new plants to
incorporate innovative improvements in power plant technology that will
increase power generation from geothermal resources.
In order to differentiate from the expansion of an existing
resource, for the purpose of this solicitation, a new geothermal
resource is the first utilization of a geothermal reservoir for the
production of electrical power.
The application(s) selected for award will be subject to the
quarterly reporting requirements normally associated with DOE financial
assistance awards. If the selected application uses an innovative power
plant technology, the quarterly Technical Progress Report shall contain
data and calculations which detail the performance of this technology
during the progress reporting period. Any other use of the technology
by the geothermal industry is also to be reported. If the selected
application is the first production of power from a new geothermal
resource, the quarterly [[Page 15548]] Technical Progress Report should
indicate whether there is any further use of this resource for the
generation of electrical power. The selected application(s) will also
be required to report on greenhouse gas reductions in accordance with
the reporting system developed by the DOE Energy Information
Administration (EIA) pursuant to EPACT 1605.b. The reporting guidelines
for this program will be provided with the application package.
DOE Funding and Cost Sharing
The project(s) will be cost-shared, with participant(s) providing a
minimum of 50% of the costs. Total DOE funding is $800,000, regardless
of the number of applications selected. (If a single application is
selected it may receive up to $800,000; if multiple applications are
selected, the DOE share may total $800,000.) The DOE cost-sharing
portion of this effort is limited to the following:
1. Purchase of power plant equipment,
2. Power plant construction costs, and
3. Tie-in to the existing electrical power grid system.
Although the DOE funding is available in FY-1995, these funds do
not necessarily need to be used during this fiscal year. The DOE funds
are intended to be used for the purchase and/or installation of the
power plant components. It is not intended that the DOE contribution be
used for other related activities, including ``paper'' feasibility,
environmental, or compliance studies and/or assessments; nor is it
intended that the funds for this solicitation be used for activities
related to identifying and/or developing the productive capacity of the
hydrothermal resource. It is intended that the federal funds be used to
help mitigate a portion of the initial risk associated with the
development of the new generation capacity from geothermal energy. It
is not intended that the project success be based upon a continuing
subsidy of federal dollars.
Qualified Applicants
Private research organizations, nonprofit institutions, or profit
making entities, and other entities are eligible to submit applications
in response to this solicitation. OMB A-95 clearance is not required.
Eligibility Requirements
For the application to be considered for evaluation and award, an
agreement for the sale in the United States of the electrical power
that will be produced by the proposed project must be demonstrated to
exist, or to be pending.
Preparation of Applications
Each application shall be submitted in one volume. One original and
nine copies of each application are to be submitted. The applications
should observe the following format, presenting information as
completely and concisely as possible.
Applications submitted in response to this solicitation must
provide detailed program, management, personnel, power plant energy
conversion process, site, environmental and budget information as
further specified in this solicitation.
1. Cover Page: The cover page is to include the signature, title,
address, telephone number, and fax number of the applicant's authorized
representative. The cover page also is to contain the copy number of
the volume, with the original volume identified as ``Original: Copy No.
1'', and subsequent copies identified as ``Copy No. 2'', ``Copy No.
3'', etc.
2. Table of Contents: The application is to include a table of
contents and page numbers corresponding to the elements outlined in
these preparation guidelines.
3. Technical Summary: The application is to provide a one page
summary that furnishes a concise and informative description of the
proposed project. This summary should contain information which is
releasable to the public.
In order to expedite the evaluation process, the applications are
to adhere to the following format, including use of the indicated
element titles. The information presented for each element should be
both complete and concise. These elements form the criteria upon which
the application will be evaluated.
4. Technical Discussion. a. Geothermal Resource. The application is
to contain explicit statements and documentation that demonstrate that
the resource is adequate for the proposed usage, and that the resource
will be available to operate the proposed facility at rated capacity
for the expected life of the project, as defined in the application.
The adequacy of the resource can be demonstrated by inclusion of data
such as documented well flow tests, multi-well interference tests,
temperature logs, brine chemistry, production data from existing
production and injection wells (including documentation of their
characteristics), and any other suitable data that will assist in the
evaluation of the geothermal resource.
If this is the first application of the geothermal reservoir for
power production, the application is to provide supporting
documentation that clearly demonstrates this reservoir has not been
utilized previously to produce electrical power for commercial sale.
If the application is for the expanded use of an existing
reservoir, the projected impact on the reservoir's present production
and/or injection capacities is to be addressed.
If electrical power and/or other ancillary utilities are required
for the development of the resource for this application, their
availability is to be discussed.
If the applicant does not own, or otherwise control the
availability and use of the resource, documentation is required
demonstrating that the resource provider will furnish the fluids
required for the new capacity during the stated project life.
b. Power Plant Energy Conversion System. The application is to
provide a description of the geothermal power plant's energy conversion
system that will be used to produce the new power for sale. This
description is to detail the power cycle and component operating
parameters to allow evaluation of the adequacy of the proposed system
to provide the stated power production. The assumptions used relative
to the performance of the heat rejection system when determining the
new generating capacity of the proposed project are to be included in
the power plant description.
The description of the power plant energy conversion system is to
clearly indicate whether it employs an innovative technology that
improves plant efficiency and is not typically utilized commercially in
the United States. If an innovative technology is to be utilized,
documentation is to be provided that demonstrates the viability of the
technology and establishes that it will provide the expected generation
capacity. This documentation is to indicate the degree to which this
technology could be utilized in geothermal plants at other locations,
or whether the technology is specific to the proposed site and/or
resource.
If the proposed new geothermal power generation will result from
the retrofit of an existing facility, the application is to detail the
retrofit, as well as the impact of the retrofit on the performance on
the existing facility.
Electrical power and/or other ancillary utilities (including make-
up water for heat rejection) required for the development of the
proposed power plant and their availability are to be discussed, along
with the tie-in of the [[Page 15549]] new power generation to the
existing electrical grid system.
Note: Underlying assumptions along with detailed calculations to
support the claimed economic and energy efficiency benefits must be
included in the application.
c. Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The application's impact on
reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be evaluated by DOE from the
information provided. This evaluation will consider that the
application's new, ``net'' generation capacity off-sets the use of
fossil fuels for the generation of electrical power. The extent to
which fossil fuels are used to generate electrical power will be
obtained from the 1995 Annual Energy Outlook (published by DOE's Energy
Information Administration) projections of power generation by fuel
types. By not using fossil fuels to generate this power, the greenhouse
gases produced by these fuels are avoided. In reviewing the
application, DOE will adjust the prediction of avoided greenhouse gas
emissions to account for the emissions associated with the proposed
project.
This evaluation will consider both the projected reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions due to the proposed project, as well as the
potential reduction that might occur from the further development of
the new geothermal field, or the expanded utilization of an innovative
technology in power plants by the geothermal industry. Projections of
the effect of the greenhouse gas reductions will be evaluated for the
years 2000 and 2010.
In order to forecast the reduction in greenhouse gases, the
application is to provide:
(1) The project's new, net electrical generation capacity,
(2) The plant availability,
(3) The projected annual kW-hours produced,
(4) The date the new power generation will come on line, and
(5) The expected life of the new power generation.
The amount of new, net electrical generation capacity is the
``net'' electrical power generated for sale; all parasitic power
requirements associated with the production of this new capacity should
be identified and deducted, as well as any negative (or positive)
impact on any existing generating capacity. (The parasitic power
requirements include the power necessary to supply and dispose of the
geothermal fluid associated with the new power capacity, as well as the
power required to operate the proposed power plant or associated with
the plant retrofit.)
The application is also to include information relative to the
anticipated emission of gases (on a kilograms per year basis) that will
result from the new geothermal power production. This information is to
identify the emission of non-condensable gases during the production,
utilization and disposal (injection) of the geothermal resource fluid,
as well as the operation of the power plant's energy conversion system,
including the heat rejection system. If the proposed energy conversion
system is a binary power cycle, any fugitive gas emissions from the
power cycle are to be identified. If the level of the emission of these
gases is unknown or uncertain, the application is to identify the
levels of emission for any of these gases reported in the project
permitting process.
If the application is for the application of an innovative power
plant technology or for a geothermal resource with the capacity for
further development, the potential increase in power production is to
be included, allowing the potential reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions to be evaluated. The anticipated total additional capacity,
the availability of the additional power capacity, the date when the
additional power generation might be expected to come on line, and the
expected period that the geothermal resource could support this added
power production are to be provided.
d. Environmental. The application is to include relevant
information on leasing, permitting, and/or other legal and commercial
issues which may affect the resource development and/or the power plant
construction/operation.
5. Management Discussion. a. Program and Management Plan,
Organization, and Key Personnel. A program management plan is to be
provided that includes a statement of work detailing the activities
necessary to complete the project. This plan is to include a project
schedule identifying major milestones associated with the proposed
cost-shared portion of the project, and how these milestones are
incorporated into the remaining overall project work scope. The
management plan is also to include a discussion of all facilities to be
constructed and/or retrofitted during the project.
The management plan is to include the name and roles of the
applicant and each of the participants involved in the project,
including the contractual arrangements between the applicant and
participants. The capabilities and responsibilities of the applicant
and each participant; experience, qualifications, and responsibilities
of key personnel; and any unique facilities and/or capabilities which
would assure the success of the project are to be provided, along with
information regarding the applicant's (or appropriate participant's)
experience in project and construction management.
The application is to discuss the composition of the organization
of the applicant and participants from the standpoint of being involved
in, and/or representative of the geothermal industry.
b. Financial Information. The application is to provide a
description of the applicant and all other participants in the project,
including the type of business, history, size, and discussion of the
ownership and/or controlling interest, along with a listing of current
or recent (within the past two years) government grants, cooperative
agreements, and/or other work by the applicant in this or related
fields. This listing is to include the names of the sponsoring agency
or firm, instrument number, amount of the instrument, subject area of
the instrument, and the name and telephone number of the contracting
officer, or contract specialist.
Financial data on the applicant and participants, identifying the
source of cost sharing and the available financial resources, are to be
provided. These data are to include annual financial statements
(balance sheet and income and expense statement) for the past 3 years
for the applicant, as well as for the participants providing cost
sharing and/or performing work. Where available, financial statements
prepared by certified public accountants are to be submitted.
An estimated cost to perform the tasks as identified in the
proposed statement of work for the overall project is to be provided
along with the basis or rationale supporting these costs. It will be
used to evaluate the reasonableness of the project cost, the probable
cost to the government, as well as to provide an understanding of the
magnitude of the effort required.
6. Economic Impact Discussion. The application is to forecast the
economic impact of the application, including employment opportunities
retained and/or created, estimated annual payroll, and construction and
operation-related expenditures, as well as any other economic benefits.
If the application involves the application of an innovative, or
new technology, the application is to describe how this technology
could impact the growth of the nation's geothermal industry both in the
United States and in other countries. If the application involves the
development of [[Page 15550]] a new resource, the economic impact of
future development of the resource is to be addressed.
7. Cost/Business Discussion. a. Power Sales Agreement: The
application is to identify and document any existing or pending
agreement for the sale of the electrical power that will be produced by
the proposed project. An existing or pending power sales agreement is
an eligibility requirement, i.e., it must exist for the application to
be considered.
b. Cost Sharing: The requested amount of DOE funds to be cost-
shared is to be identified, along with how these funds will be used and
the year in which they will be utilized. The percentage level of the
DOE funds to the total project cost is to be defined. The impact of
DOE's cost share to the viability of the project is to be addressed.
The application is to provide an estimate of the monetary value
(basis of and the nature, e.g., equipment, labor, facilities, cash,
etc.) of all contributions to the project by year and by party (DOE,
applicant, and participants). If cost share is provided by someone
other than the applicant, the application must include a statement by
the providing entity which specifically commits the cost share for use
on the project. Note that ``cost sharing'' is not limited to monetary
investment. For purposes of this solicitation, the ``cost sharing''
definition is contained in 10 CFR 600.123, 600.206, 600.424. Foregone
fee or profit shall not be considered cost sharing under any resulting
agreement. Payment of actual costs in the final agreement will only
include those costs that are allowable, incurred, costs that are
allocable to the program as determined in accordance with the
applicable cost principles prescribed in 10 CFR 600.127 for the
respective participants and in the cost share ratios to be defined in
the negotiations.
c. Budget: A budget period is an interval of time 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 periods may be divided into one or more budget
periods. Project periods are not expected to exceed two 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 application 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 application 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 relevance 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.
d. Cost Application: In the event there are multiple projects
proposed in a submittal, a separate cost application should be included
for each project proposed for funding. The cost application should have
sufficient detail that an independent evaluation of the labor,
materials, equipment and other costs as well as verification of the
proposed cost share can be performed.
Proprietary Application 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.
Evaluation of Applications
Applications submitted will be subject to a preliminary review by
DOE to check for completeness and accuracy. Applications that are
clearly non-responsive or do not provide evidence of an existing or
pending agreement for the sale of electrical power generated, will not
be subject to the comprehensive evaluation or considered for award.
DOE reserves the right to support all, none, or certain parts of
the applications submitted in response to this solicitation.
The information presented in each application will be evaluated to
determine the degree to which the stated objectives and priorities of
this solicitation are met. The following is a summary listing of the
criteria which will be considered in the evaluation and each's relative
importance in the ranking process: Technical and environmental,
management, economic impact, and cost-sharing. The technical and
environmental criteria will rank twice as much as the management
criteria; economic and cost-sharing criteria will rank approximately
equally and at substantially less than the management criteria. The
following briefly identifies the factors to be considered in the
evaluation of each of the criterion.
Criterion 1: Technical and Environmental
The geothermal resource is to be compatible/adequate with the
requirements of the energy conversion system for the new geothermal
power production. The resource is to be able to [[Page 15551]] sustain
the proposed new and, if applicable, existing generation capacity over
the proposed life of the project. The development of a new geothermal
resource is preferred (first power production from a geothermal
reservoir), particularly resources with the potential for continued
development. The applicant's control over availability of the resource
is preferred.
The evidence presented on the technical viability of the energy
conversion system, including the clarity and completeness of the
description of the power cycle to be used to generate the additional
power will be considered. The degree to which the new power generation
will utilize an innovative technology(s) will be weighed along with the
evidence presented of the viability of the technology(s) and the
probability of its successful implementation. The potential for further
utilization of the innovative technology(s) by the geothermal industry
to add generation capacity, i.e., use of the technology can be
replicated in geothermal power plants at other sites, will also be
evaluated. The evaluation will also consider the date at which the
applicant will begin to sell the power produced, with power sales by
1997 preferred.
The projected impact of the proposed project on reducing greenhouse
gas emissions will be evaluated for the year 2000 as well as for the
year 2010 (with the emphasis on the year 2000). The potential impact on
reducing greenhouse gas emissions as a result of increased usage of an
innovative technology, as well as from further development of a new
geothermal resource will be considered. The annual electrical
production (watt-hr/yr) will be correlated to the gas emissions based
on the projected mix of fuels used to generate this level of power in
the absence of the new geothermal power generation.
Issues relating to leasing, permitting, and related activities for
the project development will be considered along with the environmental
restrictions. The environmental evaluation will consider the impact of
the proposed activities at the project site, as well as the potential
environmental impact of future resource development or application of
technology at other facilities. The availability of required ancillary
utilities/services, as well as proximity to existing electrical grid
system will also be considered.
Criterion 2: Management
The statement of objectives will be evaluated for its completeness,
and the evidence presented for completing the project activities within
the presented overall project schedule. The adequacy of the
organizational structure, capabilities, and resources of the applicant
and participants to address all aspects of the proposed project will be
considered, along with the existence of unique capabilities,
facilities, and/or equipment which provide additional assurance as to
the success of the proposed project. Evidence of previous successes in
the completion of similar projects will be considered, along with the
applicant's experience in the geothermal industry.
Criterion 3: Economic Impact
The application will be evaluated for evidence presented of a
positive economic impact, including the creation of additional
employment opportunities. Evidence presented relative to the impact of
project on the further growth of the geothermal industry within the
U.S., as well as internationally, will be considered.
Criterion 4: Cost Sharing
DOE cost share is limited to the purchase of power plant equipment,
power plant construction costs, and costs for tie-ins to the existing
electrical power grid system. The applicant must cost share those
portions of the project that are excluded from DOE cost share. The
application will be evaluated on the nature and amount of cost-sharing.
The applicant must demonstrate how it will meet its mandatory 50% cost
share. This demonstration will occur through the adequacy (e.g.,
completeness, relevancy, substantiation) of the cost portion of the
application. The applicant is responsible for showing how any in-kind
contributions meet criteria in 10 CFR 600.123. Cash and cash-equivalent
items (e.g., direct labor) are preferred. More consideration may be
given to projects with a greater-than-50% cost share.
Programmatic Selection Considerations
In conjunction with the evaluation results and ranking of
individual applications, the Government will make selections for
negotiations and planned awards from among the highest ranking
applications 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 technical and business approaches (excluding cost
considerations) are worth the probable cost differences.
(2) It is desirable to implement each demonstration project as a
collaborative effort in which the participants represent both the
scientific/engineering research disciplines as well as members of the
geothermal industry engaged in its practical, daily operations and
experienced in the application of geothermal industry processes.
(3) Applications that have the potential to increase geothermal
power capacity, reduce negative environmental impacts, and provide
significant cost benefits are preferred.
Merit Reviews
All applications will be evaluated under the procedure for
``Objective Merit Review of Discretionary Financial Assistance
Applications'', Federal Register, May 31, 1990, Vol. 55, No. 105 (copy
provided upon request), 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.
General Conditions and Notice to Applicants
a. Applicants: 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.
b. 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.
c. 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.
d. Amendments: All amendments to this solicitation will be mailed
to recipients who submit a written request for the DOE application
package. [[Page 15552]]
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. Effective Period of Application: All applications should remain
in effect for at least 180 days from the closing date.
h. Availability of Funds: The actual amount of funds to be
obligated will be subject to availability of funds appropriated by
Congress.
i. Loans under DOE Minority Economic Impact (MEI) Loan Program:
Applicants are advised that loans under the DOE Minority Economic
Impact (MEI) Loan Program are not available to finance the cost of
preparing an application pursuant to this solicitation.
j. Assurances and Certifications: DOE requires the submission of
preaward assurances of compliance and certifications which are mandated
by law. The assurance and certification forms will be provided in the
application package.
k. Questions and Answers: Questions regarding this solicitation
should be submitted in writing to the DOE Contract Specialist no later
than April 10, 1995. Questions and answers will be issued in writing as
an amendment to this solicitation.
l. 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.
m. Patents, Data, and Copyrights: Applicants are advised that
patents, data, and copyrights will be treated in accordance with 10 CFR
600.33.
n. Environmental Impact: An applicant environmental checklist will
be provided in the DOE application package. Award will not be made
until the environmental checklist is completed. An environmental review
of the environmental checklist and the application will be conducted by
DOE as required by 10 CFR 1021.216.
o. EPACT: Applicants shall be required to comply with section 2306
of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) (42 U.S.C. 13525), as
applicable.
p. Buy American Act: Any organization receiving award under this
solicitation must comply with the Buy American Provisions of Section
307 of Pub. L. 103-332, Department of the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act of 1995.
Dated: March 9, 1995.
R. J. Hoyles,
Director, Procurement Services Division.
[FR Doc. 95-7278 Filed 3-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
