[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5139]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 7, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Research, Development, and Demonstration of Metal Casting
Research To Increase the Competitiveness of the U.S. Foundry Industry
AGENCY: Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office.
ACTION: Solicitation for Financial Assistance: Metal Casting
Competitiveness Research Program.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Public Law 101-425,
Department of Energy Metal Casting Competitiveness Research Act of
1990, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office (ID),
is seeking applications for cost-shared research and technology
development in the U.S. metal casting industry. The objective is to
promote the competitiveness and energy efficiency of the U.S. metal
casting industry through major gains in manufacturing productivity;
remediation technologies; process cost reduction; and product quality
improvement. This is a complete solicitation document. No other
solicitation will be issued for this Metal Casting Competitiveness
Research Program.
DATES: The deadline for receipt of applications is April 29, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Applications shall be submitted to: [Number DE-PS07-
94ID13293] J.O. Lee, Contracting Officer; Contracts Officer;
Procurement Services Division; U.S. Department of Energy; Idaho
Operations Office; 785 DOE Place, MS 1221, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401-
1562.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trudy Thorne, Contract Specialist,
(208) 526-9519.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The U.S. metal casting industry has been losing its competitive
position in the domestic marketplace relative to imported castings for
a number of years. The domestic metal casting industry, with costs
which are typically 40 to 50 percent for charge materials, 20 to 30
percent for labor, and 15 to 20 percent for energy, is generally at a
disadvantage when compared to most foreign competitors. In addition,
many foreign competitors obtain R&D assistance funded by their
governments. Moreover, they are not required to meet stringent
environmental regulations, while the ability of the U.S. metal casting
industry to compete is adversely affected because of the expense of
complying with rules and regulations intended to protect the
environment and the work place. These advantages often outweigh the
additional transportation and distribution costs incurred by foreign
competitors entering the U.S. market for metal castings. A technically
advanced and viable metal casting industry is essential to the
competitiveness of many American industries. Many metal casting
companies lack the resources to conduct metal casting research alone
due to the fragmented nature of the industry.
In order to improve the competitiveness and energy efficiency of
the U.S. metal casting industry, the Office of Industrial Processes
(OIP) of the DOE has sponsored a R&D program titled Metal Casting
Competitiveness Research Program (MCCRP). As part of this program, this
solicitation for federal financial assistance applications is being
issued.
Project Description
DOE anticipates awarding approximately two to eight Cooperative
Agreements as a result of this solicitation provided applications
received meet or further the objectives of Public Law 101-425 and funds
are available. Federal funds appropriated for this solicitation are
approximately $1,900K. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Number for this program is 81.078. Each award will make available
federal funds to a project on a cost-sharing basis, but the federal
funding contribution will not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of a
research project. Under Cooperative Agreements it is anticipated there
will be substantial involvement by DOE.
DOE suggests, but does not require, a multi-phase approach and
projects may be initiated at the bench (Phase I), laboratory (Phase
II), or pilot-scale (Phase III), levels. The period of performance for
Phase I is anticipated to be 12 months. At the end of Phase I, provided
satisfactory progress has been made and funds are available, DOE may
award a continuation of work to undertake further development if the
participant demonstrates a continuing need for federal assistance,
shows sufficient progress in the research effort in Phase I, has
completed Phase I in compliance with a mutually agreed management plan,
and identifies the new research planned.
The thrust of the Program is directed towards R&D which will
improve the competitive position and energy efficiency of the U.S.
metal casting industry, defined as the industries identified by codes
numbered 3321, 3322, 3324, 3325, 3363, 3364, 3365, 3366, and 3369, in
the Standard Industrial Classification manual published by the Office
of Management and Budget in 1987. Utilizing the recommendations of the
DOE Metal Casting Industrial Advisory Board, and in accordance with the
objectives of Public Law 101-425, the below listed priority research
subject areas have been identified. Applicants should focus their
effort on the seven subject areas identified with an asterisk (*),
which have the highest priority. One, or more, of the lower priority
listed subjects may be included in the proposed research. Proposals for
research in areas not included in the list below will not be
considered. Applications should explain why industry is not already
performing the proposed research and why DOE funding is appropriate.
Metal Casting Research Priorities
This solicitation is to be focused on the following metal casting
research priorities identified by the industry and the Industrial
Advisory Board.
1. Solidification and Casting Technologies:
* a. Dimensional control of castings.
* b. Clean cast metal technology.
c. Expendable pattern casting technology.
2. Modeling and Design:
* a. Computer integrated processing methods for productivity and
quality improvements such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer
Aided Engineering (CAE), Computer Aided Manufacturing, (CAM), and
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM).
3. Processing Technologies and Design for Energy Efficiency, Material
Conservation, Environmental Protection, or Industrial Productivity:
a. Energy Efficiency:
* (1) Melting Furnace Optimization.
b. Material Conservation:
* (1) Casting process improvements for lightweight and thin-wall
components of aluminum, and magnesium etc.
c. Environmental Protection:
* (1) Sand reclamation.
* (2) Characterization and remediation of waste streams.
d. Industrial Productivity:
(1) Gating system removal technologies.
4. Other Areas of Research:
a. On-line process control and sensors for molding, melting, and
coremaking.
b. Improved melting process for casting purposes.
Proposal Requirements
Each proposal must contain the following:
1. Demonstrated support of the metal casting industry by
describing:
a. How industry has participated in deciding what research
activities will be undertaken;
b. How industry will participate in the evaluation of the
applicant's progress in research and development activities; and
c. The extent to which industry funds are committed to the
applicant's proposal.
2. Demonstrate a commitment for matching funds from non-federal
sources, which shall consist of:
a. Cash, and/or
b. As determined by DOE, the fair market value of equipment,
services, materials, appropriate technology transfer activities, and
other assets directly related to the proposal's cost;
3. Provide a single or multiyear management plan that outlines
how the research, development, and technology transfer activities
will be carried out and administered; The management plan that
shall:
a. Outline the research, development, and technology transfer
activities expected to be performed;
b. Outline who will conduct those research activities;
c. Establish the duration of each task and over which the
research activities will take place; and
d. Define the overall program management and direction by:
1. Identifying managerial, organizational and administrative
procedures and responsibilities;
2. Outlining how the coordination of research and development
between the individuals and organizations involved will be achieved;
3. Demonstrating how implementation and monitoring of the
progress of research project after receipt of funding from the
Secretary will be achieved;
4. Demonstrating how recommendations and implementations on
modifications to the plan, if any, will be achieved; and
5. Providing sufficient rationale to support the project costs.
4. State the annual cost of the proposal and a breakdown of
those costs per each task and each individual performing the work;
5. A critical review of existing and emerging technologies,
relevant patents, on-going research, and practices, and a
description of the hurdles that must be overcome to ensure
commercial viability and commercialization of the proposed
technologies;
6. Justify the project with an initial economic evaluation
indicating the potential for a significant reduction in
manufacturing cost and/or a significant improvement in product value
resulting from the proposed research;
7. Identify the technical hurdles for commercialization and how
they will be addressed; and
8. Evidence of having the facilities and equipment capable of
conducting at least laboratory scale testing or demonstration of
metal casting or related processes.
Note: Underlying assumptions along with detailed calculations to
support the claimed economic and energy efficiency benefits must be
included in the application.
Qualified Applicants
The following entities are qualified to respond to this
solicitation:
a. An educational institution;
b. A consortium of educational institutions;
c. A consortium of educational institution(s) with one or more
of the following: Government-owned laboratories, private research
organizations, nonprofit institutions, or private firms;
That is located in a region where the metal casting industry is
concentrated.
Proposal Evaluation
a. Application Deadline: The deadline for receipt of
applications is April 29, 1994. Only applications which are timely
in accordance with 10 CFR 600.13, will be evaluated. Late
applications will be handled in accordance with 10 CFR 600.13.
b. Selection of Proposals: Only those proposals which meet all
of the requirements of this solicitation will be considered for
selection. Selections will be made in accordance with the following
selection criteria and programmatic considerations:
Criterion 1--The research proposal demonstrates a thorough
knowledge of the metal casting industry by highlighting its
technology needs, barriers to their development and
commercialization, and provides a credible management plan to
achieve, and evidence to support, the benefits identified in the
proposed research.
Criterion 2--The research proposal offers technology which is
based upon sound scientific, environmental, and engineering
principles, are technically feasible and cost effective, have
practical industrial application, and will provide the greatest
benefits per dollar invested in U.S. metal casting industry
competitiveness and job creation and/or retention.
Criterion 3--The research proposal identifies a viable mechanism
to facilitate the transfer of the technology to the metal casting
industry at the earliest practicable time;
Criterion 4--The research proposal contains evidence of strong
support by the metal casting industry by identifying significant
industry involvement in preparation of the proposal and in
performing the research activities; and
Criterion 5--The extent of the financial commitment of non-
Federal sources to the research activities.
c. Weighting of Criteria: Selection criterion (given under F.b.
above) Criterion 1 is weighted 60% of the total score. Criteria 2,
3, 4, and 5 are weighted equal, each one being 10% of the total
score.
d. Programmatic Selection Considerations: In conjunction with
the evaluation results and rankings of individual proposals, the
Government will make selections for negotiations and planned awards
from among the highest ranking proposals utilizing the following
programmatic considerations:
(1) To the greatest extent possible and subject to available
appropriations, selection decisions will ensure that at least one
applicant is selected from each of the four census regions of the
country where the metal casting area is concentrated.
(2) It is desirable to implement each research and development
project as a continuing collaborative effort in which the
participants represent both the scientific/engineering research
disciplines as well as members of the metal casting industry engaged
in its practical, daily operations and experienced in the
application of advanced metal casting processes.
(3) To the maximum extent possible, the research and development
activities should be conducted on the premises of the industrial
participants in the proposed projects.
(4) It is desirable that a dominant portion of the proposed
research focus on improving metal casting processes and the
application of emerging advanced technologies in the typical U.S.
metal casting company.
(5) Proposals that have the potential to save significant energy
and provide significant cost benefits are preferred.
e. Merit Reviews: All Applications will be evaluated under the
Office of Conservation and Renewable Energy Merit Review of
Discretionary Financial Assistance Applications Review Procedures
for Solicited Proposals. Selections for negotiations are expected to
be made May 31, 1994, and financial assistance awards are expected
to be made by August 31, 1994.
Conditions, Instructions, and Notices
General Conditions
The applications will be evaluated in accordance with the
applicable DOE Financial Assistance Rules, Code of Federal Regulations
Title 10, Chapter II, Subchapter H, part 600, 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. DOE
reserves the right to support or not to support any, all, or any part
of any application. 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.
Instructions for Preparation of Applications
Each application in response to this solicitation should be
prepared in one volume. One original and six copies of each application
are required. The application facesheet is the Standard Form 424. The
application is to be prepared for the complete project period.
a. Proprietary Proposal 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.
b. Budget: A budget period is an interval of time (usually 12
months) 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 period may be
divided into several budget periods. Each application must contain
Standard Forms 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 proposal
should contain full details of the costs regarding the labor,
overhead, material, travel, subcontracts, consultants, and other
support costs broken down per task and per year. Every cost item
should be justifiable and further details of the costs may be
required if the proposal 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 relation 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.
c. Cost: In the event there are multiple projects proposed in a
submittal, a separate cost proposal should be included for each
project proposed for funding. The cost proposal should have
sufficient detail that an independent evaluation of the labor,
materials, equipment and other costs as well as a verification of
the proposed cost share can be performed.
Notices to Applicants
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. Amendments: All amendments to this solicitation will be
mailed to recipients who submit a written request for the
application forms.
d. 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.
e. 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.
f. Effective Period of Application: All applications should
remain in effect for at least 180 days from the closing date.
g. Availability of Funds: The actual amount of funds to be
obligated in each fiscal year will be subject to availability of
funds appropriated by Congress to carry out the purposes of the Act
(Pub. L. 101-425).
h. 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 which will be provided to you
upon written request.
i. 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.
j. Patent Rights: Pursuant to the direction in Section 9 of
Public Law 101-425, applicants are advised that patent rights will
be treated in accordance with Chapter 18, Title 35 of the United
States Code.
k. 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.
l. Environmental impact: The applicant shall include a listing,
discussion and existing documentation if the project/activity has
the possibility of involving, generating or resulting in changes to
any of the following: (1) Air Pollutants--released or discharged
into the atmosphere through point or fugitive sources; (2) Liquid
Effluent--any waste stream discharged; (3) Solid Waste--
nonradioactive, nonhazardous solid waste; (4) Radioactive Waste--
waste containing <2 nci/g;="" (5)="" hazardous="" waste--rcra="" hazardous="" per="" 40="" cfr="" 261.3="" and="" polychlorinated="" biphenyls="" (pcbs);="" (6)="" mixed="" waste--="" combination="" of="" radioactive="" and="" hazardous="" waste;="" (7)="" chemical="" storage/use--define="" species,="" uses="" and="" estimates="" volumes;="" (8)="" petroleum="" products="" storage--define="" product,="" volume,="" use="" and="" type="" of="" storage;="" (9)="" asbestos="" waste--define="" friability,="" estimated="" volume,="" and="" if="" project="" is="" renovation="" or="" demolition;="" (10)="" water="" use/="" diversion--withdrawal="" of="" groundwater="" or="" diversion="" or="" withdrawal="" of="" surface="" water;="" (11)="" sewage="" system--all="" pipes,="" tanks,="" treatment="" structures;="" disposal="" areas,="" etc.="" for="" collection,="" treatment,="" and="" disposal="" of="" sewage;="" (12)="" clearing/excavation--removal="" of="" surface="" debris,="" vegetation,="" and="" other="" changes="" in="" soil="" surface="" features;="" (13)="" construction/renovation;="" (14)="" excess="" noise="" levels--ambient="" noise="" level="" name,="" near="" proposed="" project/activity;="" (15)="" pesticide="" use--="" identify="" pesticide="" name,="" target="" organism,="" use="" area,="" application="" rate,="" method,="" and="" applicator;="" (16)="" radiation="" exposures--radiation="" levels="" at="" or="" near="" the="" proposed="" project/activity.="" the="" discussion="" shall="" address="" the="" following="" questions.="" will="" this="" action="" contribute="" to="" a="" cumulative="" impact="" with="" on-going="" activities?="" is="" this="" action="" related="" to="" a="" proposed="" action="" with="" potentially="" significant="" impacts?="" will="" the="" project="" create="" uncertain,="" unique,="" or="" unknown="" risks?="" will="" the="" project="" require="" siting,="" construction,="" or="" expansion="" of="" a="" waste="" facility?="" will="" the="" project="" impact="" a="" rcra-="" regulated="" unit="" or="" facility?="" will="" the="" project="" threaten="" or="" violate="" any="" statute,="" regulation,="" or="" doe="" order?="" will="" the="" project="" require="" any="" federal,="" state,="" or="" local="" permits,="" approvals,="" etc.?="" has="" this="" action/="" area="" been="" previously="" assessed="" under="" nepa?="" will="" the="" action="" take="" place="" in="" an="" area="" of="" previous="" or="" on-going="" disturbance?="" will="" the="" action="" have="" any="" socioeconomic="" concerns?="" will="" the="" project="" adversely="" affect="" any="" of="" the="" following="" environmentally="" sensitive="" resources?="" (1)="" threatened/="" endangered="" species;="" (2)="" wildlife/vegetation;="" (3)="" soils/erosion;="" (4)="" cultural/historical;="" (5)="" wilderness/scenic="" areas;="" (6)="" prime/unique="" farmland;="" (7)="" wild/scenic="" rivers;="" (8)="" lakes/floodplains/wetlands;="" (9)="" domestic/groundwater;="" (10)="" air="" resources/quality.="" discussions="" shall="" include="" how="" all="" environmental="" impacts="" will="" be="" mitigated.="" if="" an="" environmental="" impact="" cannot="" be="" mitigated,="" what="" are="" the="" direct="" and="" indirect,="" short="" term="" and="" long="" term="" adverse="" effects="" that="" can="" not="" be="" avoided?="" in="" order="" to="" receive="" a="" copy="" of="" the="" application="" package,="" please="" submit="" a="" written="" request="" or="" fax="" to="" the="" following="" address.="" u.="" s.="" department="" of="" energy,="" idaho="" operations="" office,="" 785="" doe="" place,="" idaho="" falls,="" id="" 83401-1562,="" attn:="" trudy="" thorne="" ms-1221,="" fax="" no.="" (208)="" 526-5548="" the="" procurement="" request="" no.="" is="" 07-94id13293.000.="" to="" facilitate="" handling,="" please="" place="" the="" procurement="" request="" no.="" on="" the="" fax="" or="" outside="" of="" the="" package="" containing="" your="" request="" for="" the="" application="" forms:="" solicitation:="" de-ps07-94id13293.="" dated:="" february="" 25,="" 1994.="" j.o.="" lee,="" acting="" director,="" procurement="" services="" division.="" [fr="" doc.="" 94-5139="" filed="" 3-4-94;="" 8:45="" am]="" billing="" code="" 6450-01-p="">