[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16752-16754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9478]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 960305060-6060-01]
RIN 0693-ZA02
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, 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. 4/92 and other required forms), as referenced
under the provisions of OMB Circular A-110 and 15 CFR 24. Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance No. 11.609: ``Measurement and Engineering
Research and Standards.''
DATES: Applications will be received through September 30, 1996.
Applicants should allow up to 120 days processing time.
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 [Reactor Radiation Division]. 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 any competitive advantage to an applicant are
not acceptable.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Eligibility: Academic institutions, non-Federal agencies,
independent and industrial laboratories are eligible to apply.
Authority: As authorized 15 U.S.C. 272 (b)(6) and (c)(16), the
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory conducts a basic and
applied research program directly and through grants and cooperative
agreements to eligible recipients.
Funding Availability: Approximately $500,000 will be available to
support grants and cooperative agreements under this program. This
level of funding is subject to change under Fiscal Year 1996 Department
of Commerce Appropriations Act.
Type of Funding Instrument: The Materials Science and Engineering
Laboratory Grants Program is limited to innovative ideas generated by
the
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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: Any financial assistance whether for grants or
cooperative agreements, will be provided on a one (1) year period.
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 and dental polymeric materials through participation in
research on synthesis, processing and characterization of structure,
and mechanical 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 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 processes in order to facilitate the development and
adoption of intelligent processing systems for materials.
V. Reactor Radiation Division, 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 by a panel of
individuals knowledgeable about the particular scientific area
described above that the proposal addresses. Both the technical value
of a proposal and the relationship of the work proposed to the needs of
the specific NIST program will be taken into consideration.
Evaluation Criteria: The criteria to be used in evaluating the
proposal include: Rationality (coherence of approach, relation to
scientific/technical issues), Qualifications of Technical Personnel,
Resources Availability, and Technical Merit of Contribution. Each of
these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation 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 4/92)--Application for Federal Assistance
SF 424 A (Rev 4/92)--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
SF 424B (Rev 4/92)--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--Dislcosure of Lobbying Activities
Selection Procedures: The chief of each division will make the
final award selection, taking into account the score received by the
applicant and the compatibility of the applicant's proposal with the
relationship to the mission of the particular division that the
proposal addresses. Award will not necessarily be made to the highest-
scored applicants.
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 and 0348-0046.
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 Transaction 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, DoC 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
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applicant have been convicted of or are presently facing criminal
charges such as fraud, theft, prejury, 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 extent feasible, 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 Materials Science
and and Engineering Laboratory Research Program shall be subject to all
Federal laws and Federal and Departmental regulations, policies, and
procedures applicable to financial assistance awards. The Materials
Science and Engineering 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
Materials Science and Engineering Grants Program.
This funding notice has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Dated: April 11, 1996.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 96-9478 Filed 4-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M
