[Federal Register: March 3, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 41)]
[Notices]
[Page 9999-10000]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03mr03-55]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Number DE-PS36-03GO93004]
Inventions and Innovation Program
AGENCY: Golden Field Office, Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice of solicitation for financial assistance applications.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE), Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program,
is funding a competitive grant program entitled the Inventions and
Innovation (I&I) Program. The goals of the I&I Program are to improve
energy efficiency through the promotion of innovative ideas and
inventions that have a significant, potential energy impact and a
potential, future commercial market. The following EERE offices and
programs are of particular
[[Page 10000]]
interest to I&I: Biomass Program; Building Technologies Program;
Distributed Energy & Electric Reliability Program; Federal Energy
Management Program; FreedomCAR & Vehicle Technologies Program;
Geothermal Technologies Program; Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure
Technologies Program; Industrial Technologies Program; Solar Energy
Technology Program; Weatherization & Intergovernmental Program; and
Wind & Hydropower Technologies Program.
DATES: DOE issued the solicitation on February 13, 2003. The deadline
for receipt of applications will be 3 p.m. Mountain Time on April 12,
2003.
ADDRESSES: All Golden Field Office (GO) solicitations will be posted on
the Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) Web site at http://
e-center.doe.gov
; however, you may access them, along with IIPS
instructions, through links on the GO Web site at: http://
www.golden.doe.gov/businessopportunities.html
by clicking on
www.golden.doe.gov/businessopportunities.html by clicking on
``Solicitations.'' IIPS provides the medium for disseminating
solicitations, receiving financial assistance applications, and
evaluating the applications in a paperless environment. Completed
applications are required to be submitted via IIPS. Individuals who
have the authority to enter their company into a legally binding
contract/agreement and intend to submit proposals/applications via the
IIPS system must register and receive confirmation that they are
registered prior to being able to submit an application on the IIPS
system. Questions regarding the operation of IIPS may be e-mailed to
the IIPS Help Desk at IIPS--HelpDesk@e-center.doe.gov or call the help
desk at (800) 683-0751.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margo Gorin, Contract Specialist, at
go--I&I@nrel.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Solicitation Specifications: Eligibility
requirements include the following:
(1) Individuals that are U.S. citizens, either native-born or
naturalized; (2) Small businesses (as defined by the Small Business
Administration) that are incorporated and operating in the U.S. and
that conduct at least 50% of the effort; or (3) Institutions of higher
learning located in the U.S.--eligible to apply only under Category 1.
Individual inventors and very small businesses (15 or fewer employees)
are especially encouraged to participate. More than one application may
be submitted by an applicant for different innovations. However,
funding will be limited to one award per applicant, per cycle. Also
more than one organization may be involved in an application as long as
the lead organization and lead financial assistance management
responsibilities are defined. The Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance number assigned to the I&I Program is 81.036. Cost sharing
by applicants and/or cooperating participants is not required but
highly encouraged. In addition to direct financial contributions, cost
sharing can include beneficial services or items such as manpower,
equipment, consultants, and computer time that are allowable in
accordance with applicable cost principles.
The Golden Field Office has been assigned the responsibility of
issuing the solicitation and administering the awards. Ideas that have
a significant energy savings impact and future commercial market
potential are chosen for financial support through the competitive
solicitation process. The I&I Program will provide financial assistance
of up to $75,000 for Category 1 and up to $250,000 for Category 2 to
applications that fall within the ``conceptual'' and ``developmental''
stages of development, respectively. To be considered for a Category 2
award, a bench-scale model and/or other preliminary investigations must
be complete. Each award may cover a project period of up to one year
for Category 1 and up to two years for Category 2.
A selection of former projects funded by the I&I Program that have
reached commercial markets include the following:
[sbull] Meta-Lax Stress Relief Equipment offers distinct advantages
over conventional heat treatment methods. It uses less energy, is
portable, can handle any size metal part, and treats metal stress in
hours versus days.
[sbull] Aero Cylinder Technology replaces conventional cylinders by
combining air spring bellows into assemblies for use on machines (such
as punch presses) to control motion and large masses. The air springs
act as counter balancers and press cushioners to eliminate alignment
problems. This proper alignment reduces downtime and compressed air
losses, resulting in significant energy savings.
[sbull] Electro-Optic Inspection of Heat Exchangers is a laser-
based, nondestructive evaluation system for inspecting heat exchanger
tubing for internal corrosion, erosion, scale buildup, and deformation.
Benefits to petrochemical, pulp and paper, and power-generation plants
include reduced downtime and increased efficiency.
[sbull] Hydrodynamic Multi-Deflection Pad Bearings optimize bearing
operation in high-speed, combined heat and power turbines, high-load
electric motors or gear boxes, air or gas compressors, and air
conditioning refrigeration equipment. Energy loss due to friction is
reduced up to forty-percent by using fluids as a wedge between pads and
moving parts.
Availability of Funds for FY 2003: DOE is announcing the
availability of up to $1.2 million in agreement funds for Fiscal Year
2003. The awards will be made through a competitive solicitation. DOE
reserves the right to fund in whole or in part any, all, or none of the
proposals submitted in response to this notice.
Issued in Golden, Colorado, on February 13, 2003.
Jerry L. Zimmer,
Director, Office of Acquisition and Financial Assistance, Golden Field
Office.
[FR Doc. 03-4865 Filed 2-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P