Bureau of Reclamation, Acquisition Operations Group, Code D-7810, Den Fed Cntr, PO Box 25007, Denver CO 80225

A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR APPLIED RESEARCH - TASK 3-MEMBRANE PROCESS DEVELOPMENT SOL 1425-96-FC-81-05017 DUE 062896 POC Contact Stephanie Bartlett, (303) 236-8040, ext. 241, Grants and Cooperative Agreements Officer Requests for the solicitation shall be made in writing to the above address or by facsimile to (303) 236-8630, reference Solicitation No. 1425-96- FC-81-05017. Telephone requests will not be honored. The purpose of this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is to solicit technical and cost proposals for the Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) Water Treatment Technology Program, Task 3, which focuses on Membrane Process Development. The primary objective of the Membrane Process Development research studies is to reduce the cost and simplify the operation of membrane-based desalting and water treatment systems. The following are generic examples of the types of development opportunities that will be considered under this BAA. These are examples only and will not necessarily be given preferential consideration over unspecified developments that may also meet the goals of this program: (1) Development of membranes with improved properties; (2) Development of membranes with increased resistance to chlorine; (3) Development of ion- or component- specific membranes for reverse osmosis or electrodialysis; (4) Quality improvements in membrane element manufacture; (5) Research on techniques for membrane storage or preservation and for biological control during plant operation; (6) Studies on adhesion of foulant materials to membrane surfaces; (7) Studies on membrane cleaning, including frequency and effectiveness; (8) Development of improved membrane-containing elements or stacks; (9) Increase of rates of mass transfer at membrane surfaces; (10) Studies on influence of minor components in groundwater on membrane properties; (11) Studies on pretreatment of water for feed to membrane treatment systems; (12) Inhibition of scale formation; (13) Studies on instrumentation and control of membrane systems; and (14) Overall process development. The duration of the research shall be for one year. Deliverables FOB Denver, CO. Reclamation anticipates awarding at least two cooperative agreements during FY 96 for the research studies, subject to the content and quality of the proposals received. Depending on the availability of future program funds, more than two agreements may be awarded this fiscal year. Cost-sharing cooperative agreements will be awarded with the Government share not exceeding $75,000 per agreement. Each offeror must be willing to provide a minimum of 50% cost sharing in the proposed agreement. Proposals submitted will be evaluated by a technical review panel. Any responsible source, to include individuals, educational institutions, commercial or industrial organizations, private entities, public entities (including state and local), or Indian Tribal Governments, may apply. Federal agencies are not eligible to apply. A solicitation will be issued with a closing date 45 days from date of issuance. Proposals will be accepted any time during this 45 day period. One copy of the solicitation will be provided per requester; a fee to cover reproduction costs may be charged for additional copies depending upon the response received to this announcement. (0110)

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