U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401

A -- OPTIONAL PRESOLICITATION SCREENING PROCESS FOR THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND ECONOMICS (NICE) PROGRAM -- INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM DUE 051598 POC Contact Eric Hass, NICE Project Monitor, at (303) 275-4728. The Contract Specialist is James Damm, at (303) 275-4744 WEB: click here to download a copy of the abstract format, http/www.oit.doe.gov/access/nice3. The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) issues an annual competitive solicitation to fund innovative industrial technologies that reduce energy consumption, waste production, and operating costs. The intent of the NICE3 program is to fund projects that have completed the research and development stage and are ready to demonstrate a fully integrated commercial unit. Eligible applicants for funding include any authorized agency of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States. The state applicant is required to have an industrial partner to be eligible for grant consideration. Local governments, State and private universities, private non-profits, private businesses, and individuals, who are not eligible as direct applicants, must work with the appropriate State agencies in developing projects and forming participation arrangements. It is anticipated that up to $6 million in Federal funds will be made available in FY 1999 by DOE for the June 1998 solicitation. 50 % cost sharing is required by all applicants and/or cooperating project participants. The DOE share for each award shall not exceed $425,000. The industrial partner may receive a maximum of $400,000 in DOE funding. A maximum of $25,000, or 10% of the total amount to industry, whichever is less, may be used to support the state applicant's cost share, if any, for costs associated with technology transfer/dissemination, marketing, etc. Prior to issuance of the solicitation, the DOE offers potential applicants a chance to submit to the Golden Field Office a brief description of their proposed project. The submissions should not exceed two pages and should adhere to the format laid out in the preproposal format. DOE's technical staff will review these abstracts and provide constructive feedback to the potential applicant within a two week period. The submission of a presolicitation abstract is not mandatory for submitting an application under the June 1998 solicitation. The DOE reviews and comments under the presolicitation process will not be used by DOE in evaluating or awarding applications under the solicitation. All abstracts must be submitted through a state agency. Abstracts can be submitted to the Golden Field Office on or before May 15, 1998. Obtain a copy of the abstract format by calling Eric Hass at (303) 275-4728, FAX (303) 275-4788. The format and program information may also be obtained at the OIT website at http//www.oit.doe.gov/Access/nice3. (0076)

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