[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 85 (Monday, May 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24535-24536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11770]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Solicitation for Financial Assistance Number DE-PS07-98ID13651--
Industrial Process Control With Laser-Based Ultrasonics

agency: Idaho Operations Office, DOE.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Idaho Operations Office 
(ID) is seeking applications for cost-shared research and development 
of Laser-Based Ultrasonic technologies that will enhance economic 
competitiveness, reduce energy consumption and reduce environmental 
impacts of the steel industry. The objective of the solicitation is to 
develop and use an integrated laser ultrasonic system for in-process 
manufacturing applications in the U.S. steel industry. A workshop on 
Industrial Applications of Laser Ultrasonics held December 9 and 10, 
1997, identified significant applications of laser ultrasonic 
techniques in industrial process monitoring and control. These 
applications, generally encompassing manufacturing processes in all IOF 
industries, include measurement of temperature, thickness, and material 
properties (stress, defects, and other intrinsic physical parameters). 
The Workshop addressed current status and future research and 
development needs in laser ultrasonic techniques as well as barriers 
for technology use. Two of the primary barriers identified in the 
Workshop will be addressed by this solicitation; they are (1) 
development of an integrated sensor system to combine the use of laser 
ultrasonics with other measurement tools to meet the in-process 
monitoring requirements for accuracy and reproducibility and (2) 
installation and use of this integrated system in an industrial process 
demonstrating the cost-savings utility to the industry. A total of 
$1,500,000 in federal funds ($550,000 in fiscal year 1998, $500,000 in 
fiscal year 1999, and $450,000 in fiscal year 2000) is expected to be 
available to fund this effort. DOE anticipates making a single award 
with a duration of three years or less. A minimum of 30% non-federal 
cost-share is required for research and development and a minimum of 
50% non-federal cost-share is required for later demonstration and 
process evaluation. Collaborations between industry, university, and 
Federal Laboratory participants are encouraged.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T. Wade Hillebrant, Contract 
Specialist; Procurement Services Division; U.S. DOE, Idaho Operations 
Office, 850 Energy Drive, MS 1221, Idaho Falls, ID 83401-1563; 
telephone (208) 526-0547.


[[Page 24536]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The statutory authority for the program is 
the Federal Non-Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 
(Pub. L. 93-577). The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 
Number for this program is 81.086. The solicitation text has been 
posted on the ID Procurement Services Division home page, and may be 
accessed using Universal Resource Locator address at <a href="http://
www.id.doe.gov/doeid/solicit.html">http://
www.id.doe.gov/doeid/solicit.html</a>. This site also includes a link to 
the report of the workshop on Industrial Applications of Laser 
Ultrasonics The Application Instruction package forms (Nos. 1 through 6 
and 7 if applicable) may be accessed at <a href="http://www.id.doe.gov/doeid/
application.html">http://www.id.doe.gov/doeid/
application.html</a>. Sources intending to propose must send a notice of 
intent to propose to Mr. Hillebrant (point of contact listed above). 
Hard copies of the solicitation and the application forms may also be 
requested from Mr. Hillebrant.

    Issued in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on April 20, 1998.
Michael Adams,
Acting Director, Procurement Services Division.
[FR Doc. 98-11770 Filed 5-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P