[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28190-28191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13905]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Golden Field Office


Hydrogen Feasibility Studies; Notice of Solicitation for 
Financial Assistance Applications

Agency: Department of Energy.

Action: Notice of solicitation for financial assistance applications 
Number DE-PS36-96GO10160.

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Summary: The Department of Energy (DOE), under authority of Section 
2026 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486, and the 
Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 
1990, Public Law 101-566, is requesting applications as a follow-on to 
a Notice of Interest published in the Commerce Business Daily (on April 
21, 1995). DOE is seeking private-sector led, cost-shared projects in 
research, development, and technology validation that include the 
integration of hydrogen technologies such as production, storage, 
transport, and end-use applications.

Availability of the Solicitation: To obtain a copy of the solicitation 
once it is issued in June, 1996, write to the U.S. Department of 
Energy's Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Blvd, Golden, CO 80401, Attn: 
Mr. John Motz, Contract Specialist. Only written requests for the 
solicitation will be honored. For convenience, requests for the 
solicitation may be faxed to Mr. Motz at (303) 275-4754.

Supplementary Information: The purpose of the solicitation is to assist 
the private sector in the development of integrated hydrogen systems 
for applications to near- and long-term markets. DOE encourages the 
submission of development plans for integrated systems related to long-
term hydrogen energy markets, although DOE will consider applications 
for systems addressing near-term hydrogen `niche' markets. In any case, 
all awardees will be required to participate in a Phase I effort prior 
to consideration by DOE for a subsequent award to participate in later 
phases. The anticipated progression of projects awarded under this 
solicitation will be: Phase I--Feasibility Studies (the subject of this 
solicitation); Phase II--Technology Development; Phase III--Technology 
Validation; and Phase IV--Demonstration/Scale-Up.
    The applications should provide detailed information regarding 
Phase I efforts, but should also include a sufficient description of 
anticipated efforts in follow-on Phases II through IV to provide an 
overall characterization of necessary steps to allow commercialization 
of the hydrogen technology/system at the conclusion of Phase IV. After 
the conclusion of the Phase I efforts by all awardees, DOE will 
evaluate the Phase I results and future plans of each awardee. Based 
upon technical, economic, and programmatic considerations, DOE may 
select awardees to participate in follow-on agreements without further 
competition.
    In Phase I, a cost-shared business and technical feasibility study 
will be undertaken which will result in the development of information 
necessary for follow-on applications in Phases II through IV. 
Applications submitted in

[[Page 28191]]

response to this solicitation for Phase I should provide information 
including, but not limited to: a description of the proposed integrated 
system, including status of the individual component technologies; 
technology development requirements; anticipated market for the 
technology/system; energy efficiency; environmental impacts; economic 
performance; regulation, safety, and reliability issues; and 
capabilities, experience, and commitment of the proposer. In addition, 
the proposer will be required to report data using the HScan Planning 
Method.
    DOE will only consider awards to entities which are led by private-
sector firms. The entity can include business partnerships, joint 
ventures, or other business relationships between such organizations as 
profit or non-profit corporations, educational institutions, etc. All 
respondents must propose to cost-share at least 50% of the total Phase 
I project cost from non-Federal sources (cost share in subsequent 
phases will be negotiated subject to statutory guidelines). Awards 
under this solicitation will be cooperative agreements, with a term of 
up to 9 months for Phase I. Depending on the availability of Fiscal 
Year 1997 funding for the DOE Hydrogen Program, it is anticipated that 
total DOE funding available for the Phase I efforts will be 
approximately $1,000,000. Individual awards under this solicitation for 
Phase I will not exceed $150,000 of DOE funding. The solicitation will 
be issued in June, 1996, and will contain detailed information on 
funding, cost sharing requirements, eligibility, application 
preparation, the HScan Planning Method, DOE proposal evaluation 
criteria, and the proposal selection process for awards. Responses to 
the solicitation will be due 60 days after solicitation release.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on May 23, 1996.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 96-13905 Filed 6-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P