National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393

A -- ALTERNATIVE FEEDSTOCKS SOL 5-327. POC Gene Petersen, Alternative Fuels Program, 303/275-2994, Kristin Bombeck, Subcontract Administrator, Subcontracts Section 303/275-3120. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is seeking expressions of interest in developing new methods for producing commodity chemicals using renewable forestry products and agricultural feedstocks as starting materials. The Alternative Feedstocks Program (AFP) is seeking collaborations to identify and pursue market opportunities that could effectively use this technology. Collaborations with DOE could result in partnerships with national laboratory consortium which will define the feasibility, profile research, or support demonstration technologies or could involve direst interaction with DOE. The mission of the Alternative Feedstocks program is to promote cost-effective use of renewable biomass resources as feedstocks to manufacture high volume chemical building blocks. This will be accomplished through the cost shared development of biological and thermal/chemical process conversion technologies for biomass, and higher-value product applications consistent with energy, environment, and market drivers identified with industry or small business. The program's efforts are specifically directed toward helping U.S. industries take advantage of the window of opportunity that currently exists to use alternative resources as potential feedstocks to produce chemicals. A major objective is to provide, through collaborative efforts, demonstrations of the commercial feasibility of biobased processes. Current work focusses on classes of products that could have potential impact on commodity chemical production. An economically based screening method for technical concepts has been developed in cooperation with industry to ensure the feasibility of each envisioned project. Five natonal laboratories have developed a unique consortium that is intended to focus the extensive capabilities of the laboratories on biobased processes that have the potential for commercial development. The consortium offers an opportunity to enlist the national laboratories in partnerships through cost shared subcontracts; cooperative research and development agreements; cooperative agreements nd grants; and DOE solicitations. The program would like to target the commodity chemical market (feedstocks less than $1.00 lb or production greater than 10 million lb/year) toward demonstration projects in conjunction with industry partners. The current program focuses on determining industry's chemical needs, and what kind of research and administrative structure will work for industry, including the protection investment research and development through patents, trade secrets, and other means. The purpose of this notice is to establish the level of interest of state agencies, commercial organizations, and others in cost sharing the development of chemicals produced by renewable feedstocks. Response or lack of response will not qualify or disqualify anyone from future participaton in the program. A response will ensure notification of significant events associated with the AFP program. Expressions of interest should be sent to Gene Petersen at the above address and should include the following information: 1) Name, address, telephone, and fax number of the primary contact, 2) The scale of production of the chemical or process of interest, 3) Commodities of interest. For technical questions please contact Gene Petersen at (303) 275-2994. this is not a Request for Proposals. (009)

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