National Institute of Standards and Technology, Bldg. 101, Rm. A430, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001

A -- PUBLIC MEETING SOL Q- POC Customer Representative 1-800-287-3863 Department of Commerce Technology Administration National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Bldg. 101, Rm. A430, Gaithersburg, MD Date: February 2, 1995 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING: The NIST Advanced Technology Program (ATP) is soliciting proposals under its focused program competition, Materials Processing For Heavy Manufacturing (95-07) and announces a public meeting (Proposers' Conference) for all interested parties. An estimated $15 million in first-year ATP funding is available under this focused program competition 95-07. The ATP reserves the right to utilize for this competition more or less funding than the amount stated above, depending on the quality of the proposals received. The actual number of proposals funded will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the amount of funding requested in the highest ranked proposals. There is a related focused program in Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Technology and ATP reserves the right to transfer proposals between these competitions if to do so would increase the likelihood of the proposal's being funded. Outyear funding is contingent on the approval of future Congressional appropriations and satisfactory program performance. This is the first of three solicitations planned for this ATP focused program. Two additional competitions are planned, the second of which should occur 12 to 18 months after the initial competition. The follow-on solicitations are intended to fill technical gaps and provide opportunities for further customer-supplier integration. Award recipients will be required to share non-proprietary information at workshops which will be held throughout the duration of the program. The ATP operates under program procedures published at Part 295, Title 15, of the Code of Federal Regulations. The ATP Proposal Preparation Kit (containing proposal cover sheets, other required forms, background material, and instructions for submission of proposals) and the focused program paper entitled ''Materials Processing for Heavy Manufacturing, Supplemental Information Program Competition 95-07,'' may be obtained by phone (1-800-ATP- FUND), fax (301-926-9524), e-mail (atp@micf.nist.gov), or written request at the address shown below. Only FULL proposals are being solicited under this focused program competition 95-07. Abbreviated/pre-proposals WILL NOT be accepted. Proposals submitted by facsimile or electronic mail WILL NOT be accepted. If a proposer's proposal is judged to be of high enough quality to be invited in for an oral review, ATP reserves the right to submit a list of questions to the proposer that must be addressed at the oral review. The due date for submission of full proposals is 3 p.m. EST on Wednesday, May 3, 1995. Should the NIST facility be closed on the specified due date, ATP proposals will be due at 3 p.m. EST on the next business day that the NIST facility is open. Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered. Decisions on the awards for this competition should be made within three months after full proposals are received. Send proposals to: Advanced Technology Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Administration Bldg. 101, Rm. A430, Quince Orchard & Clopper Roads, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001. Mark envelope Focused Program 95- 07. The goal of this five-year Materials Processing for Heavy Manufacturing focused program is to promote U.S. economic growth by supporting sustained, high-risk research and development, which will accelerate the introduction of advanced materials technologies into heavy manufacturing. Emphasis will be placed on both 1) the introduction of advanced materials technologies into machinery and equipment products, and 2) the introduction of advanced machinery and equipment into the production and processing of the materials for these products. Three major commercial markets are targeted: engines, power trains and chassis for surface transportation; heavy equipment for construction, agriculture, mining and oil/gas field operations; engines, turbines, rotors and related equipment for stationary power generation. The focus of the high-risk research and development projects should be directed toward materials processing technologies which promote growth of the U.S. economy through product differentiation and low-cost manufacturing. Technical objectives for product differentiation include demonstration of significantly improved product durability, reliability, and efficiency. Technical objectives for manufacturing cost reduction include streamlining processing sequences, eliminating waste, and reducing manufacturing cycle time. To simultaneously meet product differentiation and low- cost manufacturing objectives, proposals in the following broad technical areas will be accepted: intelligent processing, surface engineering, net shape processing, welding and joining, and waste elimination. The scope of this program is limited to metals and ceramics, and their composites, and coatings. The scope does not include polymer-matrix composites, concrete, or organic materials. The scope is limited to processing of existing materials and does not include discovery of new materials. Participation by materials suppliers, materials processors, processing equipment manufacturers, component manufacturers, and original equipment manufacturers is anticipated, and joint ventures (vertical and/or horizontal integration) are encouraged. A public meeting (Proposers' Conference) for potential proposers and other interested parties will be held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. EST on February 21, 1995, at the Holiday Inn, 2 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD (Interstate I-270, Exit 11) and 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. EST on March 27, 1995, at the Gaithersburg Hilton, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD (Interstate I-270, Exit 11). NOTE: Although there are two dates set for the Proposers' Conferences, you need only attend one because they will be the same. The purpose of the meetings is to provide general information regarding the ATP, hints on preparing good proposals, and to answer questions on the scope and technical and business goals of this focused program. Attendance at these public meetings is not required. No registration fee will be charged. In case of severe weather, please call NIST's Facilities Status Line 301-975-6478, for a pre-recorded message of the status of NIST opening. IF NIST is closed, there will be no meetings, but will be rescheduled. To register for these public meeting or for further information, contact ATP, by phone: 1-800-ATP-FUND; fax: 301-926-9524; or e-mail: atp@micf.nist.gov. (0031)

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