U.S. DOE, Federal Energy Technology Center-Morgantown, P.O. Box 880, Morgantown, WV 26507-0880

A -- NOVEL METHODS FOR NATURAL GAS UPGRADING SOL DE-PS26-99FT40497 POC Raymond R. Jarr, Contract Specialist, (304) 285-4088 The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Technology Center (DOE/FETC), intends to issue a Federal Assistance Solicitation (PS) No. DE-PS26-99FT40497 entitled "Novel Methods for Natural Gas Upgrading." It is the intent of DOE/FETC to solicit the submission of innovative techniques, systems, and processes to assist industry in demonstration and implementation in order to develop economic natural gas upgrading technologies in order to raise low-quality raw natural gas to pipeline quality. Through this solicitation DOE is seeking to support projects that are demonstrating and implementing new and innovative techniques for natural gas upgrading. Specifically, the objective of the procurement is to target, but not be limited to, the removal of nitrogen, water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide from on-shore and off-shore (continental United States) low quality natural gas and associated gas reservoirs, including coal beds and landfill locations. DOE realizes that considerable advances have been madewith the application of membranes for natural gas upgrading, and plans to select projects that demonstrate and implement new processes to include, but not be limited to, chemical solvents, membranes, or complexing agents with membrane technology to be applied mainly to associated gas for recovery of natural gas liquids. DOE anticipates multiple cooperative agreement awards resulting from this solicitation and no fee or profit will be paid to a Recipient or subrecipient under the awards. The solicitation will be available on DOE/FETC's Internet address at http://www.fetc.doe.gov/business. Prospective offerors who would like to be notified as soon as the solicitation is available should register at http://www.fetc.doe.gov/business/index.html. Provide your e-mail address and click on the "Oil and Gas" technology choice located under the heading "Fossil Energy." Once you subscribe, you will receive an announcement by e-mail that the solicitation has been released to the public. Telephone requests, written requests, e-mail requests, or facsimile requests for a copy of the solicitation package will not be accepted and/or honored. The actual solicitation document will allow for requests for explanation and/or interpretation. Solicitations will not be distributed in paper form or on diskette. It is anticipated that the solicitation will be available on or about June 4, 1999. The exact date and time for the submission of proposals will be indicated in the solicitation. However, at least a thirty day response time is currently planned. It is DOE's desire to encourage the widest participation included the involvement of individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, small and small disadvantaged businesses, educational institutions, and state or local governments or other entities. This particular program is covered by Section 3001 and 3002 of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct), 42 U.S.C. 13542 for financial assistance awards. EPAct 3002 requires a cost share commitment of 20 percent from non-Federal sources for research and development (Phase I of the project) and 50 percent from non-Federal sources for demonstration (Phase II of the project). The Government's obligation under this award is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for award purposes can be made.***** Posted 05/18/99 (W-SN332708). (0138)

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