U. S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Operations Office, P. O. Box 2001, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831

A -- SOLICITATION FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR CLASS 1-8 TRUCK DIESEL ENGINE AND NATURAL GASS FUELED HYBRID PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES SOL DE-SC05-99OR22735 POC Beth L. Holt, Contract Specialist, 423 576-0783 WEB: Department of Energy Industry Interactive Procurement, http://doe-iips.pr.doe.gov/. E-MAIL: Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Operations Office,, holtbl@oro.doe.gov. The Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing a Solicitation for Financial Assistance Applications for support of the cooperative development of Technologies for Class 1-8 truck diesel engine and hybrid propulsion technologies. DOE's Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (OHVT) has set a goal of improving the efficiency and emissions performance of Class 1-8 trucks through the use of advanced diesel engines, emission control technologies, and hybrid electric propulsion systems. This procurement includes three Topics: (1) Heavy Truck Engine Program. The goal is to develop high efficiency, low emission diesel engine technologies for Class 7-8 trucks. (2) Heavy Hybrid Program. The goal is to develop hybrid electric vehicle systems technologies utilizing reciprocating natural gas engines for Class 3-6 urban trucks and buses. (3) Clean Diesel Engine Component Improvement Program. The goal is to develop component and technology improvements and/or alterations for increased efficiency, reduced emissions, and decreased manufacturing costs of Class 1-8 diesel engines. The primary fuel for Topics 1 and 3 is the applicable (per Environmental Protection Agency) diesel certification fuel specified for Federal Test Procedure emissions testing. The fuel grade may be appropriately revised throughout the duration of the three research efforts to be consistent with EPA regulations or proposed rules. The impact of fuel properties on efficiency and performance is the focus of a companion program in OHVT. (If appropriate, new fuels identified in that companion program may be introduced into one or more of the three R&D programs described in this solicitation.) For Topic 2, applicant teams must propose to include a hybrid propulsion system using a reciprocating engine operating on natural gas. Proposals may be submitted for one, two, or all three topics. Proposals must be submitted separately for each topic. Teaming arrangements are strongly encouraged, especially among fuel providers, engine manufacturers, catalyst suppliers, and component suppliers to take advantage of the best complementary technologies available from the different companies/organizations. Participation of universities, small business, and DOE laboratories is also encouraged. Teaming arrangements of this sort help to facilitate timely technology transfer to the private sector and enhance U.S. industrial competitiveness. A financial assistance cooperative agreement award instrument will be used. Award will be subject to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, Section 2306. DOE expects to award approximately 15 cooperative agreements resulting from this solicitation in accordance with DOE Financial Assistance Regulations appearing at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter II, Subchapter H, Part 600 (10 CFR 600). Under Topic 1, approximately 2-4 awards will be made, with periods of performance ranging from 24 to 60 months, with total estimated DOE funding of $50,000,000 to $70,000,000. Under Topic 2, there will be approximately 3-5 awards, with periods of performance ranging from 24 to 48 months, with total estimated DOE funding of $5,000,00 to $10,000,000. Topics 1 and 2 require a minimum 50 percent cost share; Topic 3 requires a minimum 25 percent cost share. The complete solicitation document will be available on or about September 21, 1999, on the DOE Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) Home Page at http://doe-iips.pr.doe.gov/ under the heading "IIPS Business Opportunities", Solicitation Number DE-SC05-99OR22735 with preapplications due October 4, 1999, and applications due November 15, 1999. Any amendments to this solicitation will be posted at the IIPS site on the Internet. Please note that users will not be alerted when the solicitation is issued on the Internet or when amendments are posted on the Internet. Prospective applicants are therefore advised to check the above Internet address on a daily basis. The cooperative agreements are expected to be awarded on or about January 28, 2000. For further information contact Beth L. Holt, Contract Specialist, at (423) 576-0783, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 2001, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-8759; by fax at (423) 241-2549; or by e-mail at holtbl@oro.doe.gov. Posted 09/22/99 (W-SN383148). (0265)

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