NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering, and Sample Environment Equipment Financial Assistance Programs; Availability of Funds, 17112-17116 [E7-6505]
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17112
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 66 / Friday, April 6, 2007 / Notices
Notice of public teleconference
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ACTION:
SUMMARY: The President’s Advisory
Commission on Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders (Commission) will
convene a teleconference meeting on
April 23, 2007 to deliberate the draft
Commission report to the President.
This meeting is open to the public and
interested persons may listen to the
teleconference by using the call-in
number and pass code provided below
(see ADDRESSES).
DATES: Monday, April 23, 2007,
beginning at 3:15 p.m. (EDT).
ADDRESSES: By telephone: Beginning at
3 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, April 23,
2007, members of the public may call 1–
888–791–2132 and dial pass code
6105564 to access the teleconference.
Advance registration is not required.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information regarding the Commission,
please contact Ms. Cianna Ferrer,
Executive Assistant, Office of the White
House Initiative on Asian Americans
and Pacific Islanders, Minority Business
Development Agency, U.S. Department
of Commerce, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Room 5612, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone (202) 482–3949;
facsimile (202) 501–6239; e-mail:
info@aapi.gov. Note that any
correspondence sent by regular mail
may be substantially delayed or
suspended in delivery, since all regular
mail sent to the Department of
Commerce is subject to extensive
security screening.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), public
announcement is made of the
Commission’s intent to convene a
teleconference meeting on April 23,
2007. This meeting is open to the public
and interested persons may listen to the
teleconference by using the call-in
number and pass code set forth above
(see ADDRESSES). Advance registration is
not required to access the
teleconference.
Prospective agenda items for the
meeting include a deliberation of the
draft Commission report to the
President, administrative tasks and such
other Commission business as may arise
during the course of the meeting. In
addition, the Commission welcomes
interested persons to submit written
comments to the Office of the White
House Initiative on Asian Americans
and Pacific Islanders (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT) at any time before
or after the meeting. To facilitate
distribution of written comments to
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Commission members prior to the
meeting, the Commission suggests that
comments be submitted by facsimile or
by e-mail no later than April 19, 2007.
The Commission will not be receiving
public comment during the meeting.
Dated: April 2, 2007.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business
Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E7–6420 Filed 4–5–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–21–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
[Docket Number: 070309054–7055–01]
NIST Center for Neutron Research
(NCNR) Neutron Research and Neutron
Scattering, and Sample Environment
Equipment Financial Assistance
Programs; Availability of Funds
National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST)
announces that the following programs
are soliciting applications for financial
assistance for FY 2007: (1) NCNR
Neutron Research and Neutron
Scattering Financial Assistance
Program, and (2) the NCNR Sample
Environment Equipment Financial
Assistance Program. Each program will
only consider applications that are
within the scientific scope of the
program as described in this notice and
in the detailed program descriptions
found in the Federal Funding
Opportunity (FFO) announcement for
these programs.
DATES: Complete paper and electronic
applications for each program must be
received by 5 p.m. Daylight Savings
Time on May 7, 2007.
ADDRESSES: For both programs, a
complete application package may be
obtained by contacting Tanya Burke,
National Institute of Standards and
Technology, NIST Center for Neutron
Research, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop
6100, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–6100.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
complete information about both
programs and instructions for applying
by paper or electronically, read the
Federal Funding Opportunity Notices
(FFO) at https://www.grants.gov. A paper
copy of the FFO may be obtained by
calling (301) 975–6328. The NCNR
Neutron Research and Neutron
Scattering Financial Assistance Program
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and the NCNR Sample Environment
Equipment Financial Assistance
Program will publish separate FFOs on
www.grants.gov. For both programs,
technical questions may be directed to
Dr. Dan Neumann, NIST Center for
Neutron Research, NIST, 100 Bureau
Drive, Mail Stop 6102, Gaithersburg,
MD 20899–6102; telephone: (301) 975–
5252; e-mail: Dan.Neumann@nist.gov.
For both programs, grants
administration questions should be
addressed to Judy Murphy, NIST Grants
and Agreements Management Division,
NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop
1650, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–1650;
telephone: (301) 975–5603; e-mail:
judy.murphy@nist.gov. The NCNR Web
site is: https://www.ncnr.nist.gov.
For assistance with using Grants.gov,
contact support@grants.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Name and Number:
Measurement and Engineering Research
and Standards—11.609.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C.
272(b)(7) and (c)(8, 10, 16, 17, 19).
Application Submission: Paper
Applications—Each applicant must
submit one signed original and two
paper copies of the complete
application as described in the Federal
Funding Opportunity to Tanya Burke,
National Institute of Standards and
Technology, Center for Neutron
Research, STOP 6100, Gaithersburg,
Maryland 20899–6100, telephone (301)
975–4711. Facsimile, electronic mail,
and other forms of electronic
application submissions, other than
electronic applications submitted
through Grants.gov, will not be
accepted.
For electronic submission: Applicants
should follow the Application
Instructions provided at Grants.gov
when submitting a response to this
funding opportunity. Applicants are
encouraged to start early and not wait to
the approaching due date before logging
on and reviewing the instructions for
submitting an application through
Grants.gov.
Eligibility: The NCNR Neutron
Research and Neutron Scattering
Financial Assistance Program and the
NCNR Sample Environment Equipment
Financial Assistance Program are open
to institutions of higher education;
hospitals; nonprofit organizations;
commercial organizations; State, local,
and Indian tribal governments; foreign
governments; organizations under the
jurisdiction of foreign governments; and
international organizations.
Cost Sharing or Matching: There is no
cost sharing or matching requirements
for these programs.
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NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron
Scattering Financial Assistance
Program
Program Description: The primary
program objectives of the financial
assistance program in Neutron Research
and Neutron Scattering are to develop
new areas of neutron instrumentation
with emphasis on cold neutrons; to
explore and develop new areas of
neutron scattering science, with
emphasis on macromolecular science,
condensed matter physics, and
chemistry; to explore and develop new
areas of neutron imaging or neutron
physics; to assist and train NCNR
facility users in their research; and to
conduct other outreach and educational
activities that advance the use of
neutrons by U.S. university and
industrial scientists. This will entail
stationing scientific staff at the NCNR
who, in collaboration with NIST and
visiting scientists, advance these
objectives.
NIST does not require or anticipate
full scope proposals, i.e. proposals need
not address the fields of Neutron
Research (which includes neutron
imaging and neutron physics) and
Neutron Spectroscopy (which includes
neutron diffraction and neutron
spectroscopy) at the same time.
Proposals should instead be focused on
one (or more) of the primary objectives
listed above, i.e. the development of
neutron instrumentation, new areas of
neutron scattering science, new areas of
neutron imaging, and/or new areas of
neutron physics. Applicants and team
members must possess the education,
experience, and training, to pursue and
advance the fields of Neutron Research
or Neutron Scattering efficiently. In
addition, the applicant and team
members must possess a demonstrated
record of excellence in the development
of neutron instrumentation or in
research involving neutron imaging,
neutron physics, or neutron scattering
methods.
Additional information on the NCNR
can be found at: https://
www.ncnr.nist.gov.
Funding Availability: The funding
instrument used in this program will be
a cooperative agreement. The nature of
NIST’s ‘‘substantial involvement’’ will
generally be collaboration with the
recipient(s) by working jointly with
recipient scientists in carrying out the
scope of work, or specifying direction or
redirection of the scope of work due to
inter-relationships with other programs
requiring such cooperation.
Proposals will be considered for
cooperative agreements with durations
of up to five years, subject to the
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availability of funds, satisfactory
progress, and the continuing relevance
to the objectives of the NIST Center for
Neutron Research. The anticipated level
of funding is up to $5,000,000 ($5
million) per year. One to five awards are
likely.
NIST will determine whether to fund
one award for the full amount; to divide
available funds into multiple awards of
any size, and negotiate scopes of work
and budgets as appropriate; or not to
select any proposal for funding, upon
completing the selection process
described below.
Awards are anticipated to contain a
start date of September 3, 2007.
Review and Selection Process: All
applications received in response to this
announcement will be reviewed to
determine whether they are complete
and responsive to the scope of the stated
program objectives. Incomplete or nonresponsive applications will not be
reviewed for technical merit. The
Program will retain one copy of each
non-responsive application for three
years for record keeping purposes and
destroy all other copies.
Responsive proposals will be
evaluated using the Evaluation Criteria
for the NCNR Neutron Research and
Neutron Scattering Financial Assistance
Program described in this notice by an
independent, objective panel composed
of at least four individuals who are
knowledgeable about neutron research,
neutron spectroscopy, and neutron
instrumentation. The reviewers will
reach a consensus score resulting in a
rank order of applicants. However, if
non-Federal reviewers are used, each
reviewer will evaluate and provide a
score for each proposal without
reaching a consensus.
The NCNR Director, serving as the
Selecting Official, will make the award
selection. In making the award
selection, the NCNR Director will take
into consideration the panels’ technical
evaluation. The NCNR Director, as the
Selecting Official, may choose a
proposal out of rank order based upon
one or more of the following factors: (1)
Availability of funds, (2) Redundancy,
(3) Balance/distribution of funds by
research areas described in the Funding
Opportunity Description section of this
Notice, (4) Program objectives described
above in the Funding Opportunity
Description section of this Notice, and
(5) Logistical concerns that would be
detrimental to the success or timely
completion of the proposal objectives.
Therefore, the highest scoring proposals
may not necessarily be selected for an
award. If an award is made to an
applicant that deviates from the scores
of the reviewers, the NCNR Director
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shall justify the selection in writing
based on selection factors described
above. The NCNR Director may select
all, none, or some of the applications for
funding.
The final approval of selected
applications and award of financial
assistance will be made by the NIST
Grants Officer based on compliance
with application requirements as
published in this notice, compliance
with applicable legal and regulatory
requirements, whether the application
furthers the objectives of the
Department of Commerce, and whether
the recommended applicants appear to
be responsible. Applicants may be asked
to modify objectives, work plans, or
budgets and provide supplemental
information required by the agency
prior to award. The award decision of
the Grants Officer is final. Applicants
should allow up to 90 days processing
time.
Unsuccessful applicants will be
notified in writing. The Program will
retain one copy of each unsuccessful
application for three years for record
keeping purposes. The remaining copies
will be destroyed.
Evaluation Criteria: For the NCNR
Neutron Research and Neutron
Scattering Financial Assistance
Program, the technical reviewers will
use the following criteria to evaluate the
proposals:
1. Qualifications and experience of
the Principal Investigator in neutron
research or neutron scattering as
demonstrated by extensive publications
and invited lectures in condensed
matter physics, chemistry, material
science, macromolecular science,
neutron imaging, neutron physics, or
related fields. (20%)
2. Qualifications and experience of
the proposed university staff in neutron
research or neutron scattering or in
related scientific or engineering areas
that are key to the activities contained
in the proposal, as demonstrated by
resumes of staff proposed for this
program. (10%)
3. Quality of the proposed research
and development plan and its potential
impact on neutron research or neutron
scattering, particularly in the areas of
condensed matter physics, chemistry,
material science, macromolecular
science, neutron imaging, or neutron
physics. (20%)
4. Quality of the plan in terms of
providing research assistance to U.S.
neutron researchers using the NCNR
facilities, including related training,
education, and outreach. (30%)
5. Quality of the plan to integrate
university staff effectively into the
activities of the NCNR facility,
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including establishing robust
communications between the university
and the NCNR. (15%)
6. Cost effectiveness of the plan,
including the completeness of the
estimate to achieve the objectives stated
in the proposal. (5%)
NCNR Sample Environment Equipment
Financial Assistance Program
Program Description: The primary
objectives of this financial assistance
program are to develop, design, and
construct new, state-of-the-art
equipment for dedicated use by the
general scientific community on NCNR
neutron beam stations that provide
specific and well-controlled
environments of scientific interest for
in-situ studies of the microscopic
properties of a broad range of sample
materials such as molecular solids, thin
films, biomolecules and biological
membranes, solid state materials,
polymers, and complex fluids, using
neutron scattering and imaging
techniques. Examples of sample
environments include high (and/or
pulsed) magnetic fields, high pressures,
high (and/or pulsed) electric fields,
variable humidity, high or low
temperatures, variable shear, and
various combinations thereof. A list of
all the sample environment equipment
at the NCNR that is currently available
to the general user community is located
at https://www.ncnr.nist.gov/equipment/
ancequip.html.
Applicants and team members must
possess the education, experience, and
training, to pursue and advance the field
of Neutron Scattering efficiently. In
addition, the applicant and team
members must possess a demonstrated
record of excellence in research
involving neutron scattering methods.
In some cases one or more scientific
staff members may be stationed at the
NCNR to work in collaboration with
NIST and other visiting scientists to
help advance these program objectives.
Additional information on the NCNR
can be found at: https://
www.ncnr.nist.gov.
Funding Availability: The funding
instrument used in this program will be
a cooperative agreement. The nature of
NIST’s ‘‘substantial involvement’’ will
generally be collaboration with the
recipient(s) by working jointly with
recipient scientists in carrying out the
scope of work, or specifying direction or
redirection of the scope of work due to
inter-relationships with other programs
requiring such cooperation.
Proposals will be considered for
cooperative agreements with durations
of up to three years, subject to the
availability of funds, satisfactory
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progress, and the continuing relevance
to the objectives of the NIST Center for
Neutron Research. The anticipated level
of funding is up to $150,000 per year.
One to two awards are likely.
NIST will determine whether to fund
one award for the full amount; to divide
available funds into multiple awards of
any size, and negotiate scopes of work
and budgets as appropriate; or not to
select any proposal for funding, upon
completing the selection process
described below.
Awards are anticipated to contain a
start date of September 3, 2007.
Review and Selection Process: All
applications received in response to this
announcement will be reviewed to
determine whether or not they are
complete and responsive to the scope of
the stated program objectives.
Incomplete or non-responsive
applications will not be reviewed for
technical merit. The Program will retain
one copy of each non-responsive
application for three years for record
keeping purposes and destroy all other
copies.
Responsive proposals will be
evaluated using the above criteria by an
independent, objective panel composed
of at least four individuals who are
knowledgeable about neutron research,
neutron spectroscopy, and neutron
instrumentation. The reviewers will
reach a consensus score resulting in a
rank order of applicants. However, if
non-Federal reviewers are used, each
reviewer will evaluate and provide a
score for each proposal without
reaching a consensus.
The NCNR Director, serving as the
Selecting Official, will make the award
selection. In making the award
selection, the NCNR Director will take
into consideration the panels’ technical
evaluation. The NCNR Director, as the
Selecting Official, may choose a
proposal out of rank order based upon
one or more of the following factors: (1)
Availability of funds, (2) Redundancy,
(3) Balance/distribution of funds by
research areas described in the Funding
Opportunity Description section of this
Notice, (4) Program objectives described
above in the Funding Opportunity
Description section of this Notice, and
(5) Logistical concerns that would be
detrimental to the success or timely
completion of the proposal objectives.
Therefore, the highest scoring proposals
may not necessarily be selected for an
award. If an award is made to an
applicant that deviates from the scores
of the reviewers, the NCNR Director
shall justify the selection in writing
based on selection factors described
above. The NCNR Director may select
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all, none, or some of the applications for
funding.
The final approval of selected
applications and award of financial
assistance will be made by the NIST
Grants Officer based on compliance
with application requirements as
published in this notice, compliance
with applicable legal and regulatory
requirements, whether the application
furthers the objectives of the
Department of Commerce, and whether
the recommended applicants appear to
be responsible. Applicants may be asked
to modify objectives, work plans, or
budgets and provide supplemental
information required by the agency
prior to award. The award decision of
the Grants Officer is final. Applicants
should allow up to 90 days processing
time.
Unsuccessful applicants will be
notified in writing. The Program will
retain one copy of each unsuccessful
application for three years for record
keeping purposes. The remaining copies
will be destroyed.
Evaluation Criteria: For the NCNR
Sample Environment Equipment
Financial Assistance Program, the
technical reviewers will use the
following criteria to evaluate the
proposals:
1. Qualifications and experience of
the Principal Investigator in neutron
scattering research, as demonstrated by
extensive publications and invited
lectures in condensed matter physics,
chemistry, material science, polymer
science, biology, macromolecular
science, and/or related fields. (10%)
2. Qualifications and experience of
the proposed university staff in neutron
scattering research or in related
scientific or engineering areas that are
key to the activities contained in the
proposal, as demonstrated by resumes of
staff proposed for this program. (5%)
3. Feasibility and rationality of the
design and construction plan of the
proposed sample environment
equipment and its potential impact on
neutron-based research, particularly in
the areas of biology, macromolecular
science, polymer science, condensed
matter physics, and chemistry. (30%)
4. Quality of the plan in terms of
providing assistance to U.S. researchers
using the NCNR neutron facilities
through sustained and dedicated access
to unique and novel sample
environment equipment. (20%)
5. Quality of the plan to integrate the
sample environment equipment for
dedicated use on one or more of the
NCNR research facility neutron beam
stations. (25%)
6. Cost effectiveness of the plan,
including the completeness of the
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estimate to achieve the objectives stated
in the proposal. (10%)
The following information applies to
both programs announced in this notice:
The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements:
The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements
contained in the Federal Register notice
of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389). On
the form SF–424, the applicant’s 9-digit
Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number
must be entered in the Applicant
Identifier block (68 FR 38402).
Collaborations with NIST Employees:
All applications should include a
description of any work proposed to be
performed by an entity other than the
applicant, and the cost of such work
should ordinarily be included in the
budget.
If an applicant proposes collaboration
with NIST, the statement of work
should include a statement of this
intention, a description of the
collaboration, and prominently identify
the NIST employee(s) involved, if
known. Any collaboration by a NIST
employee must be approved by
appropriate NIST management and is at
the sole discretion of NIST. Prior to
beginning the merit review process,
NIST will verify the approval of the
proposed collaboration. Any
unapproved collaboration will be
stricken from the proposal prior to the
merit review.
Use of NIST Intellectual Property: If
the applicant anticipates using any
NIST-owned intellectual property to
carry out the work proposed, the
applicant should identify such
intellectual property. This information
will be used to ensure that no NIST
employee involved in the development
of the intellectual property will
participate in the review process for that
competition. In addition, if the
applicant intends to use NIST-owned
intellectual property, the applicant must
comply with all statutes and regulations
governing the licensing of Federal
government patents and inventions,
described at 35 U.S.C. sec. 200–212, 37
CFR part 401, 15 CFR 14.36, and in
section B.20 of the Department of
Commerce Pre-Award Notification
Requirements, published on December
30, 2004 (69 FR 78389). Questions about
these requirements may be directed to
the Counsel for NIST, 301–975–2803.
Any use of NIST-owned intellectual
property by a proposer is at the sole
discretion of NIST and will be
negotiated on a case-by-case basis if a
project is deemed meritorious. The
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applicant should indicate within the
statement of work whether it already
has a license to use such intellectual
property or whether it intends to seek
one.
If any inventions made in whole or in
part by a NIST employee arise in the
course of an award made pursuant to
this notice, the United States
government may retain its ownership
rights in any such invention. Licensing
or other disposition of NIST’s rights in
such inventions will be determined
solely by NIST, and include the
possibility of NIST putting the
intellectual property into the public
domain.
Collaborations Making Use of Federal
Facilities and Equipment: All applicants
are encouraged to make full use of any
NCNR facilities and equipment deemed
necessary, subject to approval by
appropriate NIST management. Such
use is at the sole discretion of NIST. All
applications should include a
description of any work proposed to be
performed using Federal facilities and
equipment. If an applicant proposes use
of NIST facilities and equipment, the
statement of work should include a
statement of this intention and a
description of the facilities and
equipment. Prior to beginning the merit
review process, NIST will verify the
availability of the facilities and
equipment and approval of the
proposed usage. Any unapproved
facility and equipment use will be
stricken from the proposal prior to the
merit review. Examples of some
facilities and equipment that may be
available for collaborations are listed on
the NIST Technology Services Web site,
https://patapsco.nist.gov/ts/220/
external/facilities.htm.
Initial Screening of all Applications:
All applications received in response to
this announcement will be reviewed to
determine whether or not they are
complete and responsive to the scope of
the stated objectives for each program.
Incomplete or non-responsive
applications will not be reviewed for
technical merit. The Program will retain
one copy of each non-responsive
application for three years for record
keeping purposes. The remaining copies
will be destroyed.
Paperwork Reduction Act: The
standard forms in the application kit
involve a collection of information
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A,
424B, SF–LLL, and CD–346 have been
approved by OMB under the respective
Control Numbers 0348–0043, 0348–
0044, 0348–0040, 0348–0046, and 0605–
0001.
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Notwithstanding any other provision
of the law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act, unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid
OMB Control Number.
Research Projects Involving Human
Subjects, Human Tissue, Data or
Recordings Involving Human Subjects:
Any proposal that includes research
involving human subjects, human
tissue, data or recordings involving
human subjects must meet the
requirements of the Common Rule for
the Protection of Human Subjects,
codified for the Department of
Commerce at 15 CFR part 27. In
addition, any proposal that includes
research on these topics must be in
compliance with any statutory
requirements imposed upon the
Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) and other federal
agencies regarding these topics, all
regulatory policies and guidance
adopted by DHHS, FDA, and other
Federal agencies on these topics, and all
Presidential statements of policy on
these topics.
NIST will accept the submission of
human subjects protocols that have been
approved by Institutional Review
Boards (IRBs) registered with DHHS and
performed by entities possessing a
current, valid Federal-wide Assurance
(FWA) from DHHS. NIST will not issue
a single project assurance (SPA) for any
IRB reviewing any human subjects
protocol proposed to NIST.
On August 9, 2001, the President
announced his decision to allow Federal
funds to be used for research on existing
human embryonic stem cell lines as
long as prior to his announcement (1)
the derivation process (which
commences with the removal of the
inner cell mass from the blastocyst) had
already been initiated and (2) the
embryo from which the stem cell line
was derived no longer had the
possibility of development as a human
being. NIST will follow guidance issued
by the National Institutes of Health at
https://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/
humansubjects/guidance/stemcell.pdf
for funding such research.
Research Projects Involving Vertebrate
Animals: Any proposal that includes
research involving vertebrate animals
must be in compliance with the
National Research Council’s ‘‘Guide for
the Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals,’’ which can be obtained from
National Academy Press, 2101
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20055. In addition, such proposals
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must meet the requirements of the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et
seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3, and if
appropriate, 21 CFR part 58. These
regulations do not apply to proposed
research using pre-existing images of
animals or to research plans that do not
include live animals that are being cared
for, euthanized, or used by the project
participants to accomplish research
goals, teaching, or testing. These
regulations also do not apply to
obtaining animal materials from
commercial processors of animal
products or to animal cell lines or
tissues from tissue banks.
Limitation of Liability: Funding for
the programs listed in this notice is
contingent upon the availability of
funds. In no event will the Department
of Commerce be responsible for
proposal preparation costs if these
programs fail to receive funding or are
cancelled because of other agency
priorities. Publication of this
announcement does not oblige the
agency to award any specific project or
to obligate any available funds.
Executive Order 12866: This funding
notice was determined to be not
significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism):
It has been determined that this notice
does not contain policies with
federalism implications as that term is
defined in Executive Order 13132.
Executive Order 12372: Applications
under this program are not subject to
Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and
comment are not required under the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.
553) or any other law, for rules relating
to public property, loans, grants,
benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553 (a)).
Because notice and comment are not
required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any
other law, for rules relating to public
property, loans, grants, benefits or
contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis is not required and
has not been prepared for this notice, 5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.
Dated: March 30, 2007.
James E. Hill,
Acting Deputy Director, NIST.
[FR Doc. E7–6505 Filed 4–5–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:39 Apr 05, 2007
Jkt 211001
authority of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
1531 et seq.) and the regulations
Administration
governing the taking, importing, and
exporting of endangered and threatened
[I.D. /807B]
species (50 CFR parts 222–226).
The Permit application is related to
Endangered Species; File No. 1607
the continued operation and
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
maintenance of Savage Rapids Dam in
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Josephine and Jackson Counties, in the
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
State of Oregon. The dam is owned and
Commerce.
operated by the GPID for the sole
purpose of providing irrigation water to
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
its customers. The GPID Habitat
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Conservation Plan (HCP) utilizes a
Grants Pass Irrigation District (GPID),
combination of conservation measures
200 Fruitvale Drive, Grants Pass,
that are expected to minimize and
Oregon, has applied in due form for an
mitigate, to the maximum extent
incidental take permit for Southern
practicable, the impacts of take of ESAOregon/Northern California coho
listed coho salmon, and unlisted
salmon for purposes of the continued
Chinook salmon and steelhead during
operation and maintenance of Savage
irrigation operations in the period 2007–
Rapids Dam. Unlisted covered species
2009. A 1-year extension is considered
include Klamath Mountains Province
in the assessments of this HCP. The HCP
(KMP) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) also requires GPID to take certain steps
and Southern Oregon/Northern
during the time the permit is effective
California Coastal (SONCC) Chinook
to work to secure authorization and
salmon (O. tshawytscha).
funding for dam removal and to install
off-site electrical pumping stations
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail
comments must be received on or before along the Rogue River near Grants Pass,
Oregon, by November 1, 2009, to
May 7, 2007.
provide for the long-term conservation
ADDRESSES: The application and related
of listed and unlisted covered species.
documents are available for review
upon written request or by appointment The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded
a contract for constructing the irrigation
in the following office(s):
pumps and dismantling the dam. Pump
Northwest Region, Oregon State
construction was initiated in October
Habitat Office, Habitat Conservation
2006 and is expected to be completed
Division, NMFS, 1201 NE Lloyd
along with dam dismantling prior to this
Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR
97232–1274; phone (503) 231–2202; fax ITP’s expiration. To ensure that the
mitigation and minimization strategies
(503) 231–6893; and Roseburg Field
are effective, the HCP incorporates a
Office, NMFS, 2900 NW Stewart
variety of monitoring components, and
Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97470, phone
if needed, adaptive management
(541) 957–3385; fax (541) 957–3386
changes in the conservation measures
Written comments or requests for a
set forth. It is expected that incidental
public hearing on this application
take of the listed and unlisted species
should be mailed to the above address.
will occur from the normal operations
Those individuals requesting a hearing
and maintenance of the dam.
should set forth the specific reasons
Adult and juvenile SONC coho
why a hearing on this particular request
salmon from the Upper Rogue River
would be appropriate.
population will be exposed to the SRD
Comments may also be submitted by
facilities that pose a physical threat to
facsimile at (503) 231–6893, provided
these individuals. Some adults from the
the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy
Middle Rogue and Applegate rivers
submitted by mail and postmarked no
population may also venture above SRD
later than the closing date of the
or within the area downstream that is
comment period.
affected by the flow modifications of the
Comments may also be submitted by
dam. Adults must navigate the river and
e-mail. The mailbox address for
the altered flows from SRD in order to
providing e-mail comments is
locate the fish ladders. The adults’
Kenneth.Phippen@noaa.gov. Include in
upstream migration is likely to be
the subject line of the e-mail comment
delayed while flow conditions reach
the following document identifier: File
levels that allow the fish to navigate the
No. 1607.
fish ladders. Total mortality of juveniles
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken
caused by SRD is estimated to be 10 to
Phippen, (541)957–3385.
15 percent by Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife. This may be
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
decreased by ongoing conservation
subject permit is requested under the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 66 (Friday, April 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17112-17116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6505]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket Number: 070309054-7055-01]
NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Neutron Research and
Neutron Scattering, and Sample Environment Equipment Financial
Assistance Programs; Availability of Funds
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
announces that the following programs are soliciting applications for
financial assistance for FY 2007: (1) NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron
Scattering Financial Assistance Program, and (2) the NCNR Sample
Environment Equipment Financial Assistance Program. Each program will
only consider applications that are within the scientific scope of the
program as described in this notice and in the detailed program
descriptions found in the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO)
announcement for these programs.
DATES: Complete paper and electronic applications for each program must
be received by 5 p.m. Daylight Savings Time on May 7, 2007.
ADDRESSES: For both programs, a complete application package may be
obtained by contacting Tanya Burke, National Institute of Standards and
Technology, NIST Center for Neutron Research, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail
Stop 6100, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6100.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For complete information about both
programs and instructions for applying by paper or electronically, read
the Federal Funding Opportunity Notices (FFO) at https://www.grants.gov.
A paper copy of the FFO may be obtained by calling (301) 975-6328. The
NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering Financial Assistance
Program and the NCNR Sample Environment Equipment Financial Assistance
Program will publish separate FFOs on www.grants.gov. For both
programs, technical questions may be directed to Dr. Dan Neumann, NIST
Center for Neutron Research, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 6102,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6102; telephone: (301) 975-5252; e-mail:
Dan.Neumann@nist.gov. For both programs, grants administration
questions should be addressed to Judy Murphy, NIST Grants and
Agreements Management Division, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1650,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1650; telephone: (301) 975-5603; e-mail:
judy.murphy@nist.gov. The NCNR Web site is: https://www.ncnr.nist.gov.
For assistance with using Grants.gov, contact support@grants.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number: Measurement
and Engineering Research and Standards--11.609.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 272(b)(7) and (c)(8, 10, 16, 17,
19).
Application Submission: Paper Applications--Each applicant must
submit one signed original and two paper copies of the complete
application as described in the Federal Funding Opportunity to Tanya
Burke, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Center for
Neutron Research, STOP 6100, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6100,
telephone (301) 975-4711. Facsimile, electronic mail, and other forms
of electronic application submissions, other than electronic
applications submitted through Grants.gov, will not be accepted.
For electronic submission: Applicants should follow the Application
Instructions provided at Grants.gov when submitting a response to this
funding opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to start early and not
wait to the approaching due date before logging on and reviewing the
instructions for submitting an application through Grants.gov.
Eligibility: The NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering
Financial Assistance Program and the NCNR Sample Environment Equipment
Financial Assistance Program are open to institutions of higher
education; hospitals; nonprofit organizations; commercial
organizations; State, local, and Indian tribal governments; foreign
governments; organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign
governments; and international organizations.
Cost Sharing or Matching: There is no cost sharing or matching
requirements for these programs.
[[Page 17113]]
NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering Financial Assistance
Program
Program Description: The primary program objectives of the
financial assistance program in Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering
are to develop new areas of neutron instrumentation with emphasis on
cold neutrons; to explore and develop new areas of neutron scattering
science, with emphasis on macromolecular science, condensed matter
physics, and chemistry; to explore and develop new areas of neutron
imaging or neutron physics; to assist and train NCNR facility users in
their research; and to conduct other outreach and educational
activities that advance the use of neutrons by U.S. university and
industrial scientists. This will entail stationing scientific staff at
the NCNR who, in collaboration with NIST and visiting scientists,
advance these objectives.
NIST does not require or anticipate full scope proposals, i.e.
proposals need not address the fields of Neutron Research (which
includes neutron imaging and neutron physics) and Neutron Spectroscopy
(which includes neutron diffraction and neutron spectroscopy) at the
same time. Proposals should instead be focused on one (or more) of the
primary objectives listed above, i.e. the development of neutron
instrumentation, new areas of neutron scattering science, new areas of
neutron imaging, and/or new areas of neutron physics. Applicants and
team members must possess the education, experience, and training, to
pursue and advance the fields of Neutron Research or Neutron Scattering
efficiently. In addition, the applicant and team members must possess a
demonstrated record of excellence in the development of neutron
instrumentation or in research involving neutron imaging, neutron
physics, or neutron scattering methods.
Additional information on the NCNR can be found at: https://
www.ncnr.nist.gov.
Funding Availability: The funding instrument used in this program
will be a cooperative agreement. The nature of NIST's ``substantial
involvement'' will generally be collaboration with the recipient(s) by
working jointly with recipient scientists in carrying out the scope of
work, or specifying direction or redirection of the scope of work due
to inter-relationships with other programs requiring such cooperation.
Proposals will be considered for cooperative agreements with
durations of up to five years, subject to the availability of funds,
satisfactory progress, and the continuing relevance to the objectives
of the NIST Center for Neutron Research. The anticipated level of
funding is up to $5,000,000 ($5 million) per year. One to five awards
are likely.
NIST will determine whether to fund one award for the full amount;
to divide available funds into multiple awards of any size, and
negotiate scopes of work and budgets as appropriate; or not to select
any proposal for funding, upon completing the selection process
described below.
Awards are anticipated to contain a start date of September 3,
2007.
Review and Selection Process: All applications received in response
to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether they are
complete and responsive to the scope of the stated program objectives.
Incomplete or non-responsive applications will not be reviewed for
technical merit. The Program will retain one copy of each non-
responsive application for three years for record keeping purposes and
destroy all other copies.
Responsive proposals will be evaluated using the Evaluation
Criteria for the NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron Scattering Financial
Assistance Program described in this notice by an independent,
objective panel composed of at least four individuals who are
knowledgeable about neutron research, neutron spectroscopy, and neutron
instrumentation. The reviewers will reach a consensus score resulting
in a rank order of applicants. However, if non-Federal reviewers are
used, each reviewer will evaluate and provide a score for each proposal
without reaching a consensus.
The NCNR Director, serving as the Selecting Official, will make the
award selection. In making the award selection, the NCNR Director will
take into consideration the panels' technical evaluation. The NCNR
Director, as the Selecting Official, may choose a proposal out of rank
order based upon one or more of the following factors: (1) Availability
of funds, (2) Redundancy, (3) Balance/distribution of funds by research
areas described in the Funding Opportunity Description section of this
Notice, (4) Program objectives described above in the Funding
Opportunity Description section of this Notice, and (5) Logistical
concerns that would be detrimental to the success or timely completion
of the proposal objectives. Therefore, the highest scoring proposals
may not necessarily be selected for an award. If an award is made to an
applicant that deviates from the scores of the reviewers, the NCNR
Director shall justify the selection in writing based on selection
factors described above. The NCNR Director may select all, none, or
some of the applications for funding.
The final approval of selected applications and award of financial
assistance will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on compliance
with application requirements as published in this notice, compliance
with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, whether the
application furthers the objectives of the Department of Commerce, and
whether the recommended applicants appear to be responsible. Applicants
may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets and provide
supplemental information required by the agency prior to award. The
award decision of the Grants Officer is final. Applicants should allow
up to 90 days processing time.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. The Program
will retain one copy of each unsuccessful application for three years
for record keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
Evaluation Criteria: For the NCNR Neutron Research and Neutron
Scattering Financial Assistance Program, the technical reviewers will
use the following criteria to evaluate the proposals:
1. Qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator in
neutron research or neutron scattering as demonstrated by extensive
publications and invited lectures in condensed matter physics,
chemistry, material science, macromolecular science, neutron imaging,
neutron physics, or related fields. (20%)
2. Qualifications and experience of the proposed university staff
in neutron research or neutron scattering or in related scientific or
engineering areas that are key to the activities contained in the
proposal, as demonstrated by resumes of staff proposed for this
program. (10%)
3. Quality of the proposed research and development plan and its
potential impact on neutron research or neutron scattering,
particularly in the areas of condensed matter physics, chemistry,
material science, macromolecular science, neutron imaging, or neutron
physics. (20%)
4. Quality of the plan in terms of providing research assistance to
U.S. neutron researchers using the NCNR facilities, including related
training, education, and outreach. (30%)
5. Quality of the plan to integrate university staff effectively
into the activities of the NCNR facility,
[[Page 17114]]
including establishing robust communications between the university and
the NCNR. (15%)
6. Cost effectiveness of the plan, including the completeness of
the estimate to achieve the objectives stated in the proposal. (5%)
NCNR Sample Environment Equipment Financial Assistance Program
Program Description: The primary objectives of this financial
assistance program are to develop, design, and construct new, state-of-
the-art equipment for dedicated use by the general scientific community
on NCNR neutron beam stations that provide specific and well-controlled
environments of scientific interest for in-situ studies of the
microscopic properties of a broad range of sample materials such as
molecular solids, thin films, biomolecules and biological membranes,
solid state materials, polymers, and complex fluids, using neutron
scattering and imaging techniques. Examples of sample environments
include high (and/or pulsed) magnetic fields, high pressures, high
(and/or pulsed) electric fields, variable humidity, high or low
temperatures, variable shear, and various combinations thereof. A list
of all the sample environment equipment at the NCNR that is currently
available to the general user community is located at https://
www.ncnr.nist.gov/equipment/ancequip.html.
Applicants and team members must possess the education, experience,
and training, to pursue and advance the field of Neutron Scattering
efficiently. In addition, the applicant and team members must possess a
demonstrated record of excellence in research involving neutron
scattering methods. In some cases one or more scientific staff members
may be stationed at the NCNR to work in collaboration with NIST and
other visiting scientists to help advance these program objectives.
Additional information on the NCNR can be found at: https://
www.ncnr.nist.gov.
Funding Availability: The funding instrument used in this program
will be a cooperative agreement. The nature of NIST's ``substantial
involvement'' will generally be collaboration with the recipient(s) by
working jointly with recipient scientists in carrying out the scope of
work, or specifying direction or redirection of the scope of work due
to inter-relationships with other programs requiring such cooperation.
Proposals will be considered for cooperative agreements with
durations of up to three years, subject to the availability of funds,
satisfactory progress, and the continuing relevance to the objectives
of the NIST Center for Neutron Research. The anticipated level of
funding is up to $150,000 per year. One to two awards are likely.
NIST will determine whether to fund one award for the full amount;
to divide available funds into multiple awards of any size, and
negotiate scopes of work and budgets as appropriate; or not to select
any proposal for funding, upon completing the selection process
described below.
Awards are anticipated to contain a start date of September 3,
2007.
Review and Selection Process: All applications received in response
to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether or not they
are complete and responsive to the scope of the stated program
objectives. Incomplete or non-responsive applications will not be
reviewed for technical merit. The Program will retain one copy of each
non-responsive application for three years for record keeping purposes
and destroy all other copies.
Responsive proposals will be evaluated using the above criteria by
an independent, objective panel composed of at least four individuals
who are knowledgeable about neutron research, neutron spectroscopy, and
neutron instrumentation. The reviewers will reach a consensus score
resulting in a rank order of applicants. However, if non-Federal
reviewers are used, each reviewer will evaluate and provide a score for
each proposal without reaching a consensus.
The NCNR Director, serving as the Selecting Official, will make the
award selection. In making the award selection, the NCNR Director will
take into consideration the panels' technical evaluation. The NCNR
Director, as the Selecting Official, may choose a proposal out of rank
order based upon one or more of the following factors: (1) Availability
of funds, (2) Redundancy, (3) Balance/distribution of funds by research
areas described in the Funding Opportunity Description section of this
Notice, (4) Program objectives described above in the Funding
Opportunity Description section of this Notice, and (5) Logistical
concerns that would be detrimental to the success or timely completion
of the proposal objectives. Therefore, the highest scoring proposals
may not necessarily be selected for an award. If an award is made to an
applicant that deviates from the scores of the reviewers, the NCNR
Director shall justify the selection in writing based on selection
factors described above. The NCNR Director may select all, none, or
some of the applications for funding.
The final approval of selected applications and award of financial
assistance will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on compliance
with application requirements as published in this notice, compliance
with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, whether the
application furthers the objectives of the Department of Commerce, and
whether the recommended applicants appear to be responsible. Applicants
may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets and provide
supplemental information required by the agency prior to award. The
award decision of the Grants Officer is final. Applicants should allow
up to 90 days processing time.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. The Program
will retain one copy of each unsuccessful application for three years
for record keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
Evaluation Criteria: For the NCNR Sample Environment Equipment
Financial Assistance Program, the technical reviewers will use the
following criteria to evaluate the proposals:
1. Qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator in
neutron scattering research, as demonstrated by extensive publications
and invited lectures in condensed matter physics, chemistry, material
science, polymer science, biology, macromolecular science, and/or
related fields. (10%)
2. Qualifications and experience of the proposed university staff
in neutron scattering research or in related scientific or engineering
areas that are key to the activities contained in the proposal, as
demonstrated by resumes of staff proposed for this program. (5%)
3. Feasibility and rationality of the design and construction plan
of the proposed sample environment equipment and its potential impact
on neutron-based research, particularly in the areas of biology,
macromolecular science, polymer science, condensed matter physics, and
chemistry. (30%)
4. Quality of the plan in terms of providing assistance to U.S.
researchers using the NCNR neutron facilities through sustained and
dedicated access to unique and novel sample environment equipment.
(20%)
5. Quality of the plan to integrate the sample environment
equipment for dedicated use on one or more of the NCNR research
facility neutron beam stations. (25%)
6. Cost effectiveness of the plan, including the completeness of
the
[[Page 17115]]
estimate to achieve the objectives stated in the proposal. (10%)
The following information applies to both programs announced in
this notice:
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
contained in the Federal Register notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR
78389). On the form SF-424, the applicant's 9-digit Dun and Bradstreet
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number must be entered in the
Applicant Identifier block (68 FR 38402).
Collaborations with NIST Employees: All applications should include
a description of any work proposed to be performed by an entity other
than the applicant, and the cost of such work should ordinarily be
included in the budget.
If an applicant proposes collaboration with NIST, the statement of
work should include a statement of this intention, a description of the
collaboration, and prominently identify the NIST employee(s) involved,
if known. Any collaboration by a NIST employee must be approved by
appropriate NIST management and is at the sole discretion of NIST.
Prior to beginning the merit review process, NIST will verify the
approval of the proposed collaboration. Any unapproved collaboration
will be stricken from the proposal prior to the merit review.
Use of NIST Intellectual Property: If the applicant anticipates
using any NIST-owned intellectual property to carry out the work
proposed, the applicant should identify such intellectual property.
This information will be used to ensure that no NIST employee involved
in the development of the intellectual property will participate in the
review process for that competition. In addition, if the applicant
intends to use NIST-owned intellectual property, the applicant must
comply with all statutes and regulations governing the licensing of
Federal government patents and inventions, described at 35 U.S.C. sec.
200-212, 37 CFR part 401, 15 CFR 14.36, and in section B.20 of the
Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements, published
on December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389). Questions about these requirements
may be directed to the Counsel for NIST, 301-975-2803.
Any use of NIST-owned intellectual property by a proposer is at the
sole discretion of NIST and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis
if a project is deemed meritorious. The applicant should indicate
within the statement of work whether it already has a license to use
such intellectual property or whether it intends to seek one.
If any inventions made in whole or in part by a NIST employee arise
in the course of an award made pursuant to this notice, the United
States government may retain its ownership rights in any such
invention. Licensing or other disposition of NIST's rights in such
inventions will be determined solely by NIST, and include the
possibility of NIST putting the intellectual property into the public
domain.
Collaborations Making Use of Federal Facilities and Equipment: All
applicants are encouraged to make full use of any NCNR facilities and
equipment deemed necessary, subject to approval by appropriate NIST
management. Such use is at the sole discretion of NIST. All
applications should include a description of any work proposed to be
performed using Federal facilities and equipment. If an applicant
proposes use of NIST facilities and equipment, the statement of work
should include a statement of this intention and a description of the
facilities and equipment. Prior to beginning the merit review process,
NIST will verify the availability of the facilities and equipment and
approval of the proposed usage. Any unapproved facility and equipment
use will be stricken from the proposal prior to the merit review.
Examples of some facilities and equipment that may be available for
collaborations are listed on the NIST Technology Services Web site,
https://patapsco.nist.gov/ts/220/external/facilities.htm.
Initial Screening of all Applications: All applications received in
response to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether or
not they are complete and responsive to the scope of the stated
objectives for each program. Incomplete or non-responsive applications
will not be reviewed for technical merit. The Program will retain one
copy of each non-responsive application for three years for record
keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
Paperwork Reduction Act: The standard forms in the application kit
involve a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction
Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have
been approved by OMB under the respective Control Numbers 0348-0043,
0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
Research Projects Involving Human Subjects, Human Tissue, Data or
Recordings Involving Human Subjects: Any proposal that includes
research involving human subjects, human tissue, data or recordings
involving human subjects must meet the requirements of the Common Rule
for the Protection of Human Subjects, codified for the Department of
Commerce at 15 CFR part 27. In addition, any proposal that includes
research on these topics must be in compliance with any statutory
requirements imposed upon the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) and other federal agencies regarding these topics, all
regulatory policies and guidance adopted by DHHS, FDA, and other
Federal agencies on these topics, and all Presidential statements of
policy on these topics.
NIST will accept the submission of human subjects protocols that
have been approved by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) registered
with DHHS and performed by entities possessing a current, valid
Federal-wide Assurance (FWA) from DHHS. NIST will not issue a single
project assurance (SPA) for any IRB reviewing any human subjects
protocol proposed to NIST.
On August 9, 2001, the President announced his decision to allow
Federal funds to be used for research on existing human embryonic stem
cell lines as long as prior to his announcement (1) the derivation
process (which commences with the removal of the inner cell mass from
the blastocyst) had already been initiated and (2) the embryo from
which the stem cell line was derived no longer had the possibility of
development as a human being. NIST will follow guidance issued by the
National Institutes of Health at https://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/
humansubjects/guidance/stemcell.pdf for funding such research.
Research Projects Involving Vertebrate Animals: Any proposal that
includes research involving vertebrate animals must be in compliance
with the National Research Council's ``Guide for the Care and Use of
Laboratory Animals,'' which can be obtained from National Academy
Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20055. In
addition, such proposals
[[Page 17116]]
must meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et
seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3, and if appropriate, 21 CFR part 58.
These regulations do not apply to proposed research using pre-existing
images of animals or to research plans that do not include live animals
that are being cared for, euthanized, or used by the project
participants to accomplish research goals, teaching, or testing. These
regulations also do not apply to obtaining animal materials from
commercial processors of animal products or to animal cell lines or
tissues from tissue banks.
Limitation of Liability: Funding for the programs listed in this
notice is contingent upon the availability of funds. In no event will
the Department of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation
costs if these programs fail to receive funding or are cancelled
because of other agency priorities. Publication of this announcement
does not oblige the agency to award any specific project or to obligate
any available funds.
Executive Order 12866: This funding notice was determined to be not
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that
this notice does not contain policies with federalism implications as
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
Executive Order 12372: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and
comment are not required under the Administrative Procedure Act (5
U.S.C. 553) or any other law, for rules relating to public property,
loans, grants, benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553 (a)). Because notice
and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, for
rules relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts
(5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required
and has not been prepared for this notice, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
Dated: March 30, 2007.
James E. Hill,
Acting Deputy Director, NIST.
[FR Doc. E7-6505 Filed 4-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P