National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics
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IDILOGIC on Jun 24, 2005
Purpose of this program:
To generate new processes and/or equipment that can significantly reduce the use of energy and energy intensive feed-stocks and reduce the generation of wastes in industry. To achieve these objectives, DOE solicits projects that do the following: 1) Encourage accelerated industrial demonstration, deployment, and dissemination of energy efficiency and cleaner production technologies; 2) implement efficiency improvements in processes, material inputs, and waste streams; 3) demonstrate successful industrial applications of innovative cleaner production techniques in conjunction with energy-efficient technologies; 4) coordinate and integrate the activities of institutions responsible for energy, the environment, and industrial competitiveness at the Federal, regional, State, and local levels; 5) target technologies, processes, and procedures that are transferable to a broad range of applications within and across industrial sectors; 6) identify and develop strategies to overcome barriers that currently inhibit energy efficiency or cleaner production techniques and practices in business and industry; 7) enhance industrial competitiveness through the introduction and dissemination of cost-effective, energy-efficient, cleaner production processes, equipment, and practices; and 8) reduce greenhouse gas emissions through pollution prevention in industry.
Possible uses and use restrictions...
The scope of the Program is national and is open to State agencies and industry with coordinated State agency endorsement. Particular interest is given to States identified as having industries with the highest energy consumption and the greatest levels of pollutant generation. Focus is on those industries with high energy consumption and pollution problems. Industries of particular interest are those industries targeted by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Further Program information may be found at http://www.eere.energy.gov/wip/program/nice3.html.
Who is eligible to apply...
Proposals from all States and proposals from industry that have coordinated a State agency endorsement were considered. State agencies include State energy, State environmental, State business development, or any State agency as defined by 10 CFR 600.202. In addition to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the U.S., and all federally recognized Indian tribes are eligible. Coordinated State agency endorsement refers to the act of a State(s) 1) Recommending the proposed technology demonstration, 2) waiving its role as the primary applicant, and 3) assigning that role to industry via signature on the State Endorsement Form.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Note:This is a brief description of the credentials or documentation required prior to, or along with, an application for assistance.
About this section:
This section indicates who can apply to the Federal government for assistance and the criteria the potential applicant must satisfy.
For example, individuals may be eligible for research grants, and the criteria to be satisfied may be that they have a professional or scientific degree,
3 years of research experience, and be a citizen of the United States. Universities, medical schools, hospitals, or State and local governments may also be eligible.
Where State governments are eligible, the type of State agency will be indicated (State welfare agency or State agency on aging) and the criteria that they
must satisfy.
Certain federal programs (e.g., the Pell Grant program which provides grants to students) involve intermediate levels of application processing, i.e., applications
are transmitted through colleges or universities that are neither the direct applicant nor the ultimate beneficiary. For these programs,
the criteria that the intermediaries must satisfy are also indicated, along with intermediaries who are not eligible.
How to apply...
Application Procedure:
Applications are not being accepted in Fiscal Year 2004. NICE3 is in closeout mode. There is no appropriation for grant project funding in Fiscal Year 2004.
Note: Each program will indicate whether applications are to be submitted to the Federal headquarters, regional or local office, or to a State or local government office.
Award Procedure:
The size of the Federal grant award ranged up to $525,000 A maximum of $25,000, or 10 percent of the total amount to industry, whichever is less, could be used to support a State agency's costs associated with financial assistance administration, technology transfer/dissemination, marketing, etc. (This portion of the Federal contribution was not required to be cost shared.) Nonfederal cost share from a combination of State and industrial partner sources for a single award had to be at least 50 percent of the total cost of the project (if $500,000 in federal funding is requested, cost-share must equal at least $500,000).
Note: Grant payments may be made by a letter of credit, advance by Treasury check, or reimbursement by Treasury check.
Awards may be made by the headquarters office directly to the applicant, an agency field office, a regional office,
or by an authorized county office. The assistance may pass through the initial applicant for further distribution by
intermediate level applicants to groups or individuals in the private sector.
Deadlines and process...
Deadlines
Applications are not being accepted in Fiscal Year 2004. NICE3 is in closeout mode. There is no appropriation for grant project funding in Fiscal Year 2004.
Note:
When available, this section indicates the deadlines for applications to the funding agency which will
be stated in terms of the date(s) or between what dates the application should be received.
When not available, applicants should contact the funding agency for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
The range was from 90 to 120 days from the close of the solicitation to the award announcement.
Preapplication Coordination
This Program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372.
Note:
This section indicates whether any prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or nongovernmental units
prior to the submission of a formal application to the federal funding agency.
Appeals
Unsuccessful applicants from the competitive solicitation were entitled to a written debriefing by DOE program officials with a clear explanation of why the proposal was not accepted for funding.
Note:
In some cases, there are no provisions for appeal. Where applicable, this section discusses appeal procedures or allowable rework time for resubmission
of applications to be processed by the funding agency. Appeal procedures vary with individual programs and are either listed in this section or
applicants are referred to appeal procedures documented in the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Renewals
None.
Note:
In some instances, renewal procedures may be the same as for the application procedure, e.g., for projects of a non-continuing nature renewals will be treated as new, competing applications; for projects of an ongoing nature, renewals may be given annually.
Who can benefit...
Both state and local governments benefited from these grants. Commercial firms with expertise in waste reduction and pollution prevention, large and small businesses, and others in the business of preventing pollution and energy conserving technologies also benefited.
Beneficiaries
About this section:
This section lists the ultimate beneficiaries of a program, the criteria they must satisfy and who specifically is not eligible. The applicant and beneficiary will generally be the same for programs that provide assistance directly from a Federal agency. However, financial assistance that passes through State or local governments will have different applicants and beneficiaries since the assistance is transmitted to private sector beneficiaries who are not obligated to request or apply for the assistance.
What types of assistance...
Project Grants
The funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects. Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants, and construction grants.
How much financial aid...
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$455,000 to $525,000; $475,000.
Note:
This section lists the representative range (smallest to largest) of the amount of financial assistance available. These figures are based upon funds awarded in the past fiscal year and the current fiscal year to date. Also indicated is an approximate average amount of awards which were made in the past and current fiscal years.
Obligations
(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 03 est $1,500,000; FY 04 est $0; and FY 05 est $0.
Note:
The dollar amounts listed in this section represent obligations for the past fiscal year (PY), estimates for the current fiscal year (CY), and estimates for the budget fiscal year (BY) as reported by the Federal agencies. Obligations for non-financial assistance programs indicate the administrative expenses involved in the operation of a program.
Account Identification
89-0215-0-1-250.
Note:
Note: This 11-digit budget account identification code represents the account which funds a particular program.
This code should be consistent with the code given for the program area as specified in Appendix III of the Budget of the United States Government.
Examples of funded projects...
Examples of funded projects may be accessed through http://www.oit.doe.gov/.
About this section
This section indicates the different types of projects which have been funded in the past. Only projects funded under Project Grants or Direct Payments for Specified Use should be listed here. The examples give potential applicants an idea of the types of projects that may be accepted for funding. The agency should list at least five examples of the most recently funded projects.
Program accomplishments...
NICE3 met its original goals to save energy, improve the environment, and provide an economic boost to U.S. industry . NICE3 originated in 1991 as a U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joint initiative to promote Global competitiveness of U. S. industries through the development and commercialization of energy-efficient goods, produced with state-of-the-art energy-efficient production technologies and practices. It has resulted in the commercialization of 32 technologies of which 27 are still on the market today. These commercial technologies have resulted in a cumulative U.S. energy savings of 34.5 trillion Btu. In 2000 the 27 NICE3 technologies still in the marketplace saved 10.6 trillion Btu.
Criteria for selecting proposals...
Simultaneous reduction of industrial energy use, reduction of pollution generated by industrial processes, and improvement of process economics. Criteria provided in released solicitations.
Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Projects covered a period of up to 3 years with release of funding subject to work progress. Access to process implementation and efficiency data is to be available for 10 years after project completion to measure performance against expectation and to support commercialization of the technology.
Formula and Matching Requirements
Federal funds were awarded to States and industry applicants that can match DOE Federal funds at 50 percent. DOE regional support offices made the grant awards and served as grant managers. DOE support offices worked with State energy and environmental offices to actively seek out State developmental energy, and industry organizations that might be interested in this Program.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.
Post assistance requirements...
Reports
Quarterly project and financial status reports are required. A final report is required at the end of the contract period. A 10-year tracking and follow-up reporting mechanism may be required.
Note:
This section indicates whether program reports, expenditure reports, cash reports or performance monitoring are required by the Federal funding agency, and specifies at what time intervals (monthly, annually, etc.) this must be accomplished.
Audits
DOE may perform closing audits.
Note:
This section discusses audits required by the Federal agency.
The procedures and requirements for State and local governments and nonprofit entities are set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133.
These requirements pertain to awards made within the respective State's fiscal year - not the Federal fiscal year,
as some State and local governments may use the calendar year or other variation of time span designated as the fiscal year period,
rather than that commonly known as the Federal fiscal year (from October 1st through September 30th).
Records
Access to process implementation and efficiency data must be available for 10 years after project completion to measure performance against expectation and to support commercialization of the technology.
Note:
This section indicates the record retention requirements and the type of records the Federal agency may require.
Not included are the normally imposed requirements of the General Accounting Office.
For programs falling under the purview of OMB Circular No. A-102, record retention is set forth in Attachment C.
For other programs, record retention is governed by the funding agency's requirements.
Regulations...
Authorization
Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95-91; Energy Policy Act of 1992, as amended, Public Law 102-486.
Note:
This section lists the legal authority upon which a program is based (acts, amendments to acts, Public Law numbers, titles, sections, Statute Codes, citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, Presidential Reorganization Plans, and Memoranda from an agency head).
Regulations, Guidelines, And Literature
http://www.eere.energy.gov/wip/program/nice3.html
Contact information...
Web Sites
Regional Or Local Office
Golden Field Office, U.S. DOE, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401. Telephone: (303) 275-4737; fax (303) 275-4788. Atlanta Regional Support Office, U.S. Department of Energy, 75 Spring St. SW., Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30303. Telephone: (404) 562-0556. Chicago Regional Support Office, U.S. Department of Energy, One South Whacker Dr., Suite 2380, Chicago, IL 60606-4616. Telephone: (312) 886-8571. Philadelphia Regional Support Office, U.S. Department of Energy, 1880 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Fifth Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Telephone: (215) 656-6964. Denver Regional Support Office, U.S. Department of Energy, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Building 17-2, Golden, Colorado 80401. Telephone: (303) 275-4816. Boston Regional Support Office, U.S. Department of Energy, JFK Federal Bldg., Room 675, Boston, MA 02203. Telephone: (617) 565-9700. Seattle Regional Support Office, U.S. Department of Energy, 800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3950, Seattle, WA 98104-3122. Telephone: (206) 553-1004.
Note:
This section lists the agency contact person, address and telephone number of the Federal Regional or Local Office(s)
to be contacted for detailed information regarding a program such as:
(1) current availability of funds and the likelihood of receiving assistance within a given period;
(2) pre-application and application forms required;
(3) whether a pre-application conference is recommended;
(4) assistance available in preparation of applications;
(5) whether funding decisions are made at the headquarters, regional or local level;
(6) application renewal procedures (including continuations and supplementals) or appeal procedures for rejected applications; and
(7) recently published program guidelines and material.
However, for most federal programs, this section will instruct the reader to consult the so-called
Appendix IV of the Catalog due to the large volume of Regional and Local Office Contacts for most agencies.
This information is provided in Additional Contact Information (see below).
Headquarters Office
Lisa Barnett, Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, EE-2K, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (202) 586-2212.
Note:
This section lists names and addresses of the office at the headquarters level with direct operational responsibility for managing a program. A telephone number is provided in cases where a Regional or Local Office is not normally able to answer detailed inquiries concerning a program. Also listed are the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the information contact person(s) who can provide additional program information to applicants.
Additional Contact Information (Appendix IV)
Due to the large volume of regional and local office contacts for most agencies, full contact information is also provided separately here in a PDF format: