Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards (11.609)
Program
11.609 Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards
Federal Agency
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Authorization
National Bureau of Standards Organic Act, Public Law 56-177, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 271 et seq, 19 U.S.C 2343-45.
Program Number
11.609
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide scientific research and technology transfer for measurement and engineering research and standards.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grant money will be used to further scientific research and technology transfer, in areas of fire research, building research, precision measurement, automation manufacturing, materials science, chemistry, physics, biotechnology, electronics, optical technologies, mathematics, communications and information, science and technology and other areas of specific research.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Institutions of higher education (e.g. universities and colleges), professional institutes and associations, nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, laboratories, and commercial organizations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Universities, colleges, professional institutes and associations, nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, and commercial organizations.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants must have and demonstrate scientific competence in areas of research for which grants are requested. Costs will be determined in accordance with applicable cost principles found in OMB Circular Nos. A-87 for State and local governments, A-21 for educational institutions, A-122 for nonprofit organizations, 48 CFR 31 for commercial organizations, and 45 CFR 74, Appendix E for hospitals.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Applicants should reply to announcements published in the Federal Register, FedBiz Opps, and miscellaneous brochures.
Award Procedure
Award process based upon published selection criteria.
Deadlines
Deadlines for proposal submissions are contained in announcements described in the application procedure.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Future or continued funding will be at the discretion of NIST, based on such factors as satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. Renewals are competed whereas continuations of multi-year agreements are not subject to further competition.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Usually 1 to 3 years in length.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Semi-annual and final program and financial status reports are required; unless specified in award document.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
All records of accounts and supporting documents will be retained by recipient and subcontractors for a period of 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure report.
Program Accomplishments
Two hundred and sixteen grants, cooperative agreements, and amendments were funded in fiscal year 2002. It is estimated that approximately the same level will be funded in fiscal years 2003 and 2004.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-0500-0-1-376; 13-4650-0-4-376.
Obligations
(Grants/Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 $18,256,000; FY 03 est $20,095,000; and FY 04 est $21,109,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Dependent upon nature and type of grant.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
This program is subject to the provisions of 15 CFR 24 and 15 CFR 14.
Related Programs
11.601, Calibration Program; 11.603, National Standard Reference Data System; 11.604, Standard Reference Materials; 11.606, Weights and Measures Service.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Bldg. 411, Room A120, Mail Stop 3580, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3580. Telephone: (301) 975-6327 or (301) 975-5718.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Examples of funded projects include: (1) Development of non-destructive techniques for evaluation and characterization of physical properties of interfaces materials; (2) the determination of important fundamental physical constants; (3) the development of new standards for physical measurements; (4) the study of environment and heat transfers in a room fire; and (5) development of the measurement base for characterization of the electromagnetic interference environment.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria vary with type of proposal. Specific criteria listed in Federal Register notices.
