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NIST - Recovery Act NIST Construction Grant Program 2009-NIST-ARRA-CONSTRUCTION-01
Program Summary
The goals and objectives of the program are to provide competitively awarded grant funds for research science buildings through the construction of new buildings or expansion of existing buildings. For purposes of this program, "research science building means a building or facility whose purpose is to conduct scientific research, including laboratories, test facilities, measurement facilities, research computing facilities, and observatories. In addition, "expansion of existing buildings means that space to conduct scientific research is being expanded from what is currently available for the supported research activities.
Award Information: NIST anticipates funding 8-12 projects with the Federal shares in the $10 million - $15 million range and with a project period of performance of up to five (5) years, although there is an expectation that most of the projects will be completed prior to 5 years. The anticipated start date will be one month after the award is made. The period of performance depends on the construction schedule proposed.
Cost Share: Although cost sharing is not required it is encouraged for a proposal to be selected for funding. A cost share of 25% would be viewed favorably, 50% even more favorably.
Program Priorities: All applicable fields of science that complement one or more programs of DoC's three science organizations: NIST, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Specifically, these include science related to measurements, oceans and atmosphere, and telecommunications. More information about those programs can be found on the agencies' Web sites (www.nist.gov, www.noaa.gov, and www.ntia.doc.gov). Proposals are only required to link to the program priorities of one of the three DoC science organizations. Proposals that address program priorities of more than one organization are not considered to be more competitive.
Ineligible projects: The following projects are unallowable/ineligible under this program:
- Projects to construct or expand a building not intended for performing research or that will predominately be equipped with routine office equipment and/or lecture/class room furnishings.
- Projects to construct facilities that will primarily benefit undergraduate research training programs, rather than the creation of new graduate level research programs, or expanding existing graduate level research programs.
- Projects to construct facilities that will primarily benefit the education of the general public rather than support research activities.
- Projects that include tasks for constructing shell space that will not be completed into research space within the grant will have these tasks removed.
Selection Factors
The Selecting Official shall recommend proposals for award based upon the Evaluation Board’s rank order of the proposals, and may select a proposal out of rank based on one or more of the following selecting factors:
- Degree to which the project complements one or more programs of DoC’s three science organizations’ science and technology program priorities including the amount and quality of experience that the institution that will use the facility has had with novel research.
- Ability of a project to fulfill objectives of the Recovery Act, as described in the Funding Opportunity Description section I. above: preservation of jobs and the promotion of economic recovery; provision of investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances; and investing in infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits, through activities that will commence as quickly as possible while ensuring prudent management.
- Degree to which the applicant proposes an early construction start date and/or is close to or has awarded a construction contract for the facility. For example, an early start date for construction of a ready to proceed project may be considered more favorably than a project that requires a longer time to complete design requirements.
- NIST will emphasize the selection of projects that are ready to proceed and will thereby stimulate local economies through the creation or retention of jobs in U.S. jurisdictions, as well as yield significant program benefits. Projects that are ready to proceed are generally those where feasibility studies and/or other baseline information required for a design to commence are completed, where required consultations and permits, if not in-hand, are either in progress or where there is reasonable assurance provided that they can be attained quickly, and where National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or equivalent analysis and any environmental permits and authorizations are finished or can be expeditiously completed, so that projects can be implemented shortly after funding is made available. The adequacy of information needed to assess compliance with and to make a determination under NEPA, as described in Section VI.2.c. below may be considered.
- Assuring a balance/distribution of projects across the program priorities.
- Availability of Federal funds.
- Experience or potential of promoting national impacts through research outcomes, training, cooperation with Federal programs, and/or opportunities for visiting researchers.
- Credibility of plans to transition to operational status (i.e., staffing and equipping the research science building, and operational readiness).
- Degree to which the project considers and incorporates green/sustainable design practices.
- Although cost sharing is not required, the degree to which the applicant is proposing cost share will be considered. (A cost share of 25% would be viewed favorably; 50% even more favorably).
- Whether this project duplicates other projects funded by DoC or other Federal agencies.
- Applicant’s prior Federal award performance.
Additional Information
http://www.nist.gov/recovery/construction_program.html
http://www.nist.gov/recovery/construction_ffo.html
Deadlines
| UIC Internal Letter of Intent (mandatory) | June 3, 2009 |
| UIC Internal Competition | TBD |
| Sponsor Letter of Intent (mandatory) | June 25, 2009 |
| Sponsor Full Proposals | August 10, 2009 |
Letter of Intent Instructions
- By submitting this form, applicant attests that s/he has read and meets the sponsor's eligibility criteria for this program. The LOI can be emailed to RDS@uic.edu, Attn: Tony Halford.
LOI form: http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ovcr/research/funding/forms/0600.doc
Depending upon the number of LOIs submitted, OVCR might be required to facilitate an internal peer review process to select UIC’s submission(s) to this program.
Please contact Tony Halford at ahalford@uic.edu or 6-7036 with any questions.
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