The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) (Public Law 111-5) appropriated $180 million to NIST “for a competitive construction grant program for research science buildings. Additional information on the program was provided on page 418 of the Conference Report to accompany House Report 111-16 (Feb. 12, 2009): “…$180,000,000 shall be for the competitive construction grant program for research science buildings including fiscal year 2008 and 2009 competitions.
Consistent with the Conference Report language NIST intends to issue grant awards for approximately $60 million to unfunded meritorious proposals submitted under the fiscal year 2008 competition and issue grant awards for approximately $120 million under a new fiscal year 2009 competition.
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.
Consistent with Section 3 of the Recovery Act, the projects undertaken through this program will result in the preservation of jobs and the promotion of economic recovery; the provision of investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances; and the investment in infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits. Activities will be commenced as quickly as possible while ensuring prudent management.
The complete solicitation can be found online for review.
|
