2022-NIST-MBAMGP-01.pdf

Metals-based Additive Manufacturing Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

11/09/2021

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

Metals-based Additive Manufacturing Grants Program

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Federal Agency Name: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United States Department of Commerce (DoC)

• Funding Opportunity Title: Metals-based Additive Manufacturing Grant Program

• Announcement Type: Initial

• Funding Opportunity Number: 2022-NIST-MBAMGP-01

• Assistance Listing (CFDA Number): 11.609, Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards.

• Dates: Full Applications must be received at Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m.

Eastern Time, January 11, 2022. Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should be aware, and factor in their application submission planning, that the Grants.gov system closes periodically for routine maintenance.

Applicants should visit Grants.gov for information about any scheduled closures.

NIST expects to complete its review, selection of successful applicants, and award processing by April 2022. NIST expects the earliest start date for awards under this NOFO to be May 2022.

Applicants are strongly urged to read Section IV.2.b., Attachment of Required Documents, with great attention. Applicants should carefully follow the instructions and recommendations regarding attachments and use the Download Submitted Forms and Applications feature on www.Grants.gov to check that all required attachments were contained in their submission. Applications submitted without the required documents will not pass the Initial Administrative Review (see Section V.3.a. of this NOFO).

When developing the submission timeline, please keep in mind that: (1) all applicants are required to have current registrations in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and Grants.gov; (2) the free annual registration process in SAM.gov generally takes between three and five business days but can take more than three weeks; and (3) applicants will receive e-mail https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

11/09/2021 notifications over a period of up to two business days as the application moves through intermediate systems before the applicant learns via a validation or rejection notification whether NIST has received the application. (See Grants.gov for full information on application and notification through Grants.gov). Please note that a federal assistance award cannot be issued if the designated recipient’s registration in SAM.gov is not current at the time of the award.

• Application Submission Address: Applications must be submitted using

Grants.gov.

• Funding Opportunity Description: The NIST Metals-based Additive Manufacturing Grant Program is seeking applications from eligible applicants to support significant measurement science research in addressing current and future barriers to wide-spread adoption of metals-based additive manufacturing, such as feedstock, machine, and process characterization; real-time process monitoring and control; increasing process optimization and throughput; rapid qualification methodologies for processes and parts via characterization of surface quality, part accuracy, material properties as well as model-based approaches; and computational requirements for systems integration in advanced additive manufacturing systems including multi-material and multi-laser systems.

• Anticipated Amounts: In Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), NIST anticipates funding up to four (4) awards with a maximum amount of $957,850 per award and a maximum project performance period of two (2) years. The awards will be fully funded.

• Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

• Eligibility: Eligibility for the program listed in this NOFO is open to all non-

Federal entities. Eligible applicants include accredited institutions of higher education; non-profit organizations; for-profit organizations incorporated in the United States; state, local, territorial, and Indian tribal governments; foreign public entities; and foreign organizations. Please note that individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered “non-Federal entities” and are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. Although Federal entities are not eligible to receive funding under this NOFO, they may participate as unfunded collaborators.

• Cost Sharing Requirements: Non-federal cost share is not required for awards issued pursuant to this NOFO.

• Public Website, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Webinar: NIST has a public website (https://www.nist.gov/el/metals-based-additive-http://grants.gov/ https://www.nist.gov/el/metals-based-additive-manufacturing-grants-program

11/09/2021 manufacturing-grants-program) that provides a “Frequently Asked Questions” page and other information pertaining to this Funding Opportunity. Any amendments to this NOFO will be announced through Grants.gov.

Applicants must submit all questions pertaining to this funding opportunity in writing to mbamgp@nist.gov with “2022-NIST-MBAMGP-01” in the subject line.

NIST will host a webinar in December 2021 to provide general information regarding this NOFO, offer general guidance on preparing applications, and answer questions. Please reference https://www.nist.gov/el/additive-manufacturing-grant-program for the most up to date information, including scheduling details about the webinar. There is no cost to attend the webinar, but participants must register in advance. Participation in the webinar is not required and will not be considered in the review and selection process. Proprietary technical discussions about specific project ideas will not be permitted during the webinar and NIST staff will not critique or provide feedback on specific project ideas while they are being developed by an applicant, brought forth during the webinar, or at any time before the deadline for all applications. However, questions about the funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, evaluation and award criteria, selection process, and the general characteristics of a competitive application will be addressed at the webinar and by e-mail to mbamgp@nist.gov.

Table of Contents

I. Program Description II. Federal Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information VI. Federal Award Administration Information VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts VIII. Other Information

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Program Description

The statutory authority for the NIST Metals-based Additive Manufacturing Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c).

Program Description https://www.nist.gov/el/metals-based-additive-manufacturing-grants-program mailto:mbamgp@nist.gov https://www.nist.gov/el/additive-manufacturing-grant-program https://www.nist.gov/el/additive-manufacturing-grant-program mailto:mbamgp@nist.gov

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1. Background Information

The U.S. produces approximately 18 percent of the world's manufactured goods and U.S. manufacturing accounts for about $6.5 trillion or 28 percent of national output. Manufacturing also represented about 16 percent of global GDP, 70 percent of global trade, and 45 million advanced economy jobs in 2010. The industrial 3D printing market for metals has increased 32.4 percent CAGR (compound annual growth rate) 2016-2019 and is projected to rise

23.3 percent CAGR 2020-2025. A number of major trends are shaping the future of manufacturing. Among them are the increase in the variety of products and shorter product cycles required to meet customer needs;

greater intelligence in product design and manufacturing; and growing importance of innovative products and services.

The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) in a 2021 report specifically calls out advanced manufacturing as an area where America’s leadership is being challenged by rising international competition.

The PCAST calls for multi-sector collaboration to address societal challenges and ensure American science and technology leadership.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) refers to a class of technologies for producing highly-complex, customized components by building up materials to make objects based on a three-dimensional (3D) computer model, typically built layer upon layer. Parts are fabricated directly from an electronic file representing the 3D part design that is virtually sliced into many thin layers and sent to an AM system where the layers are built up in sequence into a complete part.

AM provides the agility needed to rapidly make innovative customized complex products and replacement parts that are not realizable by more traditional manufacturing technologies or are required to be produced in low volumes. It offers additional advantages, including reduced material waste, lower energy intensity, reduced time-to-market, and just-in-time production.

However, technical barriers continue to exist that prevent AM processes from reaching their full production potential. Various roadmapping activities for AM share research recommendations in several areas to advance the industry and emphasize that the ability to achieve predictable and repeatable operations is critical. The issues with surface quality, part accuracy, fabrication speed, material properties, and computational requirements are significant barriers to and/or limitations for widespread implementation of AM processes throughout U.S. manufacturers. To mitigate these challenges, this program focuses on the problems associated with metals-based AM material https://science.osti.gov/-/media/_/pdf/about/pcast/202012/PCAST---IOTFI-FINAL-Report.pdf?la=en&hash=0196EF02F8D3D49E1ACF221DA8E6B41F0D193F17

11/09/2021 characterization, real-time control of metals-based AM processes, qualification methodologies, and system integration for metals-based AM.

An overview of NIST’s involvement with AM is provided at https://www.nist.gov/topics/additive-manufacturing.

The Measurement Science for Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) program, one of several NIST efforts related to AM, addresses measurements and standards necessary to develop and deploy advances in measurement science that will enable rapid design-to-product transformation; material characterization; in-process sensing, monitoring, and model-based optimal control; performance qualification of materials, processes and parts; and end-to-end digital implementation of AM processes and systems. Reducing the barriers to widespread implementation and use of AM, such as process variability, fabrication speed, part accuracy, surface quality, and material properties is a main goal of the program. The program develops:

standardized material characterization methods, exemplar data and databases to accelerate the design and use of AM parts; process metrology, sensing and control methods and algorithms to maximize part quality and production throughput in AM; test methods, protocols, and reference data to reduce the cost and time to qualify AM materials, processes, and parts; and an information systems architecture, including metrics, information models, and validation methods to shorten the design-to-product cycle time in AM.

This programmatic effort facilitates: accelerated proliferation of AM parts in high-performance applications benefiting from AM's unique capabilities;

improved quality and throughput for AM; rapid qualification of AM materials and processes leading to better understanding of AM and more confidence in AM products used in industry; and streamlined design-to-product transformations leading towards more accessible AM technologies for small and medium-sized companies, increasing industrial competitiveness.

The MSAM program focuses on the lack of measurement science capabilities in four areas in AM:

• In the area of characterization of AM materials, the program extends existing standardized methods for characterizing metal powders and mechanical properties of metal parts to develop new AM-specific characterization methods to qualify and quantify the unique attributes of AM materials. Goals include characterizing the effects of new materials, including those developed with new doping techniques, on AM processes and parts.

• In the area of real-time AM process control, the program focuses on real-time measurements of process parameters such as melt-pool https://www.nist.gov/topics/additive-manufacturing

11/09/2021 temperatures, material microstructure, part dimensions and surface finish.

To study the AM process as well as to develop and implement measurement systems and control algorithms, a metal laser sintering platform was developed and is being used as a test bed. Goals include investigating the implications of new multi-laser systems and increasing complex scan patterns on the process control paradigms.

• To reduce the need for extensive empirical testing to fully qualify AM processes and parts, this program develops measurement science to support equivalence-based qualification and model-based qualification.

Goals include establishing new correlations between parts inspected with maturing nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods and the process parameters used to create them.

• To improve the performance of AM systems, the program develops standards to support consistent data exchange among AM modeling and simulation tools as well as validation and verification methods for integration and exchange of AM models and data. Goals include characterizing new advances in AM production systems including multi-tool, multi-laser and multi-material system management.

NIST is also investigating materials-related issues for additively manufactured metals. Projects underway include studying the fracture and fatigue properties of additive manufactured materials, nano-mechanical properties of surfaces and flaws in these materials, modeling of microstructure evolution, and relationships between precursor material and final product quality. NIST’s efforts also extend to studying emissive properties of materials in solid, powder, and liquid states, as well as improved techniques for real-time temperature measurements to support better understanding and modeling of additive manufacturing processes.

Collaboration between NIST’s Additive Manufacturing programs and the Metals-based Additive Manufacturing Grants Program awardees will help to facilitate the measurements and standards that will enable dramatic advances in the additive manufacturing field. Applicants are therefore encouraged to propose potential collaboration opportunities with NIST AM programs.

In forming project teams, NIST strongly supports outreach to, recruitment of, and engagement with a diverse array of project participants. Applicants are also encouraged to maximize the extent of institutional diversity among project participants. NIST encourages applicants to review the resources available through the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network and Manufacturing USA network, particularly for connecting applicants with potential subrecipients, contractors, or other collaborators.

https://www.nist.gov/mep/mep-national-network https://www.nist.gov/mep/mep-national-network https://www.manufacturingusa.com/about-us

2. Overview

This announcement solicits proposals that address development of measurement science to support high-priority metrology and standards in metals-based additive manufacturing technology. The term measurement science is used in the context of creating critical solution-enabling tools – metrics, models, and knowledge – for U.S. manufacturers. Measurement science includes the following activities and their associated products and outputs:

(1) Development of performance test methods and metrics, measurement methods, predictive models and simulation tools, knowledge models, protocols, technical data, reference materials, and/or test artifacts;

(2) Conduct of inter-comparison studies and calibrations;

(3) Evaluation of technologies, systems, and practices, including uncertainty analysis; and

(4) Development of the technical basis for standards, codes, and practices.

Proposals must identify and address high-priority measurement science research challenges, technical barriers, and related research and development gaps that prevent widespread use of metals-based additive manufacturing technologies and systems by U.S. manufacturers and their supply chain. Proposals must identify the applied measurement science solutions and the project’s products and outputs that will be delivered.

Proposals should provide a clear description of how the project’s results will accelerate widespread metals-based additive manufacturing technology transition, including the U.S. metrology equipment-supply industry and commercial activities by U.S. manufacturers.

Proposals must present an organizational structure and technical pathways to realize advancements in measurement science and research across several technical areas, including any of the following, or combinations of the following:

(1) Equipment capability and characterization;

(2) Process capability and characterization;

(3) Materials understanding, testing, and performance;

(4) Product quality;

(5) Qualification and certification of materials, equipment, processes, and parts;

(6) Process measurement, optimization, and real time control;

(7) Modeling and simulation; or

(8) Open architecture system management and control.

A successful proposal will leverage and complement NIST’s expertise and experience in metals-based additive manufacturing. It is expected that in this endeavor the recipient will accelerate the adoption of methods and standards in metals-based additive manufacturing.

II. Federal Award Information

1. Funding Instrument The funding instrument used in this program will be a cooperative agreement.

The nature of NIST’s “substantial involvement” will generally include collaboration with the recipient in executing the approved scope of work.

2. Funding Availability In FY22, NIST anticipates funding up to (4) awards with a maximum amount of $957,850 per award and a maximum project performance period of two (2) years. The awards will be fully funded.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants Eligibility for all programs listed in this NOFO is open to all non-Federal entities. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribes, hospitals, and foreign organizations. Please note that individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered “non-Federal entities” and are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. Although Federal entities are not eligible to receive funding under this NOFO, they may participate as unfunded collaborators.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Non-federal cost share is not required for awards issued pursuant to this

NOFO.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

The application package is available at Grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number 2022-NIST-MBAMGP-01.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Required Forms and Documents. The Application must contain the following:

(1) SF-424 (R&R), Application for Federal Assistance. The SF-424

(R&R) must be signed by an authorized representative of the applicant organization.

For SF-424 (R&R), Items 5, 14, and 19, use the Zip Code + 4 format (##### - ####) when addresses are called for.

For SF-424 (R&R), Item 17, the list of certifications and assurances is contained in the Federal Financial Assistance Certifications and Representations (Certs and Reps) as part of the SAM.gov entity registration.

SF-424 (R&R), Item 18. If the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form (item (5) below) is applicable, attach it to field 18.

Instructions for filling in the SF-424 (R&R) can be found on Grants.gov, as well as at the NIST Grants Management Division SF-424 Research & Related (R&R) Application Package Guidance.

(2) Research & Related Budget (Total Fed + Non-Fed). The budget should reflect anticipated expenses for the full term of the project, considering all potential cost increases, including cost of living adjustments.

The budget should be detailed in these categories:

A. Senior/Key Person;

B. Other Personnel;

C. Equipment Description;

D. Travel;

E. Participant/Trainee Support Costs F. Other Direct Costs;

G. Direct Costs (automatically generated);

H. Indirect Costs;

I. Total Direct and Indirect Costs (automatically generated);

J. Fee (not relevant to this competition);

K. Total Costs and Fee (automatically generated);

L. Budget Narrative and Justification document (item (7) below) should be attached to field L.

A separate detailed R&R Budget must be completed for each budget period during the proposed award (e.g., annual basis). To add additional budget periods (e.g., year 2), click “Add Period” embedded at the end of the form. Information regarding the Research & Related https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/sf-424-research-related-rr-application-package-guidance https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/sf-424-research-related-rr-application-package-guidance

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Budget (Total Fed + Non-Fed) is available in the R&R Family Section of Grants.gov, as well as at the NIST Grants Management Division SF- 424 Research & Related (R&R) Application Package Guidance.

(3) CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying. Enter “2022-NIST-MBAMGP-01” in the Award Number field. Enter the title of the application, or an abbreviation of that title, in the Project Name field.

(4) Research and Related Other Project Information. Answer the highlighted questions and use this form to attach the Project Narrative (item (6) below), the Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (item (8) below), the Letters of Commitment (item (10) below), the Data Management Plan (item (11) below), and the Current and Pending Support Form (item (12 below). Instructions for completing the Research and Related Other Project Information form can be found in the Grants.gov R&R Forms Repository by scrolling down to Research And Related Other Project Information and clicking the Instructions link, as well as in the NIST Grants Management Division SF-424 Research & Related (R&R) Application Package Guidance.

Please note that the Project Summary/Abstract is not relevant to this competition. However, Grants.gov requires an attachment to field 7 of the Research and Related Other Project Information form to successfully pass through Grants.gov. Please attach a document to field 7 stating, “A Project Summary/Abstract is not relevant to this competition”.

(5) SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable).

(6) Project Narrative. The Project Narrative is a word-processed document of no more than twenty (20) pages (double-spaced between lines), which is responsive to the program description and the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1. of this NOFO).

The projective narrative should contain the following information:

a. Executive Summary. An executive summary of the proposed approach, consistent with the evaluation criteria. The executive summary should include information indicating how each evaluation criterion and its sub-factors are addressed. A table can be helpful in providing this information. The executive summary should not exceed two (2) pages.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/r-r-family.html https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/sf-424-research-related-rr-application-package-guidance https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/sf-424-research-related-rr-application-package-guidance https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/r-r-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/r-r-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/r-r-family.html https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/sf-424-research-related-rr-application-package-guidance https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/sf-424-research-related-rr-application-package-guidance

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b. Project Approach. A description of the applicant’s approach to clearly address the program goals. This section should address the Proposed Research Program evaluation criterion (see Section V.1.a. of this NOFO) and should demonstrate how the proposed research program is aligned with NIST metals-based additive manufacturing programs, as presented on the web at https://www.nist.gov/topics/additive-manufacturing.

c. Statement of Work. A complete statement of work covering all aspects of the project, including a schedule of measurable events and milestones as well as measurable performance objectives that can be used to determine the success of the project. The technical plan to perform the work should document the approaches to carrying out the proposed project, and should address the questions “what, how, where, when, why, and by whom” in substantial detail. Measurable success criteria for the proposed efforts should be described and will be evaluated. Appropriate interim and final key quantitative milestones for each year of the technical plan should be provided. A timeline, preferably using a tool such as a Gantt chart, should be used to logically illustrate timing and interrelationships of major tasks and key subtasks. This section should address the Technical Plan evaluation criterion (see Section V.1.b. of this NOFO).

d. Facilities and Qualifications. A description of the facilities that will be utilized, the qualifications of the key personnel, the time commitments of the key personnel, and how the project staff qualifications will enable them to conduct the project work.

Information on past performance relevant to this project should be presented. Examples of past experiences of key personnel should be provided and should include experiences working with a wide variety of organizations, including scientific and engineering research organizations; accredited institutions of higher education;

non-profit organizations; consortia; commercial organizations;

standards development organizations and standards development processes. This section should address the Staff and Institutional Capability to Perform Work evaluation criterion (see Section V.1.c.

of this NOFO).

e. Resumes of Key Personnel must be included. Resumes are not included in the page count of the Project Narrative. Resumes included as part of the application must be a maximum of two pages each. Additional pages beyond the two pages per resume will not be considered during the evaluation of the application.

f. Complete Bibliographic List of References must be included.

This does not count toward the page count of the Project Narrative.

(7) Budget Narrative and Justification.

There is no set format for the Budget Narrative and Justification, however; the written justification should include the necessity and the basis for the cost, as described below. Proposed funding levels must be consistent with the project scope, and only allowable costs should be included in the budget. Information on cost allowability is available in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (http://go.usa.gov/SBYh), which apply to awards in this program.

This section will be evaluated in accordance with the Match of Budget to Proposed Work evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.d. of this NOFO). It will also be reviewed to determine if all costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable under 2 C.F.R. Part 200 Subpart E, Cost Principles.

Information needed for each category is as follows (categories not listed are automatically generated by the form or are not relevant to this competition):

a. Senior/Key Person – At a minimum, the budget justification should include the following: name, job title, commitment of effort on the proposed project in terms of average number of hours per week or percentage of time, salary rate, total direct charges on the proposed project, description of the role of the individual on the proposed project and the work to be performed.

Fringe benefits should be identified separately from salaries and wages and based on rates determined by organizational policy. The items included in the fringe benefit rate (e.g., health insurance, parking, etc.) should not be charged under another cost category.

b. Other Personnel - Data is requested at the project role level, and not at the individual level for Other Personnel. The budget justification should include the following: job title, commitment of effort on the proposed project in terms of average number of hours per week or percentage of time, salary rate, total direct charges on the proposed project, description of the role of the position on the proposed project and the work to be performed.

http://go.usa.gov/SBYh

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Fringe benefits should be identified separately from salaries and wages and based on rates determined by organizational policy. The items included in the fringe benefit rate (e.g., health insurance, parking, etc.) should not be charged under another cost category.

c. Equipment Description – Equipment is defined as an item of property that has an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more (unless the organization has established lower levels) and an expected service life of more than one year. The budget justification should list each piece of equipment, the cost, and a description of how it will be used and why it is necessary to the successful completion of the proposed project. Please note that any general use equipment (computers, etc.) charged directly to the award should be allocated to the award according to expected usage on the project.

d. Travel - For all travel costs, required by the recipient to complete the project, including attendance at any relevant conferences, the budget justification for travel should include the following:

destination; names or number of people traveling; dates and/or duration; mode of transportation, lodging and subsistence rates;

and description of how the travel is directly related to the proposed project. For travel that is yet to be determined, please provide best estimates based on prior experience. If a destination is not known, an approximate amount may be used with the assumptions given for the location of the meeting.

e. Participant/Trainee Support Costs – Participant support costs are stipends, subsistence allowances, travel, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees, who are not employees of your organization, for conferences or training projects. The budget justification should indicate the names or number of participants or trainees, a description and calculation of costs per person, a description and date of the event, and a description of why the cost is necessary for the successful completion of the proposed project.

f. Other Direct Costs – For costs that do not easily fit into the other cost categories, please list the cost, and the breakdown of the total costs by quantity or unit of cost. Include the necessity of the cost for the completion of the proposed project. Only allowable costs can be charged to the award.

Each subaward or contractual cost should be treated as a separate item in the Other Direct Costs category. Describe the services to be provided and the necessity of the subaward or contract to the

11/09/2021 successful performance of the proposed project. Contracts are for obtaining goods and services. Subawardees perform part of the project scope of work. For each subaward, applicants must provide budget detail justifying the cost of the work performed on the project.

g. Indirect Costs – Commonly referred to as Facilities & Administrative Costs, Indirect Costs are defined as costs incurred by the applicant organization that cannot otherwise be directly assigned or attributed to a specific project. For more details, see Section IV.2.a.(8) of this NOFO.

(8) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. If indirect costs are included in the proposed budget, provide a copy of the approved negotiated agreement if this rate was negotiated with a cognizant Federal audit agency. If the rate was not established by a cognizant Federal audit agency provide a statement to this effect. If the successful applicant includes indirect costs in the budget and has not established an indirect cost rate with a cognizant Federal audit agency, the applicant will be required to obtain such a rate in accordance with Section B.06 of the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions, dated November 12, 2020.

Alternatively, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. §200.414(f), applicants that do not have a current negotiated (including provisional) indirect cost rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in appendix VII, paragraph D.1.b. of 2 CFR Part 200, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC). Applicants proposing a 10 percent de minimis rate pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f) should note this election as part of the budget portion of the application. Please be aware that Foreign applicants will be limited to use of the de minimis rate and will not have the opportunity to negotiate an indirect cost rate with NIST.

(9) Subaward Budget Form. The Research & Related Subaward Budget

Attachment Form is required if sub-recipients and contractors are included in the application budget.

Instructions for completing subaward budget forms are available by visiting the R & R Family section of the Grants.gov Forms Repository and scrolling down to the R & R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form and selecting “Instructions.”

(10) Letters of Commitment (if applicable). If the applicant’s proposal identifies third parties including contractors, subawardees, and/or https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/DOC%20Standard%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20-%2012%20November%202020%20PDF_0.pdf https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/DOC%20Standard%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20-%2012%20November%202020%20PDF_0.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=dd7e460e397e25e8c7f2d685f71d953c&mc=true&node=ap2.1.200_1521.vii&rgn=div9 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=dd7e460e397e25e8c7f2d685f71d953c&mc=true&node=ap2.1.200_1521.vii&rgn=div9 https://www.grants.gov/forms/r-r-family.html

11/09/2021 other collaborators who will participate in the proposed project, then a letter from each currently known participant should be submitted. Each letter should indicate the organization’s willingness to participate and what they will be doing for the project. A letter should be submitted whether or not the organization is receiving Federal funds.

(11) Data Management Plan. Consistent with NIST Policy 5700.001, Managing Public Access to Results of Federally Funded Research, and NIST Order 5701.002, Managing Public Access to Results of Federally Funded Research”, applicants must include a Data Management Plan (DMP).

All applications for activities that will generate scientific data using NIST funding are required to adhere to a DMP or explain why data sharing and/or preservation are not within the scope of the project. For the purposes of the DMP, NIST adopted the definition of “research data” at 2 C.F.R. § 200.315(e)(3).

The DMP must include, at a minimum, a summary of proposed activities that are expected to generate data; a summary of the types of data expected to be generated by the identified activities; a plan for storage and maintenance of the data expected to be generated by the identified activities, including after the end of the award’s period of performance; and a plan describing whether and how data generated by the identified activities will be reviewed and made available to the public.

A template for the DMP, an example DMP, and the rubric against which the DMP will be evaluated for sufficiency is available at https://www.nist.gov/open. An applicant is not required to use the template so long the DMP contains the required information.

If an application stands a reasonable chance of being funded and the DMP is determined during the review process to be insufficient, the program office may reach out to the applicant to resolve deficiencies in the DMP. If an award is issued prior to the deficiencies being fully rectified, the award will include a Specific Award Condition (SAC) stating that no research activities shall be initiated or costs incurred for those activities under the award until the NIST Grants Officer amends the award to indicate the SAC has been satisfied.

Reasonable costs for data preservation and access may be included in

1 https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2018/06/19/final_p_5700.pdf 2 https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2019/11/08/final_o_5701_ver_2.pdf https://www.nist.gov/open https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2018/06/19/final_p_5700.pdf https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2019/11/08/final_o_5701_ver_2.pdf the application.

(12) Current and Pending Support Form. Any application that includes investigators, researchers, and key personnel must identify all sources of current and potential funding, including this proposal. Any current project support (e.g., Federal, state, local, public or private foundations, etc.) must be listed on this form. The proposed project and all other projects or activities requiring a portion of time of the Principal Investigator (PI), co-PI, and key personnel must be included, even if no salary support is received. The total award amount for the entire award period covered, including indirect costs, must be shown as well as the number of person-months per year to be devoted to the project, regardless of the source of support. Similar information must be provided for all proposals already submitted or that are being submitted concurrently to other potential funders.

Applicants must complete the Current and Pending Support Form, using multiple forms as necessary to account for all activity for each individual identified in the PI, co-PI and key personnel roles. A separate form should be used for each identified individual.

Applicants must download the Current and Pending Support Form from the NIST website at https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/current-and-pending-support and reference the guidance provided as it contains information to assist with accurately completing the form.

b. Attachment of Required Documents

Items IV.2.a.(1) through IV.2.a.(4) above are part of the standard application package in Grants.gov and can be completed through the download application process.

Item IV.2.a.(5), the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form, is an optional application form which is part of the standard application package in Grants.gov. If item IV.2.a.(5), the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form is applicable to this proposal, attach it to field 18 of the SF-424 (R&R), Application for Federal Assistance.

Item IV.2.a.(6), the Project Narrative, should be attached to field 8 (Project Narrative) of the Research and Related Other Project Information form by clicking on “Add Attachment”.

Item IV.2.a.(7), the Budget Narrative and Justification, should be attached to field L (Budget Justification) of the Research and Related https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/current-and-pending-support https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/current-and-pending-support

11/09/2021

Budget (Total Fed + Total Non-Fed) form by clicking on “Add Attachment”.

Items IV.2.a.(8), the Indirect Cost Rate Agreement; IV.2.a.(10), the Letters of Commitment (if applicable); IV.2.a.(11), the Data Management Plan; and IV.2.a.(12), the Current and Pending Support Form, must be completed and attached by clicking on “Add Attachments” found in item 12 (Other Attachments) of the Research and Related Other Project Information form.

Item IV.2.a.(9), the Subaward Budget Form(s), if applicable to the submission, should be attached to the Research & Related Subaward Budget (Total Fed + Non-Fed) Attachment(s) Form in the application package.

Following these directions will create zip files which permit transmittal of the documents electronically via Grants.gov.

Applicants should carefully follow specific Grants.gov instructions to ensure the attachments will be accepted by the Grants.gov system. A receipt from Grants.gov indicates only that an application was transferred to a system. It does not provide details concerning whether all attachments (or how many attachments) transferred successfully.

Applicants will receive a series of e-mail messages over a period of up to two business days before learning whether a Federal agency’s electronic system has received its application.

Applicants are strongly advised to use Grants.gov’s “Download Submitted Forms and Applications” option to check that their application’s required attachments were contained in their submission.

After submitting the application, check the status of your application here: CHECK APPLICATION STATUS . If any, or all, of the required attachments are absent from the submission, follow the attachment directions found above, resubmit the application, and check again for the presence of the required attachments.

If the directions found at https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/index.htm#t=GetStarted%2FGet Started.htm are not effective, please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk immediately. If calling from within the United States or from a U.S.

territory, please call 800-518-4726. If calling from a place outside the United States or a U.S. territory, please call 606-545-5035. E-mails should be addressed to support@grants.gov. Assistance from the Grants.gov Help Desk will be available around the clock every day, https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/index.htm#t=Applicants%2FCheckApplicationStatus%2FCheckApplicationStatus.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/index.htm#t=GetStarted%2FGetStarted.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/index.htm#t=GetStarted%2FGetStarted.htm mailto:support@grants.gov

11/09/2021 with the exception of Federal holidays. Help Desk service will resume at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time the day after Federal holidays.

Applicants can track their submission in the Grants.gov system by following the procedures at the Grants.gov site (http://go.usa.gov/cjamz). It can take up to two business days for an application to fully move through the Grants.gov system to NIST.

NIST uses the Tracking Numbers assigned by Grants.gov, and does not issue Agency Tracking Numbers.

c. Application Format

(1) Paper, Email, and Facsimile (fax) Submissions. Will not be accepted.

(2) Figures, Graphs, Images, and Pictures. Should be of a size that is easily readable or viewable and may be displayed in landscape orientation. Any figures, graphs, images, or pictures will count toward the page limits for the Project Narrative.

(3) Font. Easy to read font (10-point minimum). Smaller type may be used in figures and tables but must be clearly legible.

(4) Page Limit. The Project Narrative is limited to twenty (20) pages double spaced, including a limit of two (2) pages for the Executive Summary.

(5) Page Limit Exclusions:

SF-424 (R&R), Application for Federal Assistance;

Research & Related Budget (Total Fed + Non-Fed);

CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying;

Research and Related Other Project Information;

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities;

Resumes of Key Personnel;

Complete Bibliographic List of References;

Budget Narrative and Justification;

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement;

Subaward Budget Form;

Letters of Commitment;

Data Management Plan;

Current and Pending Support Form.

(6) Page Layout. The Project Narrative must be in portrait orientation.

http://go.usa.gov/cjamz

(7) Page size. 21.6 centimeters by 27.9 centimeters (8 ½ inches by 11 inches).

(8) Page numbering. Number pages sequentially.

(9) Application language. English. All documents must be in English, including but not limited to the initial application, any additional documents submitted in response to a NIST request, all reports, and any correspondence with NIST.

(10) Typed document. All applications, including forms, must be typed;

handwritten forms will not be accepted.

(11) File format. All applications, including forms, must be in Portable

Document Format (PDF). PDFs should not be locked or otherwise protected

d. Application Replacement Pages. Applicants may not submit replacement pages and/or missing documents once an application has been submitted. Any revisions must be made by submission of a new application that must be received by NIST by the submission deadline.

e. Pre-Applications. Pre-applications will not be accepted under this NOFO.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM).

Pursuant to 2 C.F.R. part 25, applicants and recipients are required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency, unless otherwise excepted from these requirements pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 25.110. NIST will not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time that NIST is ready to make a Federal award pursuant to this NOFO, NIST may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

4. Submission Dates and Times Applications must be received at Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, January 11, 2022. NIST will consider the date and time recorded by

Grants.gov as the official submission time. Applications received after this

11/09/2021 deadline will not be reviewed or considered. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should be aware, and factor in their application submission planning, that the Grants.gov system closes periodically for routine maintenance.

Applicants should visit Grants.gov for information about any scheduled closures.

When developing the submission timeline, please keep in mind that: (1) all applicants are required to have current registrations in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and Grants.gov; (2) the free annual registration process in the SAM.gov generally takes between three and five business days but can take more than three weeks; and applicants will receive e-mail notifications over a period of up to two business days as the application moves through intermediate systems before the applicant learns via a validation or rejection notification whether NIST has received the application. (See Grants.gov for full information on application and notification through Grants.gov.) Please note that a Federal assistance award cannot be issued if the designated recipient’s registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is not current at the time of the award.

5. Intergovernmental Review Applications under this Program are not subject to Executive Order 12372.

6. Funding Restrictions

Profit or fee is not an allowable cost.

7. Other Submission Requirements

a. Applications must be submitted at Grants.gov.

1) Applicants should carefully follow specific Grants.gov instructions to ensure that all attachments will be accepted by the Grants.gov system. A receipt from Grants.gov indicating an application is received does not provide information about whether attachments have been received. For further information or questions regarding applying electronically for the 2022-NIST-MBAMGP-01 announcement, contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at 800-518- 4726.

2) Applicants are strongly encouraged to start early and not wait until the approaching due date before logging on and reviewing the instructions for submitting an application through Grants.gov. The Grants.gov registration process must be completed before a new registrant can apply electronically. The typical registration process takes three to five business days. If problems are encountered, the https://www.grants.gov/

11/09/2021 registration process can take two weeks or more. Applicants must have a valid unique entity identifier number and must maintain a current registration in the Federal government’s primary registrant database, the System for Award Management (https://www.sam.gov/SAM/), as explained on the Grants.gov Web site. After registering, it may take several days or longer from the initial log-on before a new Grants.gov system user can submit an application. Only individuals authorized as organization representatives will be able to submit the application, and the system may need time to process a submitted application.

Applicants should save and print the proof of submission they receive from Grants.gov. If problems occur while using Grants.gov, the applicant is advised to (a) print any error message received and

(b) call Grants.gov directly for immediate assistance. If calling from within the United States or from a U.S. territory, please call 800- 518-4726. If calling from a place other than the United States or a U.S. territory, please call 606-545-5035. Assistance from the Grants.gov Help Desk will be available around the clock every day, except for Federal holidays. Help Desk service will resume at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time the day after Federal holidays. For assistance using Grants.gov, the applicant may also contact support@grants.gov.

3) To find instructions for submitting an application on Grants.gov, applicants should refer to the “Applicants” tab in the banner just below the top of the Grants.gov home page. Clicking on the “Applicants” tab produces two exceptionally useful sources of information, Applicant Actions and Applicant Resources, which applicants are advised to review.

Applicants will receive a series of e-mail messages over a period of up to two business days before learning whether a…