99--Center of Excellence for Aircraft Noise Mitigation

ACTION: Notice of information meeting for FAA Aviation Research Cente= r of Excellence (COE) for Aircraft Noise Mitigation. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of an information meeting regarding technic= al proposals for the establishment of an FAA Aviation Research Center of Ex= cellence for Aircraft Noise Mitigation. DATES: The meeting will be held Tuesday, 6 May 2003, from 10:00 a.m. =E2=80= =93 3:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Arlington, Virginia. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND EXACT LOCATION CONTACT: Patricia Watts, Ph.D., = Director, FAA Air Transportation Centers of Excellence Program, Office of A= viation Research, FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center, AAR-400, Atlantic= City International Airport, NJ 08405, telephone +1 (555) 000-0000, facsimil= e +1 (555) 000-0000. NOTICE: The FAA will hold an information meeting on Tuesday, 6 May 2003, to= explain further the FAA research needs, procedures, and criteria for the s= election of the FAA Aviation Research Center of Excellence for Aircraft Noi= se Mitigation. Questions and suggestions from attendees will be addressed a= t this meeting. Interested parties are encouraged, but not required, to att= end the information meeting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA intends to award a 50-50 cost share gra= nt through a cooperative agreement to establish a COE for Aircraft Noise Mi= tigation at a qualified college or university. The cooperative agreement wi= ll be negotiated in 3-year increments up to a maximum of 10 years. It is th= e FAA=E2=80=99s intent to fund a minimum of $2.1 million over the first thr= ee years. It is also the intent of the FAA to award a single-source indefin= ite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to the winner of the compe= tition, under which orders may be placed for developmental products. The Center shall conduct research that includes the entire spectrum (i.e. b= asic research through engineering development, prototyping and testing) wit= hin the scope of Aircraft Noise Mitigation. This initial scope includes but= is not limited to: socioeconomic effects of noise and noise mitigation; no= ise abatement flight procedures and supporting technologies; compatible lan= d use management; and airport operational controls. Future scope of activit= ies may be expanded to other aviation environmental efforts such as, aviati= on gaseous emissions and particulate matter. The FAA intends to provide long-term funding to establish and operate a pre= stigious partnership with academia, industry and government. To this end, t= he FAA encourages offerors to team with organizations that complement their= expertise. Team members and affiliates may represent academia, industry, = state, local and other government agencies, and other entities as appropria= te. The successful offeror is required to match FAA grant funds with non-fe= deral funding over the term of the cooperative agreement. Separate cost-sha= ring contracts may be awarded when deemed appropriate. Matching funds are n= ot required for any orders placed under the IDIQ contract.=20 SELECTION CRITERIA: The COE will be selected primarily on technical merit and the ability of th= e team to meet the following criteria mandated by the enabling legislation,= Public Law 101-508: =E2=80=94The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant = is located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air t= ransportation services and facilities. =E2=80=94The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the= applicant for carrying out the intent of the legislation. =E2=80=94The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making na= tional and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and im= mediate air transportation problems. =E2=80=94The extent to which the applicant has an established air transport= ation program. =E2=80=94The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results o= f air transportation research and educational programs through a statewide = or region-wide continuing education program. =E2=80=94The projects that the applicant proposes to carry out under the gr= ant. Potential projects will be defined during the informational meeting. Those persons wishing to attend this meeting are requested to register by C= OB 28 April 2003. To register or to obtain more information about the meeti= ng, contact Patricia Watts by facsimile +1 (555) 000-0000 or e-mail patricia.w= contact@example.gov at the FAA Centers of Excellence Program Office.=20 For further information about the FAA Air Transportation Centers of Excelle= nce Program, see the COE website at www.coe.faa.gov.