NIST Grant: Recovery Act Funding for Research Science Building Construction & Expansion

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.
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. 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.

Cost sharing is that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government and includes direct and indirect costs. Sources of cost share include cash and third party in-kind contributions. Cash contributions can be from recipient, state, county, city, or other non-Federal sources. Third party in-kind contributions can be made by non-Federal third parties and can include, but are not limited to, equipment and materials and supplies.

The purchase of land cannot be used as cost sharing. See also section IV.6. Funding Restrictions.

Any cost sharing must be in accordance with the “cost sharing or matching” provisions of 15 CFR Part 14, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Non-Profit, and Commercial Organizations.

As with the Federal share, any costs included as cost share must be allowable under the following applicable Federal cost principles: 1) Institutions of Higher Education: 2 CFR Subtitle A, Chapter II, Part 220 (OMB Circular A-21); and 2) Nonprofit organizations: 2 CFR Subtitle A, Chapter II, Part 230 (OMB Circular A-122).
The following projects are unallowable/ineligible under this program:

a. 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.
b. 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.
c. Projects to construct facilities that will primarily benefit the education of the general public rather than support research activities.
d. Projects that include tasks for constructing shell space that will not be completed into research space within the grant will have these tasks removed.