81_FR_507 81 FR 504 - Ideation and Prototype Multi-Phase Prize Competition

81 FR 504 - Ideation and Prototype Multi-Phase Prize Competition

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 3 (January 6, 2016)

Page Range504-508
FR Document2015-32744

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gives notice of the availability of the ``Environmentally Friendly Replacement for Buoy Mooring Systems'' ideation and prototype multi-phase prize competition and rules. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) Borders and Maritime Division in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard's Research and Development Center (USCG RDC) is seeking innovative technology from individuals and entities for ``fixing'' a navigational buoy in a waterway. The current method for mooring buoys--the use of a concrete anchor and a heavy chain--has not changed substantially in decades. The goal is to develop a buoy mooring system that would have minimal impacts on the ocean floor, especially in environmentally sensitive areas. This prize competition consists of up to three phases, two of which are optional. Phase I: Ideation; Phase II (optional): Pilot Approach Plan and Presentation; and Phase III (optional): Pilot Phase. The total cash prize payout for all three phases of this competition is up to $290,000 (USD). Phase I (Ideation) consists of a cash purse of up to $40,000 (USD) with at least one cash prize of $10,000 (USD) and no award will be less than $10,000 (USD). Phase I awards and amounts will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Seeker. Contestants invited to participate in Phase II will be awarded $5,000 (USD) each to assist in preparing and presenting their Phase II competition package. The Phase II prize competition winner will receive up to $175,000 (USD) in milestone award payments for successful participation in Phase III as agreed to between the USCG RDC and the Phase II prize competition winner. An initial milestone payment will be determined to assist with the startup costs of the Phase III pilot. The USCG RDC reserves the right to award up to a $50,000 (USD) award bonus for successful demonstration and completion of the Phase III Pilot Phase. This prize competition consists of the following unique features: <bullet> Terminology [cir] Seeker: DHS S&T Borders and Maritime Division and the United States Coast Guard Research and Development Center [cir] Solvers: Ideation Prize competition submitters <bullet> The Solvers are not required to transfer exclusive intellectual property rights to the Seeker. (See Additional Information-Intellectual Property below)

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 504-508]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32744]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Ideation and Prototype Multi-Phase Prize Competition

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 3719.

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gives notice of the 
availability of the ``Environmentally Friendly Replacement for Buoy 
Mooring Systems'' ideation and prototype multi-phase prize competition 
and rules. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) Borders 
and Maritime Division in conjunction with the United States Coast 
Guard's Research and Development Center (USCG RDC) is seeking 
innovative technology from individuals and entities for ``fixing'' a 
navigational buoy in a waterway. The current method for

[[Page 505]]

mooring buoys--the use of a concrete anchor and a heavy chain--has not 
changed substantially in decades. The goal is to develop a buoy mooring 
system that would have minimal impacts on the ocean floor, especially 
in environmentally sensitive areas.
    This prize competition consists of up to three phases, two of which 
are optional. Phase I: Ideation; Phase II (optional): Pilot Approach 
Plan and Presentation; and Phase III (optional): Pilot Phase. The total 
cash prize payout for all three phases of this competition is up to 
$290,000 (USD). Phase I (Ideation) consists of a cash purse of up to 
$40,000 (USD) with at least one cash prize of $10,000 (USD) and no 
award will be less than $10,000 (USD). Phase I awards and amounts will 
be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Seeker. 
Contestants invited to participate in Phase II will be awarded $5,000 
(USD) each to assist in preparing and presenting their Phase II 
competition package. The Phase II prize competition winner will receive 
up to $175,000 (USD) in milestone award payments for successful 
participation in Phase III as agreed to between the USCG RDC and the 
Phase II prize competition winner. An initial milestone payment will be 
determined to assist with the startup costs of the Phase III pilot. The 
USCG RDC reserves the right to award up to a $50,000 (USD) award bonus 
for successful demonstration and completion of the Phase III Pilot 
Phase.
    This prize competition consists of the following unique features:
     Terminology
    [cir] Seeker: DHS S&T Borders and Maritime Division and the United 
States Coast Guard Research and Development Center
    [cir] Solvers: Ideation Prize competition submitters
     The Solvers are not required to transfer exclusive 
intellectual property rights to the Seeker. (See Additional 
Information-Intellectual Property below)

DATES: Submission Period Beginning Date: January 6, 2016
    Submission Period Ending Date: All submissions must be received 
electronically as indicated in this announcement by 11:59 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time on Friday, February 12, 2016. Late submissions will not 
be considered. All dates are subject to change. For more details please 
visit http://www.challenge.gov.

ADDRESSES: Questions about this prize competition may be emailed to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Prize Competition Manager: Dr. 
Charlotte Sullivan, Phone: 202-617-5115, Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The America Creating Opportunities to 
Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (The America COMPETES Act), Public Law 111-
358, enacted January 4, 2011, authorizes Federal agencies to award 
prizes competitively to stimulate innovations that could advance their 
missions. Interested persons can find full details about the 
competition rules and register to participate online at http://www.challenge.gov. Contest rules are subject to change.
    Subject of the Prize Competition: Ideas and concepts that lead to 
innovative technologies for ``fixing'' a navigational buoy in a 
waterway. The goal is to develop a buoy mooring system that would have 
minimal impacts on the ocean floor, especially in environmentally 
sensitive areas.
    Eligibility Rules: To be eligible to win a prize under this 
competition, an individual or entity-
    (1) Shall have registered to participate in the competition under 
the rules promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security, Science 
and Technology Directorate and in accordance with the description 
provided, below, under ``Registration Information;''
    (2) Shall have complied with all of the requirements under this 
section;
    (3) Pursuant to the America COMPETES Act of 2010, awards for this 
prize competition may only be given to an individual that is a citizen 
or legal permanent resident of the United States, or an entity that is 
incorporated in and whose primary place of business is in the United 
States, subject to verification by the Seeker before prizes are 
awarded. An individual or private entity must be the registered entrant 
to be eligible to win a prize. Further restrictions apply--see the 
Ideation Challenge-Specific Agreement found at the competition 
registration Web site and this Federal Register Notice for full 
details.
    (4) Contestants to this prize competition must: agree to be bound 
by the rules of the prize competition; agree that the decision of the 
judges for this prize competition are final and binding; and 
acknowledge that their submission may be the subject of a Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) request and that they are responsible for 
identifying and marking all business confidential and proprietary 
information in their submission.
    (5) Entities selected as a prize competition winner must register 
or be previously registered in the System for Awards Management (http://www.sam.gov) in order to receive a cash prize. Registration in the 
System for Awards Management is not a prerequisite for submitting an 
entry to this prize competition. Failure to register in the System for 
Awards Management within 30 days of notification by InnoCentive, Inc. 
(the government's contracted prize competition administrator) will 
result in a disqualification of the winning entry.
    (6) Individuals selected as a prize competition winner must submit 
all required taxpayer identification and bank account information 
required to complete an electronic payment of the cash prize. Failure 
to provide the government required documents for electronic payment 
within 30 days of notification by InnoCentive, Inc. (the government's 
contracted prize competition administrator) will result in a 
disqualification of the winning entry.
    (7) Contestants to this prize competition agree, as a condition for 
participating in Phase III, to complete a Memorandum of Agreement or 
other agreement as mutually agreed to and collaborate with the 
Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate and 
the United States Coast Guard, Research and Development Center to build 
and pilot their proposed solution.
    (8) Contestants to this prize competition agree, as a condition for 
winning a cash prize, to complete and submit all required winner 
verification documents to InnoCentive, Inc. (the government's 
contracted prize competition administrator) within 30 days of 
notification. Failure to return all required verification documents by 
the date specified in the notification may be a basis for 
disqualification of the winning entry.
    (9) Contestants participating in Phase III of this competition 
shall be required to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate 
financial responsibility in the amount of $1,000,000 (USD) for claims 
by a third party for death, bodily injury, or property damage, or loss 
resulting from an activity carried out in connection with their 
participation in this prize competition, with the Department of 
Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard named as additional 
insured under the registered participant's insurance policy. The 
registered participant must also agree to indemnify the Federal 
Government against third party claims for damages arising or related to 
competition activities and the Federal Government for damage or loss to 
government property resulting from such activity.

[[Page 506]]

    (10) Contestants to this prize competition must agree and consent, 
as a condition for receiving a cash prize, to the use of their name, 
entity, city and state, likeness or image, comments, and a short 
synopsis of their winning solution as a part of the Department of 
Homeland Security's promotion of this prize competition.
    (11) Contestants must own or have access at their own expense to a 
computer, an Internet connection, and any other electronic devices, 
documentation, software, or other items that contestants may deem 
necessary to create and enter a submission;
    (12) The following individuals (including any individuals 
participating as part of an entity) are not eligible regardless of 
whether they meet the criteria set forth above:
    (i) Any individual under the age of 18;
    (ii) any individual who employs an evaluator on the Judging Panel 
(hereafter, referenced simply as a ``Judge'') or otherwise has a 
material business relationship or affiliation with any Judge;
    (iii) any individual who is a member of any Judge's immediate 
family or household;
    (iv) any individual who has been convicted of a felony;
    (v) the Seeker, Participating Organizations, and any advertising 
agency, contractor or other individual or organization involved with 
the design, production, promotion, execution, or distribution of the 
Contest; all employees, representatives and agents thereof; and all 
members of the immediate family or household of any such individual, 
employee, representative, or agent;
    (vi) any Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope 
of his or her employment, or as may otherwise be prohibited by Federal 
law (employees should consult their agency ethics officials) Note: 
Federal ethical conduct rules may restrict or prohibit federal 
employees from engaging in certain outside activities, so any federal 
employee not excluded under the prior paragraph seeking to participate 
in this competition outside the scope of employment should consult his/
her agency's ethics official prior to developing a submission;
    (vii) any individual or entity that used Federal facilities or 
relied upon significant consultation with Federal employees to develop 
a submission, unless the facilities and employees were made available 
to all Contestants participating in the Contest on an equal basis;
    (viii) any individual or entity that used Federal funds to develop 
a submission, unless such use is consistent with the grant award, or 
other applicable Federal funds awarding document. If a grantee using 
Federal funds enters and wins this prize competition, the prize monies 
will need to be treated as program income for purposes of the original 
grant in accordance with applicable Office of Management and Budget 
Circulars. Federal contractors may not use Federal funds from a 
contract to develop a submission for this competition; and
    (ix) Employees and contractors of the Department of Homeland 
Security, Science and Technology Directorate and the United States 
Coast Guard, Research and Development Center are ineligible to compete 
in this competition. Likewise, members of their immediate family 
(spouses, children and step-children, siblings and step-siblings, 
parents and step-parents), and persons living in the same household as 
such persons, whether or not related, are not eligible to participate 
in any portion of this competition. Note: The members of an 
individual's household include any other person who shares the same 
residence as such individual for at least three (3) months out of the 
year.
    (13) Per 15 U.S.C. 3719(h), an individual or entity shall not be 
deemed ineligible under these eligibility rules because the individual 
or entity used Federal facilities or consulted with Federal employees 
during a competition if the facilities and employees are made available 
to all individuals and entities participating in the competition on an 
equitable basis; and
    (14) Use of Marks: Except as expressly set forth in the Participant 
Agreement or the competition rules, participants shall not use the 
names, trademarks, service marks, logos, insignias, trade dress, or any 
other designation of source or origin subject to legal protection, 
copyrighted material or similar intellectual property (``Marks'') of 
the organizers or other prize competition partners, sponsors, or 
collaborators in any way without such party's prior written permission 
in each instance, which such party may grant or withhold in its sole 
and absolute discretion.
    (15) An individual or entity that is determined to be on the 
Excluded Parties List is ineligible to receive a prize award and will 
not be selected as a prize competition winner.
    Registration Information: To be eligible to win a prize under this 
competition, the Solver shall have registered to participate in the 
contest under the process identified on the central Federal Web site 
where government competitions are advertised (Challenge.gov). Access 
the http://www.challenge.gov Web site and sort by: Department of 
Homeland Security and then select the ``Environmentally Friendly 
Replacement for Buoy Mooring Systems'' contest. Solvers will be 
directed to an external Web site created specifically for the 
competition to obtain contest information, register for the contest 
including signing the Ideation Challenge-Specific Agreement and submit 
their entry. After the competition deadline, the Seeker will complete 
the review process for Phase I and make a decision with regards to the 
winning solution(s) and invitation(s) to participate in subsequent 
phases. All Solvers that submitted an entry for Phase I will be 
notified on the status of their submission; however, no evaluation of 
an individual submission will be provided.
    Phase I Submission Requirements: This competition requires a 
written solution that describes a novel approach to moor buoys in 
environmentally sensitive ecosystems.
    Background information to assist in the completion of a submission: 
Aspects of the mooring system which need to be considered are listed 
below.
    (1) The method to ``fix'' or ``anchor'' a buoy marker to a precise 
location on the seafloor or bottom that minimizes environmental damage.
    (2) The method that physically connects the surface marker to a 
precisely located ``anchor'' that allows for motion in a seaway due to 
winds, waves, tides, or other forces, while minimizing or eliminating 
any contact with the seafloor or adjacent vegetation.
    (3) A technique to install, inspect, remove or replace any parts of 
the system. Ideally, the installation should be as simple as possible, 
and only use a ship with a boom. (For example, methods requiring the 
use of drills, barges, or divers might be scored lower than other 
proposed solutions.)
    (4) These mooring systems may be fixed or moveable, passive or 
active, etc., with the goal of deployment in the following operating 
conditions:
    (i) Hull Type: 6 x 16 or 8 x 22 LFR (foam buoy);
    (ii) Water Depth: 30 ft.-50 ft.;
    (iii) Bottom Type: Sand or Mud;
    (iv) Current: 2 kts.-4 kts.;
    (v) Wind/Seas: 0 kts./0 ft.-70 kts./14 ft.; and
    (vi) Tide: <5 ft.
    (5) Additionally, proposed mooring systems should have the 
following properties:
    (i) Ability to withstand occasional allisions by vessels and not 
sustain damage; and
    (ii) Ability to be deployed and retrieved using existing USCG

[[Page 507]]

resources, specifically: 175 foot Coastal Buoy Tender (WLM; Beam: 36 
ft.; Buoy Deck Area: 1335 sq. ft.; Crane: 10 ton hydraulic with a 42 
ft. reach; Dynamic Positioning System; or a 225 foot Seagoing Buoy 
Tender (WLB; Beam: 46 ft.; Buoy Deck Area: 2875 sq. ft.; Crane: 20 ton 
hydraulic with a 60 ft. reach; Dynamic Positioning System.
    (6) Installation areas of particular interest include the St. John 
River outside of Jacksonville, FL and the area around Guayanilla, 
Puerto Rico.
    (7) Alternate mooring systems exist but each has potential 
drawbacks that may make them unsatisfactory as solutions to this 
competition. Alternatives tried by the USCG include:
    (i) Articulated Beacon (a.k.a. Buoyant Beacons): The systems are 
expensive and cannot be deployed by USCG vessels. The massive sinker 
weight required to counteract the huge upward buoyant force that keeps 
them standing upright is heavier than the buoy tender cranes can lift. 
A commercial crane and barge are required to put the system in the 
water; and
    (ii) DOR-MOR Anchor: Can only be used in areas with mud or sand 
bottoms. Large anchors are significantly more expensive than the 
equivalent concrete sinkers.
    (8) Alternatives not tried by USCG include:
    (i) Subsurface Float (mid-line buoy): A subsurface float is used to 
raise the excess chain in order to eliminate scouring the ocean bottom, 
but the excess chain on the bottom provides damping/anchoring forces 
for the buoy. Without the bottom chain, when the water rises such as 
during a wave surge, the buoy would tug directly against the concrete 
sinker and either ``walk itself'' off the station, or become submerged 
under water;
    (ii) Synthetic Line: There are many types of synthetic lines, 
including those with elastomeric properties. Complications possibly 
include more maintenance because of plant growth, as well as natural 
and polypropylene lines deteriorate quickly; and
    (iii) Embedment Anchors: There are many different types with the 
most popular the screw pile (a.k.a. Helical) anchor. Although these 
have a smaller footprint than the traditional concrete sinker, because 
they are embedded their depth of disruption is a concern.
    (9) Solutions proposing variants of these systems must address and 
overcome the stated drawbacks.
    Submissions to Phase I of this prize competition shall include:
    (1) Cover Page(format may be found on the competition Web site)
    (2) Executive Summary that provides a brief summary of the response 
and indicating if supporting documentation is included.
    (3) Clear discussion and description of the proposed solution, 
including:
    (i) Equipment Specifications (height, weight, length, fixed or 
movable, power requirements, etc., for both the anchoring method and 
attachment method);
    (ii) Environmental Impact (How does the proposed solution avoid 
directly damaging plants and corals?) Information should be provided on 
the mooring-seafloor contact area if any exists, including expected 
quantity (in cubic feet) of submerged marine life directly impacted by 
the anchor alone and by any connection between the anchor and the buoy; 
and
    (iii) Graphical depictions, engineering drawings and detailed 
diagrams.
    (4) Implementation Plan (Method and Feasibility Criterion)
    (i) Deployment, Retrieval, and Transportation requirements. 
(Submissions should indicate if the use of divers is necessary or other 
specialized equipment is required. Can USCG platforms be utilized?)
    (ii) Operational Limitations. (e.g., maximum sea state, minimum or 
maximum depth, required bottom type, etc.)
    (iii) Interest and ability to participate in USCG RDC 
demonstrations or their equivalents. (Submissions should include any 
special requirements needed to facilitate demonstration of the 
technology.)
    (5) Cost Analysis (Cost Criterion)
    (i) Acquisition Cost (Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) and 
Procurement Lead Time);
    (ii) Service Life and Maintenance Cycle;
    (iii) Life Cycle Cost Parameters (Development, Testing, 
Acquisition, Operations, Planned Maintenance/Inspection, Integrated 
Logistics Support, training and disposal); and
    (iv) Developmental Cost (if required to transition existing 
technology to meet USCG mission requirements).
    (6) Statement on capability to participate in future prototype 
build phases of this prize competition. This factor will not be used in 
evaluating entries and will only be used to determine if the Solver has 
the ability to participate in the subsequent (optional) phases of the 
competition.
    Liability and Indemnification Information: By participating in this 
competition, each Solver agrees to assume any and all risks and waive 
claims against the Federal Government and its related entities, except 
in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or 
loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or 
consequential, arising from participation in this competition, whether 
the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or 
otherwise. Likewise, each Solver agrees to indemnify the Federal 
Government against third party claims for damages arising from or 
related to competition activities. In order to receive a prize, a 
Solver will be required to complete, sign and return to the Seeker 
affidavit(s) of eligibility and liability release, or a similar 
verification document.
    Payment of the Prize: Prizes awarded under this competition will be 
paid by the United States Coast Guard and must be received by the 
Solver(s) via electronic funds transfer. All Federal, state and local 
taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). DHS and the USCG 
will comply with the Internal Review Service withholding and reporting 
requirements, where applicable. All prize payments made under this 
contest (Phases I-III) are the sole responsibility of the United States 
Coast Guard. The Department of Homeland Security, Science and 
Technology Directorate assumes no responsibility for prize award 
payments under this prize competition.
    Judging Criteria: Solutions for Phase I of this prize competition 
will be evaluated by a judging panel using the criteria and rating 
scale described below. A total of 100 points is possible for each 
proposed solution. Judges will individually score proposed solutions 
that meet the eligibility and submission criteria described in this 
notice. Up to 15 of the highest scored proposed solutions for Phase I 
will advance to consensus judging for a final score and a decision on 
award amount, if any.
    Proposed Solution Rating System (1-10 points for each criterion):
    (1) Excellent: Solver fully addressed all elements of this 
criterion. (10 points)
    (2) Very Good: Solver addressed most significant elements of this 
criterion. (8-9 points)
    (3) Good: Solver adequately addressed some important elements of 
this criterion. (6-7 points)
    (4) Fair: Solver failed to address one or more critical aspects of 
this criterion. (4-5 Points)
    (5) Poor: The solver's approach has serious deficiencies. (1-3 
points)
    Scoring: Criterion Score x Weighted Importance = Total
    Judging Criteria:
    (1) Criterion 1: Ability to deploy, retrieve using existing CG 
resources (225' Seagoing Buoy Tender, 175' Coastal Buoy Tender). 
(Weight--1.1)

[[Page 508]]

    (2) Criterion 2: Ability to deploy or retrieve without divers. 
(Weight--1.4)
    (3) Criterion 3: Whether deployment or retrieval requires any 
additional equipment, not normally carried by existing CG buoy tenders. 
(Weight--0.7)
    (4) Criterion 4: Expected quantity (in cubic feet) of submerged 
marine life and vegetation impacted by the mooring (anchor), alone. 
(Weight--1.3)
    (5) Criterion 5: Expected quantity (in cubic feet) of submerged 
marine life and vegetation impacted by the attachment system, alone. 
(Weight--1.4)
    (6) Criterion 6: Suitability to the task. (i.e., How well the 
system keeps the floating buoy within the watch circle radius 
([attachment length2-water depth2]1/2) of its charted position in the 
conditions described above (2-4 kt current, 0-70 kt winds, 0-14 ft. 
seas) (Weight--1.5)
    (7) Criterion 7: How well the mooring/anchor remains on the 
assigned position as deployed. (Weight--1.4)
    (8) Criterion 8: Cost Analysis. (Weight--0.8)
    (9) Criterion 9: Whether anchor and attachment system is integral, 
modular, or multi-component. (Weight--0.4)
    (10) Criterion 10: Non-Scored Element. The ability of the submitter 
to produce a prototype system.

Additional Information

Prize Competition Optional Phases II and III

    (1) Based on the submissions received and the solver's stated 
capability to build a pilot solution, DHS S&T and the USCG reserve the 
right to invite one or more winners to participate in optional prize 
competitions Phase II and III with a prize pool of up to $250,000.
    (2) Phase II contestant(s) will be awarded $5,000 each to assist in 
preparing and presenting their Phase II competition package.
    (3) A contestant invited to participate in Phase II will present a 
prototype design to the judges through ``in-person'' oral presentations 
which may include graphics, displays, models, and PowerPoint 
presentations. Oral presentations must be accompanied by a written 
summary of the design, materials, and techniques to implement the 
solution, a specification sheet and detailed design illustration, and 
preliminary implementation costs. The oral presentation shall not last 
longer than 40 minutes, allowing 20 minutes for follow-up questions and 
answers. It will be up to the participant(s) to determine which aspect 
and method of delivery will best encompass the concept of their 
proposed working prototype pilot. Invited Phase II contestants will 
present their solutions at the United States Coast Guard, Research and 
Development Center located in New London, CT.
    (4) Judging for Phase II will be evaluated based on the following 
criteria.
    (i) Overall effectiveness of the proposed working prototype design: 
This factor examines the quality of the design and proposed materials, 
quantification of how well the design and materials minimize disruption 
of the marine environment, and quantification of design's ability to 
keep the floating buoy and the mooring/anchor at assigned position.
    (ii) Feasibility of Implementation: This factor examines whether 
the relative cost of implementation is reasonable and commensurate with 
the costs associated with existing aid to navigation installation, 
servicing and maintenance, and replenishment over a 10 year life cycle.
    (iii) Quality of Presentation: This factor examines whether the 
information that the invited contestant presents orally is consistent 
with the written information the contestant provides in support of 
their presentation, and whether the invited contestant is actually 
familiar with the design, theory, and analysis they provide in the 
supporting, written information.
    (5) Phase III. The Phase II prize competition winner will be 
eligible to receive up to $175,000 in milestone award payments and will 
have 12 months to develop and implement their design. During this 
development period the prize competition winner will have access to the 
USCG Research and Development Center and federal scientists and 
engineers as agreed to in a Memorandum of Agreement or other agreement. 
Milestone award payments will be made based upon mutually agreed upon 
deliverable milestones throughout the pilot based on the USCG accepted 
design. An initial milestone payment will be determined to assist with 
the startup costs of the pilot.
    (6) The Phase III contestant will be eligible to receive up to a 
$50,000 prize payment for a successful pilot demonstration of their 
solution. With the approval and under the direction of the USCG RDC, 
deploy (or provide written deployment guidance to the Coast Guard for 
deployment) the prototype assembly at the location of the Coast Guard's 
choosing. After a series of three physical inspections, over a period 
of 12 months, if the system is successful in meeting the criteria for 
overall effectiveness (remaining at assigned position with the 
minimized disruption of the marine environment).

Intellectual Property

    (1) A Solver retains all ownership in intellectual property rights, 
if any, in the ideas, concepts, inventions, data, and other materials 
submitted in the prize competition. By entering the prize competition, 
each Solver agrees to grant to the United States Government, a Limited 
Purpose Research and Development License that is royalty free and non-
exclusive for a period of four years from the date of submission. The 
Limited Purpose Research and Development License authorizes the United 
States Government to conduct research and development, or authorize 
others to do so on behalf of the United States Government. The Limited 
Purpose License does not include rights to commercialize the 
intellectual property in the Proposed Solution.
    (2) Each Solver warrants that he or she is the sole author and 
owner of any copyrightable works that the Submission comprises, that 
the works are wholly original with the Solver (or is an improved 
version of an existing work that the Solver has sufficient rights to 
use and improve), and that the Submission does not infringe any 
copyright or any other rights of any third party of which Solver is 
aware.
    Privacy: Personal information provided by entrants (Solvers) on the 
nomination form through the prize competition Web site will be used to 
contact selected finalists. Information is not collected for commercial 
marketing. Winners are permitted to cite that they won this 
competition. The names, cities, and states of selected winner or entity 
will be made available in promotional materials and at recognition 
events.

Judges and their Organization

(1) Danielle Elam, U.S. Coast Guard
(2) Marion Lewandowski, U.S. Coast Guard
(3) Alexander Balsley, U.S. Coast Guard
(4) Wayne Danzik, U.S. Coast Guard
(5) Robert Trainor, U.S. Coast Guard
(6) David Merrill, U.S. Coast Guard
(7) Gail Roderick, U.S. Coast Guard

    Dr. Charlotte Sullivan of DHS Science & Technology will act as a 
Technical Advisor to the judging panel.

    Dated: December 22, 2015.
Reginald Brothers,
Under Secretary, DHS Science and Technology Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2015-32744 Filed 1-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-9F-P



                                                  504                                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 3 / Wednesday, January 6, 2016 / Notices

                                                                                     Last/Company name                                                                        First name                            License            Port of issuance

                                                  Chandler ..........................................................................................         Elaine .........................................              05028   Savannah.
                                                  Faircloth ...........................................................................................       Gloria ..........................................             06412   Savannah.
                                                  Hodges ............................................................................................         Lynette .......................................               06873   Savannah.
                                                  Johnston ..........................................................................................         Mary ...........................................              14803   Savannah.
                                                  Parham ............................................................................................         Thomas ......................................                 07437   Savannah.
                                                  Russell .............................................................................................       Ray .............................................             14292   Savannah.
                                                  Slayton .............................................................................................       Julia Suber .................................                 18001   Savannah.
                                                  Stewart .............................................................................................       Janice .........................................              18030   Savannah.
                                                  Tolbert ..............................................................................................      Shawn ........................................                12568   Savannah.
                                                  Usher ...............................................................................................       Clyde ..........................................              10907   Savannah.
                                                  Bagnall .............................................................................................       Richard .......................................               22255   Seattle.
                                                  Barnes .............................................................................................        Sara ............................................             21271   Seattle.
                                                  Bartlett .............................................................................................      Kathy ..........................................              15128   Seattle.
                                                  Bogenshutz ......................................................................................           Allan ...........................................             06766   Seattle.
                                                  Bonney .............................................................................................        Robert ........................................               04813   Seattle.
                                                  Carter ...............................................................................................      Alan ............................................             07833   Seattle.
                                                  Hall ...................................................................................................    Peter ...........................................             28300   Seattle.
                                                  Hansen ............................................................................................         Ronald ........................................               21870   Seattle.
                                                  Holmstrom .......................................................................................           Roger .........................................               06423   Seattle.
                                                  Kincaid .............................................................................................       Alan ............................................             13971   Seattle.
                                                  King ..................................................................................................     Jeffery ........................................              14974   Seattle.
                                                  Linehan ............................................................................................        Larry ...........................................             04415   Seattle.
                                                  Mullene ............................................................................................        Daniel .........................................              06774   Seattle.
                                                  Pool ..................................................................................................     David ..........................................              15235   Seattle.
                                                  Rasmussen ......................................................................................            Kristie .........................................             12059   Seattle.
                                                  Sanders ...........................................................................................         George .......................................                03442   Seattle.
                                                  Schrank ............................................................................................        Dennis ........................................               07943   Seattle.
                                                  Shiner ..............................................................................................       Mark ...........................................              05660   Seattle.
                                                  Shumate ..........................................................................................          Devin ..........................................              24144   Seattle.
                                                  Stendal .............................................................................................       Wendy ........................................                10237   Seattle.
                                                  Stevenson ........................................................................................          Aimee .........................................               16688   Seattle.
                                                  Stoeser ............................................................................................        Kathleen .....................................                11448   Seattle.
                                                  Stoeser ............................................................................................        Stephen ......................................                11671   Seattle.
                                                  Sundaram ........................................................................................           Anila ...........................................             21391   Seattle.
                                                  VanWieringen ..................................................................................             Debra .........................................               12311   Seattle.
                                                  Whitlock ...........................................................................................        Laura ..........................................              17218   Seattle.
                                                  Doig .................................................................................................      William ........................................              06696   St. Albans.
                                                  McKenny ..........................................................................................          Ronald ........................................               03736   St. Albans.
                                                  Middlemiss .......................................................................................          Donald ........................................               10951   St. Albans.
                                                  Ferrell ...............................................................................................     Douglas ......................................                24359   St. Louis.
                                                  Lichtas .............................................................................................       Tami ...........................................              21233   St. Louis.
                                                  McMillan ...........................................................................................        Erin .............................................            23406   St. Louis.
                                                  Mudgett ............................................................................................        Sandra K ....................................                 20372   St. Louis.
                                                  Tasker ..............................................................................................       Robert ........................................               21654   St. Louis.
                                                  Trost .................................................................................................     Thomas F ...................................                  14753   St. Louis.
                                                  Waltos-Drake ...................................................................................            Shirley ........................................              07375   St. Louis.
                                                  Armburst ..........................................................................................         Frederick C ................................                  11693   Tampa.
                                                  Coffey-Ramirez ................................................................................             Anna M. ......................................                14050   Tampa.
                                                  Joseph .............................................................................................        Jean Claude ...............................                   21405   Tampa.
                                                  Kiang-Wu .........................................................................................          Maylene ......................................                14222   Tampa.
                                                  Leverette ..........................................................................................        Lucius .........................................              24318   Tampa.
                                                  Marshall ...........................................................................................        Robert ........................................               06390   Tampa.
                                                  Oswald, Jr. .......................................................................................         Lowell .........................................              14137   Tampa.
                                                  Sailor ................................................................................................     Stephen ......................................                21161   Tampa.
                                                  Saunders .........................................................................................          Nydia ..........................................              15232   Tampa.
                                                  Streker .............................................................................................       John ...........................................              21158   Tampa.
                                                  Arevalo .............................................................................................       Cynthia .......................................               13681   Washington,   DC.
                                                  Guntapalli .........................................................................................        Mayuri ........................................               28832   Washington,   DC.
                                                  Hill ....................................................................................................   John ...........................................              22612   Washington,   DC.
                                                  Lewis ................................................................................................      Michael .......................................               12389   Washington,   DC.
                                                  Martin ...............................................................................................      Jeffrey ........................................              29274   Washington,   DC.
                                                  Moritsugu .........................................................................................         Erika ...........................................             23065   Washington,   DC.
                                                  Wallace ............................................................................................        Laura ..........................................              20785   Washington,   DC.


                                                    Dated: December 30, 2015.                                                   DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                                      availability of the ‘‘Environmentally
                                                  Brenda B. Smith,                                                              SECURITY                                                                    Friendly Replacement for Buoy Mooring
                                                  Assistant Commissioner, Office of                                                                                                                         Systems’’ ideation and prototype multi-
                                                  International Trade.                                                          Ideation and Prototype Multi-Phase                                          phase prize competition and rules. The
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–33246 Filed 1–5–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                Prize Competition                                                           DHS Science and Technology
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Directorate (DHS S&T) Borders and
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                                                  BILLING CODE 9111–14–P                                                        AGENCY:  Science and Technology
                                                                                                                                Directorate, DHS.                                                           Maritime Division in conjunction with
                                                                                                                                                                                                            the United States Coast Guard’s
                                                                                                                                ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Research and Development Center
                                                                                                                                                                                                            (USCG RDC) is seeking innovative
                                                                                                                                   Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3719.                                               technology from individuals and
                                                                                                                                SUMMARY:  The Department of Homeland                                        entities for ‘‘fixing’’ a navigational buoy
                                                                                                                                Security (DHS) gives notice of the                                          in a waterway. The current method for


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 3 / Wednesday, January 6, 2016 / Notices                                                505

                                                  mooring buoys—the use of a concrete                     5115, Email: charlotte.sullivan@                       previously registered in the System for
                                                  anchor and a heavy chain—has not                        hq.dhs.gov.                                            Awards Management (http://
                                                  changed substantially in decades. The                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      The                    www.sam.gov) in order to receive a cash
                                                  goal is to develop a buoy mooring                       America Creating Opportunities to                      prize. Registration in the System for
                                                  system that would have minimal                          Meaningfully Promote Excellence in                     Awards Management is not a
                                                  impacts on the ocean floor, especially in               Technology, Education, and Science                     prerequisite for submitting an entry to
                                                  environmentally sensitive areas.                        Reauthorization Act of 2010 (The                       this prize competition. Failure to
                                                     This prize competition consists of up                America COMPETES Act), Public Law                      register in the System for Awards
                                                  to three phases, two of which are                                                                              Management within 30 days of
                                                                                                          111–358, enacted January 4, 2011,
                                                  optional. Phase I: Ideation; Phase II                                                                          notification by InnoCentive, Inc. (the
                                                                                                          authorizes Federal agencies to award
                                                  (optional): Pilot Approach Plan and                                                                            government’s contracted prize
                                                                                                          prizes competitively to stimulate
                                                  Presentation; and Phase III (optional):                                                                        competition administrator) will result in
                                                                                                          innovations that could advance their
                                                  Pilot Phase. The total cash prize payout                                                                       a disqualification of the winning entry.
                                                                                                          missions. Interested persons can find                     (6) Individuals selected as a prize
                                                  for all three phases of this competition                full details about the competition rules
                                                  is up to $290,000 (USD). Phase I                                                                               competition winner must submit all
                                                                                                          and register to participate online at                  required taxpayer identification and
                                                  (Ideation) consists of a cash purse of up               http://www.challenge.gov. Contest rules
                                                  to $40,000 (USD) with at least one cash                                                                        bank account information required to
                                                                                                          are subject to change.                                 complete an electronic payment of the
                                                  prize of $10,000 (USD) and no award                       Subject of the Prize Competition:
                                                  will be less than $10,000 (USD). Phase                                                                         cash prize. Failure to provide the
                                                                                                          Ideas and concepts that lead to                        government required documents for
                                                  I awards and amounts will be paid to                    innovative technologies for ‘‘fixing’’ a
                                                  the best submission(s) as solely                                                                               electronic payment within 30 days of
                                                                                                          navigational buoy in a waterway. The                   notification by InnoCentive, Inc. (the
                                                  determined by the Seeker. Contestants                   goal is to develop a buoy mooring
                                                  invited to participate in Phase II will be                                                                     government’s contracted prize
                                                                                                          system that would have minimal                         competition administrator) will result in
                                                  awarded $5,000 (USD) each to assist in                  impacts on the ocean floor, especially in
                                                  preparing and presenting their Phase II                                                                        a disqualification of the winning entry.
                                                                                                          environmentally sensitive areas.                          (7) Contestants to this prize
                                                  competition package. The Phase II prize                   Eligibility Rules: To be eligible to win
                                                  competition winner will receive up to                                                                          competition agree, as a condition for
                                                                                                          a prize under this competition, an                     participating in Phase III, to complete a
                                                  $175,000 (USD) in milestone award                       individual or entity-
                                                  payments for successful participation in                                                                       Memorandum of Agreement or other
                                                                                                            (1) Shall have registered to participate             agreement as mutually agreed to and
                                                  Phase III as agreed to between the USCG                 in the competition under the rules
                                                  RDC and the Phase II prize competition                                                                         collaborate with the Department of
                                                                                                          promulgated by the Department of                       Homeland Security, Science and
                                                  winner. An initial milestone payment                    Homeland Security, Science and
                                                  will be determined to assist with the                                                                          Technology Directorate and the United
                                                                                                          Technology Directorate and in                          States Coast Guard, Research and
                                                  startup costs of the Phase III pilot. The               accordance with the description
                                                  USCG RDC reserves the right to award                                                                           Development Center to build and pilot
                                                                                                          provided, below, under ‘‘Registration                  their proposed solution.
                                                  up to a $50,000 (USD) award bonus for                   Information;’’                                            (8) Contestants to this prize
                                                  successful demonstration and                              (2) Shall have complied with all of the              competition agree, as a condition for
                                                  completion of the Phase III Pilot Phase.                requirements under this section;                       winning a cash prize, to complete and
                                                     This prize competition consists of the                 (3) Pursuant to the America                          submit all required winner verification
                                                  following unique features:                              COMPETES Act of 2010, awards for this                  documents to InnoCentive, Inc. (the
                                                     • Terminology                                        prize competition may only be given to                 government’s contracted prize
                                                     Æ Seeker: DHS S&T Borders and                        an individual that is a citizen or legal               competition administrator) within 30
                                                  Maritime Division and the United States                 permanent resident of the United States,               days of notification. Failure to return all
                                                  Coast Guard Research and Development                    or an entity that is incorporated in and               required verification documents by the
                                                  Center                                                  whose primary place of business is in                  date specified in the notification may be
                                                     Æ Solvers: Ideation Prize competition                the United States, subject to verification             a basis for disqualification of the
                                                  submitters                                              by the Seeker before prizes are awarded.
                                                     • The Solvers are not required to                                                                           winning entry.
                                                                                                          An individual or private entity must be                   (9) Contestants participating in Phase
                                                  transfer exclusive intellectual property
                                                                                                          the registered entrant to be eligible to               III of this competition shall be required
                                                  rights to the Seeker. (See Additional
                                                                                                          win a prize. Further restrictions apply—               to obtain liability insurance or
                                                  Information-Intellectual Property below)                                                                       demonstrate financial responsibility in
                                                                                                          see the Ideation Challenge-Specific
                                                  DATES: Submission Period Beginning                      Agreement found at the competition                     the amount of $1,000,000 (USD) for
                                                  Date: January 6, 2016                                   registration Web site and this Federal                 claims by a third party for death, bodily
                                                     Submission Period Ending Date: All                   Register Notice for full details.                      injury, or property damage, or loss
                                                  submissions must be received                              (4) Contestants to this prize                        resulting from an activity carried out in
                                                  electronically as indicated in this                     competition must: agree to be bound by                 connection with their participation in
                                                  announcement by 11:59 p.m. Eastern                      the rules of the prize competition; agree              this prize competition, with the
                                                  Standard Time on Friday, February 12,                   that the decision of the judges for this               Department of Homeland Security and
                                                  2016. Late submissions will not be                      prize competition are final and binding;               the United States Coast Guard named as
                                                  considered. All dates are subject to                    and acknowledge that their submission                  additional insured under the registered
                                                  change. For more details please visit
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                                                                                                          may be the subject of a Freedom of                     participant’s insurance policy. The
                                                  http://www.challenge.gov.                               Information Act (FOIA) request and that                registered participant must also agree to
                                                  ADDRESSES: Questions about this prize                   they are responsible for identifying and               indemnify the Federal Government
                                                  competition may be emailed to                           marking all business confidential and                  against third party claims for damages
                                                  innohelp@innocentive.com.                               proprietary information in their                       arising or related to competition
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        submission.                                            activities and the Federal Government
                                                  Prize Competition Manager: Dr.                            (5) Entities selected as a prize                     for damage or loss to government
                                                  Charlotte Sullivan, Phone: 202–617–                     competition winner must register or be                 property resulting from such activity.


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                                                  506                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 3 / Wednesday, January 6, 2016 / Notices

                                                     (10) Contestants to this prize                       submission, unless such use is                         www.challenge.gov Web site and sort
                                                  competition must agree and consent, as                  consistent with the grant award, or other              by: Department of Homeland Security
                                                  a condition for receiving a cash prize, to              applicable Federal funds awarding                      and then select the ‘‘Environmentally
                                                  the use of their name, entity, city and                 document. If a grantee using Federal                   Friendly Replacement for Buoy Mooring
                                                  state, likeness or image, comments, and                 funds enters and wins this prize                       Systems’’ contest. Solvers will be
                                                  a short synopsis of their winning                       competition, the prize monies will need                directed to an external Web site created
                                                  solution as a part of the Department of                 to be treated as program income for                    specifically for the competition to
                                                  Homeland Security’s promotion of this                   purposes of the original grant in                      obtain contest information, register for
                                                  prize competition.                                      accordance with applicable Office of                   the contest including signing the
                                                     (11) Contestants must own or have                    Management and Budget Circulars.                       Ideation Challenge-Specific Agreement
                                                  access at their own expense to a                        Federal contractors may not use Federal                and submit their entry. After the
                                                  computer, an Internet connection, and                   funds from a contract to develop a                     competition deadline, the Seeker will
                                                  any other electronic devices,                           submission for this competition; and                   complete the review process for Phase I
                                                  documentation, software, or other items                    (ix) Employees and contractors of the               and make a decision with regards to the
                                                  that contestants may deem necessary to                  Department of Homeland Security,                       winning solution(s) and invitation(s) to
                                                  create and enter a submission;                          Science and Technology Directorate and                 participate in subsequent phases. All
                                                     (12) The following individuals                       the United States Coast Guard, Research                Solvers that submitted an entry for
                                                  (including any individuals participating                and Development Center are ineligible                  Phase I will be notified on the status of
                                                  as part of an entity) are not eligible                  to compete in this competition.                        their submission; however, no
                                                  regardless of whether they meet the                     Likewise, members of their immediate                   evaluation of an individual submission
                                                  criteria set forth above:                               family (spouses, children and step-                    will be provided.
                                                     (i) Any individual under the age of 18;              children, siblings and step-siblings,                     Phase I Submission Requirements:
                                                     (ii) any individual who employs an                   parents and step-parents), and persons                 This competition requires a written
                                                  evaluator on the Judging Panel                          living in the same household as such                   solution that describes a novel approach
                                                  (hereafter, referenced simply as a                      persons, whether or not related, are not               to moor buoys in environmentally
                                                  ‘‘Judge’’) or otherwise has a material                  eligible to participate in any portion of              sensitive ecosystems.
                                                  business relationship or affiliation with               this competition. Note: The members of                    Background information to assist in
                                                  any Judge;                                              an individual’s household include any                  the completion of a submission: Aspects
                                                     (iii) any individual who is a member                 other person who shares the same                       of the mooring system which need to be
                                                  of any Judge’s immediate family or                      residence as such individual for at least              considered are listed below.
                                                  household;                                              three (3) months out of the year.                         (1) The method to ‘‘fix’’ or ‘‘anchor’’
                                                     (iv) any individual who has been                        (13) Per 15 U.S.C. 3719(h), an                      a buoy marker to a precise location on
                                                  convicted of a felony;                                  individual or entity shall not be deemed               the seafloor or bottom that minimizes
                                                     (v) the Seeker, Participating                        ineligible under these eligibility rules               environmental damage.
                                                  Organizations, and any advertising                      because the individual or entity used                     (2) The method that physically
                                                  agency, contractor or other individual or               Federal facilities or consulted with                   connects the surface marker to a
                                                  organization involved with the design,                  Federal employees during a competition                 precisely located ‘‘anchor’’ that allows
                                                  production, promotion, execution, or                    if the facilities and employees are made               for motion in a seaway due to winds,
                                                  distribution of the Contest; all                        available to all individuals and entities              waves, tides, or other forces, while
                                                  employees, representatives and agents                   participating in the competition on an                 minimizing or eliminating any contact
                                                  thereof; and all members of the                         equitable basis; and                                   with the seafloor or adjacent vegetation.
                                                  immediate family or household of any                       (14) Use of Marks: Except as expressly                 (3) A technique to install, inspect,
                                                  such individual, employee,                              set forth in the Participant Agreement or              remove or replace any parts of the
                                                  representative, or agent;                               the competition rules, participants shall              system. Ideally, the installation should
                                                     (vi) any Federal entity or Federal                   not use the names, trademarks, service                 be as simple as possible, and only use
                                                  employee acting within the scope of his                 marks, logos, insignias, trade dress, or               a ship with a boom. (For example,
                                                  or her employment, or as may otherwise                  any other designation of source or origin              methods requiring the use of drills,
                                                  be prohibited by Federal law                            subject to legal protection, copyrighted               barges, or divers might be scored lower
                                                  (employees should consult their agency                  material or similar intellectual property              than other proposed solutions.)
                                                  ethics officials) Note: Federal ethical                 (‘‘Marks’’) of the organizers or other                    (4) These mooring systems may be
                                                  conduct rules may restrict or prohibit                  prize competition partners, sponsors, or               fixed or moveable, passive or active,
                                                  federal employees from engaging in                      collaborators in any way without such                  etc., with the goal of deployment in the
                                                  certain outside activities, so any federal              party’s prior written permission in each               following operating conditions:
                                                  employee not excluded under the prior                   instance, which such party may grant or                   (i) Hull Type: 6 × 16 or 8 × 22 LFR
                                                  paragraph seeking to participate in this                withhold in its sole and absolute                      (foam buoy);
                                                  competition outside the scope of                        discretion.                                               (ii) Water Depth: 30 ft.–50 ft.;
                                                  employment should consult his/her                          (15) An individual or entity that is                   (iii) Bottom Type: Sand or Mud;
                                                  agency’s ethics official prior to                       determined to be on the Excluded                          (iv) Current: 2 kts.–4 kts.;
                                                  developing a submission;                                Parties List is ineligible to receive a                   (v) Wind/Seas: 0 kts./0 ft.–70 kts./14
                                                     (vii) any individual or entity that used             prize award and will not be selected as                ft.; and
                                                  Federal facilities or relied upon                       a prize competition winner.                               (vi) Tide: <5 ft.
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                                                  significant consultation with Federal                      Registration Information: To be                        (5) Additionally, proposed mooring
                                                  employees to develop a submission,                      eligible to win a prize under this                     systems should have the following
                                                  unless the facilities and employees were                competition, the Solver shall have                     properties:
                                                  made available to all Contestants                       registered to participate in the contest                  (i) Ability to withstand occasional
                                                  participating in the Contest on an equal                under the process identified on the                    allisions by vessels and not sustain
                                                  basis;                                                  central Federal Web site where                         damage; and
                                                     (viii) any individual or entity that                 government competitions are advertised                    (ii) Ability to be deployed and
                                                  used Federal funds to develop a                         (Challenge.gov). Access the http://                    retrieved using existing USCG


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 3 / Wednesday, January 6, 2016 / Notices                                                507

                                                  resources, specifically: 175 foot Coastal                  (2) Executive Summary that provides                 case of willful misconduct, for any
                                                  Buoy Tender (WLM; Beam: 36 ft.; Buoy                    a brief summary of the response and                    injury, death, damage, or loss of
                                                  Deck Area: 1335 sq. ft.; Crane: 10 ton                  indicating if supporting documentation                 property, revenue, or profits, whether
                                                  hydraulic with a 42 ft. reach; Dynamic                  is included.                                           direct, indirect, or consequential, arising
                                                  Positioning System; or a 225 foot                          (3) Clear discussion and description                from participation in this competition,
                                                  Seagoing Buoy Tender (WLB; Beam: 46                     of the proposed solution, including:                   whether the injury, death, damage, or
                                                  ft.; Buoy Deck Area: 2875 sq. ft.; Crane:                  (i) Equipment Specifications (height,               loss arises through negligence or
                                                  20 ton hydraulic with a 60 ft. reach;                   weight, length, fixed or movable, power                otherwise. Likewise, each Solver agrees
                                                  Dynamic Positioning System.                             requirements, etc., for both the                       to indemnify the Federal Government
                                                     (6) Installation areas of particular                 anchoring method and attachment                        against third party claims for damages
                                                  interest include the St. John River                     method);                                               arising from or related to competition
                                                  outside of Jacksonville, FL and the area                   (ii) Environmental Impact (How does                 activities. In order to receive a prize, a
                                                  around Guayanilla, Puerto Rico.                         the proposed solution avoid directly                   Solver will be required to complete, sign
                                                     (7) Alternate mooring systems exist                  damaging plants and corals?)                           and return to the Seeker affidavit(s) of
                                                  but each has potential drawbacks that                   Information should be provided on the                  eligibility and liability release, or a
                                                  may make them unsatisfactory as                         mooring-seafloor contact area if any                   similar verification document.
                                                  solutions to this competition.                          exists, including expected quantity (in                   Payment of the Prize: Prizes awarded
                                                  Alternatives tried by the USCG include:                 cubic feet) of submerged marine life                   under this competition will be paid by
                                                     (i) Articulated Beacon (a.k.a. Buoyant               directly impacted by the anchor alone                  the United States Coast Guard and must
                                                  Beacons): The systems are expensive                     and by any connection between the                      be received by the Solver(s) via
                                                  and cannot be deployed by USCG                          anchor and the buoy; and                               electronic funds transfer. All Federal,
                                                  vessels. The massive sinker weight                         (iii) Graphical depictions, engineering             state and local taxes are the sole
                                                  required to counteract the huge upward                  drawings and detailed diagrams.                        responsibility of the winner(s). DHS and
                                                  buoyant force that keeps them standing                     (4) Implementation Plan (Method and                 the USCG will comply with the Internal
                                                  upright is heavier than the buoy tender                 Feasibility Criterion)                                 Review Service withholding and
                                                  cranes can lift. A commercial crane and                    (i) Deployment, Retrieval, and                      reporting requirements, where
                                                  barge are required to put the system in                 Transportation requirements.                           applicable. All prize payments made
                                                  the water; and                                          (Submissions should indicate if the use                under this contest (Phases I–III) are the
                                                     (ii) DOR–MOR Anchor: Can only be                     of divers is necessary or other                        sole responsibility of the United States
                                                  used in areas with mud or sand bottoms.                 specialized equipment is required. Can                 Coast Guard. The Department of
                                                  Large anchors are significantly more                    USCG platforms be utilized?)                           Homeland Security, Science and
                                                                                                             (ii) Operational Limitations. (e.g.,                Technology Directorate assumes no
                                                  expensive than the equivalent concrete
                                                                                                          maximum sea state, minimum or                          responsibility for prize award payments
                                                  sinkers.
                                                                                                          maximum depth, required bottom type,                   under this prize competition.
                                                     (8) Alternatives not tried by USCG
                                                                                                          etc.)                                                     Judging Criteria: Solutions for Phase I
                                                  include:                                                   (iii) Interest and ability to participate
                                                     (i) Subsurface Float (mid-line buoy):                                                                       of this prize competition will be
                                                                                                          in USCG RDC demonstrations or their                    evaluated by a judging panel using the
                                                  A subsurface float is used to raise the                 equivalents. (Submissions should
                                                  excess chain in order to eliminate                                                                             criteria and rating scale described
                                                                                                          include any special requirements                       below. A total of 100 points is possible
                                                  scouring the ocean bottom, but the                      needed to facilitate demonstration of the
                                                  excess chain on the bottom provides                                                                            for each proposed solution. Judges will
                                                                                                          technology.)                                           individually score proposed solutions
                                                  damping/anchoring forces for the buoy.                     (5) Cost Analysis (Cost Criterion)
                                                  Without the bottom chain, when the                                                                             that meet the eligibility and submission
                                                                                                             (i) Acquisition Cost (Rough Order of                criteria described in this notice. Up to
                                                  water rises such as during a wave surge,                Magnitude (ROM) and Procurement
                                                  the buoy would tug directly against the                                                                        15 of the highest scored proposed
                                                                                                          Lead Time);                                            solutions for Phase I will advance to
                                                  concrete sinker and either ‘‘walk itself’’                 (ii) Service Life and Maintenance
                                                  off the station, or become submerged                                                                           consensus judging for a final score and
                                                                                                          Cycle;                                                 a decision on award amount, if any.
                                                  under water;                                               (iii) Life Cycle Cost Parameters
                                                     (ii) Synthetic Line: There are many                                                                            Proposed Solution Rating System (1–
                                                                                                          (Development, Testing, Acquisition,                    10 points for each criterion):
                                                  types of synthetic lines, including those               Operations, Planned Maintenance/                          (1) Excellent: Solver fully addressed
                                                  with elastomeric properties.                            Inspection, Integrated Logistics Support,              all elements of this criterion. (10 points)
                                                  Complications possibly include more                     training and disposal); and                               (2) Very Good: Solver addressed most
                                                  maintenance because of plant growth, as                    (iv) Developmental Cost (if required to             significant elements of this criterion. (8–
                                                  well as natural and polypropylene lines                 transition existing technology to meet                 9 points)
                                                  deteriorate quickly; and                                USCG mission requirements).                               (3) Good: Solver adequately addressed
                                                     (iii) Embedment Anchors: There are                      (6) Statement on capability to                      some important elements of this
                                                  many different types with the most                      participate in future prototype build                  criterion. (6–7 points)
                                                  popular the screw pile (a.k.a. Helical)                 phases of this prize competition. This                    (4) Fair: Solver failed to address one
                                                  anchor. Although these have a smaller                   factor will not be used in evaluating                  or more critical aspects of this criterion.
                                                  footprint than the traditional concrete                 entries and will only be used to                       (4–5 Points)
                                                  sinker, because they are embedded their                 determine if the Solver has the ability to                (5) Poor: The solver’s approach has
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                                                  depth of disruption is a concern.                       participate in the subsequent (optional)               serious deficiencies. (1–3 points)
                                                     (9) Solutions proposing variants of                  phases of the competition.                                Scoring: Criterion Score × Weighted
                                                  these systems must address and                             Liability and Indemnification                       Importance = Total
                                                  overcome the stated drawbacks.                          Information: By participating in this                     Judging Criteria:
                                                     Submissions to Phase I of this prize                 competition, each Solver agrees to                        (1) Criterion 1: Ability to deploy,
                                                  competition shall include:                              assume any and all risks and waive                     retrieve using existing CG resources
                                                     (1) Cover Page(format may be found                   claims against the Federal Government                  (225′ Seagoing Buoy Tender, 175′
                                                  on the competition Web site)                            and its related entities, except in the                Coastal Buoy Tender). (Weight—1.1)


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                                                  508                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 3 / Wednesday, January 6, 2016 / Notices

                                                     (2) Criterion 2: Ability to deploy or                contestants will present their solutions               position with the minimized disruption
                                                  retrieve without divers. (Weight—1.4)                   at the United States Coast Guard,                      of the marine environment).
                                                     (3) Criterion 3: Whether deployment                  Research and Development Center
                                                                                                                                                                 Intellectual Property
                                                  or retrieval requires any additional                    located in New London, CT.
                                                  equipment, not normally carried by                         (4) Judging for Phase II will be                       (1) A Solver retains all ownership in
                                                  existing CG buoy tenders. (Weight—0.7)                  evaluated based on the following                       intellectual property rights, if any, in
                                                     (4) Criterion 4: Expected quantity (in               criteria.                                              the ideas, concepts, inventions, data,
                                                  cubic feet) of submerged marine life and                   (i) Overall effectiveness of the                    and other materials submitted in the
                                                  vegetation impacted by the mooring                      proposed working prototype design:                     prize competition. By entering the prize
                                                  (anchor), alone. (Weight—1.3)                           This factor examines the quality of the                competition, each Solver agrees to grant
                                                     (5) Criterion 5: Expected quantity (in               design and proposed materials,                         to the United States Government, a
                                                  cubic feet) of submerged marine life and                quantification of how well the design                  Limited Purpose Research and
                                                  vegetation impacted by the attachment                   and materials minimize disruption of                   Development License that is royalty free
                                                  system, alone. (Weight—1.4)                             the marine environment, and                            and non-exclusive for a period of four
                                                     (6) Criterion 6: Suitability to the task.            quantification of design’s ability to keep             years from the date of submission. The
                                                  (i.e., How well the system keeps the                    the floating buoy and the mooring/                     Limited Purpose Research and
                                                  floating buoy within the watch circle                   anchor at assigned position.                           Development License authorizes the
                                                  radius ([attachment length2-water                          (ii) Feasibility of Implementation:                 United States Government to conduct
                                                  depth2]1/2) of its charted position in the              This factor examines whether the                       research and development, or authorize
                                                  conditions described above (2–4 kt                      relative cost of implementation is                     others to do so on behalf of the United
                                                  current, 0–70 kt winds, 0–14 ft. seas)                  reasonable and commensurate with the                   States Government. The Limited
                                                  (Weight—1.5)                                            costs associated with existing aid to                  Purpose License does not include rights
                                                     (7) Criterion 7: How well the mooring/               navigation installation, servicing and                 to commercialize the intellectual
                                                  anchor remains on the assigned position                 maintenance, and replenishment over a                  property in the Proposed Solution.
                                                  as deployed. (Weight—1.4)                               10 year life cycle.                                       (2) Each Solver warrants that he or
                                                     (8) Criterion 8: Cost Analysis.                         (iii) Quality of Presentation: This                 she is the sole author and owner of any
                                                  (Weight—0.8)                                            factor examines whether the                            copyrightable works that the
                                                     (9) Criterion 9: Whether anchor and                  information that the invited contestant                Submission comprises, that the works
                                                  attachment system is integral, modular,                 presents orally is consistent with the                 are wholly original with the Solver (or
                                                  or multi-component. (Weight—0.4)                        written information the contestant                     is an improved version of an existing
                                                     (10) Criterion 10: Non-Scored                        provides in support of their                           work that the Solver has sufficient rights
                                                  Element. The ability of the submitter to                presentation, and whether the invited                  to use and improve), and that the
                                                  produce a prototype system.                             contestant is actually familiar with the               Submission does not infringe any
                                                  Additional Information                                  design, theory, and analysis they                      copyright or any other rights of any
                                                                                                          provide in the supporting, written                     third party of which Solver is aware.
                                                  Prize Competition Optional Phases II                    information.
                                                  and III                                                                                                           Privacy: Personal information
                                                                                                             (5) Phase III. The Phase II prize                   provided by entrants (Solvers) on the
                                                    (1) Based on the submissions received                 competition winner will be eligible to                 nomination form through the prize
                                                  and the solver’s stated capability to                   receive up to $175,000 in milestone                    competition Web site will be used to
                                                  build a pilot solution, DHS S&T and the                 award payments and will have 12                        contact selected finalists. Information is
                                                  USCG reserve the right to invite one or                 months to develop and implement their                  not collected for commercial marketing.
                                                  more winners to participate in optional                 design. During this development period                 Winners are permitted to cite that they
                                                  prize competitions Phase II and III with                the prize competition winner will have                 won this competition. The names, cities,
                                                  a prize pool of up to $250,000.                         access to the USCG Research and                        and states of selected winner or entity
                                                    (2) Phase II contestant(s) will be                    Development Center and federal                         will be made available in promotional
                                                  awarded $5,000 each to assist in                        scientists and engineers as agreed to in               materials and at recognition events.
                                                  preparing and presenting their Phase II                 a Memorandum of Agreement or other
                                                  competition package.                                    agreement. Milestone award payments                    Judges and their Organization
                                                    (3) A contestant invited to participate               will be made based upon mutually
                                                                                                          agreed upon deliverable milestones                     (1) Danielle Elam, U.S. Coast Guard
                                                  in Phase II will present a prototype
                                                  design to the judges through ‘‘in-                      throughout the pilot based on the USCG                 (2) Marion Lewandowski, U.S. Coast
                                                  person’’ oral presentations which may                   accepted design. An initial milestone                       Guard
                                                  include graphics, displays, models, and                 payment will be determined to assist                   (3) Alexander Balsley, U.S. Coast Guard
                                                  PowerPoint presentations. Oral                          with the startup costs of the pilot.                   (4) Wayne Danzik, U.S. Coast Guard
                                                  presentations must be accompanied by                       (6) The Phase III contestant will be
                                                                                                                                                                 (5) Robert Trainor, U.S. Coast Guard
                                                  a written summary of the design,                        eligible to receive up to a $50,000 prize
                                                  materials, and techniques to implement                  payment for a successful pilot                         (6) David Merrill, U.S. Coast Guard
                                                  the solution, a specification sheet and                 demonstration of their solution. With                  (7) Gail Roderick, U.S. Coast Guard
                                                  detailed design illustration, and                       the approval and under the direction of                  Dr. Charlotte Sullivan of DHS Science
                                                  preliminary implementation costs. The                   the USCG RDC, deploy (or provide                       & Technology will act as a Technical
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                                                  oral presentation shall not last longer                 written deployment guidance to the                     Advisor to the judging panel.
                                                  than 40 minutes, allowing 20 minutes                    Coast Guard for deployment) the
                                                  for follow-up questions and answers. It                 prototype assembly at the location of the                Dated: December 22, 2015.
                                                  will be up to the participant(s) to                     Coast Guard’s choosing. After a series of              Reginald Brothers,
                                                  determine which aspect and method of                    three physical inspections, over a period              Under Secretary, DHS Science and
                                                  delivery will best encompass the                        of 12 months, if the system is successful              Technology Directorate.
                                                  concept of their proposed working                       in meeting the criteria for overall                    [FR Doc. 2015–32744 Filed 1–5–16; 8:45 am]
                                                  prototype pilot. Invited Phase II                       effectiveness (remaining at assigned                   BILLING CODE 9110–9F–P




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Document Created: 2016-01-06 04:02:15
Document Modified: 2016-01-06 04:02:15
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
ContactPrize Competition Manager: Dr. Charlotte Sullivan, Phone: 202-617-5115, Email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 504 

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