Fusion Power Associates 2 Professional Drive, Suite 249 Gaithersburg, MD 20879 phone: (301) 258-0545 fax: (301) 975-9869 e-mail: FusionPwrAssoc@aol.com web: http://fusionpower.org

Applications must be received by 8 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST) on May 20, 2002.

The solicitation is being issued electronically through the Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS). The complete procedures for accessing the solicitation through IIPS are located at http://e- center.doe.gov. Users who wish to submit proposals electronically must register to gain access to the solicitation. MANUAL RESPONSES (HARD COPIES) TO THE SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

The actual work to be accomplished will be determined by the experiments and diagnostic techniques that are selected for award. Proposed experiments and diagnostics techniques will be evaluated through scientific peer review against predetermined, published and available criteria. Final selection will be made by DOE. It is anticipated that multiple grants will be awarded within the available funding. The unique resources of the NLUF are available to scientists for state-of-the art Experiments primarily in the area of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and related plasma physics. Other areas such as spectroscopy of highly ionized atoms, laboratory astrophysics, fundamental physics, material science, and biology and chemistry will be considered on a secondary basis.

The LLE was established in 1970 to investigate the interaction of high power lasers with matter. Available at the LLE for NLUF researchers is the OMEGA LASER, a 30kJ UV 60 beam laser system (at 0.35 um) suitable for direct-drive ICF implosions. This system is suitable for a variety of experiments including laser-plasma interactions and atomic spectroscopy. The NLUF program for FY 2003 and FY 2004 is to concentrate on experiments that can be done with the OMEGA laser at the University of Rochester and development of diagnostic techniques suitable for the OMEGA system. Measurements of the laser coupling, laser-plasma interactions, core temperature, and core density are needed to determine the characteristics of the target implosions. Diagnostic techniques could include either new instrumentation, development of analysis tools, or development of targets that are applicable for 30 kJ implosions. Additional information about the facilities and potential collaboration at the NLUF can be obtained from: Dr. John Soures, Manager, National Laser Users' Facility, University of Rochester/LLE, 250 East River Road, Rochester, NY 14623.

For further information on the solicitation, contact: Janice Williams, Contract Specialist, DOE Oakland Operations Office (janice.williams@oak.doe.gov) (510)637-1914.