The primary goal of APTEP is to promote commerce and partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region through advancements in alternative energy research, technology development and education. This includes continuing development of world-leading U.S. research capabilities; a U.S. economic base providing technologies to meet Asia-Pacific region needs; and a U.S. workforce educated to develop and implement appropriate technologies. The technology development under this project would focus on creating new technologies or demonstrating the viability of applying existing technologies to new alternative energy products and processes in a general way, such as precompetitive technology development in the commercial sector. This is primarily expected to focus on dual-use technologies for the commercial marketplace but have relevance to the Navy’s mission and potential future Naval and DoD requirements. In addition, APTEP promotes partnerships with Asia-Pacific nations for the open exchange of technology advancements and joint educational opportunities related to alternative energy research and technology development. There are three major thrusts in the APTEP program - 1) Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM); 2) Technology Research and Evaluation; and 3) Sustainable Technology Development. Due to global energy demands and, in particular, increasing demands in developed and developing Asia-Pacific nations, the APTEP vision is focused on "alternative energy for sustainability" with the following overall purposes and approaches: • Promote sustainability through alternative energy research, technology development and education. • Research, develop and evaluate U.S. technologies applicable to Asia-Pacific regions. • Promote a U.S. Clean-Tech workforce by linking energy education, energy research and Clean-Tech companies which would serve as a model for the Asia-Pacific region. • Partner with Asia-Pacific nations to promote and share alternative energy scientific and technological advancements for sustainability. • Establish strategic partnerships with Asia-Pacific nations through economic, research and educational opportunities. The objective of this funding opportunity announcement is to select a center to manage the sustainability-oriented applied research and technology development, and evaluation of sustainable alternative energy technology, and assist with business development and product transition activities to accomplish the objectives of the APTEP program. To promote economic development, partnerships and stability in the Asia-Pacific region through advancements in technology and economic development, the center shall perform outreach activities to develop a cadre of U.S. small to mid-size businesses and academic institutions to create an economic base capable of providing sustainable alternative energy technologies to meet Asia-Pacific regional needs. The center shall identify opportunities where businesses possess the technological expertise to perform research and develop commercial- oriented products to meet future needs, and provide assistance and guidance to promote sustainable alternative energy-related technology development and partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region. The center shall be responsible for assisting with business and product development to enhance the transition of commercially-oriented technologies that could meet future Navy and DoD needs developed under this program. The center shall assist the technology firms in understanding the business, financial, and technical aspects of applying for federal contracts and performing technology development/evaluation, as well as assist in transitioning new products used in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief. The major efforts of the center shall be: 1. Identification and promulgation to technology companies and academic institutions of existing and future sustainable energy technology needs in the Asia-Pacific region. Documented justification for selection of needs shall be based on known and projected civilian or naval sustainable energy-related requirements, as well as humanitarian assistance/disaster relief requirements to support the Asia-Pacific region. 2. The conduct of competitions to select appropriate pre-commercial and nascent commercial sustainable alternative energy technologies for evaluation. The conduct of business case/cost-benefit analyses to include consultation with regional technical and cultural experts to support the selection of the technologies and the proposed relevant test sites in the Asia-Pacific operational area. The conduct of formal semi-annual project reviews. 3. Evaluation of selected technologies at test sites representative of conditions encountered in the Asia-Pacific region, and analysis and reporting of intermediate and final test results. Projects shall collect performance and reliability data to de-risk technologies for civilian and defense applications. This includes evaluation of technologies during joint experimentation exercises. 4. Assistance with business development, strategic partnering and product transition strategies for the participant technology companies. Hawaii is currently the national focal point for APTEP activities due to its geographic location; environmental similarities to other Asia-Pacific regions; cultural, educational and economic ties to many Asia-Pacific nations; and research capabilities in scientific and technology areas highly relevant to Asia-Pacific. Therefore, the above major center efforts should further Hawaii's already-established national role as a marketplace, developer and test-bed for alternative energy technologies applicable to Asia-Pacific energy needs. Proposals are sought from U.S. organizations with a proven track record in the Asia-Pacific region of mentoring small high technology businesses capable of developing dual-use, sustainable alternative energy technologies; and developing strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region. Required organizational capabilities include: extensive knowledge and experience in identifying, working with and evaluating the capabilities of small business high technology firms; extensive knowledge and experience in identifying and addressing U.S. Naval technology requirements and dual-use technologies that could have future Naval revelance; extensive knowledge and experience identifying and addressing humanitarian assistance/disaster relief requirements; extensive knowledge and experience in interfacing with the U.S. joint and naval commands operating in the Asia-Pacific area of operations (e.g., U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC); extensive knowledge and experience in mentoring small business high technology firms, especially in relation to the performance of Government-sponsored research and technology development efforts and product transition; extensive knowledge of and experience in developing strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region; and knowledge and experience in conducting cost-benefit and business case analysis, and experience with Government sponsored applied research reporting is required; knowledge of, experience with, and sensitivity to the Asia-Pacific region environmental, cultural, and economic issues. Geographic proximity to the Asia-Pacific region military commands will be critical to success of this program. ************************************************************************************************************************************The FULL ANNOUNCEMENT is available on the Grants.gov website by scrolling to the top of the synopsis page and clicking on the "FULL ANNOUNCEMENT" box surrounded by the dotted line at the top of the page.