Consortia will also be considered for situations where several com-
panies will be combining their resources to address a common technical problem. Leveraging of funds to implement a consortium can offer a synergism to overall program effectiveness.

Procurement Mechanisms

DOE EM has developed an envi-
ronmental management techno-
logy development acquisition policy and strategy that uses phased procurements to span the

RDDT&E continuum from applied R&D concept feasibility through full-scale remediation. DOE EM- phased procurements make pro-
visions for unsolicited proposals, but formal solicitations are the preferred responses. The principal contractual mechanisms used by EM for industrial and academic response include Research Oppor-
tunity Announcements (ROAs) and Program R&D Announcements (PRDAs).

EM uses the ROA to solicit advanc-
ed research and technologies for a broad range of cleanup needs. The ROA supports applied re-
search ranging from concept feasi-
bility through full-scale demonstra-
tion. In addition, the ROA is open continuously for a full year follow-
ing the date of issue and includes a partial procurement set aside for