Some more testing reveals that the -format file- parameters do not become -drawing file- parameter. However, -drawing file- parameters can be picked up by -format files-.
In fact, the text you enter for a 'new" format (or sheet) simply becomes text, and is not an actual variable any more. Kinda silly but knowing this makes it easier to manage.
So you can create those 5 parameters in your drawing and they will work for every sheet.
I don't see a way to read the parameters into new drawings. This is where the .drw as a template would make it easier to enter this data, but you could enter the same 5 parameters each time. Odd that you can export the data but not import it. Maybe someone will help with a tip on how to do this. Without the ability to create relations in a drawing, I don't know of a better way to create parameters.