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In the December 6, 1996 Issue:

Bioremediation Projects Sought


The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking grant applications for research grants in the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) program. Projects are expected to range from $100,000 to $500,000 in DOE funds. The NABIR program supports long-term research that will provide the scientific understanding needed to use natural processes and to develop methods to accelerate these processes for the bioremediation of contaminated soils, sediments, and groundwater at Department of Energy facilities. Up to $10 million will be available for multiple awards to be made in FY 1997 and early FY 1998

DOE has a 50-year legacy of environmental problems resulting from the production of nuclear weapons. Among the most serious environmental problems the DOE faces are widespread contamination of soils, sediments, and groundwater. Many of the contaminated soils, sediments, and aquifers are believed to be impossible to remediate with existing technologies. Bioremediation has the potential to meet some of these challenges.

NABIR will focus on developing the scientific foundation needed to bioremediate the complex mixtures of contaminants at DOE facilities. The most challenging of these mixtures include industrial solvents and complexing agents, together with heavy metals and radionuclides.

Academic, DOE laboratory, other federal agency, and industrial researchers are eligible to participate in NABIR. Research projects should be carried out by individual investigators and/or by teams. The investigators and scientific teams will be selected through a competitive process, and research projects will be peer-reviewed biannually. Periodic scientific forums will be held to stimulate the transfer of ideas and information among researchers and to help guide the direction of the scientific program.

The seven scientific elements of the NABIR program are:

1. Biotransformation and Biodegradation

2. Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology

3. Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering

4. Biogeochemical Dynamics

5. Assessment

6. Acceleration

7. System Engineering, Integration, Prediction and Optimization

Preapplications to the program are encouraged. Although there is no specific due date for preapplications, early submission is strongly encouraged. Formal applications to the program are due by January 30, 1997. The program solicitation (NABIR Open Solicitation Notice 97-04) was published in the Federal Register and is available on the Web at www.er.doe.gov/production/ grants/grants.html


Report Released on Federal Role in Economic Development


The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) has released a report examining the role of the federal government in economic development activities and proposing a new approach to meet economic development needs. NAPA urges the federal government to help states and localities learn through better information, leverage all available resources, and link multiple federal initiatives to assist local communities.

Among the report's recommendations, NAPA encourages the federal government to:

The project was led by a panel, chaired by former Governor Richard L. Thornburgh, who is also chairman of SSTI's Board of Trustees. The report was prepared with funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Copies of the report can be obtained by contacting NAPA at 202/347-3190.


U.S. Competitiveness Increased in Last Decade


According to a new report released by the Council on Competitiveness, Competitive Index 1996: A Ten-Year Strategic Assessment, the U.S. has sharply boosted its economic competitiveness over the past decade. The Council attributed the gains to a variety of factors including corporate restructuring, reduction in the budget deficit, a weaker dollar and broadened international markets.

The report warns, however, that the U.S. remains vulnerable in several key areas:

To compile this year's Competitiveness Index, the Council examined various statistics and surveyed its members -- 123 chief executives from industry, academia and labor. All members were asked a core set of questions regarding national economic competitiveness. They were also questioned about their particular sector (industry/labor or academia). In addition, the Council asked the 54 presidents of its affiliate members (non-profit organizations representing a cross-section of industrial and educational institutions) to complete the survey.

The report is available from the publications office of the Council on Competitiveness at 202/682-4292.


Funding Continued for Oklahoma Program


The Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence, Inc. will receive $1.5 million from the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). The Alliance, a program of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, is an MEP affiliate that received its initial federal funding through the Technology Reinvestment Project.

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