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In the June 6, 1997 Issue:

NSF ACCEPTING PRE- PROPOSALS FOR MATERIALS CENTERS


As the first step in a new round of competition for Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC), the National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting pre-proposals for the program. MRSECs support interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary materials research and education while addressing fundamental problems in science and engineering.

Eleven MRSEC awards were made in September 1994 and a further thirteen Centers were established in September 1996.

The next open MRSEC competition is planned for FY 1998. NSF anticipates that individual MRSEC awards will range in size from $0.5 million to $5 million per year. Awards will be made for an initial period of up to five years. Proposals from existing centers in their fourth year will be evaluated in open competition with new proposals.

MRSEC proposals will be accepted by invitation only, following competitive evaluation of pre-proposals. Academic institutions with broad research and education programs in the broad areas of condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, materials science and engineering, and related areas of science and engineering, may submit pre-proposals.

NSF encourages active cooperation with industry to stimulate and facilitate knowledge transfer and strengthen the links between university-based research and its application. Cooperative activities may include joint research programs, access to facilities, involvement of external advisory groups, and industrial outreach programs.

Major research areas currently addressed by the centers include:

The deadline for pre-proposals is September 12, 1997. For more information about the competition, contact one of the NSF program managers, Carmen Huber at 703/306-1996 or Ulrich Strom at 703/306-1832.


COMMERCIAL SPACE ACT INTRODUCED


Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis) has introduced the Commercial Space Act of 1997 (H.R. 1702) to encourage the development of a commercial space industry in the United States.

The bill has five major components. First, it will direct NASA to determine the feasibility for commercial tenants on the International Space Station. Second, it amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to enable the Office of Commercial Space Transportation to license reentry activities for the industrial sector.

Third, the bill supports the President's policy to make the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) the international standard. It is recognized that the commercial market opportunities for GPS are extensive, and that the economic interests of the U.S. would best be served if the current U.S. GPS system became the world standard. Fourth, language is included that streamlines the process for obtaining a license to operate a commercial remote sensing satellite. Finally, the legislation requires the federal government to procure space transportation services from U.S. commercial providers to the maximum extent possible.

In his remarks to the House, Sensenbrenner stated that the commercial space industry generated $7.5 billion in revenue in 1995, and, according to a RAND Corp. study, the market for GPS goods and services alone could reach $8.47 billion by the year 2000.

H.R. 1702 is co-sponsored by the ranking members of the House Science Committee and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. The sponsor's intent is to move the bill through the House before the July 4 recess. This rapid time schedule will enable the Senate to have time to consider the legislation. A similar bill (H.R. 3936) was passed by the House at the end of the last Congressional term, but was not considered by the Senate before the session ended.


COSSI PROJECTS SELECTED


The Department of Defense has announced 30 projects selected for negotiation under the Commercial Operations and Support Savings Initiative (COSSI) of the Dual Use Applications Program (DUAP), the successor program to the Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP). The projects could receive close to $100 million in DUAP funding.

COSSI emphasizes using commercial technology and business approaches to reduce the operations and support costs of existing military systems. The projects were chosen for their potential to reduce operating and support costs by inserting commercial technology into them.

The Air Force selected six projects (two in California, and one each in Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Ohio). The Army selected 10 projects and the Navy selected 14 projects. Neither the Army or the Navy responded to requests for a breakout by state.

A complete list of projects can be obtained by contacting SSTI at 614/421-SSTI (7784).


CUMMINGS JOINS SSTI STAFF

Deborah Cummings has joined the staff of the State Science and Technology Institute as a Policy Analyst. Ms. Cummings prior work experience includes positions with the National Business Incubation Association and Ohio's Thomas Edison Program as the Edison Technology Incubator Coordinator. She can be reached at 614/421-SSTI (7784) or via e-mail at cummings@ssti.org.

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