Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2002. Information in this issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest was prepared under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged — please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected. Any opinions expressed in the Digest do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Subscription to the SSTI Weekly Digest is free. If you are reading a forwarded copy of this issue and would like to receive your own copy each week directly, please subscribe at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/digform.htm Requests to unsubscribe should be sent to sstiwd@ssti.org
TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has favorably reported, with amendments, Senate Bill 1325, the Technology Administration Authorization Act for FY 1998-2000. The bill was originally introduced by Senator Frist (R-TN) in October of 1997.
The Bill authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for activities that fall under the auspices of the Technology Administration (TA). Total funding of $681,400,00 in FY 1998, $683,836,000 in FY 1999, and $688,610,000 in FY 2000 has been authorized in the bill.
The bill authorizes $192.5 million for the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) in FY 1998, $204 million in FY 1999, and $210.12 million in FY 2000. The bill authorizes $113.5 million for the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) in FY 1998, and $114.37 million in FY 1999 and 2000.
S.1325 with its amendments would make several changes to the NIST Act, specifically, changing the process by which ATP operates. The bill would:
- Require reviewers to make a determination that the research projects in questions would not go forward in a timely manner without federal assistance, and that an unsuccessful attempt had been made to secure private market funding for the research project involved;
- Restrict large business' participation to joint ventures only, and require that all joint ventures would have to include one or more small business;
- Eliminate all focused program competitions. All awards would be based on general open competitions; and,
- Require that a study be undertaken by the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Engineering which would perform a thorough review of the effectiveness of ATP.
In regards to MEP, the bill lifts the current six year sunset provision subject to a bi-annual review. The period would be extended beyond six years if the MEP center receives a positive evaluation through a review of procedures and criteria established by NIST. The federal proportion of funding received by each center after the sixth year would not exceed one-third of the total funding for capital and annual operating expenses and maintenance costs.
Other programs that would either be expanded by the bill or created include the following:
- The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT) would be established to strengthen the technological competitiveness of States that have historically received less federal research and development funds than those received by a majority of the states;
- The Malcolm Baldridge quality award would be expanded to encompass awards for health care providers and education providers; and,
- A Teacher Science and Technology Enhancement Institute Program would be created to provide for the professional development of elementary, middle, and secondary mathematics and science teachers.
It has yet to be determined when the bill will be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote.
For more information, visit the Thomas Legislative homepage at http://thomas.loc.gov.
SENATE TECHNOLOGY CAUCUS HOLDS ROUNDTABLE
The U.S. Senate Science and Technology Caucus, chaired by Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), held a roundtable discussion last week on the future of American innovation and competitiveness, specifically how to maintain America's science and technology edge in the world marketplace.
The roundtable participants included representatives from MIT, Harvard Business School, and the Council on Competitiveness. The discussion focused on building a workforce with proficiency in science and technology and the government's role in encouraging innovation and research.
The meeting unveiled a report, "Competing Through Innovation," detailing the conclusions and recommendations of a National Innovation Summit held earlier this year (see the 3/20/98 issue of the Digest for additional information) hosted by MIT and organized by the Council on Competitiveness. The report focuses on current trends affecting U.S. innovation such as the talent pool, research base, availability of research funding, vitality of U.S. markets and access to international markets.
The Science and Technology Caucus is a bipartisan group that meets to consider the federal government's role in advancing science and technology issues and their key role in America's economic growth. Senators Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Conrad Burns (R-MT) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) participate in the Caucus.
A copy of the Council on Competitiveness' report "Competing Through Innovation" is available for $5 by calling the Publications Office at the Council on Competitiveness, 202/682-4292.
AIR FORCE SBIR PRE-SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT
The U.S. Air Force has announced that its Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program topics for FY99 will be released in mid-June. The Air Force is pre-releasing its topics before the Department of Defense's Pre-Solicitation in order to provide small businesses the maximum amount of time to ask technical questions. This early release offers the additional benefit of giving companies enough time to start marketing and networking.
According to the topic authors, technical points of contact, and SBIR awardees, marketing research is extremely important to the success of a proposal. These early marketing discussions have often proven invaluable in preparing the SBIR proposals. Small businesses have also often learned of other types of solicitations against which they can propose.
Questions may be addressed to the sponsoring activity through November 30, 1998. As of December 1, no additional technical information can or will be made available by Air Force personnel during the DOD program solicitation period.
The Air Force solicitation topics will be released on the Web at www.afmc.wpafb.af.mil/tto/sbir/afpresol.htm.
A copy of the SBIR topics may also be obtained by contacting AFRL at 937/656-9066.
State Science & Technology Institute
5015 Pine Creek Drive
Westerville, OH 43081
Phone: (614) 901-1690
Fax: (614) 901-1696
Email: ssti@ssti.org© 2002 State Science and Technology Institute. All rights reserved.