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In the September 4, 1998 Issue:
DOD ANNOUNCES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND OFFERS DUAL-USE INDUSTRY INVESTMENT STRATEGY CONFERENCE
In an attempt to inform interested parties of its 1999 Dual Use Science and Technology (DUST) Program Request for Proposals (RFP), the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Army, Navy and Air Force have announced that they will jointly sponsor the "1998 Dual Use Science and Technology Investment Strategies Conferences". The conferences are structured to answer specificquestions about the 1999 DUST solicitation and the process for submitting white papers and bids.
The DUST Program’s purpose is to create and develop new product or process technologies that have potential for both military and commercial applications. If successfully developed, the technology will have both military relevance and sufficient potential commercial applications to support a viable production base. Attendees of the conference will learn about the Defense Department's dual use science and technology efforts and will have the opportunity to talk directly with the program managers from the Army, Navy and Air Force who are requesting the research. DoD will also use these conferences to develop a dialogue with industry in an effort to increase the use of dual developed technologies to meet defense needs.
To increase the opportunities for industry to participate, the conferences are being held in two locations. The first will be in Washington DC on October 22,1998, at the Sheraton Crystal City. The second will be in Los Angeles on October 29,1998, at the Airport Hilton and Towers. In the morning sessions, attendees will be presented with an overview of the DUST program and with details of the 1999 solicitation requirements. During the afternoon technical breakout sessions, attendees will have an opportunity to interact with technical personnel from the military services and ask questions about their specific technology needs. The meetings provide an opportunity to meet and interact with many of the Department of Defense personnel who are working to increase the use of dual use technology.
The deadline for submitting proposals will be December 15, 1998. However, the announcement remains open for one year from the date of publication, and proposals received after December 15 will be considered, but only to the extent that funding remains available beyond the initial selection. Award announcements are expected in February 1999. Additional information on the conferences as well as the solicitation can be found on the Internet at www.dtic.mil/dust.
DOE ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR SENSOR AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING APPLICATIONS
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) has announced the release of its Solicitation for Financial Assistance Applications (SFAA) for sensor and control technologies for industrial manufacturing applications. The solicitation is intended to assist U. S. manufacturing industries with the research and development of sensor and control technologies that will improve energy efficiency, improve productivity, and reduce environmental impacts.
Funding support will be provided by the Sensors and Controls Program within the OIT Industries of the Future (IOF) Crosscutting Program.The resulting projects should develop and deliver advanced sensor and control technologies, which: have wide applicability across the six IOF industries for which technology roadmaps have been developed; meet high priority needs identified in the six IOF technology roadmaps; and will improve energy efficiency and productivity as well as reduce the impact of the U.S. manufacturing industries on the environment through a reduction of wastes and pollutants.
DOE anticipates it will award up to four cooperative agreements with a duration of three years or less. Total DOE funding in the amount of $1 million is anticipated for these awards in FY 1999. DOE funding for the outyears is yet to be determined. However, DOE anticipates funding the projects at the same or similar levels.
Applications are due no later than October 1, 1998. Announcement of awards are anticipated by January 8, 1999. The solicitation, SFAA No. DE-SC02- 99CH10944, is available at http://www.ch.doe.gov/business/sensor/sensor.htm
NSF ANNOUNCES NEW PHASE OF SBIR PROGRAM
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has made four grants in a new pilot program intended to bridge the gap between technology research and commercialization by providing incentives for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grantees to seek partnerships with investors. The new SBIR Phase IIB Pilot Program is intended to supplement the SBIR effort at NSF. The Phase IIB Pilot Program allows small businesses to continue their research while securing the support of third-party investors. This financial support, in fact, is the main requirement for receiving Phase IIB grants. To be eligible, a third-party investor must have committed a minimum of $100,000. NSF will then match up to 50 percent of the funds received up to $100,000. Grant recipients can use the third-party money to tailor their technologies to the specific needs of the investors. However, they can only use the NSF funds to continue research related to the ongoing Phase II work.
NSF selected four small businesses to participate in the pilot program based on the intellectual merit and potential impact of their research: Polatomic Corp. of Texas; Pericle Communications Co. of Colorado; New Light Industries of Washington; and Auxein Corp. of Michigan.
For more information about the program contact Kesh Narayanan at 703/ 306-1390 or via e-mail at knarayan@nsf.gov.
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
NGA Leadership --- At its 1998 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, the National Governor’s Association (NGA) named its new leadership to steer the initiatives and agenda for the association.Delaware Governor THOMAS R. CARPER was named NGA’s chairman, and Utah Governor MICHAEL O. LEAVITT vice chairman. The positions are for a term of one year. At the meeting, the nation’s governors focused primarily on initiatives for the new millennium, and resolved to continue trying to fortify the federal-state partnership. The centerpiece of the August meeting was state innovations in technology which included 30 state technology exhibits. ASME/USIP FELLOW -- Susan Ipri Brown began her term as the United States Innovation Partnership (USIP) Fellow in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on September 1. The fellowship is funded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Ms. Brown most recently served as Science Research Analyst in the Michigan Legislative Science Bureau. In her new capacity as USIP Fellow in OSTP's Technology Division, Brown will support USIP activities aimed at enhancing state-federal cooperation and technology-based economic growth.. The fellowship was held most recently by Dr. John Ahlen of the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority.
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