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SSTI Digest
STC Launches S&T Planning Initiative for South
The Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science is providing the Southern Technology Council (STC) $150,000 in matching funds over three years to help Southern states increase innovation-driven economic development. A major element of the initiative is annual benchmarking of each state's progress in agreed-upon categories, including: industrial composition, entrepreneurial development, globalization, and human resources.
The three-year program, Invented Here: Towards an Innovation-Driven Southern Economy, is designed to assist Southern states in leveraging scarce resources to build dynamic, sustainable economic growth.
Invented Here will help each Southern state in determining where it stands in the innovation-driven economy, developing a strategic plan, and establishing a set of benchmarks for improving its position. Specifically, Invented Here will:
State and Local S&T Update
All States
Whether or not to tax e-commerce has become a states’ rights issue. The industry-led Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce has recommended to Congress that it extend the current ban on e-commerce sales taxes for five years; the moratorium is set to expire in October, 2001. While governors in several states have been vocal in their opposition of any e-sales taxes, 42 governors have submitted a joint letter to Congress blasting the ban as a special interest tax break that interferes with state sovereignty. More information is available from the National Governors’ Association web site: http://www.nga.org/Releases/PR-12April2000Internet.asp
RFP Opens for EPSCoT Evaluation
The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) is seeking proposals to evaluate Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT). EPSCoT was established by Congress in 1998 to improve the technological competitiveness of the states that have historically received less federal R&D funding than a majority of states.
The purpose of the current funding opportunity is to: (1) evaluate the mission of EPSCoT in terms of funded projects, and (2) assess the program's underlying concept, design, and structure. A detailed Statement of Work (SOW) will be available in the solicitation package. The period of performance will be eighteen (18) months from the date of contract award. The solicitation isopen to all qualified organizations with extensive experience in analyzing the dynamics of regional technology-based economic growth. All interested groups may submit a proposal to be considered by the agency.
People
Alan P. Balutis, a 21-year veteran with the U.S. Department of Commerce, to be director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Advanced Technology Program. Balutis has been serving as the deputy chief information officer for the Department of Commerce since 1994.
Anna Darin has been named the executive director of the Council of Development Finance Agencies (www.cdfa.org)
President Clinton has announced his nomination of Dr. Mildred S. Dresselhaus to serve as Director of Energy Research at the Department of Energy. Dr. Dresselhaus is currently a professor in the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
One NIST and 20 NIH Inventions Available for Licensing
The National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Institutes of Health have published lists of inventions that are owned by the federal government and are available for licensing. Foreign patent applications may be filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for companies and may also be available for licensing.
Both the lists and contact information are available for review on the SSTI website at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/042800t.htm
People
Alan P. Balutis, a 21-year veteran with the U.S. Department of Commerce, to be director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Advanced Technology Program. Balutis has been serving as the deputy chief information officer for the Department of Commerce since 1994.
People
Anna Darin has been named the executive director of the Council of Development Finance Agencies (www.cdfa.org)
People
President Clinton has announced his nomination of Dr. Mildred S. Dresselhaus to serve as Director of Energy Research at the Department of Energy. Dr. Dresselhaus is currently a professor in the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Guide Available of Best Practices in Technology Innovation Centers
Technology Innovation Centers (TICs), defined broadly to include incubators, business support programs and web services, direct providers, and facilitators/gatekeepers, can be successful instruments for technology-based economic development if done properly, according to the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance's recent report Technology Innovation Centers: A Guide to Principles and Best Practices. The report provides public and private organizations with key tools for getting their technology innovation center off to the right start.
Comments Sought on New DOD Challenge Program
The Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics of the Department of Defense seeks comments on the department’s design for the new Challenge program. This program, required in the FY 2000 National Defense Authorization Act, is designed to increase the adoption of innovative technologies in acquisition programs. Consistent with a 1997 Defense Science Board study, the Challenge program design team has found that there is little competitive pressure -- in fact, there are internal disincentives -- for prime contractors to adopt outside, innovative technologies into an acquisition program after award has been made. The Challenge program, then, would foster competition among alternative technological approaches and suppliers wherever possible in the development of subsystems of DOD acquisition programs and to create other incentives and opportunities for insertion of new technology throughout the acquisition cycle.
MTDC Profiled in Latest SSTI Program Brief
Established in 1978 and entirely self-supported beginning in 1988, the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) has one of the longest records of success for state-sponsored venture capital corporations. SSTI has completed an eight-page profile of MTDC as the fourth in an occasional series examining the diversity of approaches to technology-based economic development.
The MTDC profile includes background on the creation of the corporation, description of MTDC activities and funds, information concerning organizational structure and staffing, a summary of accomplishments, and lessons learned over MTDC's 22 year history. Challenges, future plans, and sample success stories are also highlighted in the Program Brief.
60 Researchers Receive Presidential Honors
President Clinton has named 60 researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Established in 1996, the PECASE award is the highest honor that is given to exceptional scientists and engineers who are in the preliminary stages of their independent research careers. The award is also designed to help sustain the nation’s leading edge in scientific research.
Eight federal departments participate in the nominations process by selecting individuals who advance science and technology projects that will help to further the agencies’ missions. Nominations from all eight departments were awarded. The participating federal agencies and their number of awards are as follows: