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SSTI Digest
$15-18 Million Offered for Greenhouse Gas Reduction R&D
On September 9, the Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) released a Request for Proposals entitled "Research and Development of Technologies for the Management of Greenhouse Gases" (Program Solicitation DE-PS26-99FT40613). Deadlines of January 3, 2000 and May 1, 2000 have been set for two separate evaluation periods.
Projects must address the objectives of the FETC’s Carbon Sequestration Program. Six topic areas are identified and described in the Request for Proposals. Selected projects may last up to 36 months. Total funding available is $15-18 million. Cost sharing, although not required, is encouraged. For more information visit the Federal Energy Technology Center's Electronic Business Center at: http://www.fetc.doe.gov/business/ and click on 1999 Solicitations under the heading, Business Opportunities. Comments and questions regarding the solicitation should be addressed electronically to Deborah J. Boggs, Contracts Specialist, at dboggs@fetc.doe.gov
TRP Review Finds Benefits
The Undersecretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Defense (DOD) recently released A Review of the Technology Reinvestment Project, a study of 112 of the 133 technology development projects funded through the Technology Reinvestment Program (TRP). TRP projects funded under the Technology Deployment and Manufacturing Education and Training components were not included in the study.
TRP, the largest dual-use technology development effort undertaken by DOD, was managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) from 1993 - 1997. Nearly $1 billion was awarded through three annual solicitations. While the last solicitation was held in Fiscal Year 1995, many projects are still in progress.
The study found TRP was beneficial at several levels:
Two Positions Available
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking to fill two positions at its Gaithersburg headquarters. Both positions — an Evaluation Program Leader and an Evaluation Specialist — will work on MEP program evaluation, economic impact measurement, and data interpretation efforts. Resumes will be accepted until the positions are filled.
Full position descriptions are available for review on the SSTI website (follow the S&T Job Corner link at http://www.ssti.org )
People
The following people in the S&T field have announced or made career changes recently:
Anne Armstrong has been named CEO for the Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology.
Joe Blanco has been appointed the Hawaii Technology Advisor.
Christopher Hagen is serving as Nevada’s Science & Technology Advisor for the next 18 months. The position will be completely funded by Bechtel Nevada, Mr. Hagen’s employer of 22 years.
Chris Hedrick has announced his resignation as the Executive Science & Technology Policy Advisor in the Washington Governor’s Office to join an Internet education company.
Tom Thornton is resigning his position as President of the Illinois Coalition to join a Midwest Venture Capital firm.
People
Anne Armstrong has been named CEO for the Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology.
People
Christopher Hagen is serving as Nevada’s Science & Technology Advisor for the next 18 months. The position will be completely funded by Bechtel Nevada, Mr. Hagen’s employer of 22 years.
People
Chris Hedrick has announced his resignation as the Executive Science & Technology Policy Advisor in the Washington Governor’s Office to join an Internet education company.
People
Tom Thornton is resigning his position as President of the Illinois Coalition to join a Midwest Venture Capital firm.
$10 M Research Fund, Loan Forgiveness Program Among New Tech Initiatives in Arkansas
The State of Arkansas has enacted several initiatives this year to assist science, technology, and research within the state. The two largest efforts are a $10 million research fund and a loan forgiveness program.
Arkansas Research Matching Fund
In an effort to improve the state’s national ranking of 49th place in research performance, the Arkansas General Assembly created the Arkansas Research Matching Fund. The $10 million fund will be administered by the
Arkansas Science & Technology Authority, the state’s lead agency for R&D funding and technology-based economic development. (URL: http://www.state.ar.us/asta/ ) The $10 million appropriation is to fund the program for the next two years.
Small Manufacturing Week Proclaimed; Summit Planned
President Clinton has declared September 19 through September 25 Small Manufacturing Week to recognize the economic contributions and national importance of America’s 385,000 small and medium-sized manufacturers.
On September 21-22, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of the National Institute of Standards & Technology (MEP), the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Modernization Forum are holding a Manufacturing Summit at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Topics to be addressed during the Summit will include:
Editor’s Note
In the coming days, Congress will be acting on appropriations bills for the coming fiscal year. The consequences for science and technology are profound.
As a result, the Digest is departing from its usual format of summarizing the news to present opinions on the budget battle from: Allan Bromley, the presidential science adviser in the Bush Administration; John Podesta, President Clinton’s Chief of Staff; and, Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), chair of the House
Science Committee.
Dr. Bromley’s article originally appeared in the Washington Post. Our thanks to them for permission to reprint it.
Due to the length of Mr. Podesta’s remarks, we have condensed the speech he originally made at the National Press Club. His full speech can be found on the White House’s home page at http://www.whitehouse.gov