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SSTI Digest
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.
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.
Good to Leave Commerce
Mary Good, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, is leaving the U.S. Department of Commerce in the beginning of June, according to published reports. Dr. Good will be returning to Arkansas. During her tenure, she has been a strong and influential advocate for federal support for science and technology.
Dr. Good serves as the chair of the National Science and Technology Council's Committee of Technological Innovation and as the Clinton Administration's lead on the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles. She has served as Under Secretary since 1993.
NAS Elects 60 New Members
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has elected 60 new members and 15 foreign associates from 11 countries. Election to membership in the Academy is considered one of the highest honors to be accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer.
The following states had members elected to the Academy: California (16), Massachusetts (6), New York (6), Connecticut (5), Maryland (5), New Jersey (4), Illinois (3), Washington (3), Pennsylvania (2), Texas (2), Wisconsin (2), and with one each, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Wyoming.
For a complete list of those elected, contact SSTI at 614/421-SSTI (7784).
Defense SBIR Program Reviewed
The General Accounting Office (GAO) recently released its review of the policies and procedures of the Department of Defense (DoD) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. In FY 1997, approximately $1 billion, government wide, has been set-aside for this program. Approximately $500 million of that amount is projected to be funded by DoD.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 required GAO to review certain aspects of DoD's SBIR program. As part of the review process, GAO interviewed officials in the Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, and the participating DoD divisions and agencies, in addition to reviewing implementing instructions, guidelines, and other pertinent documents.
Position Available
The Industry Network Corporation is seeking a Regional Manager for its Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. The position is based in Anchorage, Alaska. The full position description can be obtained from the Institute by calling SSTI at 614/421-SSTI (7784) or through the Institute's home page at http://www.ssti.org
Regional Meetings Planned for Input on EPSCoT
Three regional meetings are being scheduled to receive input on the design of the proposed Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT) program. The program is intended to "foster the development of indigenous technology assets in states that traditionally have been under represented in the distribution of federal R&D expenditures."
The Department of Commerce's Technology Administration describes EPSCoT as the technology counterpart to the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). It is being designed to bridge the gap between university research and the local economy and develop economic development tools to foster regional technology-based economic growth. It would be a competitive, cost-shared grant program.
SSTI Conference Slated for June 16-17
The State Science and Technology Institute's first conference, "Promoting Economic Growth Through State Science and Technology Programs," will be held June 16-17 in Washington, D.C.
The conference will cover topics identified by the states as being of interest, including:
South Carolina Establishes Technology Advisory Council
South Carolina Governor David Beasley has appointed a 17-member Technology Advisory Council. The Council is to examine how South Carolina can attract technology-intensive companies, find strategies to promote high technology jobs and identify specific technologies that are important for other industries.
The Council, comprised of 11 private sector and 6 public sector representatives, has committed to submitting a technology plan to the Governor by mid November. Dr. Larry Druffel, president and CEO of the South Carolina Research Authority, serves as the Council's chairman.
NGA and NASBO Release State Expenditures, Trends Report
The National Governors' Association (NGA) and the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) released the results of the annual Fiscal Survey of States. The report incorporates information gathered by NASBO from January through April 1997, and includes actual figures for fiscal 1996, preliminary figures for fiscal 1997, and numbers contained in Governors' proposed budgets for fiscal 1998.
The April edition of The Fiscal Survey of States says that although 1997 will be the seventh year of economic recovery nationwide, governors are not calling for program expansions but are adhering to the principles of efficiency, austerity, and improved management.
Assessment of NASA Programs Released
The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) has released an assessment of NASA's technology transfer and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs.
Overall, NAPA found that NASA continuously implements new approaches designed to enhance the commercial impact of its R&D investments. While acknowledging the difficulties in measuring accomplishments in technology transfer and commercialization activities, NAPA found that NASA's efforts compare favorably with other federal agencies and, in a number of cases, its efforts are likely to offer better performance and value than those of other agencies. Specific recommendations pertaining to mechanisms for commercializing technology include:
National Medal of Science & National Medal of Technology Winners Announced
The recipients of the 1997 National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology were announced last week. The awards are described as the United States' equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Established in 1959, the National Medal of Science is the nation's highest scientific honor. It is given to individuals who deserve "special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." Created in 1980, the National Medal of Technology is the highest honor given by the President to America's leading innovators. It recognizes technological innovation and advancement of U.S. global competitiveness.
The nine National Medal of Science recipients and five National Medal of Technology recipients will be recognized at a White House ceremony later this year.