What's New @ IEEE-USA - Eye On Washington

1) CAPITOL HILL WATCH

• HOUSE SETS PRIORITIES FOR USE OF SUPERCOMPUTERS

• HOUSE PASSES TRADEMARK DILUTION PROTECTION

• DEMOCRATS QUESTION IMPACT OF BARTON PLAN FOR DIGITAL TV TRANSITION ON PUBLIC

• SENATORS LISTEN AND SUPPORT INCREASED FUNDING FOR DOE's OFFICE OF SCIENCE

• SENATE RESPONSE TO HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTION ON AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AT NASA

• HOUSE JUDICIARY IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON JOBS SINCE 9/11

• HOUSE MEMBERS LAUNCH HIGH-TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP ACTIVITIES

• COMMITTEE VOTES TO SUPPORT U.S. MANUFACTURERS

• HOUSE APPROVES FUNDS FOR TECH UPGRADES TO MINORITY HIGHER-ED INSTITUTIONS

2) WHITE HOUSE & EXECUTIVE AGENCY WATCH

• COMMERCE UNDERSECRETARY BOND LEAVING TO WORK FOR MONSTER WORLDWIDE

• NEW EPA ADMINISTRATOR PROMISES THAT POLICY WILL BE DRIVEN BY "GOOD" SCIENCE

3) REPORTS, SPEECHES & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

• DOT OUTLINES RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & TECH PRIORITIES

• HARVARD ECONOMIST DELIVERS ANALYSIS OF GLOBALIZATION'S IMPACT ON US LEADERSHIP

4) U.S. COURTS ACTIVITY

No activity this week.

5) AWARDS & GRANTS

6) CONFERENCES, FELLOWSHIPS, PROGRAMS & INTERNSHIPS FOR ENGINEERS, and STUDENTS and SCHOLARS OF ENGINEERING

• 2007 CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE DEPARTMENT FELLOWSHIPS

7) U.S. STATES WATCH (All 50 state legislatures meet in 2005, almost all between the months of January and June.)

• WASHINGTON STATE PASSES OFFSHORE-OUTSOURCING STUDY BILL

• NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE COMMITS FUNDS TO CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

• RHODE ISLAND ESTABLISHES S&T ADVISORY COUNCIL & MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP

8) OTHER ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST

• NEW! TRACK IEEE-USA's PROGRESS

• EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES COMMITTED TO BEING A TECH-BASED ECONOMY

1) CAPITOL HILL WATCH

• HOUSE SETS PRIORITIES FOR USE OF SUPERCOMPUTERS

27 APRIL: The House passed HR 28 amending the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991. The bill, sponsored by Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) is designed to boost high-performance computer use in the U.S and calls for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to coordinate supercomputing projects among federal agencies. HR 28 also requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Energy Department to ensure U.S. researchers and engineers have access to the most advanced computers and computer networks.

"High-performance computers are central to maintaining U.S. leadership in many scientific fields," said Biggert. "We cannot imagine the kinds of problems that the supercomputers of tomorrow will be able to solve, but we can imagine the kind of problems we will have if we fail to provide researchers in the United States with the best computing resources. With House passage of this bill, American researchers are one step closer to gaining the tools they need to remain the world leader in the development and use of supercomputers.  Our nation's scientific enterprise, and our economy, will be stronger for it."

The White House endorsed the legislation which lays out specific research priorities for various federal agencies. For instance, the National Institute of Standards and Technology would develop benchmark tests and standards for high-performance computing and networking systems.

House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) spoke in strong support of HR 28 on the House floor, saying, "This is very important legislation that deals with the competitiveness of the United States of America in the global marketplace. We are not going to be preeminent in the competitive world if we don't invest wisely and direct our resources in the proper way, because the competition is all over the place. It isn't one state against another.  It's the United States against the world.  Right now, we're ahead. That's the position I like.  But when we look back, we see a lot of people following closely behind.  That's why it's critically important that we do things like invest in high-performance computing so that we maintain our competitive edge." Full text of the bill can be read at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.00028:

• HOUSE PASSES TRADEMARK DILUTION PROTECTION

9 APRIL: The House passed the Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2005 (HR 683), a trademark protection bill that makes it easier for owners of famous trademarks to block others from using similar names, logos and symbols. Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Tex.), seeking to protect famous trademarks from "dilution" that tarnishes the mark's reputation or blurs its association with a particular product, service or organization, introduced the bill in response to a 2003 Supreme Court case. In Moseley v Victoria's Secret Catalogue, the lingerie chain store sued an adult novelties store called Victor's Little Secret, claiming trademark infringement.

• DEMOCRATS QUESTION IMPACT OF BARTON PLAN FOR DIGITAL TV TRANSITION ON PUBLIC

As you know, Congress is considering an update of telecommunications laws that includes a proposal to require television broadcasts to shift from analog radio frequencies to digital by as early as 31 December 2006. The Proposal by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe Barton (R-Tex.) includes a $400-$500 million subsidy aimed at helping 8-10 million consumers who only watch over-the-air television on analog sets buy equipment to convert digital signals to analog. The money goes only to the poorest households, and households with analog sets that subscribe to cable or satellite services would not be covered.

Some leading Democrats are not sure that the subsidy is enough. Energy and Commerce ranking member John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee ranking member Edward Markey (D-Mass.) may want a larger subsidy that covers more consumers. Democrats also say that Barton’s decision to leave out cable and satellite TV viewers might become an issue. Barton's proposal assumes that cable and satellite providers will voluntarily offer their customers an analog stream of programming after the digital transition ends. That action requires converting signals from digital to analog. Republicans say Congress cannot afford to buy converters for all 61.7 million cable households and 21.7 million satellite households.

• SENATORS LISTEN AND SUPPORT INCREASED FUNDING FOR DOE’s OFFICE OF SCIENCE

We recently told you about a letter that that Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) planned to send to Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Pete Domenici(R-NM) and Ranking Member Harry Reid (D-NV). The letter, which asked the committee to increase FY 2006 funding for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, was circulated to the rest of the Senate in hopes of gathering their colleagues' signatures in support of the funding increase. We also told you that the success of these sorts of letters depended upon the extent to which constituents talked to their senators and congressman. This sort of thing is hard to gauge but someone, somewhere contacted a senator or two and they listened. More than 2/3 of the Senate signed the letter. This strong demonstration of bipartisan support for the Office of Science comes at the critical time when appropriators are drafting the FY 2006 budget bills. The following 68 senators signed the Alexander-Bingaman letter.  If you did call your Senator, thanks are in order to you, and you might want to thank them as well.

ALASKA: Murkowski, Lisa (R)

ARKANSAS: Lincoln, Blanche (D); Pryor, Mark (D)

CALIFORNIA: Boxer, Barbara (D); Feinstein, Dianne (D)

COLORADO: Salazar, Ken (D)

CONNECTICUT: Dodd, Christopher (D); Lieberman, Joseph (D)

DELAWARE: Biden, Joseph (D); Carper, Thomas (D)

FLORIDA: Martinez, Mel (R); Nelson, Bill (D)

GEORGIA: Chambliss, Saxby (R)

HAWAII: Akaka, Daniel (D); Inouye, Daniel (D)

ILLINOIS: Durbin, Richard (D); Obama, Barack (D)

INDIANA: Bayh, Evan (D); Lugar, Richard (R)

IOWA: Grassley, Charles (R); Harkin, Tom (D)

KANSAS: Roberts, Pat (R)

KENTUCKY: Bunning, Jim (R)

LOUISIANA: Landrieu, Mary (D)

MAINE: Snowe, Olympia (R)

MARYLAND: Mikulski, Barbara (D); Sarbanes, Paul (D)

MASSACHUSETTS: Kennedy, Edward (D); Kerry, John (D)

MICHIGAN: Levin, Carl (D); Stabenow, Debbie (D)

MINNESOTA: Coleman, Norm (R); Dayton, Mark (D)

MISSISSIPPI: Lott, Trent (R)

MISSOURI: Bond, Christopher “Kit” (R); Talent, Jim (R)

MONTANA: Baucus, Max (D)

NEBRASKA: Nelson, Ben (D)

NEW JERSEY: Corzine, Jon (D); Lautenberg, Frank (D)

NEW MEXICO: Bingaman, Jeff (D)

NEW YORK: Clinton, Hillary Rodham (D); Schumer, Charles (D)

NORTH CAROLINA: Burr, Richard (R)

NORTH DAKOTA: Conrad, Kent (D); Dorgan, Byron (D)

OHIO: DeWine, Mike (R); Voinovich, George (R)

OREGON: Smith, Gordon (R); Wyden, Ron (D)

PENNSYLVANIA: Santorum, Rick (R); Specter, Arlen (R)

RHODE ISLAND: Chafee, Lincoln (R); Reed, Jack (D)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Graham, Lindsey (R)

SOUTH DAKOTA: Johnson, Tim (D)

TENNESSEE: Alexander, Lamar (R)

TEXAS: Cornyn, John (R); Hutchison, Kay Bailey (R)

VERMONT: Jeffords, James (I); Leahy, Patrick (D)

VIRGINIA: Allen, George (R); Warner, John (R)

WASHINGTON: Cantwell, Maria (D); Murray, Patty (D)

WEST VIRGINIA: Rockefeller, John (D)

WISCONSIN: Feingold, Russ (D); Kohl, Herbert (D)

• SENATE RESPONSE TO HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTION ON AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AT NASA

The Senate expressed support for increased funding for Aeronautics Mission Directorate (AMD) at NASA in their response to the House bill establishing the FY 2006 congressional budget for the U.S. Government.

"It is the sense of the Senate that-

(1) the level of funding provided for the Aeronautics Mission Directorate within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration should be increased by $1,582,700,000 between fiscal year 2006 and fiscal year 2010; and

(2) the increases provided should be applied to the Vehicle Systems portion of the Aeronautics Mission Directorate budget for use in subsonic and hypersonic aeronautical research."

As for the status of the budget at this time, both the House and Senate have adopted a budget plan for FY 2006 that would limit domestic appropriations and allow members to claim that they are working towards fulfilling the Administration's promise to half the deficit by 2009. But talks on the upcoming budget reconciliation bill will show how hard it will be for Congress to cut spending. GOP moderates and democrats will continue to work on limiting cuts to entitlement programs and not accept significant cuts to items like farm subsidies and welfare programs. Also, social security and Medicare have essentially been taken off the table for cuts.

• HOUSE JUDICIARY IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON JOBS SINCE 9/11

3 MAY: John Hostelter's (R-Ind.) Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims held an oversight hearing entitled "New Jobs in Recession and Recovery: Who Are Getting Them and Who Are Not?." Witnesses included Steven Camorata from the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, Paul Harrington from the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, Matthew Reindl, owner of a small company that manufacture medical and dental cabinetry on Long Island and Harry Holzer, a Professor of Public Policy from Georgetown University.

CIS and NEU studies have both concluded that most of the new jobs created over the past 4 years have been filled by immigrants (legal and illegal) and that the numbers of employed native-born and older immigrant workers has decreased over the same period. When asked what kind of legislation would be appropriate to address the causes and effects of these remarkable findings, Reindll  candidly observed that, "all the laws in the world don't amount to a hill of beans if they are not enforced."

While acknowledging their adverse impact on workers who lose and/or are unable to get jobs, Holzman said that, "Foreign workers make up only a relatively small part of the nation's workforce and they enable employers to provide more and better goods and services at lower prices, thereby creating tremendous benefits for American consumers," 

The hearings record should provide ample support for Congressional efforts to reform the nation's immigration laws. Other than the Wall Street Journal,  the popular press hasn't reported on the studies or the hearings.

• HOUSE MEMBERS LAUNCH HIGH-TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP ACTIVITIES

4 MAY: Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Speaker Dennis Hastert, House Republican leadership including Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Majority Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and other technology-focused Members of Congress launched the activities of the High-Tech Working Group for the 109th Congress. The HTWG pledged to work to pass significant legislative items that will promote U.S. economic growth, remove barriers to innovation, and improve quality of life. Goodlatte will serve as chairman of the HTWG.

"The launching today of the Republican High-Tech Working Group is significant in that the technology sector has served as the engine of America's economic growth in recent years," Goodlatte said.  "In working to advance technology through future legislation, we will encourage economic development and job creation, which is good for all Americans."

The group laid out the guiding principles and broad policy objectives for future technology-related legislation, focusing  specifically on creating jobs and promoting economic growth. For more information, see the press release at: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/va06_goodlatte/htw109.html

• COMMITTEE VOTES TO SUPPORT U.S. MANUFACTURERS

The House Science Committee passed the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005 (HR 250) which helps to improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers by providing grants to help develop new manufacturing technologies; establishing a fellowship program for manufacturing sciences postdoctoral and senior research fellows; and reauthorizing and strengthening the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program to help small and medium-sized manufacturers respond to the extraordinary challenges they face from globalization. MEP, a network of non-profit organizations providing worker training, advice on business practices and instruction on the use of information technology to smaller manufacturing firms, is maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and would receive $345 million through fiscal 2008.

Environment, Technology, and Standards Subcommittee Chairman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) introduced the bill, which passed the Committee in nearly identical form during the 108th Congress.  House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) said, "I know that, as was the case last year, we will have some debate over adding to the bill ideas that may be worthy in themselves, but that would guarantee the demise of this bill.  I will oppose those amendments, which include authorizing the Advanced Technology Program (ATP), a program I have always supported and continue to support. But I want to actually make progress on manufacturing." As such, the Committee rejected an amendment by Mike Honda (D-Calif.) that would have authorized ATP. The Committee also rejected an amendment by Mark Udall (D-Colo.) that would have authorized funds for the orderly termination of ATP. Chairman Boehlert said he opposed the amendment because it would have signified the Committee's acquiescence to the program's termination.

• HOUSE APPROVES FUNDS FOR TECH UPGRADES TO MINORITY HIGHER-ED INSTITUTIONS

The House Science Committee approved the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005 (HR 921), authorizing $1.25 billion over five years to fund technology and telecommunications upgrades and expand technology instruction at minority colleges and universities. The bill creates an office within the Commerce Department to award grants to qualifying institutions for software, hardware and network equipment, technical assistance, faculty development and teacher training. Money would also be available to promote research and instruction in science, math, technology and engineering. Bill sponsor Randy Forbes (R-Va.) said the proposal is intended to help close the digital divide and keep the U.S. competitive.

"This legislation is about much more than just equality in education," Forbes said. "It is about economic advancement and ensuring that America retains its edge in the math, science and technology fields — a critically important requirement in today’s increasingly competitive economic environment."

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved a companion measure sponsored by Sen. George Allen (R-Va.). Allen’s proposal locates the program inside the National Science Foundation, but House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) said the Commerce Department is the more appropriate agency to house the program. The Members are working to resolve their differences and get a bill cleared.

• IEEE-USA RESPONDS TO UPCOMING LEGISLATION

In the coming weeks, IEEE-USA will be actively working on several upcoming legislative initiatives and seeking your support on the following issues:

-- DARPA – The Defense Department has been shifting funds away from long-term research towards short-term application research. IEEE-USA is working to ensure that DARPA maintains its historic long-term focus.

 

-- S. 455 – The American Competitiveness Through International Openness Now (ACTION) Act will make it easier for international students to get student visas allowing them to study in the US.

 

-- HR 1547 / S. 765 – The Math and Science Incentive Act of 2005 (mentioned above) would forgive the first $10,000 in student loan interest owed by students who receive a degree in math, science or engineering and who work in the field for 5 years.  Students may also teach math or science to receive the benefit.

Please watch this space https://www.capitolconnect.com/ieee for Action Alerts and information on what you can do to help support IEEE-USA as we represent your interests in Washington.

2) WHITE HOUSE & EXECUTIVE AGENCY WATCH

• COMMERCE UNDERSECRETARY BOND LEAVING TO WORK FOR MONSTER WORLDWIDE

After nearly four years of service, Phil Bond, Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, will be leaving the Administration to become Monster Worldwide's Senior VP for Government Affairs. While serving as Undersecretary, Bond was the principal advisor to Commerce Secretary Don Evans on science and technology policy.

In a good bye letter to his staff, Bond thanked them for their hard work and praised them for having a positive affect on a range of issues, "from globalization to RFID, from demand for broadband to telemedicine, from privacy to education, from manufacturing to investigating the World Trade Center collapse, and from standards and metrology to all things nano." He also stated that he had great respect, "for the science and people at NIST (the crown jewel of our federal lab system!), and a deep appreciation for the role and personnel of both OTP and NTIS."

Additionally, "I think of the phenomenal group at NIST: lab and program directors, world-leading scientists of all kinds, and professionals in all the support services there. NIST remains one of the nation's most valuable (and yet under-recognized) assets in an increasingly technical world economy. I think of the OTP analysts staying at the cutting edge… I think of the NTIS team making ends meet without appropriation, offering information to the technical community of the nation."

• NEW EPA ADMINISTRATOR PROMISES THAT POLICY WILL BE DRIVEN BY "GOOD" SCIENCE

6 MAY:  At a monthly luncheon organized by ANSI, guest speaker Mary McKiel, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Standards Executive, said that her new boss, Stephen L. Johnson, told his staff that he wants the EPA to use "good" science when making decisions; the emphasis being on the word "good."  The EPA has of course, always used science in some way, but Johnson has laid out several principles for policymaking that will emphasize his desire to be driven by science. Johnson wants the agency to work with and cooperate more with all stakeholders and communities. Working with industry and standards developing societies will be at the core of EPA's new policy development process. McKiel also said that EPA, while required by law to develop their own standards, has many things the agency can do within their authority to work with stakeholders. One of them is to have as many voluntary programs as possible and she names the Energy Star program as one of the most successful.

3) REPORTS, SPEECHES & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

• DOT OUTLINES RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & TECH PRIORITIES

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released Research Activities of the Department of Transportation: A Report to Congress, identifying DOT’s current and projected research, development and technology priorities. RITA will lead cross-departmental efforts to identify and implement research priorities, and ensure that those investments are effective and align with DOT’s objectives. RITA will also manage the University Transportation Centers program, which invests in university-based centers of excellence to advance innovation, research, education, and technology transfer. According to the report, there are five DOT objectives that guide the agency's research priorities: safety, mobility, global connectivity, environmental stewardship, and security. Most DOT priorities address more than one objective and are supported by several departmental programs. In a speech to the American Society for Engineering Educators Panel, RITA Administrator Samuel Bonasso summarized some of the agency's top concerns:

• Technologies to identify and understand physical and cyber vulnerabilities;
• Developing lessons learned from previous disasters and terrorist attacks to help prevent or lessen the impact of future incidents;
• Preparedness planning to ensure that response, management, and support teams are knowledgeable, trained, equipped, and ready for the unique challenges presented by a disaster or attack;
• Detection and Sensor Systems to detect intrusions, chemical and biological agents, weapons of mass destruction, and communication networks;
• Entry portals for identification, access control, tracking and facility design; and,
• Human and social issues including first responders and public perception to accidents.

DOT has requested $1.1 billion for FY 2006 to fund the department's research, development and technology programs. A complete list of DOT’s priorities, programs and budget can be found on the RITA website at: http://www.rita.dot.gov/publications/research_activities_of_the_
department_of_transportation_a_report_to_congress

• HARVARD ECONOMIST DELIVERS ANALYSIS OF GLOBALIZATION'S IMPACT ON US LEADERSHIP

19 APRIL: Harvard Economist Richard Freeman delivered a paper – Does Globalization of the Scientific/Engineering Workforce Threaten U.S. Economic Leadership? – at the National Bureau of Economic Research Roundtable on Innovation Policy and the Economy at the National Press Club in Washington. Some say this is the best, most comprehensive, even-handed analysis of the impact of globalization on the U.S. science and engineering enterprise and should be Must Reading for anyone who wants to understand what is going on, how current trends are impacting US scientists and engineers and what policy-makers can and should be doing to soften the inevitably adverse impact on S&E job opportunities and wages in the US.  The paper is accessible at: http://www.nber.org/~confer/2005/IPEs05/IPE05program.html

4) U.S. COURTS ACTIVITY

No activity this week.

5) AWARDS & GRANTS

• NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)

NIH is seeking sources capable of developing multiplexed assays that can be automated and utilized in a high throughput environment for newborn screening. Organizations should be able to perform high-risk, high-gain research for chip technologies, microbead technologies, nanotechnologies, microfluidics, DNA arrays, biophysical assays, and RNA- or proteomic-based technologies. Capability statements are due within 45 days of this solicitation's publication date, which was April 19. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NICHD/Reference%2DNumber%2DNICHD%2DSS%2D2005%2D12/listing.html

• NASA

NASA will be soliciting proposals for a contract to support Sciences and Exploration Data Analysis programs. The purpose of the contract is to develop scientific computer systems, engineering data analysis systems, new technologies for scientific instrumentation, and software applications. This procurement will be a total small business set-aside. A full solicitation is expected to be released on or about 9 May 2005. More information is available at: http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/synopsis.cgi?acqid=115154

NASA is soliciting white papers for the Revolutionary System Concepts for Aeronautics Program. This program supports annual system studies that examine revolutionary system concepts and missions for research areas related to the agency's strategic objectives for aeronautics. Proposed concepts should be complete systems, not subsystems or individual technologies. No awards are anticipated for responses, which are due 30 June 2005. More information: http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/synopsis.cgi?acqid=115275

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SOLICITATIONS

The Department of the Army is soliciting proposals for funding to support joint heavy lift concept design analysis. The joint heavy lift is an advanced aerial system that is intended to overcome enemy anti-access strategies, execute operational maneuver, leverage sea basing in order to expand Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare capabilities, conduct mounted and dismounted vertical envelopment, and perform aerial delivery and sustainment operations. Awards of up to $3.45 million for a project period of up to three years are anticipated. Eligibility is unrestricted. Proposals are due 27 June 2005. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USA/USAMC/DAAH10/W911W6%2D05%2DR%2D0004/listing.html

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for research in coherent optical transmitter/receiver technology and phase-preserving wideband nonlinear optical mixer technology. This initiative seeks to develop the coherent optical modem and coherent band translation infrastructure necessary to produce robust high-capacity free-space optical communication links over multiple spectral bands. Multiple awards are anticipated. Eligibility is unrestricted. Proposal abstracts are due 3 June 2005; full proposals are due 22 July 2005. More information: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA05%2D36/listing.html

DARPA also is soliciting proposals for research in enabling technology, critical subsystems and full system concepts that will improve military operations in complex battlespaces. This solicitation seeks to identify novel ideas about sensing, signal processing, target characterization, data fusion, target tracking, predictive awareness, battle management, collaborative planning, and visualization that can contribute to future warfighting effectiveness. All responsible sources may submit proposals, which are due 8 March 2006. More information: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA04%2D17/listing.html

The Department of the Air Force will be soliciting proposals for high energy laser technologies in beam control, chemical lasers, free electron lasers, solid state lasers, and advanced lasers. Contract awards totaling $14 million are anticipated. A full solicitation is expected to be released in July 2005. More information: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLPLDED/05%2DDE%2D01/listing.html

The Air Force is soliciting proposals for bioeffects research on directed energy and kinetic energy systems to assist in transitioning Defense technologies. Approximately $7 million over fiscal years 2005-10 is expected to be available for one contract award. Eligibility is unrestricted. Proposals are due 22 June 2005. More information: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLWRS/BAA%2D05%2D08%2DHE/listing.html

The Air Force is soliciting white papers for the Certification Techniques for Advanced Flight Critical Systems Program. This solicitation seeks to address deficiencies in current verification and validation processes that impede airworthiness certification of near- to mid-term technological advances. Approximately $1 million is expected to be available for awards having a project period of 30 months. White papers are due 24 May 2005; proposals, which are by invitation only, will be due 30 June 2005. Eligibility is unrestricted. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLWRS/BAA%2DPKV%2D05%2D04/listing.html

• DEPARTMENT of ENERGY SOLICITATIONS

DOE will be soliciting proposals for a program to increase the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in science, engineering and technology. Technical topic areas include defense nuclear nonproliferation, engineering, advance simulation and computing, physical sciences/stewardship science, emergency management, defense programs/stockpile stewardship, curriculum development and training for environmental restoration/waste management, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, and programs for the Savannah River National Laboratory. Approximately $8.3 million is available for six awards to have a one-year project period. A full solicitation is expected to be released on or about May 11, 2005, with proposals due June 9, 2005. More information is available at: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/DOE/PAM/HQ/DE-PS52-05NA26772/listing.html

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SOLICTATIONS

ED invites applications for funding to support Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers. Priorities include technologies for children with orthopedic disabilities, low vision and blindness, or universal design and the built environment. Approximately $1.9 million is expected to be available for two awards having a project period of up to five years. Eligible are states, public or private organizations, institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Applications are due 24 June 2005. More information is available at: http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2005-2/042505b.html

• AAAS GRANT SITE

The American Association for the Advancement of Science has a new service called GrantsNet Express.  Each week GrantsNet will provide a listing of science funding opportunities from private foundations and organizations, and new U.S. government grant announcements in the sciences. AAAS will send GrantsNet by e-mail to AAAS member subscribers. The weekly emails will include:

-- New science funding programs, divided into opportunities for postdocs/graduate students and undergraduates

-- Submission deadlines for funding opportunities scheduled in the upcoming week

-- New listings of funding for science-related grant programs from U.S. government agencies

To register, visit http://www2.sciencecareers.org/promos/grantsubmit.asp

6) CONFERENCES, FELLOWSHIPS, PROGRAMS & INTERNSHIPS FOR ENGINEERS, and STUDENTS and SCHOLARS OF ENGINEERING

• 2007 CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE DEPARTMENT FELLOWSHIPS

An engineer once changed careers to serve as Calvin Coolidge's Vice President. As vice president, Charles Dawes influenced the public policy process and won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. Dawes might be an extreme example, but that doesn't mean engineers can't influence the public policy process in other ways.  If you don't want to run for office but would like to take a year off from your regular job, IEEE-USA is now accepting applications for the 2007 government fellowship program that links engineers with government.  Our 2005 fellows are working on issues such as homeland security and R&D funding. For more information on what past fellows have learned and experienced, see http://ieeeusa.com/policy/govfel/cfalumni.html.  The deadline is 20 February 2006 and application materials are available at: http://ieeeusa.com/policy/govfel/index.html

7) US STATES WATCH

• WASHINGTON STATE PASSES OFFSHORE-OUTSOURCING STUDY BILL

Washington State became one of only five states to pass legislation on the issue of offshore outsourcing. Alabama, Illinois, New Jersey, and Tennessee are the only other states to have taken legislative action. New Jersey passed a bill that would ban overseas contracting-out by the state but the bill is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

WA's bill, which creates a legislative task force to study outsourcing, was on life support until last minute maneuvering secured bipartisan support. Earlier in the year, several bills in the Legislature dealing with offshore outsourcing died after intense lobbying by the business community. In the end, legislators realized that the issue of job losses due to outsourcing is such a hot topic that they had to do something. A coalition of labor unions comprised of the Boeing engineers, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, and the Communications Workers of America, including WashTech, did intensive lobbying during the entire legislative session to remind law makers that workers in the state of Washington want action on the issue.

The legislative task force will investigate public contracting-out overseas and the impact of trade agreements on Washington state contracting as well as other issues associated with outsourcing. The task force will be advised by a panel of private sector representatives from the business and labor communities and will report back to the Legislature next January.

Tracks offshoring bills around the U.S. using the Offshore Legislative Tracker compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures and WashTech News. (Excerpted from WashTech News)

• NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE COMMITS FUNDS TO CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

ND passed a budget that will allow universities and colleges to compete for a share of $20 million in matching funds to create Centers of Excellence. The money is the first installment of the state legislature's $50 million commitment to the Centers program, which is the centerpiece of Gov. John Hoeven's initiatives to shift ND’s economy towards science and technology. The initiative is designed to spur R&D, new technology, and job creation. Centers will be located on university campuses statewide and will focus on technology, aerospace, value-added agriculture, energy, advanced manufacturing, and tourism. Centers must match each state dollar invested with private or non-state public funds. More information is available at: http://www.governor.state.nd.us/2004-excellence.html

• RHODE ISLAND ESTABLISHES S&T ADVISORY COUNCIL & MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP

In April, Governor Donald Carcieri announced two new initiatives targeting Rhode Island's science and technology (S&T) and manufacturing industries. Carcieri signed an Executive Order creating the Science & Technology Advisory Council, a team of tech leaders from local academia, private business and government communities. The Council will advise the governor and state legislature on S&T priorities. Carcieri also announced a new public-private partnership of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) and the Rhode Island Manufacturing Summit to develop and implement a business strategy to ensure the success of the state's manufacturing sector. The partnership will take an active role in assisting the manufacturing community by raising awareness of existing programs aimed at assisting small manufacturers, having successful leaders within the manufacturing sector serving as mentors, and re-branding the state's manufacturing image.

8) OTHER ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST

• NEW! TRACK IEEE-USA's PROGRESS

Review IEEE-USA's year-to-date progress in working for the IEEE's U.S. members at the new IEEE-USA Year-in-Review Web page. Check out what IEEE-USA activities and programs helped the IEEE's U.S. members in 2004 at the new IEEE-USA Annual Report online. And find out what's on IEEE-USA's agenda through 2009, with the new, online IEEE-USA Strategic & Operational Plan.

For the IEEE-USA Year-in-Review, go to:

http://www.ieeeusa.org/about/yearinreview.asp

For the IEEE-USA Annual Report, go to:

http://www.ieeeusa.org/about/Annual_Report/2004.pdf

For the IEEE-USA Strategic & Operational Plan, go to:

http://www.ieeeusa.org/volunteers/strategicplan/index.html

• EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES COMMITTED TO TECH-BASED ECONOMY

While the U.S. reduces spending for R&D and innovation, the European Commission (EC) is strengthening Europe's position in the global, tech-based economy by investing $4.2 billion Euros ($5.4 billion US) over seven years in the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). Starting in 2007, the CIP will bring together specific Community support programs critical to boosting productivity, innovation capacity and sustainable growth, while also addressing complementary environmental concerns. Funding will be divided among the framework's three specific programs including:

$2.6 billion Euros for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme to promote eco-innovation, facilitate access to finance, and support investment in innovation activities;

$802 million Euros for the ICT Policy Support Programme to support operational demonstrations of technological and organizational solutions to ICT-based services at the EU level; and,

$780 million Euros for the Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme to support energy efficiency, new and renewable energy sources and technological solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

More information is available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/cip/index_en.htm

NEXT ISSUE: 20 May 2005
 

Top of Page | What's New@IEEE | EyeOnWash Archive | Policy Forum | IEEE-USA

What's New @ IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington highlights important federal legislative and regulatory developments that affect U.S. engineers and their careers. In addition to this biweekly newsletter, subscribers receive legislative bulletins and action alerts on IEEE-USA priority issues, including: retirement security, employment benefits, research & development funding, computers and information policy, immigration reform, intellectual property protection and privacy of health/medical information.

EDITOR: Erica Wissolik, IEEE-USA, 2001 L Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036-5104, Email: ewissolik@ieee.orgYou can subscribe to receive IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington by e-mail by  using the forms at http://whatsnew.ieee.org/ or at http://www.ieeeusa.org/emailupdates/ or by contacting e.wissolik@ieee.org with your request.

Copyright © 2005, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.  Permission granted to copy for personal use or for non-commercial republication with appropriate attribution.

Updated: 06 May 2005
Contact: Erica Wissolik