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

1) CAPITOL HILL WATCH

• TELECOM REFORM UNLIKELY THIS YEAR

• U.S. COULD BE FACING ITS NEXT "SPUTNICK" MOMENT

• AGRICULTURE MAY NEED YOUR MICROCHIPS

• THE PATENT ACT OF 2005: HOUSE & SENATE HEARINGS

• UPDATE ON SELLING OFF OF ANALOG TV SPECTRUM: COULD RAISE BILLIONS BUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT SUBSIDIES

• NASA SCIENCE & EXPLORATION, NIST AND USPTO FUNDING BILL FINALLY PASSES HOUSE

• HOUSE & SENATE VERSIONS OF THE 2005 ENERGY BILL CONTINUE TO BE VASTLY DIFFERENT

• NEW LEGISLATION OF INTEREST

2) WHITE HOUSE & EXECUTIVE AGENCY WATCH

• PRESIDENT ALLOWS PITAC TO EXPIRE

• KEVIN CARR LEAVING MEP

• DOE CREATES NEW OFFICE OF ELECTRICITY DELIVERY & ENERGY RELIABILITY

• PRESIDENT URGES CONGRESS TO PASS THE ENERGY BILL

3) REPORTS, SPEECHES & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

• NEW GAO REPORTS

• NEW CSIS REPORT ON SECURITY CONTROLS ON CONDUCT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

4) U.S. COURTS ACTIVITY

• UPDATE: SUPREME COURT GROKSTER v. MGM DECISION EXPECTED 28 JUNE

5) AWARDS & GRANTS

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

• 2007 CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE DEPARTMENT FELLOWSHIPS

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU) PROGRAM

• SUNY CREATES FIRST ONLINE EE DEGREE PROGRAM

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

• TEXAS CREATES EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND

8) LATEST IEEE-USA ACTIVITIES

• IEEE-USA TRACKS HR 6 – the 2005 ENERGY BILL

9) OTHER ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST

• CAL STATE SEEKS EE PROFESSOR

• HOUSE DEMOCRATS HOLD ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON THE S&T WORKFORCE: RON HIRA PARTICIPATES

1) CAPITOL HILL WATCH

• TELECOM REFORM UNLIKELY THIS YEAR

Have you seen those billboard ads? The ones that say things like, 'the last time we reformed telecom regulation, a dish was something you had at dinner.'  Or, ...'a bundle was something you took home from the hospital (insert picture of a baby here).'  While dishes and bundles have definitely taken on new meanings since the last reform, it appears the long-yearned for updates aren't going to happen anytime soon, at least not in Congress.

President Clinton signed the 1996 Telecommunications Act in the main reading room of the Library of Congress among an eclectic group of individuals including actress Lily Tomlin, Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, entertainment industry big-wig Ted Turner, and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. At the time, there was great hope that the law would make new information technologies readily available to everyone. When Al Gore spoke to students at the signing, one said, "I'd like to thank you for signing the telecom bill. It will make advances in technology readily available to a diverse group of people." Did the original telecom bill really live up to this promise? Critics charge that innovations in the industry such as VOIP (voice over internet protocol) and broadband have rendered the 1996 law obsolete.

Rumor has it that the industry is drafting a reform bill but nothing has yet been introduced into the 109th Congress. Its already mid-June and Congress is facing some large battles that may consume the rest of their schedule this year.  First of all, as usual, the budget needs to be dealt with. Add to the mix, an energy bill that has been unsuccessfully reintroduced for a decade but, which current House and Senate leaders promise, will finally see passage. Congress has made completing the nation's switchover to digital television a communications priority, diverting attention from overhauling telecom laws. And then there's social security reform, which while unlikely to pass itself, is still going to take up time and attention. The result? It’s unlikely that telecom reform will make it out of the 1st session of the 109th congress.

In the meantime, industry is attempting to use the states to get the regulatory relief they may not be able to get from Congress. For example in Texas, SBC and Verizon unsuccessfully backed two bills that would have allowed the big phone companies to set their own rates for residential phone customers. In addition, "the proposed legislation would have arbitrarily shifted the franchise system from municipal authority to a state-issued system with no study on how this would impact cities or consumers.” The Texas Cable & Telecommunications Association fought the measures on behalf of consumers.

• U.S. COULD BE FACING ITS NEXT "SPUTNICK" MOMENT

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, held a hearing to examine "what is happening within America's educational system in the fields of math and science that is hampering U.S. advancement," according to chairman Howard McKeon (R-Calif.). Listen to the hearing (19 May 2005) at: http://edworkforce.house.gov/hearings/hrgarchive.htm

Witnesses testified that the U.S. lead in global S&T is slipping and agreed on the importance of effective K-12 science and math education for us to maintain technological competitiveness. The mood is that we are facing a harsh reality, the same that the U.S. faced when the Soviets launched Sputnick.

• AGRICULTURE MAY NEED YOUR MICROCHIPS

The House Appropriations Committee report for the bill that appropriates funds for "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for FY 2006." (HR 2744 — H Rept 109-102) seeks to direct the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to "develop the appropriate regulations to implement the universal 134 kHz International Standards Organization (ISO) system" for microchips to be implanted in Puff and Spot.

The Committee supports the "microchipping" (a word the committee print actually uses) of pets for identification under the universal 134 kHz International Standards Organization (ISO) system of open microchip technology in which all scanners can read all chips. The Committee directs APHIS to develop the appropriate regulations to implement the universal 134 kHz ISO system, and to report to Congress on progress toward that end.

Most U.S. companies sell 125 kHz chips, but foreign markets and some other domestic companies are marketing 134 kHz chips. Animal shelters and veterinary offices that invested in one frequency of scanner cannot read the other kind of chip. The American Veterinary Medical Association backs the report language.

• THE PATENT ACT OF 2005: HOUSE & SENATE HEARINGS

Last week, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property held their third hearing on patent reform in this Congress, and introduced the Patent Act of 2005 (HR 2795). The first two hearings focused on the contents of a Committee Print (#1 http://judiciary.house.gov/Oversight.aspx?ID=143 and #2 http://judiciary.house.gov/Oversight.aspx?ID=148).

Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Tex.) referred to the newly introduced bill as a "good first-cut" and said, "To arrive at this point is no small accomplishment, given the scope of the bill and its eventual application to so many lives and jobs. The bill in its current form is, without question, the most comprehensive change to U.S. patent law since Congress passed the 1952 Patent Act."

Overhauling the patent act has become crucial to many because the number of registered patents is equated with innovation and leadership which in turn is equated with a healthy, thriving economy. Congress now has the responsibility of ensuring that that U.S. leadership continues, and that inventors are encouraged and rewarded for their contributions.

HR 2795 will, in the chairman's terms, "eliminate legal gamesmanship from the current system that rewards lawsuit abuses over creativity," and “enhance the quality of patents and increase public confidence in their legal integrity." Many of the provisions in the introduced version of HR 2795 mirror those in the Committee Print, but in consideration of the criticism heard at the first two House subcommittee hearings, the bill now:

-contains language from case law that more clearly distinguishes between an "inventive contribution" and other features;

-replaces the print text governing injunctive relief, which does not allow a court to presume the existence of irreparable harm, with new language that supplements the existing statute on injunctive relief by compelling a court to consider the "fairness of the remedy in light of all the facts and the relevant interests of the parties associated with the invention;" and

-addresses the issue of continuations by authorizing the PTO Director to limit by regulation the circumstances in which an applicant may file a continuation and still be entitled to the priority date of the parent application.

Please see Chairman Smith’s opening statement for more detail. Smith said that the House Committee intends to mark-up their version of the patent act by the end of June.

This week, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property held a hearing to discuss HR 2795.  A companion bill does not yet exist in the Senate but Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the ranking member on the Senate Subcommittee hopes to introduce one soon.

The Senate discussion focused on injunctions and damages. One witness, Mark A. Lemley of the Stanford Law School, summed it up as such, "It is particularly important that Congress act to prevent abuses of the patent system by so-called 'patent trolls,' who use the patent system not to develop and make products but to squeeze money out of those who do. While there are no reliable statistics on the extent of the troll problem, there is no question that it is a widespread and extremely serious problem in the semiconductor, computer, and telecommunications industries."

Although this bill appears to be moving quickly in the House, and interest is high among Committee members in both houses who recognize the importance of the U.S. patent system to our economy, any changes are likely to be well thought out and thoroughly debated.  As Senator Leahy said, "Nobody likes to make changes willy nilly."

• UPDATE ON SELLING OFF OF ANALOG TV SPECTRUM: COULD RAISE BILLIONS BUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT SUBSIDIES

The legislation that would allow the auctioning off of the analog TV spectrum could raise as much as $10 billion.  Members who are pushing for the switch from analog to digital have been stating that this revenue could be used to reduce the deficit.

"By being able to sell the spectrum, that’s going to help us reduce the deficit," said Fred Upton (R-Mich.) chairman of the House Energy Committee’s Telecommunications and the Internet subcommittee. "Certainly that would be a savings that we’d like to count."

The draft bill was scheduled for a mark up this week but has been held up because Members cannot agree on how much to spend on a subsidy for affected consumers – low income households who perhaps cannot afford to purchase new digital TV sets. An estimated 21 millions households could be left with obsolete TVs by the end of 2008, the date set in the bill for the end of analog broadcasts. The bill’s sponsor, Joe Barton (R-Tex.), faces resistance from republican leaders who see subsidies for these households as an unnecessary handout.

• NASA SCIENCE & EXPLORATION, NIST AND USPTO FUNDING BILL FINALLY PASSES HOUSE

16 JUNE: This week, the whole House considered the FY 2006 appropriations bill for Science, State, Justice, and Commerce (H.R. 2862) several times before finally passing it Thursday afternoon. HR 2862 provides the House Appropriations Committee's recommendations for NASA, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and NIST funding.

NASA: House appropriators expressed support for the President's space exploration initiative, but not at the expense of other core NASA programs.

"I am deeply concerned by the steady decline in funding for aeronautics research, especially as our competitors overseas are increasing theirs," said House Appropriations Science-State-Justice-Commerce subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf (R-Va.). "This trend is extremely troubling and cannot continue. Aeronautics research is too important to our economy and our national security. We must a have a clear vision of where we are going and what the plan is now and in the future. We cannot afford to fall any further behind."

NASA is funded at $16.5 billion, $275 million above FY05 and $15 million above the President’s request. The bill restores the aeronautics research program to the enacted level of $906 million, provides $40 million over the request to partially restore NASA’s science programs, and provides the full request for the Space Shuttle program. In coordination with the House Science Committee, the bill includes language directing the President to develop a national aeronautics policy.

Finally, Laurie Anderson has lost her job at NASA.  The bill prohibits the use of funds for NASA to employ any individual under the title "artist in residence."

NIST: NIST's receives a budget increase - $549 million, including $106 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships program, $59 million above the request. House appropriators agreed with the Administration's plan to terminate the Advanced Technology Program.

NSF: National Science Foundation funding is increased $171 million over last year and $38 million above the budget request, bringing the total to $5.64 billion. This figure includes $4.38 billion for research, $157 million over last year; and $807 million for education and human resources, $70 million above the administration’s request.

USPTO: The Patent and Trademark Office, receives $1.7 billion, $159 million above FY 2005 and the same as the administration’s request. This funding increase includes full access to PTO fee collections, building on the subcommittee’s long record of support for improvements to the patent and trademark process.

• HOUSE & SENATE VERSIONS OF THE 2005 ENERGY BILL CONTINUE TO BE VASTLY DIFFERENT

The Senate Finance Committee finalized a package of energy tax breaks that will focus much more heavily on renewable fuel production and conservation incentives than the House passed energy bill. The Senate tax language includes about $2.9 billion in tax breaks over five years — and $7.6 billion over 10 years — mostly aimed at electricity infrastructure. That includes credits for the use of clean coal technologies and the extension of a tax credit for electricity produced through wind, biomass and other renewable resources through 2008. This Committee's language will be draft legislation will be folded into the broader energy bill (S. 10) being debated on the Senate floor. The Finance Committee's legislation will also include:

-$3.4 billion in tax breaks over five years aimed at conservation and energy efficiency — primarily to encourage commercial and residential energy savings; and

-$2.7 billion in alternative motor vehicle and fuels incentives (including an extension of the tax credit for purchasing hybrid cars).

The tax package in the House version of the energy bill (HR 6) – heavily criticized by environmental groups –  includes $8.1 billion in tax incentives aimed primarily at encouraging new domestic energy production. Only about 5 percent of the total $8.1 billion would support renewables and conservation.

Meanwhile, during this week's debate over language in S. 10, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), the ranking Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, proposed an amendment that would require utilities to generate at least 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The amendment mandates a "renewable portfolio standard, (RPS)" that requires utilities to use renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal power or biomass fuels made from wood or trash to generate at least 10 percent of their power. Utilities that cannot meet the standard would have to buy credits from utilities with excess renewable capacity. Critics said the amendment is unnecessary because of the Finance Committee's tax credits mentioned above. The White House opposes an RPS requirement.

• NEW LEGISLATION OF INTEREST

9 JUNE: Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) introduced S.1211, a bill to establish an Office of Foreign Science and Technology Assessment to enable the United States to effectively analyze trends in foreign science and technology. Latest Major Action: 9 June 2005 referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

16 JUNE: Senators William H. Frist, M.D.  (R.-Tenn.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) introduced a bill that would:

1) Create an Office of National Coordinator for IT (which would adopt and identify content, communication and security standards that would be mandatory for federal government programs but voluntary for the private sector);

2) Encourage Use of Interoperable Health Information Systems; and

3) Encourage Adoption, Implementation, and Use of Health Care Quality Measures.

2) WHITE HOUSE & EXECUTIVE AGENCY WATCH

• PRESIDENT ALLOWS PITAC TO EXPIRE

After two productive years during which they produced three important reports on various aspects of the federal IT R&D portfolio, the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC) – created by executive order in May 2003 – expired. PITAC had completed the reports as requested by the Administration – on the health care sector, cyber security R&D, and the state of computational science – and appeared ready to take what they had learned in that process and apply it to a review of the overall federal IT R&D portfolio when, despite prodding, the President opted to allow committee to die.

The Computing Research Association (CRA) – a group of more than 200 North American organizations active in computing research: academic departments of computer science and computer engineering; laboratories and centers in industry, government, and academia; and affiliated professional societies that works to represent the computing research community and to effect change that benefits both computing research and society at large – maintains a computing research blog with commentary on this issue at http://www.cra.org/govaffairs/blog/archives/000351.html

• KEVIN CARR LEAVING MEP

Kevin Carr, the director of NIST’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, announced that he would be leaving his position effective June 30. Carr has led the program since 1994.

• DOE CREATES NEW OFFICE OF ELECTRICITY DELIVERY & ENERGY RELIABILITY

9 JUNE: Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman announced the completion of the merger of the former Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution and Office of Energy Assurance into the new Office of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability (OE). The office's goal is to lead national efforts to modernize the electric grid, enhance security and reliability of the energy infrastructure, and facilitate recovery from disruptions to energy supply. Kevin Kolevar, Director of the old "Office of Electricity and Energy Assurance," will head the new office.

"DOE's new office will focus efforts on the essential mission of modernizing our electricity grid. As we saw in the blackouts of 2001 and 2003, a faulty infrastructure can cost our economy billions of dollars," said Secretary Bodman. "America's electricity infrastructure is old; in some places it is approaching antiquity. It is critical that we take a comprehensive look and proactively work to address any potential problems." The merger was recommended by Congress and approved by Secretary Bodman in February 2005.

Primarily, the office will support research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, and education and activities necessary to enhance national energy security. Partnerships – to engage industry, utilities, States, other Federal programs and agencies, universities, national laboratories, and other stakeholders in OE's efforts to ensure a more reliable, efficient, and affordable national electricity supply – will continue to be a key element of the program.

How is this different from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Division of Reliability? FERC is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of natural gas, oil, and electricity, regulates natural gas and hydropower projects to protect the economic and environmental interests of the American public.  The Division of Reliability addresses the issues related to the U.S. interstate transmission network and bulk power supply needs, including planning, operations, and logistics and security.

• PRESIDENT URGES CONGRESS TO PASS THE ENERGY BILL

President Bush, speaking at the 16th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum this week, argued that consumers paying high gas prices won't stand for inaction on energy legislation, and urged lawmakers to get an energy bill to his desk before the 5-week August recess.

"The American people know that an energy bill will not change the price of gas immediately," said Bush, "but they're not going to tolerate inaction in Washington as they watch the underlying problems grow worse."

The president laid out a 4-point plan to reduce high energy prices:

-promote conservation;

-produce and refine more crude oil in the United States;

-develop alternative sources of energy, such as renewable ethanol or biodiesel; and

-help other nations become more energy-efficient to reduce global demand for energy.

The Energy Efficiency Forum, founded in 1990, "promotes an energy efficiency ethic through the presentation of national and worldwide views on energy efficiency and the resulting impact on the environment, national security and economic growth."

3) REPORTS, SPEECHES & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

• NEW GAO REPORTS

Information Security: Emerging Cybersecurity Issues Threaten Federal Information Systems

GAO-05-231 (13 May 2005) http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-231
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d05231high.pdf

National Energy Policy: Inventory of Major Federal Energy Programs and Status of Policy Recommendations 10 June 2005

GAO-05-379 http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-379

Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d05379high.pdf

Intellectual Property: U.S. Efforts have Contributed to Strengthened Laws Overseas, but Significant Enforcement Challenges Remain, by Loren Yager, director, international affairs and trade, testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and DC, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, 14 June 2005

GAO-05-788T http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-788

Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d05788thigh.pdf

• NEW CSIS REPORT ON SECURITY CONTROLS ON CONDUCT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has issued a report stating that limitations on the availability of scientific research do not come without cost, and that constraints on openness can have serious repercussions for the, "quality of research, for the health of research and educational institutions, and ultimately for the societal objectives that research and education serve: national and homeland security, economic prosperity, health, environmental protection, and quality of life."

Additionally, "Open communication and participation are fundamental to the conduct of high-quality research. …Information controls should not be imposed unless they can be shown to be effective and worth the penalties that they impose."

The report rejects a proposal by the Commerce Department's Inspector General that would have the effect of restricting participation of certain foreign nationals in unclassified research. The CSIS Commission on Scientific Communication and National Security also proposes that a senior group be established at universities and research institutions to assess and promote compliance with the various types of security controls that are applicable to research and other technical activity. Self-regulation "is an effective way to achieve the government's underlying security goals," the commission states.  Read the full report – Security Controls on Scientific Information and the Conduct of Scientific Research – at http://www.csis.org/hs/0506_cscans.pdf

4) U.S. COURTS ACTIVITY

• UPDATE: SUPREME COURT GROKSTER v. MGM DECISION EXPECTED 28 JUNE

View the IEEE-USA amicus brief here: http://www.ieeeusa.org/volunteers/committees/ipc/ipc-amicus-brief-resource.asp

5) AWARDS & GRANTS

• 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

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

The Department of the Air Force is soliciting white papers proposing R&D that results in better tools and procedures to support exploitation operations in deriving more accurate and timely information from motion imagery and conventional imagery sources. Approximately $10 million over fiscal years 2006-10 is expected to be available for awards ranging from $300,000 to $500,000 per year for up to 30 months. All potential sources are eligible to submit white papers, which are due Aug. 1, 2005. More information is available at:

http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLRRS/Reference%2DNumber%2DBAA%2D05%2D08%2DIFKA/listing.html

The Air Force will be soliciting proposals for a contract award to support its Innovative Research and Optical Site Support program. This follow-on effort will consolidate previous individual contracts for the Maui Space Surveillance System (MSSS) and the Starfire Optical Range (SOR). The selected contractor will be required to provide program management, system engineering, experiment support, and site infrastructure support for the MSSS and SOR sites. The project period will be four years, with three one-year option periods. Only U.S. contractors are eligible. Offerors must possess a Top Secret Facility Clearance and have sufficient Top Secret cleared and qualified personnel at the time of award. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLPLDED/FA9451%2D04%2DR%2D0005/listing.html

The Air Force is soliciting proposals for the Production Technology Partnerships program. This open-ended program seeks to provide Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III with a procurement vehicle for executing appropriations and urgent requirements for emerging technical areas of interest. Contract awards having a project period of 18-60 months are anticipated. Eligibility is restricted to domestic sources as defined in the DPA of 1950. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLWRS/BAA%2D04%2D08%2DPKM/listing.html

The Navy will be soliciting proposals for a contract award to support torpedo setting panel, control panel, digital torpedo controller, and torpedo presetter test set hardware and firmware upgrades. This effort requires a proven knowledge of, or detailed familiarity and experience with, the architecture and source code of such firmware. The contract will have a base period of three years, with two one-year option periods. This is a 100 percent small business set-aside. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DON/SPAWAR/SPAWARSYSCEN_San_Diego/N66001%2D05%2DR%2D0021/listing.html

The Navy is soliciting proposals for funding to support the Navy ManTech Electronics Manufacturing Technology Center. The focus is on funding electronics technologies that directly support various weapons systems; however, proposals should strive to reduce operations and management costs and, thereby, maximize results through increased technical efforts. Approximately $150 million is expected to be available for one contract award having a base period of one year and three one-year option periods. Eligibility is unrestricted. Responses are due July 26, 2005. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DON/ONR/ONR/N00014%2D05%2DR%2D0011/listing.html

The Navy will be soliciting proposals for research in environmental and sensor technologies. This solicitation supports the ongoing development and demonstration of buried unexploded ordnance detection technologies. It also requires laboratory research and field engineering support for studies of emerging sensors and biotechnology methods. Awards having a project period of one year with four one-year option periods are anticipated. All responsible sources will be eligible to submit proposals. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DON/ONR/N00173/N00173%2D05%2DR%2DJS07/listing.html

The United States Special Operations Command is seeking sources capable of providing cost-effective, cradle-to-the-grave vehicle, manpack and aircraft variants of the Family of Loudspeakers II. This will be a second-generation loudspeaker for use on the battlefield by tactical teams to broadcast messages to target audiences. Vendors who are currently using the most advanced technologies in the design and fabrication of loudspeakers should submit responses by July 25, 2005. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/ODA/USSOCOM/SOAL-KB/Reference%2DNumber%2DH92222%2D05%2DFOL2%2DLOUDSPEAKERS/listing.html

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

ED invites applications for funding under the Comprehensive Centers program to support states as they work to help districts and schools close achievement gaps in core content areas and raise student achievement, especially those in need of improvement in implementing school improvement provisions. Approximately $40 million in FY 2005 funding is expected to be available for the first budget period (nine months) of 21 awards having a project period of up to five years. Of that amount, an estimated $35 million will be used to fund 16 Regional Centers and $5 million will be used to fund five Content Centers. Eligible are research organizations, institutions or agencies and institutions of higher education. Notices of intent are due June 23, 2005; applications are due July 18, 2005. More information is available at: http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2005-2/060305b.html

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

DOE will be soliciting proposals for advanced remediation technologies to address high-level waste streams at the agency's Hanford and Savannah River sites. Technologies are needed for enhanced sludge washing and for improved methods to physically remove residual sludge, while minimizing the adverse impacts on the remainder of the tank farms due to large volumes of added water or chemical treatments. Eligibility is unrestricted. A full solicitation is expected to be released on or about July 17, 2005. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DOE/PAM/HQ/DE%2DRP09%2D05SR22467/listing.html

DOE invites applications to develop high temperature, low relative humidity polymer electrolyte-type membrane materials suitable for use in a polymer electrolyte-type membrane fuel cell. Development of alternative materials with performance at 120 degrees Celsius and 25 percent to 50 percent relative humidity exceeding that of Nafion®  is desired. Approximately $7.5 million is expected to be available for 11 awards ranging from $500,000 to $2.5 million for a project period of up to five years. Cost-sharing of at least 20 percent is required. All types of applicants are eligible to apply, except other federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center contractors, and some nonprofit organizations. Proposals are due Aug. 4, 2005. More information is available at:

http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/DOE/PAM/HQ/DE-PS36-05GO95020/listing.html

DOE invites applications for funding to support the Electric Distribution Transformation, GridWise and GridWorks Programs. Critical technology areas include distributed sensors, intelligence, smart controls, distributed energy resources, advanced conductors and power electronics. Up to 10 awards ranging from $800,000 to $2 million for project periods of 2-3 years are anticipated. Cost-sharing of at least 20 percent is required. All types of applicants are eligible to apply, except other federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center contractors, and some nonprofit organizations. Applications are due July 8, 2005. More information is available at:

http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/DOE/PAM/HQ/DE-PS02-05CH11270/listing.html

DOE invites applications for funding to support the Geothermal Technologies Program. This program's top priority is further development of enhanced geothermal systems, which seek to recover heat contained in subsurface rocks by creating a system of fractures in the subsurface rocks. Approximately $3 million is expected to be available for 10-20 awards having a project period of up to two years. Cost-sharing of at least 30 percent is required. All types of applicants are eligible to apply, except other federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center contractors, and some nonprofit organizations. Applications are due July 14, 2005. More information is available at: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/DOE/PAM/HQ/DE-PS36-05GO95002/listing.html

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

DHS will be soliciting proposals to develop a Cargo Advanced Automated Radiography System focused on the automated detection of shielded and unshielded special-nuclear-material. Automatic detection of other contraband such as high explosives and drugs is desired. The system should be able to scan and process the data for a 40-foot container in under 15 seconds. DHS intends to begin production and deployment in FY 2008. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DHS-DR/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/HSHQPA%2DRFI%2DCAARS/listing.html

• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is soliciting proposals to develop technologies that will provide commercial motor vehicle drivers with real-time information on the location and availability of parking spaces, 24 hours per day and seven days per week. The goal is to reduce commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities caused by driver fatigue resulting from a lack of safe, available truck parking. Approximately $2 million is expected to be available for awards having a project period of two years. Proposals are due Sept. 16, 2005. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DOT/DTMC75/00075/DTMC75%2D05%2DBAA%2D00001/listing.html

• DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

The Department of the Treasury invites applications for funding to support research in ways to transfer and replicate data over longer distances and to protect data from being manipulated or distorted. The goal is to improve the resiliency of the financial sector to recover from disaster scenarios through development of new secure, remote, financial transaction backup storage systems. Research will be required that uses commercially available locations, networks and products to determine the parameters associated with data replication and database recovery activities. The effort required by this project will be conducted using the facilities of e-Cavern, a secure underground technology facility located in Louisville, Ky. Educational and nonprofit research institutions are eligible to submit proposals, which will be due July 18, 2005, upon issuance of a full solicitation. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/TREAS/DOPSD/PSD/052705ECAVERN/listing.html

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF)

NSF is soliciting proposals for the Integrative, Hybrid and Complex Systems program. This program supports research in areas that integrate device concepts and systems principles in the design, development and implementation of new nano/micro/macro hybrid and complex systems with engineering solutions for domain-specific applications. Proposals are sought that address fundamental research issues associated with modeling, design, simulation and development of engineering systems with applications in telecommunications, homeland security, biotechnology and manufacturing. Proposals may be submitted between Sept. 7 and Oct. 7 of 2005. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13381

NSF is soliciting proposals for the Foundations program. This program supports research in mathematical logic and the foundations of mathematics, including proof theory, recursion theory, model theory, set theory and infinitary combinatorics. Proposals are due Oct. 4, 2005. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5548

NSF is soliciting proposals for funding under the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. This program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by NSF. Approximately $33 million in FY 2006 funding is expected to be available for 1,700-1,800 awards between two support mechanisms, REU Supplements and REU Sites. The categories of proposers identified in the Grant Proposal Guide are eligible to submit proposals. Proposal deadlines vary by research area for REU Supplements; the deadline for REU Site proposals is Sept. 7, 2005, except for those pertaining to the Antarctic Program (June 7, 2006). More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf05592

• ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION

The Sloan Foundation is seeking nominations for Sloan Industry Studies Fellowships. These fellowships support junior faculty from a variety of academic disciplines who are conducting field-based research on a topic important to a specific industry. Up to five awards of $45,000 for a two-year period will be made. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in economics, management or engineering, or in a related or interdisciplinary field, and be members of the regular faculty of a college or university in the U.S. or Canada. Candidates also must be nominated by a senior scholar. Nominations are due Oct. 15, 2005. More information is available at: http://www.sloan.org/programs/fellow_announ.shtml

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

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU) PROGRAM

URL : http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf05592
Subtype : Biology
Subtype : Education
Subtype : Engineering
Subtype : Geosciences
Subtype : Polar Programs
Subtype : Crosscutting Programs
Subtype : Math/Physical Sciences
Subtype : Social/Behavioral Sciences
Subtype : Computer/Information Sciences

• SUNY CREATES FIRST ONLINE EE DEGREE PROGRAM

State University of New York Chancellor John Ryan announced that the state University of New York, based in Albany, N.Y., has received a $300,000 grant from The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to create an online bachelor's degree program in electrical engineering. SUNY officials said the program is the only one of its kind, and is a collaboration between three SUNY Schools of Engineering -- the University at Buffalo, Stony Brook University, and Binghamton University.

7) US STATES WATCH

• TEXAS CREATES EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FUND

13 JUNE: Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a bill that creates the Emerging Technologies Fund (ETF) to foster emerging technologies, enhance university-industry collaboration, and promote technology commercialization.

"Today Texas is taking a significant step to ensure that the benefits from technology innovations accrue to Texas colleges, Texas workers and the Texas economy," Perry said. "I am proud to sign legislation creating a new Emerging Technology Fund that will improve research at our universities, help start-up technology firms get off the ground sooner and significantly reduce the time it takes to move new life-changing inventions out of the lab and into the hands of consumers."

As a component of the Enterprise Fund, the new ETF is under scrutiny. Some criticise the ETF, calling it the "governor's slush fund. " The nonpartisan Center for Public Policy Priorities in Austin states that if deployed correctly, the Enterprise Fund has the potential to enhance job quality and suggests that more stringent accountability and meaningful disclosure would promote public trust and bolster program integrity.

Perry must appoint a 17-member committee by July 1st comprised of industry leaders and nationally recognized researchers. IEEE-USA is exploring opportunities to nominate a member of the Committee.

8) LATEST IEEE-USA ACTIVITIES

• 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

Also, full listing of IEEE-USA lobbying activities can be found on our web site at: http://ieeeusa.com/policy/policy/index.html

• IEEE-USA TRACKS HR 6 – the 2005 ENERGY BILL

In the first of a series of articles for IEEE-USA, Patrick Meyer highlights a June 8th congressional hearing on electric reliability.  Additional articles will be available at http://ieeeusa.com/policy/issues/electricreliability/index.html.

9) OTHER ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST

• CAL STATE SEEKS EE PROFESSOR

California State University—Long Beach is looking for an Assistant or Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering.  This is a tenure-track faculty position. For information: http://www.insidehighered.com/jobs/search/?event=ViewJobDetails&job_posting_id=2152

• HOUSE DEMOCRATS HOLD ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON THE S&T WORKFORCE: RON HIRA PARTICIPATES

Science & Technology Workforce: Where Are All the Jobs Going???: Dems Host Discussion on Nation’s Most Important Resource Base – Our Scientists, Engineers and Technologists

Event Hosted by: Rep. Bart Gordon (TN) and Rep. Jerry Costello (IL)

Date: June 23, 2005

Time: 10:00am

Location: 2325 Rayburn House Office Building

Contact: Alisha Prather, 202-225-6375

The first in a series of roundtable discussions hosted by Science Committee Democrats define what is known and unknown about supply and demand for the S&T workforce, delineate factors that influence supply and demand, and explore policy options. Experts from industry and education discuss realities, trends and the future of these vital domestic jobs.  Panelists include:

• Dr. Ron Hira, IEEE’s VP for Career Activities, Professor of Public Policy at Rochester Institute of Technology and author of the new book Outsourcing America: What’s Behind Our National Crisis and How We Can Reclaim American Jobs
• Mr. Dave McCurdy, President and CEO of the Electronic Industries Alliance
• Dr. George M. Langford, Professor of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College and Former Vice Chair of the National Science Board’s Task Force on National Workforce Policies for Science and Engineering
• Dr. Michael S. Teitelbaum, Program Director of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Top of Page | What's New@IEEE | EyeOnWash Archive | 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: 16 June 2005
Contact: Erica Wissolik