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AAES Fast Facts
15 November 2002
15 November 2002
Allison Salyer, editor
asalyer@aaes.org
WASHINGTON UPDATE
Late this week, the House and Senate gave final approval to a bill that would put the National Science Foundation on a track to double its budget in five years. H.R. 4664, the "National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002," also includes major math and science educational initiatives. The newly passed version of H.R. 4664 adds language worked out with the Office of Management and Budget to satisfy the Administration's objections to the legislation. The new language makes the last two years of authorization (fiscal years 2006 and 2007) contingent on a finding by the Congress that NSF "has made successful progress toward meeting specified management goals," taking into consideration OMB's evaluation on that progress. The bill will now head to the President for his signature. Additional information may be found under the ASCE section below, or http://www.house.gov/science
Late this week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed revised Homeland Security legislation that is expected to easily pass the Senate next week. The legislation includes provisions for an Undersecretary for Science and Technology and a Homeland Security Institute. Additionally, the bill blocks the transfer to the new Department of the Computer Security Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Finally, the bill also includes language creating a Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA), modeled on the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This new agency would develop revolutionary new technologies to address homeland security vulnerabilities. Additional information may be found at http://www.washingtonpost.com
NASA is proposing to spend $2.4 billion over the next four years to design a new orbital space plane to ferry astronauts between Earth and the International Space Station. In an amendment to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's proposed 2003 budget, agency officials for the first time set a firm figure of $6.6 billion for completing assembly of the basic orbiting space station. That would bring the U.S. share of the international project to less than $25 billion. Specifically, the amendment calls for spending $1.6 billion to upgrade and improve the four-vehicle space shuttle fleet; $15.2 billion over the next decade to add a fifth shuttle flight to the annual schedule; $6.6 billion through 2006 to finish the basic assembly of the space station; $1.8 billion to support biological and physical research aboard the space station; $2.4 billion to research and develop technologies needed to build a new space system to replace the shuttle; and $2.4 billion to complete by 2004 the design of a new space plane that is intended to specifically ferry people in and out of space. Additional information may be found at http://news.yahoo.com
Association News
ASME
ASME PRESIDENT SPEAKS AT SUMMIT ON THE U.S. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WORKFORCE
The National Academies' Government University Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR) held a summit this week on U.S. science and engineering workforce issues. Representatives from nearly 40 scientific and engineering non-profit groups and government agencies presented varying policy recommendations regarding the future of the science and engineering (S&E) workforce.
ASME President, Susan Skemp, presented the Society's K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education paper. She stressed the need for high standards and better curricula, quality math and science teachers, diversity, partnerships, and research into how students best learn science and mathematics. Skemp also discussed a model bill for state legislators developed by ASME to implement these recommendations.
At the end of the GUIRR summit, areas for further work were identified and volunteers were solicited to take the lead in ten areas, including high school reform, undergraduate curriculum reform, and lifelong learning.
For more information about GUIRR and its work, visit http://www.national-academies.org/guirr/ For more information, contact Patti Burgio at burgiop@asme.org.
INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD FOCUSES ON HOMELAND SECURITY
The Industry Advisory Board (IAB) met at ASME's headquarters in New York City October 17 and 18 to address The Engineer's Response to Homeland Security. The meeting provided a forum for Board members to discuss protection of critical assets from an industry perspective and to advise ASME on its role.
Speakers including Dr. Arden Bement, Jr., Director of the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and Dr. William Jeffrey, an official from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), focused on three key areas: Protecting Critical Assets; Government Initiatives to Enhance Security; and, The Role of Science, Engineering and Technology in the War Against Terrorism.
Formal recommendations from the IAB will be released in November. For details on the meeting and select speaker presentations, go to http://www.asme.org/iab/ For more information regarding IAB activities, contact Reese Meisinger at meisingerr@asme.org
ASME's CRITICAL ASSETS PROTECTION INITIATIVE PLANS ACTIVITIES
The ASME Critical Assets Protection Initiative (CAPI) Steering Committee met last week in New York to coordinate the ASME homeland security effort on multiple fronts, including the establishment of appropriate relationships with government agencies and Congress. The Steering Committee consists of co-chairs, Bernie Meyers, Senior Vice President of Bechtel, and John Voeller, Senior Vice President of Black and Veatch, and the leaders of CAPI's teams of experts in threat areas where ASME has specific content expertise. The eight teams address: biological and pharmaceutical; mechanical building systems; nuclear facilities; pipelines; power generation (fossil); refining and chemical; risk analysis; and transportation.
In late September, ASME, along with the Civil Engineering Research Foundation, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, sponsored a two-day workshop on Critical Infrastructure Protection Priorities, which took place at the White House Conference Center. The workshop was hosted by the Executive Office of the President's Office of Science and Technology Policy with the President's Science Advisor, Dr. John Marburger, giving the keynote address. At this meeting, more than 80 senior-level industry leaders and government officials gathered to discuss how the application of new technologies; codes and standards; research and development, and risk analysis could be used to make buildings safer. During the workshop, the attendees ranked proposed programs to create a priority list that could be used by industry to address new security challenges.
Upcoming CAPI activities include workshops on energy security and mechanical building systems. More information on CAPI can be found at: http://www.asme.org/gric/capi. For more information, contact Reese Meisinger at meisingerr@asme.org.
ASME GROUP SENDS LETTERS IN SUPPORT OF S&T COMPONENTS OF HOMELAND SECURITY LEGISLATION
ASME's Critical Assets Protection Initiative (CAPI) sent a letter to the Senate in support of the science and technology (S&T) components of the homeland security legislation. In the letter, CAPI called for the Senate to "remove any research and development (R&D) limitations within the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA), establish the Office of Risk Analysis and Assessment, and create a Science, Engineering and Technology Council within the Department." The full text of the letter can be found at: http://www.asme.org/gric/ps/2002/02-34.html.
CAPI sent an additional letter to the Senate discussing in greater detail the need for an Office of Risk Analysis and Assessment in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). "An effective Office of Risk Analysis and Assessment is key to rationally quantifying and ranking the cost effectiveness of approaches and projects promoted and managed by a plethora of research organizations, agencies, and private contractors. Risk analysis is a technically sound and socially responsible way to help make resource allocation decisions." The full text of the letter can be found at: http://www.asme.org/gric/ps/2002/02-35.html.
For more information, contact Reese Meisinger at meisingerr@asme.org.
ASME BGR MEMBERS WIN FAST GRANTS FOR STATES
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently named 27 states winners of the second Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) awards. At $100,000 each, the awards totaled $2.7 million. Created in December 2000 in legislation that reauthorized the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, FAST provides matching funds to enable states to augment or expand their technology business assistance and SBIR outreach efforts. Of those 27 winners, three of the awards went to states with ASME Board on Government Relations (BGR) members involved with the state's proposal: California, Ohio, and Arkansas.
Marshall Graves, the ASME California State Fellow serving the California Technology, Trade, and Commerce Agency (TTCA), helped author the state's proposal. The California program will help technology company owners from historically underrepresented groups gain knowledge of the SBIR and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. In this effort, TTCA will partner with state universities as well as many of California's regional technology alliances.
In Ohio, W. Thomas Southards, ASME Board on Government Relations member since 2000, also helped write the state's proposal. Utilizing his knowledge of state programs, Southards approached ASME on participating in Ohio's proposal. ASME agreed, and will be helping conduct a one-day "Accessing Technology Forum" to showcase technologies for commercialization and capabilities that are available from federal labs and universities. ASME has conducted similar events around the country for the past ten years. More information about the accessing technology symposia can be found at: http://www.asme.org/gric/GR/Programs.html#access. The full Ohio proposal aims to promote technology expertise in regional companies, and help bring together potential partners in opportunities like SBIR and STTR.
In Arkansas, John Ahlen, President of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority (Authority) and a former federal fellow of the Board on Government Relations, also is involved with the state's FAST proposal. The Authority will be partnering with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Arkansas Small Business Development Center and the Industry Research Office of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to form the Arkansas FAST Consortium. In an effort to increase outreach, training, mentoring and technical assistance for Arkansas research entities, the Authority will fund Phase 0 (proposal development) awards to assist entrepreneurs to prepare SBIR Phase I proposals.
More information about the FAST grant can be found at: http://www.sba.gov/sbir/indexfast.html. For further information, contact Reese Meisinger at meisingerr@asme.org.
ASME MEMBERS MEET WITH CONGRESSMAN TOM DELAY
On Monday, several ASME members were invited to meet with the U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX) in Houston, Texas. In addition to Representative DeLay's leadership position, he also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over NSF, NASA and EPA.
Attendees included: Victoria Rockwell, Senior Vice President-elect for the Council on Public Affairs; Terrel Jones, ASME Energy Task Force; Steve Long, ASME South Texas Section; and Glenn MacDonald, ASME Petroleum Division.
During the meeting, several topics were discussed including: Homeland Security, Energy, R&D and K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Position papers on each topic were provided to the Congressman.
This meeting was conducted as part of the Engineers Across America program initiated in August 2002. For more information on this meeting, the Engineers Across America program, or the positions discussed, contact Patti Burgio at burgiop@asme.org
ASCE
Senate Approves Dam Safety Bill
The Senate Thursday approved the Dam Safety and Security Act (H.R. 4727). The legislation reauthorizes the National Dam Safety Program and provides funding to states to help maintain effective dam safety operations. These funds are not used to repair dams but instead go towards training of dam safety officials, equipment used to monitor dams, and other technical needs. Since its enactment in 1996, the NDSP has provided over $15 million to state dam safety programs, resulting in increased inspections of dams.
H.R. 4727 was introduced by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and approved by the House of Representatives on September 5, 2002. The measure now goes to President Bush who is expected to sign it into law.
ASCE actively supported the legislation along with the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, and ASCE Key Contacts sent numerous letters to members of Congress supporting the bill.
House Approves Bill to Keep Government Running Until 2003
The House of Representatives Wednesday approved legislation that would maintain government spending at FY 2002 levels through January 11th, effectively putting off work on the remaining 11 FY 2003 appropriations bills until the 108th Congress convenes in January. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK) caused a stir by urging members to oppose the legislation because it capped highway spending at $27.7 billion, instead of the $31.8 billion level approved by the Transportation panel earlier this fall. According to Young, if lawmakers fail to pass a transportation spending bill for FY 2003, federal highway funding would essentially run out by late summer 2003. In the end, Young voted for the measure after leaders assured him that any extensions past January would correct the situation. The measure passed the House 270-143. The Senate is expected to approve an identical measure before adjourning early next week.
Also this week the House approved legislation authorizing the creation of a new Homeland Security Department. Despite misgivings by several Democrats over extraneous measures included in the bill, the Senate is expected to approve it before adjourning for the year. The version passed by the House (H.R. 5710) would create four major directorates within the department, including the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate. Among the Directorate's responsibilities would be gathering and distributing threat and intelligence information to the nation's water utilities through the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center. The Center would use a secure computer-based system to share advisories, alerts and other information between federal agencies and drinking water and wastewater utilities.
OMB Releases Revision of A-76 Circular
The Office of Management and Budget this week announced changes to Circular A-76. The revised circular unifies the federal acquisition process and provides increased value to taxpayers, according to Office of Federal Procurement Policy Administrator Angela Styles. Where the current system has two separate processes for competition between private sector companies and competition between public and private companies, the new system integrates these two processes.
In addition, strict limits are being placed on 'work for others' services provided by government agencies. This includes inter-service support agreements (ISSAs), wherein a Federal agency formerly provided a service to another Federal agency; 'intra-service agreements', wherein one division of a Federal agency formerly provided a service to another division in the same agency (e.g. the USGS national mapping division providing mapping to the geologic division or water resources division); and intergovernmental agreements, wherein a Federal agency formerly provided a service to state or local government. All these 'work for other' programs will be terminated unless an A-76 review has been conducted and government performance has been justified.
The draft circular does not provide specific language on how A/E services should be treated, so the new policy is consistent with the Brooks QBS Act and Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 36. ASCE will address this issue during the public comment period.
The new draft also states that while inherently governmental activities should be performed by government personnel, agencies should assume that all activities are commercial in nature unless they are proved to be inherently governmental.
The new A-76 replaces not only the old A-76, but several other publications governing federal acquisition of services, including OMB Circular A-97, OFPP Policy Letter 92-1 (Inherently governmental functions), and OMB Transmittal memoranda 1-24, (Performance of commercial activities).
The circular is open for public comment for 30 days and will be effective upon publication of the final version in the Federal Register. For more information visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
Congress Passes NSF Authorization
In something of a surprise, Congress completed work on November 14th on the reauthorizing legislation (H.R. 4664) for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The bill was strongly supported by ASCE and others in the science and engineering community. The bill maintains earlier provisions that would authorize a doubling of funding for NSF over the 5 year period. As a concession to the Administration, which raised concerns over the costs, the final two years of authorization are contingent.
For FY 2003, the bill would authorize $5.5 billion for NSF. The FY 2002 budget was $4.8 billion. The bill authorizes annual increases through FY 2007, when it would reach $9.8 billion. The final bill includes the "tech talent" provision supported by ASCE. This provision provides funds for training and programs to support increasing the number of math, science and engineering students. A final copy of the bill should be available online shortly at http://thomas.loc.gov/
Conferees Abandon Energy Legislation until Next Year
Senate energy bill conferees this week abandoned efforts to pass a national energy policy Congress has been working on for the past year and a half. A comprehensive national energy policy was one of the Bush Administration's top priorities for the 107th Congress, but disagreement between House and Senate passed versions over issues such as oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and electricity-related issues slowed conference committee action to a standstill earlier this fall. Conference Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA) this week proposed passing a bill that included just two of the original titles of the bill pipeline security and extended liability coverage for the nuclear power industry; but Senate conferees rejected the proposal, opting instead to pass the pipeline security measure as a stand-alone bill (H.R. 3609).
House Approves Port Security Conference Report
The House and Senate Thursday approved a measure (S. 1214) that would make recommendations for beefing up security at the nation's ports. The bill also would authorize $90 million over six years for research and development to improve the ability of the U.S. Customs Service to inspect cargo and $33 million for security training. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) had previously proposed a port user fee be charged to incoming vessels to fund some of the changes. The fee was opposed by some Republican lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) who called it a new tax. Hollings dropped his proposal for the fee, allowing the conference report for the legislation to be considered by both houses before adjournment for the session.
State Legislative Update
While infrastructure funding proposals generally did not fare well on Election Day, there were some bright spots. In particular, Michigan's Proposal 2, which provided $1 billion in bonds for water and sewer improvements, passed with 60% of the vote.
The following bill was recently introduced in the Pennsylvania state legislature. If you have any questions, please contact Austin Fulk. This bill affects the civil engineering profession, but ASCE National has not taken a position on it.
Pennsylvania (http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/billroom.htm)
H.B. 2207 makes several modifications to the state's engineer licensure laws, mainly dealing with land surveyors and professional geologists.