One of the submitted National Demonstration Projects for the FWR’s FY-99 budget has been approved by the FLC Executive Board. The region will be working with the Department of Commerce in a new and innovative program called the Federal Resource Access Partnership. The Partnership gives companies the opportunity to work with progressive government agencies and leading national laboratories to access technology transfer, manufacturing, diversification, and exporting resources necessary to increase their competitiveness.

The Program will also involve Economic Development Agencies in counties, and twelve universities and colleges in the FWR. It is our goal eventually to have all the FWR laboratories involved in the project. The FWR support contractor will be contacting each site in the FWR to ensure your resources are accurately represented.

Another major project is in support of the Assistive Technology Program. Surveys intended to match companies with labs involved with appropriate Assistive Technologies are being mailed by the Department of Commerce during February to FWR businesses.

A few months ago, I closed the support office in San Diego, CA aiming to improve operating efficiency and service in the FWR. As most of you know, the region is now supported by DelaBarre & Associates, Inc. (DBA), a contractor very experienced in assisting the FLC. That experience is available to help FWR ORTAs and sites. Please use DBA for assistance, guidance, technical knowledge, and computer and database support related to your FLC involvement. Make DBA a part of your T2 team.

To close, I am encouraging all FWR members to attend the FLC’s 25th Anniversary Meeting being held April 19 thru 23, 1999, in Salt Lake City, UT. The program is interesting and dynamic. Our region will meet on April 22 at 4PM. Discussion will include the ORTA’s needs and their involvement with the current and future Demonstration Projects.

Dr. Mike Sullivan
Email: sullivanme@navair.navy.mil
Web Page: http://happy.mugu.navy.mil/TT