SEAL BEACH LABORATORY UNIQUENESS PRODUCES NUMEROUS PARTNERSHIPS

Increasing numbers of partnering opportunities have been enjoyed by the Test Systems & Sciences Laboratory (TSSL) Division of the Technical Support Department at the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, California.

Lab Director, Stan Nakama, reports that his Business Development Task Force, composed of colleagues David Ball, John Green (FLC Lab Rep), and independent consultant Chris Menadier, has accumulated an impressive array of new opportunities.

In place since Summer 1995, the group has obtained so-called Beta Site test status on two emerging technologies: the Chemical Analysis Automation (CAA) program from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and the QUIKLITE BIOASSAY water purification measurement system developed at the Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation Division (NRaD).

As the result of reciprocal visits between TSSL and other Department of Defense (DoD) facilities, the Lab's broad test, evaluation, and calibration capabilities are being more broadly exposed. Prospects with sister locations are very promising.

On a localized basis, the TSSL is responding to opportunities to engage in technology partnerships with commercial firms - one with revolutionary work in optical surface evaluation, and the other with a low-cost, but highly efficient filter for removing water and impurities from diesel fuel. This latter program has been still further networked to incorporate a single-plate fuel water level sensor. A third Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) opportunity is being explored with a local Huntington Beach, California, R&D firm active in advanced sensors and carbon-air fuel cells.

The TSSL consultant, Mr. Menadier, has uncovered an unusual contract award database which permits reviewing over 450,000 previously awarded government contracts. Analysis of these contracts through specific word-search retrieval has produced short-term negotiating opportunities with a variety of DoD and other government agencies, including USMC, Army, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management and others. This database, compiled by Visionary Concepts of Irving, Texas, has saved hundreds of hours of background research through old Commerce Business Dailys and other publications. It is expected to produce projects on virtually an immediate level.

Mr. Nakama, TSSL Director, attributes the short-term success of the business development effort to the energetic and creative approaches being taken by his own staff and other representatives at the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach who comprise the Business Development Task Force.

For more information, contact John O. Green at (310) 626-7840; fax: (310) 626-7850; e-mail: jog1348@po3.sbeach.navy.mil.

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