Secretary of Commerce Looks to Private Sector for Input

One tenet of the Clinton Administration is that “technology is the engine of economic growth.” While the newly-established National Science and Technology Council (see FYI #158) is charged with coordinating technology initiatives across the federal government, the Department of Commerce is working at coordinating its own science and technology programs.

On November 4, Commerce Secretary Ron Brown released for public comment a draft version of his Department’s policy entitled, “Commerce ACTS: Advanced Civilian Technology Strategy.” The document describes the Department’s plan for aiding civilian technology, and explains the coordination among different agencies within Commerce, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The four components of Commerce’s policy are: development of advanced technologies in partnership with the private sector; rapid commercialization and deployment of new technologies; building a 21st Century infrastructure; and providing leadership in technology issues in both the government and the private sector.

The key player in technology development is NIST’s Advanced Technology Program (ATP), which provides cost-sharing grants to industry. The document also cites NIST intramural programs in biotechnology and “green” technologies, and NOAA’s use of environmental technologies, as drivers for high-technology development.

NIST’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership will take a lead role in efforts to rapidly commercialize and deploy technologies, by expanding, coordinating, and electronically linking the Manufacturing Technology Centers and State Technology Extension programs. The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration and Bureau of Export Administration promote the export of high-technology, while the Department’s Office of Technology Policy chairs an interagency committee to improve federal technology transfer by standardizing Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) language and processes among agencies.

The Commerce Department will also have a major role in improving the nation’s technology infrastructure. Major efforts include Commerce’s part in the National Information Infrastructure, NOAA’s environmental-monitoring infrastructure of satellites, monitors, and high-speed computers, NIST’s contributions to measurements and standards, the Patent and Trademark Office’s protection of intellectual property rights, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s management of the radio frequency spectrum.

Through its Technology Administration, headed by Undersecretary for Technology Mary Good, the Department intends to insure a voice for business and industry in government-wide policies and initiatives. The Technology Administration will also undertake to build consensus in the private sector and encourage new partnerships and alliances to solve technology challenges.

Copies of the strategy can be obtained, free of charge, from the Commerce Department by calling (202) 482-5687.