into use in the private and public sectors. We accomplish that mission through a coordinated program directed at meeting the technology transfer needs of our member laboratories and the needs of the potential users of their technologies. In addition to creating a technology transfer environment, which adds value to and supports our members laboratory and agency efforts, our programs also focus on national efforts that are beyond the scope of individual laboratories or agencies. As you know, the Consortium was formally chartered by the Technology Transfer Act of 1986, and I am pleased to report that all Consortium programs identified in that act are operational and effective. Considering the initiatives under way with small business, large business, educational institutions and State and local governments, the diverse and disaggregated nature of the small business community poses a unique challenge in developing national initiatives. However, we have been gaining insights from demonstrations such as those with VoTech in Oklahoma and NASA's Application Center in California. These insights are proving important as we plan to replicate the experiences in other States and regions. In all of our initiatives, the key factor for successful transfers are person-to-person contact or cooperation, supported by ongoing institutional cooperation. Transfers work best when there is a continuum of cooperation which begins at the idea stage and continues through engineering development to an ultimate use. The universities, Federal laboratories and industry all have a part in the process and it requires innovations and cooperation at all stages. A significant part of the Consortium effort is to facilitate that cooperation. Our resources for facilitating cooperation are, first, a decentralized network of representatives operating as a clearinghouse for matching laboratory expertise to technical requests; a clearinghouse locator for laboratory capabilities and expertise; a computerized 168-laboratory resource directory that is used to match request or needs with laboratory expertise and an electronic mail system of 89 representatives and advisors for rapid and efficient communications during the matching process and to meet other Consortium operating requirements. While the clearinghouse function emphasizes the matching of requests for technical assistance with laboratory expertise and capabilities, other resources and referrals are used for requests for information and technologies available. These resources include the National Technical Information Service, NASA's Application Centers, and commercial data bases. An important data base of technologies is provided by the Technology Applications Information System of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization. Accessing that data base provides the user with more than 1000 unclassified abstracts describing SDI-developed technologies and their potential applications to public and private sectors. An FLC coordinator for each one of six regions is a primary referral point in the clearinghouse network for technical requests; is an organizer of special regional projects; and is an awareness focal point for the laboratories and user organizations in that region. With the support of NASA, our Southeast Region has established an FLC Service Center to assist in handling regional requests for technical assistance. This regional satellite is an important adjunct for effectively operating the FLC network to accomplish our clearinghouse function. In fact, I wish the Consortium had similar service centers in the other five regions. Regional advisors, funding for regional programs and administrative support to the Regional Coordinators are part of an emphasis that has strengthened the Consortium significantly. Although the legislation is clear on a matter of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, the lack of rules and regulations left some in a quandary as how to proceed to implement the legislation. Others saw it as an opportunity to proceed and develop procedures that met their specific needs. The Consortium infrastructure has been used for training in this important area and to allow others to learn from the experiences of those who have proceeded. The legislation has been instrumental in furthering technology transfer cooperation. Extension of the Cooperative R&D Agreement authority to include explicitly Government-Owned Contractor-Operated facilities, as well as Federal Contract Research Centers, would broaden the value of this mechanism to the U.S. The Northern Agriculture Research Center in Illinois illustrates the major results possible with the change in public policy. This center, with approximately 150 professional staff, have licensed several major patents and established a significant biotechnology R&D consortium that contributes to the local economy. Another small organization, the Army Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory have been very proactive in establishing several Cooperative R&D Agreements. In the past, they have benefited by networking with the FLC and now they are feeding back their experiences to the network. Also, they are leading the way by including quantitative measures related to technology transfer in their staff performance reviews. With its national focus, the Federal Laboratory Consortium provides an excellent platform for member laboratories to address broad subject areas of national significance. For example, the opportunities under the anti-drug abuse bill and responsibilities under the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act. Other initiatives focus on user needs for topics such as hazardous materials management, biotechnology and utility technologies. For example, an agreement was signed with the Electric Power Research Institute to cooperate in transferring Federal technologies from member laboratories to their member utilities. This agreement, and one with the Center for the New West, is expected to be the basis for a broader utilities initiative later on. One unique demonstration in this country is the technology ferret program, modeled after a British effort. The demonstration is planned at the Naval Underwater Systems Center for this year. An industry retiree will work with laboratory staff to ferret out previously unrecognized technologies and expertise of value to in dustry. Assuming a successful demonstration, plans are to replicate this program at other laboratories. In conclusion, during the two years since the passage of the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, the Consortium network has been strengthened. All FLC programs identified by the act are operational and effective. Emphasis has been on providing opportunities for person-to-person cooperation, strengthening regional operations and increasing training opportunities for member representatives. Major accomplishments include significant initiatives with small business, large industry, State and local governments and universities and other educational institutions; an operating infrastructure that effectively supports interlaboratory cooperation, rapid communications and technology transfer recognition; growing programs in the six FLC geographical regions combined with regional advisors to keep the Consortium on target in its transfer efforts; training programs which include topics such as patents, licensing, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements and marketing of laboratory technologies; a fully operational clearinghouse that is a resource for matching requests for technical assistance with Federal laboratory capabilities and expertise; cooperation with other networks with similar interests, such as professional societies, trade associations, small business groups and utilities; and completion of a model demonstration project that provides laboratory access to technology acquisition interests of over 1000 companies and initiation of a new project with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. During this time, I have noticed an increased awareness of the importance of technology transfer on the part of the laboratories, the agencies, and the potential users of innovations. Some of this awareness is occurring because of past successes that are being documented, experiences that are being shared, and the recognition that laboratory missions and commercial opportunities are compatible. This growing awareness and continuing progress makes me optimistic that technology-based cooperation will provide increasing benefits to the U.S. economy and that the Consortium will provide a basic link between the user and government collaborators. Thank you for this opportunity to give me to give you my impressions. LOREN C. SCHMID Chairman, Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Dr. Schmid has B.A., M.S, and Ph.D degrees in Physics from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the New York Academy of Science, and the Sigma Xi scientific honorary society and is an elected Fellow of the American Nuclear Society. He received the FLC Harold Metcalf Award for Technology Transfer in 1986 for continuous, dedicated service to the consortium and its programs, and his successful efforts to improve the technology transfer process. Dr. Schmid is the Chairman of the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) for Technology Transfer and manages the development of new ideas for Pacific Northwest Laboratory's (managed by Battelle-Northwest) engineering technology business, supports the Office of Technology Research and Applications, and serves as a member of the Battelle-Northwest Safety Review Council. He is an affiliate professor of Nuclear Engineering for the University of Washington; a post he has filled since 1973. In addition to lecturing and advising students and faculty, he has developed and implemented educational courses in fission reactor experiments, direct energy conversion, and magnetic fusion. He is also an advisor to the Strategic Defense Initiative Office of Technology Applications. Previous to being elected Chairman, he was elected Regional Coordinator for the FLC Far West Region and served on the Executive and various standing committees. Statement of Chairman of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer before the Science, Research & Technology Subcommittee House Committee on Science, Space & Technology Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: I appreciate this opportunity to present some views on technology transfer on behalf of the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC). Today as requested, I plan to report on Consortium activities and successes, since the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, as well as provide an overview of some recent member laboratory successes. Details about successes at two laboratories will be presented by other speakers on this panel. Additional information is found in the Consortium annual reports to Congress and our member Federal Agencies. A review copy of the latest annual report is available as part of my written statement. As stated in our Strategic Plan, the Federal Laboratory Consortium's mission is to promote the rapid movement of research results from the federal laboratories into use in the private and public sectors. We accomplish that mission through a coordinated program directed at meeting the technology transfer needs of our member laboratories and the needs of the potential users of their technologies. We focus on creating a technology transfer environment which adds value to and supports our member laboratory and agency efforts. The support is provided primarily through laboratory infrastructure development, technology transfer promotion, and national communication and coordination. Promotion of technology transfer to government and industry as a major national resource is an important effort. In addition to support to our member laboratories, our programs focus on national efforts that are beyond the scope of individual laboratories or agencies. Another focus with nationwide impact involves monitoring the success of individual laboratory initiatives and facilitating their rapid replication. The Consortium was formally chartered by the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986. However, it has been in existence in one form or another for 18 years. Thus, the Consortium was able to hit the track running relative to the activities mandated by the legislation. The programs are to include activities such as providing advice and assistance on technology transfer methodology, facilitating communication between the technology transfer officers at the laboratories, and preparing training courses and materials related to technology transfer. Other programs include strengthening our regional activities, conducting demonstration experiments with potential for replication, and providing a clearinghouse network for technical assistance requests at the laboratory level. I am pleased to report that all Consortium programs identified by the Federal |