National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div., Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

B -- STUDY OF FRAUNHOFER SOCIETY IMPACT ON U.S. INNOVATION SYSTEM SOL 52SBNB8C1125 DUE 082198 POC Julie Liu (301) 975-6727, Sandra Febach (301) 975-6326 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. The Technology Administration has a requirement for a Contractor to examine the impact of the Fraunhofer Society organization on the U.S. innovation system and the issues that the impact raises regarding U.S. innovation policies and programs. The Contractor shall accomplish this objective by comparing and contrasting the operation of the U.S.-based Fraunhofer Centers to the operations of similar domestic technology diffusion programs, e.g., the NIST-supported national network of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program and the Engineering Research Centers (ERC) initiated by the National Science Foundation (NSF) at campuses around the country. As a part of this analysis, the Contractor shall make an effort to identify any element of programs at the Fraunhofer Centers not available from current Government programs and assess the policy implications of such situations. Deliverables: the Contractor shall furnish monthly progress reports, policy briefings, and a final report summarizing the findings of the study. The anticipated period of performance is from date of contract award through nine (9) months thereafter. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the Agency. Requests for solicitations should either be mailed to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition and Assistance Division, Building 301, Room B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, or faxed to: (301) 963-7732. See Numbered Note 26. Posted 08/07/98 (W-SN234298). (0219)

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