DC Dispatch
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September 4, 2015
Update on Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act
Recall that a bill was introduced: in the Senate recently titled the Energy Policy
Modernization Act; an omnibus energy policy bill that included language on DOE tech
commercialization efforts (see Dispatch 8-7-15). That bill has now, with multiple
amendments, been passed out of committee and sent to the full Senate for consideration.
From a blurb in AIP, “[W]hile the lion’s share of the bill focuses on electric grid
modernization, energy storage, cybersecurity, energy workforce, and the development of
hydrocarbon-based and renewable energy sources, it contains a number of sections
relating to science. Among these is an innovation title that authorizes funding for the
Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science for Fiscal Years 2016 through 2020,
[and] several sections to help facilitate technology transfer from DOE’s national
laboratories ….” What was not clear in the earlier blurb was the inclusion – via
amendments – of at least one additional item related to DOE tech transfer. From the AIP
blurb, “[A] separate amendment offered by Senators Mark Heinrich (D-NM) and Cory
Gardner (R-CO), and included in one of the manager’s packages, would empower the
Secretary of Energy to establish microlabs located nearby national laboratories for the
purpose of facilitating technology transfer from the laboratories to regional
economies. These microlabs would focus on ‘enhancing collaboration with regional
research groups, such as institutions of higher education and industry groups;
accelerating technology transfer from national laboratories to the marketplace; and
promoting regional workforce development through science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics instruction and training.’ The amendment would also authorize $50
million for FY 2016 for the purpose of carrying out this section.” This amendment
incorporates language from Senator Heinrich’s earlier bill on the same subject (see
Dispatch 4-17-15) titled The Microlab Technology Commercialization Act (S.784).
(Original Sources: AIP web site)
New from USPTO
(Collaborative Search Pilot Programs)
The USPTO signed two independent: collaborative search pilot Memoranda of
Cooperation (MOC) – one “with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and another with the
Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).” From the USPTO web site, “[T]he purpose
of these two pilots is to provide our stakeholders with search results from two Offices
early in the examination process so the applicant can determine their next steps in patent
prosecution. Both pilots will run for two (2) years with the option to extend.” The
USPTO notes the benefits of this program are “greater consistency in examination across
offices leading to more certainty of IP rights … [and] expedited search results and final
disposition.” (Original Sources: USPTO web site)
Contact:
Gary K. Jones, FLC DC Representative, gkjones.ctr@federallabs.org
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New from NSF
Business R&D Performance
Business R&D Performance in the United States Increases Over 6% to $323 Billion in
3013 notes “[C]ompanies spent $323 billion on research and development performed in
the United States during 2013, 6.7% more than the $302 billion spent during 2012.
Funding from the companies’ own sources was $247 billion during 2012 and $265 billion
during 2013, a 7.1% increase. Funding from other sources was $55 billion during 2012
and $58 billion during 2013.” Breaking down the data by sector and funding source,
“[D]uring 2013, companies in manufacturing industries performed $221 billion (69%) of
domestic R&D, defined as R&D performed in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Most
of the funding was from companies’ own funds (82%). Companies in nonmanufacturing
industries performed $101 billion of domestic R&D (31% of total domestic R&D
performance), 83% of which was paid for from companies’ own funds. The U.S. federal
government was the chief source of external funding (also referred to as R&D paid for by
others) for R&D across all industries. Of the $58 billion paid for by others, the federal
government accounted for $29 billion, most of which came from the Department of
Defense ($23 billion). Ninety-one percent of federal government R&D funding went
toward aerospace products and parts (North American Industry Classification System
[NAICS] code 3364), professional, scientific, and technical services (NAICS 54), and
computer and electronic products (NAICS 334). Next among external funders were
foreign companies ($14 billion)—including foreign parent companies of U.S.
subsidiaries—and other U.S. companies ($13 billion).” (Original Sources: NSF web site)
E. O. Makes Presidential Innovation Fellows Permanent
The President has signed: an Executive Order making the Presidential Innovation Fellows
program “a permanent part of the Federal government going forward.” From the press
release, “[T]he program brings executives, entrepreneurs, technologists, and other
innovators into government, and teams them up with Federal employees to improve
programs that serve more than 150 million Americans. … The Executive Order formally
establishes the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program within the General Services
Administration (GSA), where it will continue to serve departments and agencies
throughout the Executive Branch. The Presidential Innovation Fellow Program will be
administered by a Director and guided by a newly-established Advisory Board. The
Director will outline steps for the selection, hiring, and deployment of Fellows within
government.” The President also named 6 new “Presidential Innovation Fellows from
industry that will begin serving in the coming weeks. Since the launch of the
Presidential Innovation Fellows pilot program in 2012, 96 top innovators have been
recruited into this highly-competitive program from across the country.” See the link
for more details on the program. (Original Sources: White House web site)
Contact:
Gary K. Jones, FLC DC Representative, gkjones.ctr@federallabs.org
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U.S. Entrepreneurship Hits Record Highs
Researchers at Babson and Baruch Colleges have issued: their latest Global
Entrepreneurship Monitor report (for 2014). From a summary of the findings posted on
Innovation Daily, “[T]wenty-four million U.S. entrepreneurs, or 14 percent of the
population, are invigorating the American economy according to the 2014 Global
Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) U.S. Report issued today by Babson College and
Baruch College. This is the highest rate ever recorded in the United States. Job creation
outlook rose eight percentage points from 2013, with 24 percent of U.S. entrepreneurs
projecting to hire 20 or more people in the next five years. Optimism about
entrepreneurship is stronger than ever as more than half the U.S. population (51 percent)
reported seeing good opportunities for starting businesses. Fear of failure, which
measures one’s willingness to take risks in starting a business, decreased to 30 percent
from a high of 32 percent in 2012. … The Report, which generates insights about
entrepreneurship in the U.S., records entrepreneurs’ profiles, motivations, and business
characteristics while documenting the societal attitudes that often shape entrepreneurial
success. This year’s Report takes an in-depth look at the value of teamwork among
entrepreneurs and continues to track the activity of women and both young and older
entrepreneurs.” See the post for more detailed findings and the full report here.
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Note: The DC Dispatch is a periodic update of selected items of interest to the FLC and
technology transfer community -- i.e., current legislation, trends, reports, policy and other
developments potentially affecting technology transfer or related activities -- designed to
keep the community informed of relevant issues on a timely basis. Information is
gleaned directly from a variety of sources (newsletters, email alerts, web sites, direct
participation at events from the FLC DC Representative’s office, etc.) -- with original
sources, contacts and links provided.
Contact:
Gary K. Jones, FLC DC Representative, gkjones.ctr@federallabs.org
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