Congressman Adam Smith's Technology Issue Update

Smith Active in Patent Reform

Congressman Adam Smith continues to stay actively involved in patent reform, co-signing a letter in support of the legislation and joining a bi-partisan group of his colleagues in voting for H.R. 1249, the America Invests Act. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives on June 23 by a vote of 304-117, moves the patent system from a “first to invent” to a “first inventor to file” system, a decision that received wide support from industry groups, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council and the National Academy of Sciences, and will provide needed stability and predictability to the patent process. The bill also ensures that prior users can continue to utilize methods patented by others, provides a one-year grace period to protect innovators’ rights to their invention from the date of first disclosure, and modifies post grant review proceedings. Finally, H.R. 1249 provides for structural changes to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, modifying its authority to set fees, while implementing additional measures for proper oversight.

The House and Senate have both passed versions of the bill. The two versions will now move to a Conference Committee with the aim of resolving differences between the bills.

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Smith Supports Satellite Export Reform

Earlier this year during debate over the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Adam voiced his support for H.Amdt 331, an amendment to reform satellite export policy. Speaking in support of the amendment, Adam challenged the notion that inaction was the safest policy, noting “the risk of excessive restrictions on U.S.companies' ability to export technology.”

By reforming satellite export policy, the amendment would help American companies that manufacture satellite components remain competitive and on the forefront of satellite technology. The amendment, which keeps safeguards to ensure that satellite technology stays in the right hands, is also a national security issue, helping to maintain American technological superiority.

The amendment, introduced by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, was withdrawn at the request of the chair, Rep. Buck McKeon. Adam’s comments can be viewed in full here.

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Smith Advocates Rebalancing Trade Relationship with China

Recently, Adam joined a number of his colleagues in asking the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science and Related Agencies to increase funding for the office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) to address industrial practices by China that violate World Trade Center (WTO) rules. While the USTR has made considerable progress in pursuing these unfair trade practices, funding for the office has not been sufficient to properly carry out its mission. The letter, which acknowledges the current financial constraints of the federal budget, reinforces the importance of the USTR’s mission, and the notion that the “American people expect Congress to defend U.S. manufacturing and service companies, workers, and farmers”, a mission made more difficult with resources that Trade Representative Ron Kirk described as “woefully short.”

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Smith Supports Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms

Earlier this year, Adam joined a number of his colleagues in asking the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science and Related Agencies to support the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) for Fiscal Year 2012. TAAF provides vital assistance to businesses negatively impacted by foreign competition, helping companies develop strategies to find new markets, improve external communication, and address internal inefficiencies. The assistance, delivered through federally funded Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers, is estimated to have helped retain or create more than 50,000 jobs in the past five years.

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Grants and Procurement Opportunities

National Science Foundation

Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF): Core Programs
Funding for research and education projects that develop new knowledge in three core programs: The Algorithmic Foundations program; The Communications and Information Foundations program; and The Software and Hardware Foundations program. For more details on this program, click here

Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Core Programs

Funding through Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS) supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in two core programs:
Computer Systems Research (CSR) program; and Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program. For more details on this program, click here

For more information on grant opportunities that may benefit your organization, please visit www.grants.gov.

Tech Personnel Exchange with DoD

The Department of Defense announced last week the availability to participate in a new pilot program that provides an avenue for information technology professionals to exchange best practices with the private sector.

Authorized by the fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, the Information Technology Exchange Program (ITEP) pilot permits the DoD to assign information technology civilian employees to private sector organizations and to accept information technology employees from the private sector.

"The Defense Department recognizes that sharing information and leveraging best practices are critical components of education and continuous learning," said Teri Takai, DoD Chief Information Officer. "Under this collaborative learning venture, DoD and private industry organizations have a unique opportunity to share best practices through the exchange of high performing information technology professionals in areas such as service oriented architectures and cyber security. ITEP provides an opportunity for both industry and DoD to learn from each other -- to enhance employees' IT competencies and technical skills."

The personnel assignments will be from three months to one year in length. The first opportunities range from work regarding mobile devices to cloud computing and infrastructure management within the DoD.

Interested participants should visit http://cio-nii.defense.gov/sites/itep for more information about the ITEP pilot.

Local Firm Scores in Top 100

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and Fortune Magazine released the 2011 Inner City 100 list of the fastest-growing inner city companies in the U.S. SiteCrafting, Inc. from Tacoma, Washington ranked 51 on this year’s list.

The Inner City 100 program recognizes successful inner city companies and their CEO’s as role models for entrepreneurship, innovative business practices and job creation in America’s urban communities. The full list can be viewed here.

The rankings for each company were announced at the Inner City 100 Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 12, 2011 in Boston, MA. Winners attended a two-day event featuring seminars for Inner City 100 owners and managers at Harvard Business School, a procurement symposium and an awards gala that drew more than 500 guests.

The Inner City 100 list provides unmatched original data on the fastest growing inner-city businesses in the U.S. In the last 13 years, 661 different companies have earned positions on the Inner City 100, collectively generating more than $2.2 billion in annual revenues and creating nearly 70,000 new jobs. Chevron Corporation, Staples Foundation and Goldman Sachs are long-time sponsors of the program.

For the 2011 list, a record number of two thousand nominations were received. Winners represent a wide span of geography, operating in 51 cities and 32 states.

“We are delighted to celebrate businesses like SiteCrafting that are playing a critical role in revitalizing America’s urban communities. Through their achievements, the Inner City 100 winning companies exemplify America’s remarkable potential and the future of our urban centers,” Mary Kay Leonard, ICIC president and CEO. “These extraordinary companies demonstrate the market possibilities that exist within our inner cities and the growth that is at the heart of all urban entrepreneurial successes.”

SiteCrafting President Brian Forth said, “SiteCrafting is thrilled to have been named to the Inner City 100 list for the second time. It is an honor to be listed with some of the most innovative and creative companies in America. Each Inner City 100 company has an unbelievable story of perseverance and courage. This list is proof that the American dream is alive and well.”

SiteCrafting is a website design and web application development company that specializes in custom web based solutions for mid- to large-size businesses, counties, and municipalities. The company’s goal is to ensure its clients get the tools and technology they need to work most efficiently. The company has been headquartered in Tacoma since 1995 and has satellite offices in Seattle and Spokane.

To qualify for the Inner City 100 list, companies were required to have:

• at least 51 percent of their operations located in an economically distressed urban area;
• have at least 10 full-time employees;
• and a five-year operating sales history that includes at least $200,000 in revenues in the first year of consideration:
• an increase in year five sales over year four sales;
• and fifth-year sales of at least $1 million.

 

Chamber Adds Mobile App for Members

Local tech firm Sitecrafting has added a new opportunity available to members of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. Powered by ChambersEdge, member businesses can market with the smart phone application.

Added Benefits to “going mobile:”

• GPS feature on the app (Map button) allows someone looking for your business to locate you on their phone with either driving or walking directions
• Immediate access to your webpage (if applicable) to find out more about your business
• Call feature (Call button) allows instantaneous access to your business—by automatically dialing your contact number
• Search button (magnifying glass) lets users search for member businesses by company name
• Smart phone users are able to access the Chamber’s mobile membership directory by scanning the QR code as inserted here, to be added to the Chamber's website

• Soon the new membership plaque decal (see left) and our publications will carry the QR code

More value-enhanced features will be added to ChambersEdge in the near future. Those without smart phones can also load the app (if they have web browser capabilities—remember data rates apply) by going to the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s ChambersEdge web address: http://tacoma.chambersedge.com/

Note: IPhones, Droids, Windows phones need to download a free QR screening app first to “scan” the code on the left. Blackberry phone users need to input http://tacoma.chambersedge.com/

Two Sides of the Angel's Coin

Entrepreneurs can be either the inventor or the financier who provides the business acumen to bring new products and new processes to the marketplace.

The TacomaAngel Network is Tacoma's answer to both these sets of entrepreneurs.  At today's TacomaAngel Network meeting, three entrepreneurial ventures were presented to the TacomaAngel Network of successful angels.  (Angels are SEC-qualified, high net worth individuals who seek opportunity in bringing new products and new companies to profitability.) 

This picture is a perfect example of the cross-pollination that occurs.  Here Entrepreneur Bob explains his prototype tilting three-wheeled motorcycle to Angel Nick.  As one of the three presentations that the TacomaAngel Network heard today, Entrepreneur Bob got to explain his invention, his business plan and make that pitch why Angel Nick and his fellow angels should invest in him. 

If you are an SEC-qualified Angel and would like the group dynamics that recruit, screen and present Entrepreneurial opportunities from within the Pacific Northwest region, you could contact the group's administrator Gary Brackett for more information.

If you are that rarest of gifted individuals who have both a great idea and a concept for making it pay off for you and those who invest in you, visit the TacomaAngel Network website and begin the registration process to have your business considered for investment.  In addition to grabbing for the golden ring, you'll find resources and contacts to help you prepare and market your enterprise.

SST Conference Agenda Announced

Click on the image for a full view.

An Energy Teaser for the SST Conference

As more elements of the March 11th South Sound Technology Conference fall in to place I thought I might mention the morning energy breakout session presentation by Dr. George Mobus.

His current working title is:

The Critical Energy Challenges: Time and Scale

Dr George Mobus will be presenting on how effective alternative renewable energy sources may be as opposed to fossil fuels. He will discuss peak oil and peak net energy with attention to the potential decline rates from these sources. The biggest challenge according to professor Mobus is the time frame for replacing our current level of net energy with renewable/alternative sources, and the various conservation approaches to reduce the scale problem.

His passion for the topic is obvious, as is his straight forward approach. As he has said of his presentation, “ this represents an honest assessment of the challenges ahead as a prod to why we need massive investment in those technologies that stand a chance of meeting the challenges.”

To get a feel for his ideas and passion about energy and systems science, check out his blog "Question Everything".

Following his presentation will be a panel discussion from industry and energy experts, including Graham Evans, former Executive Director at Washington Clean Technology Alliance and current Senior Vice President with EQ².

Also on the panel will be Andy Wappler,vice president, Corporate Affairs for Washington-based Puget Sound Energy, utility subsidiary of Puget Energy.

As head of Corporate Affairs, Wappler is responsible for the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance relationships with communities, government agencies and major customers, as well as the company’s communications. He also is the chairman and president of the Puget Sound Energy Foundation.

According to their website, "Puget Sound Energy is the Pacific Northwest’s largest utility producer of renewable energy and, among investor-owned utilities, is America’s second-largest generator of wind power."

I have a third panel guest on tap, though they may be given a breakout segment of their own depending on how their presentation comes together.

So join us on March 11th for the day. Registration is only 15 dollars and it comes with lunch. Such a deal.