Release date: February 1, 2006
CCST issued a new report, California's
Federal Laboratories: A State Resource, that clarifies the contributions
that national laboratories make to the state, what actions should
be taken to ensure the stability of the national labs in California,
and what can be done to further leverage their contributions to the
state.
At a time when California's economic future increasingly relies on
scientific and engineering expertise, the federal labs provide critically
important know-how and highly specialized facilities. Today, going
beyond their federal missions, the labs should work hand in glove
with California state agencies, industry, and universities to collaboratively
solve local problems and pursue new research initiatives. The labs
remain a largely untapped resource. Given their many contributions
and remarkable potential, it is to California’s advantage to
ensure that the federal laboratories flourish.
The report was requested by Senator
Jackie Speier. Senator Speier, in a news conference held at the Capitol
on 2/1/06, said “In short, federal labs are a major untapped
resource in California at a time when the state's economic future
increasingly relies on scientific and engineering expertise."
Principal recommendations:
- Streamline the contracting process with the state. Allow state agencies to pay for technical services
in advance, per federal procedures, and develop standardized
contract models.
- Create bridges
between laboratory and state officials. Targeted information exchange workshops facilitated
by CCST will enhance working relationships and help
match laboratory expertise to pressing state agency
needs.
- Use the laboratories
to enhance state research on key issues such as homeland
security. Livermore, Sandia and Ames are developing important
homeland security technologies; some contact has been
made here, but more could be done.
- Assess the
state's competitive edge. Find out what research capabilities and facilities
the state will need to remain competitive in key fields
and industries, to help the laboratories and the state
effectively partner to bring these resources to California.
