The EPA has issued four separate pre-solicitation notices for their upcoming SBIR offering. Similar to last year, the EPA will be issuing their regular SBIR solicitation which will run concurrently with three special EPA SBIR solicitations. A list of the solicitations and their topics are presented below. Complete details are available directly from the EPA SBIR web site at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/sbir/ - All solicitations will open March 25, 2004 and close on May 25, 2004.

EPA SBIR Solicitations

The Regular EPA SBIR solicitation: [PR-NC-04-10308] (approximately 15 awards)
Topics for this solicitation include: A) Nanomaterials; B) Control and Monitoring of Air Pollution; C) Drinking Water Treatment and Monitoring; D) Water and Wastewater; E) Hazardous Waste Management and Site Remediation; F) Hazardous Waste Monitoring; G) Solid Waste Recycling; H) Safe Buildings; and I) Drinking Water and Wastewater Security. This pre-solicitation can be viewed at:
www1.eps.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/CMD/PR%2DNC%2D04%2D10308/SynopsisP.html

Special Phase I for Waste Minimization [PR-NC-04-10311] (approximately 10 awards)
Topics for this solicitation are: A) new products and technologies that reduce or eliminate generation of hazardous waste containing any of 30 Hazardous Waste Priority Chemicals and B) Clean Waste-to-Energy Gasification Technologies and Systems. This pre-solicitation can be viewed at:
www1.eps.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/CMD/PR%2DNC%2D04%2D10311/listing.html

Special Phase I for Pollution Prevention [PR-NC-04-10309] (approximately 10 awards)
Topics for this solicitation are: A) Automobile and Other Green Supplier Networks; B) Hospitals for a Healthy Environment; C) Flame Retardants; D) Diisocyanates; E) Fragrances; F) Industrial Design; and G) Printed Wiring Boards. This pre-solicitation can be viewed at:
www1.eps.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/CMD/PR%2DNC%2D04%2D10309/listing.html

Special Phase I for Technology Solutions for Pacific Southwest Environmental Problems [PR-NC-04-10310] (approximately 10 awards)
Topics for this solicitation are: A) Air Pollution in Arid Climates; B) Drinking Water in Arid Climates; C) Wastewater in Arid Climates; D) Solid Waste in Arid Climates; E) Stormwater from Construction and Industry; F) Dairies and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations(CAFOs); G) Chronic Wasting Disease; and H) Green Buildings. This pre-solicitation can be viewed at FedBizOpps:
www1.eps.gov/spg/EPA/OAM/CMD/PR%2DNC%2D04%2D10310/listing.html

5.1 16TH ANNUAL HIGH-TECH SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN L.A., MARCH 2 & 3

JPL, in coordination with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is sponsoring its 16th Annual High-Tech Small Business Conference on Tuesday, March 2, and Wednesday, March 3, 2004. The conference site is the Radisson Hotel at Los Angeles Airport located at 6225 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.

The conference affords small businesses the opportunity to meet purchasing and technical representatives from major corporations and Federal Agencies (e.g., The Aerospace Corp., The Boeing Co., Lockheed- Martin, U.S. Dept. of Defense, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, the U.S. Veterans Administration, etc.) during the Marketplace Forum to discuss contract opportunities. Attendees can expect to improve their knowledge and skills in competing in the federal and state government and prime contractor marketplace, and also take advantage of several "How To" workshops.

JPL has successfully coordinated this event for the past 15 years with an average attendance of 1,200 participants, 300 of which are representatives from the prime contractor/government agency arena and 900 are small business owners.

The registration fee is $100 per person and includes two continental breakfasts, two lunches, networking receptions, and program materials. Room rates are $99 single/double occupancy. Parking fees at the Radisson are $5.00 for self parking and $7 valet for day use and do not include in and out privileges. A special $10 self-parking fee with in and out privileges is available for overnight hotel guests.

For additional information contact: Martin Ramirez at martin.m.ramirez@jpl.nasa.gov or 818-354-8689.

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5.2 HOW TO BOOST SALES WITH EFFECTIVE LEAD GENERATION - A MAMTC SPONSORED WORKSHOP

Are you spending too much time, energy, or money trying to keep the lead pipeline full? Do you need to turn more prospects into loyal customers who buy again and again? Would you like to increase the number of qualified leads and sales you get, at a lower cost?

Spend one day in this valuable training and learn how to turn lead generation into your most valuable marketing tool. You'll examine how to develop a unique selling proposition that motivates prospects to buy, test and measure results, facilitate sales through distribution channels, and more. You'll learn:

› How to target your best prospects - by far, the most critical step in the process
› How to develop a relevant and compelling message
› Ways to overcome challenges when marketing through a dealer or distributor
› Tips for tracking results and shaping your future success around it


Does this sound good for your company? Then plan to attend!

When: March 4, 2004
Where: Denver, CO
Fee: $250/individual or $225/groups of 3 or more (same business)
Additional Information Available At: www.mamtc.com/seminarsCalendar.asp or call toll free 888-649-4333 or email registrations@mamtc.com

This seminar is sponsored by the Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center (MAMTC). MAMTC helps manufacturers improve business performance and profitability. MAMTC's services include hands-on consulting, assessments, technical seminars, vendor and technology searches, product testing, and demonstrations of equipment and software. MAMTC, a not-for-profit organization, is an affiliate of the NIST MEP network and the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, Wyoming Business Council, and the University of Colorado.

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5.3 HOW TO MANAGE AND KEEP IN COMPLIANCE GRANT FUNDED PROJECTS WORKSHOP

When & Where: March 9 & 10, 2004, 8am - 5pm & 8am - Noon, respectively, Gillette, WY (lunch on your own)
Workshop Agenda: This two day workshop is designed for personnel who are anticipating receiving grant funding or have obtained grant funds. Learn the key components of grants management and compliance. The following topics will be discussed: planning for the funded project; implementing the project; ensuring fiscal integrity; monitoring the project; demonstrating accountability; evaluating the project; auditing requirements; solving problems; and terminating and closing out projects.
Who Should Attend: Administrators and Managers of the Project, Business Managers, Administrative Assistants, For-profit or Non-profit Grant Funded Entities, anyone anticipating receiving grant funding or has already obtained grant funds.
Cost: $100/person ($75 for second person from same small business or agency) Cost includes materials.
Workshop Facilitator: Sheela Schermetzler of Resource Development Consulting. Sheela has over eight years experience in writing and administering grant funded projects totaling over $19 million dollars.
To register or for more information please call: Scheela Schermetzler at 307-685-6663
Sponsored By: Campbell County CARE Board

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5.4 SBIR COLORADO - SECURING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SMALL, INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES - A Colorado SBIR Conference



Russ Farmer, Executive Director of SBIR Colorado (Colorado Non-Profit Corporation) has lined up a number of highly qualified presenters for this Colorado conference that will be held Thursday, March 25 from 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Northglenn Holiday Inn, 10 E 120th Ave.:

Mark Holtzman, President of Denver University, kicks off the third SBIR/STTR conference and is joined by Leroy Williams, recently named Secretary of Technology, Colorado OIT, Connie Jacobs, SBIR Program Manager for the DOD (DARPA), Kay Etzler, SBIR Program Manager for National Institutes of Health (NIH), Mark Henry, SBIR/STTR Proposal Expert for PBC inc., John Boose, Professor, Monfort College of Business-UNC, and a number of local experts in various aspects of technology commercialization.

♦ Obtain secrets on how to write a $750k winning proposal
♦ Gain knowledge about IP and creating $value$ from technology
♦ Meet experts who have successfully commercialized their technologies
♦ This Conference will help create the next technology ground swell in the Colorado region


Follow this link for more information including a full agenda.
Or call Kim Keating, 303-427-1312 x200

Follow this link to register!

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5.5 TECHNOLOGY CONNECTIONS: FUNDING, STRATEGIES AND PARTNERSHIPS
The Next National SBIR Conference - Atlanta, GA - April 26-29

The National Science Foundation, in association with the Small Business Administration and all SBIR agencies, presents The National SBIR/STTR Conference and Small Business Tech Expo (SBTE) - Technology Connections: Funding, Strategies, and Partnerships - April 26-29, 2004 at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel * Atlanta, GA

This year, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs will provide $2 billion to small businesses through federal programs to help entrepreneurs take their ideas from conception to reality.

This conference gives you the tools you need to obtain part of the $2 billion available to small business innovators.

CONFERENCE TOPICS INCLUDE:

-SBIR/STTR 101: An Overview of the SBIR and STTR Programs -Federal Agency Overviews
-The Do's and Dont's of Proposal Writing
-Writing a Cost Proposal
-Identifying Your Market Opportunities
-Increasing Your Chances with SBIR/STTR
-Partners (STTR): University & Federal Labs
-Partners: Utilizing Incubators
-Leveraging & Protecting Your Intellectual Property
-Managing SBIR/STTR Projects--The Basics
-What the Agencies Look For & How They Do It
-Phase III Government Contracts--What's Relevant Now?
-Exploring Alternative Financing Programs
-Accessing the Other 97% Federal R&D Funding
-Corporate Alliances--Overview


NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

This conference provides each participant with multiple opportunities to meet and network with SBIR and STTR Program Managers, and fellow attendees, including SBIR/STTR award winners, speakers, and experts from businesses and the government willing to work with you to move your business ahead.

Extra Bonus: Conference participation guarantees entry into the co-located Small Business Tech Expo (SBTE) sponsored in part by NASA. The expo will showcase new technologies, support services available to small business and technology development, and commercialization opportunities.

Visit the SBIR/STTR National Conference Website for program & registration details:



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5.6 WSSI 2004 STATE CONFERENCE
When: Wednesday & Thursday, June 2 & 3, 2004!
Where: Cody Holiday Inn
Hotel Rates (mention appropriate code to receive these reduced rates): $79 for 1-2 adults at the Holiday Inn (use code WSB) or the Comfort Inn (use code SBR); $59 for the Village Cabins (use code SBIR) with 1-2 adults and $79 for 3-4 adults or families needing two bedrooms.
Hotel web site: www.blairhotels.com — Hotel email: blair@blairhotels.com — Hotel Phone: 800-527-5544
Conference Registration/Information: TBA – Watch for details!

Check out Cody, Wyoming!

TO BE ADDED TO OR REMOVED FROM THE DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR THIS NEWSLETTER, SEND NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO jillkline@vcn.com.

Prepared by: Jill Kline, WSSI Outreach Coordinator, 307.682.2660 or toll free in Wyoming, 866.703.3280, jillkline@vcn.com, and Gene Watson, WSSI Program Manager, 307.742.7162, ewatson@wyoming.com.