Fwd: White House request for assistance

[Robert E. Seastrom]

Pardon the naive question here, but is the implication here that the
government would or would not pay for this work?

Speaking as someone who already works a bit over 30% of his time for
free for the government...

-r

<prinaldo at cox.net> writes:

> Gang, FYI. This is kicking around IEEE emails. Paul, W4RI
>
> Forwarded message ----------
>> From: <society at comsoc.org>
>> Date: Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 10:34 AM
>> Subject: White House request for assistance
>> To: gme8 at cornell.edu
>> 
>> 
>> The following is being sent at the request of Vint Cerf on behalf of Susan
>> Crawford, National Economic Council
>> 
>> We need your help in support of a broadband initiative that President Obama
>> cares deeply about.  Specifically, we are seeking subject matter experts who
>> would review grant applications being filed with the federal government by
>> applicants seeking financial support for broadband projects throughout the
>> country.
>> 
>> The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriated $7.2 billion to the
>> Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information
>> Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities
>> Service (RUS) and to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved
>> communities across the U.S., increase jobs, spur investments in technology
>> and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits.  The Department
>> of Commerce's program, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, or
>> BTOP, will distribute 4.7 billion dollars in grant funds directed at
>> enhancing network connectivity as well as broadband education.  These grants
>> should provide lasting value to commerce, economic development, education,
>> research, health care, and energy conservation.
>> 
>>  The Department will be giving out funds in three categories.  A large share
>> of the funds will be dedicated to developing broadband infrastructure in
>> unserved and underserved communities.  Two additional programs include
>> grants for innovative projects that will drive the demand for broadband and
>> grants for increasing public computing center capacity to provide access to
>> those that can't afford a computer or broadband service at home.
>> 
>>  This is where you come in.  Commerce is expecting a large number of
>> applications and is using experts to rate the various projects.  Many of
>> your employees may be uniquely situated to assist in this process. Of
>> particular interest to the Department of Commerce are people with a
>> background in broadband related activities, including engineering, business
>> development, economics, research and development, and project management.
>> The Department is also interested in staff that have significant experience
>> in the analysis and oversight of infrastructure projects.
>> 
>>  We could also use your help in spreading the word.  It would be appreciated
>> if you could reach out to your friends or business contacts that have had
>> significant expertise and experience in any of these areas.
>> 
>>  Participation by high quality expert reviewers will help ensure that these
>> funds are well invested for our future.  The Department is looking for a
>> minimum time commitment of approximately 20 hours between mid August and mid
>> September.  You may apply directly to serve as a reviewer at
>> btopreviewer at ntia.doc.gov <http://ieee.xert.net/d.cfm?m=297149.902.0.24616>.
>> More information about being a reviewer is available at
>> http://broadbandusa.gov <http://ieee.xert.net/d.cfm?m=297149.902.0.24617>
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> 
>>  Susan Crawford
>>  National Economic Council
>
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