Fwd: White House request for assistance

[prinaldo at cox.net]

Rob,

It depends. 

Some contractors will see it as an invitation for proposals for paid work such as to offer themselves as augmentation of government staff to sort through inputs from the public . Others will see it as an invitation to send comment to NTIA and FCC for no pay. Industry groups could take it as a hint to form a committee to advise the government.

Isn't there a law making it illegal to do work for the government without compensation anyway? 

Paul


---- "Robert E. Seastrom" <rs at seastrom.com> wrote: 
> 
> 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
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tacos mailing list
> > Tacos at amrad.org
> > http://www.amrad.org/mailman/listinfo/tacos