APPENDIX A
Letter of Request
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH
800 NORTH QUINCY STREETARINGTON. VA22217-5660
IN REPLAY REFER TO
Ser 32/033/94
31 Aug 94
Dr. William Merrell
Texas A&M University5007 Avenue UGalveston, TX 77551
Dear Dr. Merrell:
I am writing to request the Ocean Studies Board’s (OSB) assistance in identifying science and technology initiatives that respond to Navy, national, and industry needs. As you are aware, the Navy has become increasingly interested in transitioning the results of its research and development to commercial use, and to pursue “dual use” research. I believe that the OSB could be instrumental in helping the Navy because of the board’s interactionwith various parts of the Navy in the past and the board’s experience in conducting activities that bring Navy personnel and civilians together to discuss issues of mutual interest (e.g., the Tactical Oceanography Symposia).
I would like the OSB to review the status of dual use research in the Office of Naval Research (ONR) laboratories and to advise ONR on the areas in which the Navy has particular competence and ongoing activities, that are also of interest to industry. I would also be interested in involving staff from the Advanced Research Projects Agency and National Institute of Standards and Technology because of their expertise in technology transfer. I believe that the OSB meeting held at the Naval Observatory last year could provide a starting point for your project. I will commit $100,000 for this activity and would like to receive the report of your study by 30 June 1995. Please call me if you would like to discuss the proposed study in greater detail.
Sincerely,
DR. JAMES J. DeCORPO
Director
Ocean, Atmosphere and Space Department