January 30, 1996

Prepared by: Silber & Associates
Dr. Bohne Silber
13067 Twelve Hills Road
Clarksville, MD 21029-1144

PERSONNEL

Several questions near the close of the interview directly measured participants' satisfaction with NIST's technical support and ATP's professional staff.

NIST TECHNICAL SUPPORT

The group of participants (28%) who have availed themselves of NIST's technical support are overwhelmingly satisfied with the help they've received--96% rated the relationship favorably. In some cases, NIST scientists have provided unique assistance and equipment to companies who would be hard-pressed to find the know-how elsewhere.

"They have expertise and years of experience," said a researcher. "NIST scientists are world-renowned. Working with them has given us increased credibility in the scientific community." Another commented on the vital role they play: "They are plugging gaps for us. They are very integrated into our efforts and are part of our team. I wish we had more organizations like them involved in the project."

While most ATP participants view NIST personnel in positive terms, a few tempered their praise. "They were spread too thin," said a researcher, speaking of the technical support he sought, "and couldn't give us the necessary attention. We wanted to change some things, and the technical people at NIST took too long to respond to issues raised during meetings."

ATP PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Ninety-five percent of the 87 participants who have had regular contact with a member of ATP's professional staff have been very pleased with the interactions, typically referring to their Program Officer at ATP in glowing terms. Many spoke personally of the ATP staff using descriptions such as "professional," "superior," "exemplary," "responsive," "a champion," and "phenomenal."

They also spoke of the ATP Office as a whole, describing it as a first-rate operation. "The ATP people are invaluable. They are a model we should see at other agencies. They've been exceptional so far--an unbiased group of people. They understand technical hurdles and business implications. They know both frontiers."

"I have worked on many, many government programs in my years," said a participant, "and this is the best government relationship I've ever had. It's been 100% terrific. They gave us encouragement, didn't get on our back, and there were no contentions about funding."

A number of companies commended ATP's administrative style, mentioning in particular how the ATP liaison provided support and direction without micro-managing their efforts. "The monitoring of the program is how the government should do it," said a company representative. "There's not too much of an administrative burden--the correct amount of oversight." Another participant, speaking specifically of his Program Officer at ATP, said, "He participates but doesn't dominate, oversees but doesn't direct the technology. He lets the companies do the directing. He doesn't enforce preconceived ideas."

A few companies, however, preferred greater involvement on the part of their ATP Program Officer. "We had limited interactions with [name]. He didn't show much interest or give much time to the project. We didn't get enough feedback, and the link with ATP was not clear. He came to a few meetings and made positive contributions, but they were in a vacuum and limited to these encounters."

And one or two preferred less involvement. "The Program Manager has too much authority," objected a participant. "We had to get approval for any purchase over $2,500. It's an unnecessary management structure. Every year there is a review. ATP micro-manages and this is difficult for a high-risk project. They keep adding to our burden, like adding audits."

THE PROGRAM OVERALL

The ATP, characterized by participants as this country's greatest hope for keeping pace with technological progress abroad, is held in highest regard: a full 98% of participating companies report they are very satisfied with the

Only two companies (1.6%) described themselves as dissatisfied; the reasons for their dissatisfaction were elaborated in Chapter 2, beginning on page 10. (In Chapter 2, negative comments are reported for three participants, but one of them summed up his general opinion as satisfied.)

A number of companies contrasted U.S. and foreign methods of fostering technology development leading to commercialization. "In this country," said a participant, "ATP is the only device that facilitates and accelerates the technical development process, the translation of basic research to the applied world. Other countries have much more effective mechanisms for doing this. Foreigners have much closer cooperation between industry and the research world. Other countries take our manufacturing ideas and go home and implement them."

The comments of another participant were strikingly similar. "Americans' priorities are off-center," he said, "and ATP is trying to get them back on base. We reward impractical research. We invented the VCR, but there's not one produced in this country. We also invented the semi-conductor laser, but the Japanese produce 99% of them. This is because we don't hold in high esteem taking the invented product and putting it into practical use. We don't reward application of research to products and the Japanese do. We reward the inventor. The ATP program is a step in the right direction for economic survival of the U.S."

Consistent with their overall satisfaction, 97% of the participants believe the U.S. should continue the ATP, viewing it as essential to the country's economic survival. The nation, they say, is already realizing some early economic results from the program.

"For us," described a scientist, "the ATP has meant the difference between being a domestic company and being a Japanese-owned company. Further, the manufacturing coming out of this development will be done domestically instead of in Japan. If not for the ATP, today we might have 100 new manufacturing jobs in Japan instead of in our own nation."

"ATP is the best government program in which we've participated," explained a joint venture participant. "The impact has been nationwide. We're purchasing things that support at least ten companies in eight states. Our purchases account for 25-75% of their annual sales."

Another researcher added, "In the past, the U.S. hasn't had any programs as successful as Japan's Ministry of International Trade, but I really think the structure and purpose of the ATP program is every bit as good." Others concurred. "We are eminently satisfied with the ATP. If it were discontinued, our international standing would be seriously affected, because the technical race is international."