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Federal Contractors Welcome in Oklahoma

06/08/09

OSU UML Program Will Position Oklahoma Companies For Federal Funding

June 5, 2009 --The Ponca City News reports a program developed in Ponca City by the Oklahoma State University Multispectral Laboratories (UML) will benefit the state with the passage of House Bill 1468.

Recently signed into law by Governor Brad Henry, the bill provides direct incentives for federal contractors to use Oklahoma companies, and the Oklahoma 100 program has been created to streamline the process.

The OSU UML has developed the Oklahoma 100 program to effectively connect Oklahoma businesses with federal contractors, who will receive incentives through the state's existing Quality Jobs Program.

"HB 1468 is an important step to generate economic growth in our state and the Oklahoma 100 program has the potential to help bring millions of dollars in federal contracts to Oklahoma's small, large, urban and rural businesses," says OSU President Burns Hargis.

Hargis applauded Rep. Mike Jackson (Enid) and Sen. David Myers (Ponca City) for being the principal authors of HB 1468, which should help Oklahoma win more federal contracts and significantly improve its position nationally in research and development.

"The Oklahoma 100 program is a way to pull together all the Oklahoma companies that have the capabilities to meet critical national mission requirements through federal grants and contracts," says Dr. Web Keogh, Laboratory Director of the UML.

Oklahoma companies will be able to compete for federal projects by leveraging current state programs, such as the Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network, with the Oklahoma 100 program.

"HB 1468 and the UML's Oklahoma 100 program will not only significantly increase Oklahoma's stake in federal research and development," says Dr. Stephen McKeever, Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer at OSU. "It will also provide Oklahoma businesses access to a broader spectrum of services that the federal government requires."

"The extension of the quality jobs program to federal prime contractors will provide a new, large competitive advantage for Oklahoma and its businesses," Keogh says. "Oklahoma 100 will connect Oklahoma companies with prime contractors throughout the U.S."

Lee Evans, Chairman of the Ponca City Development Authority, tells the Ponca City News, "The passing of HB 1468 is a tremendous milestone for Oklahoma and Ponca City. This revenue neutral bill along with the Oklahoma 100 program developed by the UML in Ponca City will allow the UML to become a virtual hot bed for federal contracts and will further strengthen the impact on the Ponca City economy."