OSU UML program will position Oklahoma companies for federal funding

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

(June 2, 2009) -- House Bill 1468, signed into law by Governor Brad Henry, provides direct incentives for federal contractors to use Oklahoma companies, and the Oklahoma 100 program has been created to streamline the process.

The Oklahoma State University UML (University Multispectral Laboratories) 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,” said 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,” said 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,” said 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 said.  “Oklahoma 100 will connect Oklahoma companies with prime contractors throughout the U.S.”