FIRST SAMPLE FORMAT

YOUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER

February 26, 2003

Sharon Wagener

Congressman Martin Sabo

2336 Rayburn Office Building

Washington, DC 20515-2305

Dear Sharon:

On February 14, Congress eliminated funding for the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) program and the Rural Outreach Program (ROP) for 2003, totaling $3.5 million. I am requesting your support to require the Small Business Administration to reinstate funding for these two programs.

By way of background, FAST and ROP were enhancements to the reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program in 2000. As such, FAST and ROP provide services to small high technology companies to promote greater awareness and participation in the SBIR program. Through FAST, Congress funded centers in 27 states; Minnesota Project Innovation, Inc. is the FAST recipient for Minnesota. The ROP, which is targeted to those states that historically have under performed in the SBIR program, has provided support to 25 states. States are required to match the federal dollars with non-federal dollars.

With the continued economic sluggishness and the general stagnation of commercial markets, now more than ever high technology companies need to focus on federal research and development opportunities to support technology and business expansion. (Extramural research and development budgets will exceed $115 billion in 2003.)

Federal SBIR grants and contracts result in job creation and retention, higher than average annual salaries, a strong technology foundation to enhance business growth and expansion, and increased company revenues and tax contributions. SBIR-funded projects also provide technology solutions for problems relating to our nation’s defense and homeland security.

In Minnesota, over $34 million have been awarded to companies since the launch of FAST. (Please note the attached list of clients and awards for the Fifth District.)

I look forward to your continued support of these valuable small business assistance programs. I have also included a sample letter of support that Congressmen Sabo can send to appropriate colleagues.

If you require additional information, please contact me at 612-347-6748 or at .

Sincerely,

Randall D. Olson

Executive Director

Minnesota Project Innovation, Inc.

SAMPLE FORMAT

TO APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR(S)

On February 14, Congress eliminated funding for the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) program and the Rural Outreach Program (ROP) for 2003.

I am requesting your support to require the Small Business Administration to reinstate funding of $3.5 million for these two programs.

FAST and ROP provide services to small high technology companies to promote greater participation in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Small businesses that win SBIR awards contribute to our country’s technology foundation and are also a vital source of technology solutions for national defense and homeland security.

In Minnesota, companies have won over $34 million in SBIR funds as a result of the FAST program. The flow of federal dollars into Minnesota has contributed to job creation and retention, higher than average annual salaries, and a strong technology foundation to enhance business growth and expansion.

During this period of economic sluggishness and the general stagnation of commercial markets, small high technology companies need to focus on the federal research and development opportunities to support technology and business expansion. FAST and ROP are the access points for small high technology companies to the federal research and development arena.

I look forward to your continued support of these valuable programs.