Last week, Google rivals got some of Google traffic as Internet surfers sought alternatives to the Web's most popular search engine whenan Internet worm hampered Google. The worm also targeted Yahoo, though many who said they couldn't reach Google found Yahoo working. Many surfers looking fro specific information and not succeeding on Google, moved over to MSN, but found that the search worked fine but it was a pain to have to actually launch a search engine first. It's too soon to say how many people looked elsewhere. On the average day, Google is the undisputed search king, accounting for 37% of U.S.-based queries in May. Yahoo is second with a 26.6% share, and Microsoft's MSN search had 14.5% of the market, according to ComScore. Other experts said the outage shows the value of having more than one engine and the importance, especially for businesses, of not relying on a single search engine. The Google problems also had a trickle-down effect on the many of the Web-based businesses that rely on the search engine for much of their traffic.

The Department of Homeland Security has made some progress in hardening the nation's networks against cyberattacks, but many issues still remain, said an internal report. The report found that the National Cyber Security Division, part of the DHS's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate, has failed to create an overall strategy with goals for the division, to provide effective guidelines for the private sector, and to create formal communications channels to warn government, intelligence or international communities of threats. The Office of Inspector General stressed in the report that, rather than serving as a testament to any failure, the report's conclusions outline a work in progress--progress, however, that could proceed faster. The report found that the NCSD still needs almost 50% more staff and better articulated strategies, with formally expressed milestones, in order to more effectively achieve its goal of protecting the nation's networks and computers.

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, recently introduced the Safe Importing of Medical Products and Rx Therapies Act, a bill that will allow for importation of prescription drugs from Canada and a number of Western European countries. The Act is designed to combat the high cost of prescription drugs. If signed into law, it would allow individuals, pharmacies and wholesalers to safely import cheaper Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription drugs from these countries. The Act would require the federal government to set up a Web site to help consumers purchase drugs online safely. It also would oblige the government to establish licensing requirements and penalties for Internet pharmacies that conduct or solicit business without adhering to the relevant regulations.

The city of Springfield, Massachusetts, has started buying prescription drugs from Canada for its city employees and retirees, saving an estimated $2 million in the past nine months. Proponents of drug imports argue that drug companies are now choking off supplies to Canada in an effort to stop such imports into the US. For example, Eli Lilly recently announced that it would be reviewing all orders for Lilly products placed by Internet drug retailers with Lilly-authorized wholesalers before the sale is authorized. According to Lilly, this will enable it to more closely track cross-border flow of its drugs and thereby guarantee adequate supply in Canada. Also, Pfizer recently filed lawsuits against five Internet sites and is trying to limit the amount of drugs it sells in Canada so that they are not resold in the US. Some of these sites that are the target of Pfizer's lawsuits claim that the products originated from India, where drug patents are not recognized. These moves by the pharmaceutical companies have a number of Canadian health care groups, including the Canadian Treatment Action Council and the Canadian Hemophilia Society, calling on the Canadian government to ban Internet pharmacies, claiming that Canadians will face drug shortages and higher prices as a result of such pharmacies.

E-COMMERCE RELATED EVENTS AND INFORMATION

The following are links to upcoming seminars and other events that our readers might have an interest in and/or other information related to e-commerce.

The Pennsylvania Chamber is holding a special Roundtable/Discussion on "Information Technology Security for Private Business" from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2004, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey, Grantville, PA.

Open to private industry only, this session will provide concrete examples of specific policies and procedures real companies are using to keep themselves safe and investigate incidents.

Established IT policies and procedures that are flexible, working documents are some of the most important items companies need to combat threats. The Pennsylvania Chamber will share its newly revised IT policy, and the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center will provide insight on their IT policies.  

On chain of custody/computer forensics, two companies which have investigated incidents and worked closely with law enforcement will share their experiences. The discussion will include when a company should call in local law enforcement, state police, and the FBI; and how to develop these relationships and make the process go smoothly. Through an open forum format, the audience will be invited to participate and share their experiences and tips including critical policies and procedures, how to do your own investigation first, working with state and federal law enforcement, and how to be most effective.

We will also look at the need for companies to have a Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plan. It is estimated that 40% of companies with no plan will not re-open after a major disruption to their primary facility such as the Northeast blackout of August, 2003 (Disaster Recovery Journal).  

The fee to attend is only $25 and includes breakfast. The Pennsylvania Chamber is underwriting part of this because we feel the issue is so important. Included are the agenda and registration form. To register, fax back the registration form to 717 238-3316, or call our toll-free Registration Hotline: 877 866-8965.

********************

Are you tongue-tied when asked to tell about yourself? Do you shrink from networking events because you don't know anyone there? Do your sales pitches fall flat? Here's an opportunity to learn, in a fun and easy way, how to become comfortable in any sales or networking situation.

Our speaker, Soni Dimond, is an award-winning, nationally recognized keynote speaker, media consultant, trainer and author. Her experience includes TV news reporting and public relations positions in Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. She has worked with governors, CEO's global industry leaders and Fortune 100 companies to sharpen their representatives' speaking skills and professional public images. She will bring her exciting message to three locations simultaneously, thanks to the wonders of videoconferencing technology, which will give everyone an interactive experience with Soni.

The seminar will take place on September 15, 2004 at the following locations: Penn State Harrisburg, Olmsted Building; Penn State Altoona, Eiche Library; and Penn State University Park, Rider Building II. The videoconference will run from 8:30 AM to noon. The cost is only $60 per person for any of the locations.

This event is sponsored by Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum, the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Seating at each of the three sites is limited, so register now by calling (717) 948-6625.

PROCUREMENT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a listing of recently published technology procurement or Federally funded opportunities with various governmental entities. We hope our readers take the opportunity to investigate these postings and increase their business :

DON - Naval Air Systems Command
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Pax River
A -- Air 4.5 Broad Agency Announcement
Solicitation 01
http://www.eps.gov/spg/DON/NAVAIR/N00421/N00421%2D04%2DR%2D0110/listing.html

ODA - Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (Headquarters)
D -- Life Cycle Replacement of UNIX Servers
Combine Synopsis/Solicitation http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DTRA/DTRA01/BDT040000689%5F1/listing.html

UD - Philadelphia Field Contracting Operations
Chicago Contracting Branch
R -- Utility Model Revision and Validation
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/HUD/PFCO/CCB/Q4C5AAC0018/listing.html

ODA - Missile Defense Agency
MDA Deputy for Contracting (MDA/CT)
A -- Request For Information For Next Generation Infrared Sensors Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/MDA/WASHDC1/HQ0006%2D04%2DRFI%2DNGIS/listing.html

USDA invites science-based small business firms to submit proposals for FY 2005 funding under the Small Business Innovation Research Program. Proposals are sought in 11 topic areas: forests and related resources; plant production and protection; animal production and protection; air, water, and soils; food science and nutrition; rural and community development; aquaculture; industrial applications; marketing and trade; wildlife; and animal waste management. Approximately $18.3 million is expected to be available for awards of up to $300,000. Proposals are due Aug. 31, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/USDA/CSREES/OEP/USDA-GRANTS-070104001/listing.html

NOAA is soliciting proposals for funding under its Environmental Entrepreneurship Program. This program is designed to strengthen the capacity of Minority Serving Institutions to foster student careers, entrepreneurship opportunities, and advanced academic degrees in the sciences. Approximately $6 million in FY 2005 funding is expected to be available for 12 awards of up to $500,000; applicants may request a project period of up to five years. Eligible are Historically Black Universities and Colleges; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Tribal colleges and universities; and Alaska Native- and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions. Proposals are due Oct. 29, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/DOC/NOAA/GMC/11481MSIEPP063004/listing.html

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for funding under the Large Aperture Space Surveillance Optical program. Research is needed to examine and validate technical options for manufacturing large space optical structures outside the confines of the earth’s gravity. Approximately $500,000 is expected to be available for multiple awards having a six-month project period. Proposals are due Aug. 23, 2004. More information is available at: http://www2.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA04-36/listing.html

DARPA also is soliciting proposals for funding under the Situation-Aware Protocols In Edge Network Technologies program. This program aims to develop software coordination managers that provide coordination support to fielded human units. All interested and qualified sources may submit proposals, which are due Aug. 27, 2004. More information is available at: http://www2.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA04-32/listing.html

The Department of the Navy is soliciting proposals for funding to support research in a test bed for Defense Against Cyber Attacks in Mobile Ad Hoc Network Systems (MANET). Methodologies, hardware and software systems are needed to model an operational MANET with command, control, communication, computing and intelligence network applications and measure the communication performance during cyber attack. One award having a project period of 18 months is anticipated. This is an unrestricted solicitation. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DON/ONR/N00173/N00173-04-R-CR04/listing.html

The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Center will be soliciting proposals from academia to explore technologies in seven broad topic areas: (1) power source/transmission, (2) threat assessment and situational awareness, (3) accuracy and lethality, (4) manufacturing, (5) packaging, (6) area denial, and (7) computer/software. The overall objective is to create relationships with universities, while maturing concepts into future programs. A solicitation will be released on or about Aug. 16, 2004. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/USA/USAMC/DAAE30/W15QKN-04-R-0707/listing.html

The Naval Research Laboratory is seeking small business sources to provide research and development (R&D) in techniques for processing and communicating data that preserve critical system properties and improve formal methods for analyzing and developing hardware and software systems. One contract award having a base period of 12 months and four 12-month option periods is anticipated. Only U.S. citizens having a Secret level security clearance may submit responses, which are due Aug. 9, 2004. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DON/ONR/N00173/Reference-Number-3220-111-04/listing.html

The Naval Surface Warfare Center is seeking potential sources to provide R&D, engineering services, limited manufacturing, and program support for its sponsors. Some of the technology areas include: collaborative computing; information sharing to establish virtual environments for rapid deployment; rapid development and deployment of information; training technologies; basic research and support in the area of information technologies; and basic research in the area of materials, composite materials and lightweight materials for systems and subsystems. Applicants should submit interest statements indicating recent experience in these areas by Aug. 6, 2004. More information is available at: http://www1.eps.gov/spg/DON/NAVSEA/N00164/N0016404R6650/listing.html

NSF invites proposals for FY 2005 funding under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs. Supported are high quality projects on important scientific, engineering, or science/engineering education problems and opportunities that could lead to significant commercial and public benefit if successful. Approximately $17.5 million is expected to be available for 150 awards. SBIR and STTR projects run for six months and 12 months, respectively. Only companies qualifying as small business concerns are eligible to submit proposals, which are due between Nov. 8, 2004, and Dec. 8, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf04604

USAF - Air Force Materiel Command
ASC - Aeronautical Systems Center
R --Program Management Services
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/ASC/FA8630%2D04%2DR%2D5069/listing.html

DOI - Bureau of Indian Affairs
BIA - DAPM
D--The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), seeks to develop an IT system for correspondence management, Freedom of Information Act requests management, and for other document and information management. Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOI/BIA/RestonVA/RMK00040064/listing.html

ODA - Department of Defense Education Activity
DoDEA Headquarters Procurement Branch
R -- PROCUREMENT CONSULTING SERVICES
Amendment 01
http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DoDEA/ArlingtonVA/Reference%2DNumber%
2DHE1254%2D2004160%2D0520/listing.html