NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230
11 September 1998
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230
11 September 1998
NSF 98-163 (Electronic Dissemination Only)
Dear Colleague:
Since its inception, the Connections to the Internet program in the Advanced Networking Infrastructure and Research Division (ANIR) has anticipated new types of involvement in the connections category called "High Performance Connections for Research and Education Institutions and Facilities." Recently, corporations, federal facilities, and other organizations have expressed interest in cooperating with institutions that have received NSF high performance network connections awards. In addition, recipients of high performance connections awards have indicated that they could benefit by having connections to networks in addition to the vBNS authorized for their use.
The purpose of this letter is to clarify these types of involvement and to describe the processes for becoming either a vBNS Partner Institution (vPI) (as described in the vBNS Acceptable Use Policies or a High-Performance Network Service Provider (HPNSP) (Announcement NSF 98-102). Organizations interested in responding to this Dear Colleague Letter will be expected to comply with the vBNS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). NSF established the AUP to ensure appropriate use of the vBNS. As part of its oversight responsibilities, NSF established the principles for usage of the vBNS (and any similar networks that come into existence) by the research and education community through the AUP.
Processes by which an organization may become a vPI or HPNSP are described in the two attached documents. For vPI status, consult "How to obtain authorization to become a vBNS Partner Institution (vPI)." For HPNSP status, consult "How to obtain authorization to become a 'High Performance Network Services Provider' (HPNSP)." If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Bill Decker, Program Director for Advanced Network Infrastructure, (wdecker@nsf.gov, 703-306-1949) for clarification or elaboration.
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George Strawn Division Director Advanced Networking Infrastructure and Research |
General Information
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. Grantees are wholly responsible for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for publication. Thus, the Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.
NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to compete fully in its programs. In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF (unless otherwise specified in the eligibility requirements for a particular program).
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PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTSThe information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals; project reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the review process; to applicant institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government agencies needing information as part of the review process or in order to coordinate programs; and to another Federal agency, court or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 267 (January 5, 1998), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 268 (January 5, 1998). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Reports Clearance Officer; Information Dissemination Branch, DAS; National Science Foundation; Arlington, VA 22230.
YEAR 2000 REMINDERIn accordance with Important Notice No. 120 dated June 27, 1997, Subject: Year 2000 Computer Problem, NSF awardees are reminded of their responsibility to take appropriate actions to ensure that the NSF activity being supported is not adversely affected by the Year 2000 problem. Potentially affected items include: computer systems, databases, and equipment. The National Science Foundation should be notified if an awardee concludes that the Year 2000 will have a significant impact on its ability to carry out an NSF funded activity. Information concerning Year 2000 activities can be found on the NSF web site at http://www.nsf.gov/oirm/y2k/start.htm.
CFDA# 47.070Computer and Information Science and Engineering
OMB# 3145-0058
P.T. 18, 36
K.W. 1004000, 1004001, 0901011, 10140001, 1004200,
1004055, 1004210, 1004265
NSF 98-163 (Electronic Dissemination Only)