National Science and Technology Services, LLC

Legislative Branch Division

National Science and Technology Services, LLC is a company dedicated to providing the best in services to the U.S. Government and those who would like to do business with the Federal Government.  Its WTEC2 Division provides services to the Executive Branch, building on the experience of the well-known WTEC organization.  Its LB Division provides services to the Legislative Branch, the Congress and its agencies.  The LB Division initially is directed toward strengthening the process of Congressionally-Directed funding for science and technology by providing an objective peer review service to those who request it.  Although Congressional earmarks have been criticized, particularly by some in the Executive Branch, according to the Constitution, Congress has the primary responsibility for deciding such allocations of funding.  What is missing in making Congressionally-Directed funding as credible as that determined by the Executive Branch is a defensible, objective process, conducted by an independent third party, that evaluates proposals for their merit.  In the scientific and technological fields, the well-developed anonymous peer review process can provide that missing element.  NSTS serves the earmark proposal writer by providing an inexpensive, peer evaluation conducted by some of the Nation's leading authorities. 

Proposers can use the evaluations to

1. Attach evaluations to strengthen their proposal to Congress

2. Use the constructive criticism to strengthen their proposal for resubmission later

Members of Congress and their staff can use the evaluations to

1. Prioritize proposals

2. Ensure against projects that will embarrass them because of poor science

3. Provide feedback on unfunded proposals for resubmission in later years

Both can use the evaluation report at their option--there is no requirement to use the report.  The report is confidential, and the reviewers are anonymous.  Proposers may choose to not attach the review report to their proposal, but if they do, they must use it in its entirety.  Members of Congress have many other considerations besides scientific issues—merit relative to other proposals, cost-benefits to the Nation, effects on their home district, etc.  Thus any peer review will be just one factor in their evaluations,

Costs are modest compared to the funding requested.  Depending on the length and complexity of the proposal, fees for the service range from $5000 to $10,000.

Postal Mail Address:

Mr. Duane E. Shelton, Director

LB Division / NSTS, LLC

1429 Riverside Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21230

717-659-7714

deshelton@scienceus.org