Highlights for May 5, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• SIS Redesign. On May 4-5, the USGS Center for Biological Informatics will host the Science Information System (SIS) Steering Team to discuss redesign issues and requirements for the current SIS. Input enhancements, project review and update issues, general search and retrieval requirements, and the eventual conversion to a single USGS Research System will be addressed during the two-day meeting. An action list of short-term enhancements-implemented over the next 3 months-will be developed, as well as an overall strategy for migration to the USGS Research System. (Mike Frame, Denver, 303-202-4260)
• Attention All PLGR Users! Staff at the USGS Center for Biological Informatics recently activated new Web pages for PLGR users, on the Global Positioning System DOI Handbook Web site. These pages provide examples of and guidelines for use of Federal and Non-Federal Custodian/User Forms. Blank forms in MSWord 2000 and Word '95 can be downloaded. (Theresa Singh, Denver, 303-202-4227)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:

• Forging Partnerships. On April 27-28, "Forging Partnerships," a workshop sponsored by the USGS and the National Science Foundation (NSF), was held at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. Participants-from Federal agencies, NGOs, universities, and professional societies-investigated ways of gaining input from and fostering additional partnerships with customer organizations. Presenters from USGS, NSF, NASA, the Academy, and the Australian National Insect Collection presented papers on the current status of National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) programs and applications of biological data for national problems. Working groups addressed needs of various constituencies and issues related to advancing NBII beyond its current state. The Philadelphia Inquirer later published interviews with Meredith Lane of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences and Mark Fornwall of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics. (Mark Fornwall, Denver, 303-202-4215)

• NBII At Inforum 2000. The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) was highlighted and demonstrated at the U.S. Department of Energy's Inforum 2000 meeting held in Washington D.C. during the week of May 1. More than 100 participants representing various Federal agencies addressed technology issues and future NBII endeavors. Possible follow-on collaborations with the NBII include the Department of Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the American Chemical Society. (Mike Frame, Denver, 303-202-4260)

• USGS Data-mining Efforts/NBII Presented at SAS Executive Conference 2000. More than 300 Federal and private-sector participants attended the recent SAS Institute Executive Conference 2000, where staff from the USGS Center for Biological Informatics demonstrated a prototype data mining application, developed through integration of the BRD Science Information System and Publications system, AIMS, and the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Metadata Clearinghouse. The conference keynote speaker (from Government Executive) recognized the recent "Best Feds on the Web" award presented to the NBII and FrogWeb Web sites. Follow-on actions include potential publication of NBII-related articles in Federal Computer Week and Government Computer Week. The conference also provided an opportunity to meet with Federal Chief Information Officers and their Deputies to discuss computer and information issues of mutual interest. (Mike Frame, Denver, 303 202-4260)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.