Resources for Purchasing Professionals
Resources
2003 Fuel Economy Guide is Available in Print and Online
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly released the Model Year 2003 Fuel Economy Guide. Published annually at the start of the new model year, the guide displays fuel economy data for light-duty vehicles, including passenger cars and most pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.
Additions to this year’s version include annual fuel cost data for each vehicle and a new advanced technology section featuring fuel cell vehicles.
Unveiled simultaneously with the print guide was its counterpart Web site, located at www.fueleconomy. gov. The Web site features fuel economy, emissions, and safety data for new and used vehicles, as well as fuel-saving tips for drivers. The site includes a customizable annual fuel cost calculator and allows side-by-side comparisons of up to three vehicles at a time. Search mechanisms also enable users to find vehicles according to manufacturer, class, and miles per gallon.
Download and print copies of the guide from www.fueleconomy.gov, or order official printed copies from the National Alternative Fuels Hot-line at 1-800-423-1DOE or via e-mail from hotline@afdc.nrel.gov.
Experts Speak on Security
Speakers Bureau offers more than 100 experts on a myriad of security and security-related topics. The service is free for organizations seeking security experts and for those wanting to offer their services to interested parties. The speakers from the Ricci Communications Speakers Bureau do not require compensation for events that are relevant or community-based.
The Speakers Bureau includes representatives from Fortune 100 companies, hospitals, security firms, the military, and government agencies from nearly all 50 states in the U.S., as well as South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Mexico, India, and Canada. Topics include: fraud, white-collar crime and loss prevention; business continuity and crisis/emergency management; education and training; information and computer security; investigations; legal and liability; management; personnel; and access control and physical security.
Ricci Communications also develops programs through THE POLICY INSTITUTE, including the May 2002 Risk Mitigation program at the National Press Club in Washington.
If you are interested in presenting a topic or session, please visit the Ricci Communications Speakers Bureau at www.riccicom.com and complete the submission form. If you are interested in accessing security experts for presentations, contact Ricci Communications at 703-519-7162 or e-mail at speakers@riccicom.com.
Robotic Resources
Do you represent a federal, state, or local government agency where the employment of a small, mobile robot could increase safety, performance, or efficiency? If so, you may be interested in borrowing a robot from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego (SSC-SD) Small Mobile Robot Pool.
The Small Mobile Robot Pool provides government agencies with the opportunity to evaluate and experiment with robots. Users will benefit by discovering if, when, how, and where the robots are useful to their operations. Robotic developers will benefit from the users’ feedback and recommendations, enabling developers to improve their designs and better meet emerging needs. SSC-SD will assist the borrowing agencies with advice, robot maintenance, and training.
The Small Mobile Robot Pool is sponsored by the Joint Robotic Program, chaired by Mike Toscano, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L).
To request a robot loan or learn more about the pool, visit: http:// robot.spawar.navy.mil/MobileRobot KB/HomeRP.htm.
Manufacturers’ Database Links Buyers and Sellers
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) announces the Buyer-Seller Network that allows searches by more than 60,000 product and service categories. The results are pulled from the pool of 14,000 NAM members. “Register to automate your searches, and you can track individual companies to a preferred list, by category, with links to contact information in a password-protected buyer home-page,” says Dan Akman, NAM Assistant Vice President for Marketing and E-Business.
The Buyer-Seller Network link can be added directly to an agency’s internal Web site. The platform can also be used to privately connect with an existing vendor base.
Each search produces results either immediately or within 48 hours. Basic listing privileges for suppliers are free for NAM members. Internet users can search the trade directory and send requests for quotes or information by e-mail or fax. More than 21,000 buyers are currently registered in the system.
For more information on the network, visit www.nambuyerseller.com, call Dan Akman at 202-637-3196, or e-mail dakman@nam.org.
