InfoMall in the new University and State Context

Use of InfoMall Funds

We intend to reduce the use of InfoMall funds which pay general NPAC operating costs from the current approximate size of 65% (of total InfoMall contract of $630,000) to 25%. We need to replace the $250,000 (40% of $630,000) plus the UDC grant which paid computer maintenance, new computer hardware and some systems support. The replacement funds for operating costs and capital will come from:

1. On budget activities within ECS at an unknown level which is unlikely to be sufficient to cover all operating costs and certainly will not supply capital equipment. The size of this when combined with "discretionary account" and InfoMall 25% contribution determines a maximum size for the University component of NPAC.
2. Reduction of NPAC University activity with a shift of funds and people to start-up companies. This is easiest for industry funded activity but it will be probably be necessary to put some federally funded activities in the commercial side of NPAC.
3. There is currently no identified source for capital equipment i.e. no replacement for UDC grant. The lack of such equipment upgrades is of serious medium term concern for NPAC and ECS. It is not an immediate problem.

Note that with 65% of InfoMall funds going to non InfoMall activities, NPAC must deliver about three (1/.35) times as much value per state investment as a project without such a noose around its neck. This seems clearly unfeasible. With just a 25% noose, our task is only 1.3 times as difficult as an unencumbered activity. This seems a very reasonable task.

The above discussion is for 1997-1998; there will some transitional plan for 1996-97.