Computing Research Policy TumbleLog

NSF Now Embroiled in Investigation of Sen. Stevens

Apparently NSF awarded $170 million in contracts for logistics support for NSF Polar Programs to a company currently under investigation by the FBI for making illegal payments to lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK). Stevens, at the time, was both Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and had a “senior” role on the Senate Commerce Committee (with jurisdiction over NSF). Politics | Contracts, ties to Stevens probed | Seattle Times Newspaper From the piece:

No evidence has surfaced that Stevens directly steered the contract to Veco, but his aggressive support for increased funding for Arctic research coincided with the company’s sudden emergence as a major player in providing logistics for polar scientists. Veco helps transport researchers, houses them and provides equipment and communications. Stevens, 83, would not comment on any aspect of the investigation. A spokesman said the senator long has had an interest in seeing more money spent on Arctic research. “Alaskans, more than anyone in the nation, are feeling the effects of climate change,” Aaron Saunders said. “In order to understand the causes and impacts of these changes, Sen. Stevens believes that a variety of agencies must help us learn more about the Arctic.”