Chemistry research and development for federal customers

SCHB 13

Heather L. Socarras, hsocarras@tracephotonics.com1, Kenneth Bower, kbower@tracephotonics.com2, Shahid Yousaf, syousaf@tracephotonics.com2, Qian Lin, qlin@tracephotonics.com2, Andrew F. Rutkiewic2, Doris Chan, dchan@tracephotonics.com2, and Gabriel Walter2. (1) TRACE Photonics, Inc, 1680 West Polk Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920, (2) TRACE Photonics Inc, 1680 West Polk Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920
Chemistry research and development for federal customers is a challenging and rewarding activity when conducted within the organizational structure of a growing for-profit business. An effective margin of over 10% is possible from this activity, as well as several other important benefits. This presentation shares the TRACE Photonics business model developed over the last ten years with special consideration for the importance of maintaining auditable business records, knowledge of government unallowables for cost reimbursement purposes, seeking a deep appreciation for the needs of the federal customer, writing innovative and sensible proposals, delivering a very high quality product, acquiring access to instrumentation, facility, permits, and licenses, hiring good scientists, collaboration, consultants, writing timely patent applications, and a myriad of other issues that can help or hinder the enterprise. Most important of these however, is understanding the needs of the customers and providing quality responses to them.