What's the scoop? An ice cream flavor contest!
We’ve been known for 75 years as experts in materials sciences and engineering. To celebrate, our next material of choice for research and development is… ice cream! Ames Laboratory, in partnership with the Iowa State University Creamery, is asking Ames Lab employees to contribute their best and most creative ideas to invent an ice cream flavor that will help us celebrate 75 years as a National Laboratory! The highest scoring entry will be launched by the ISU Creamery, and served at our State of the Laboratory picnic in May. Ice cream flavor designers may create their entries theoretically (on the computer) or experimentally (in the kitchen), but either way, these guidelines apply:
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The deadline to submit ideas is 11:59 p.m Friday, March 4, 2022
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Individuals and teams may submit ideas
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A panel of ice cream experts from ISU Creamery and Director Adam Schwartz will serve as judges
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Ice cream concepts will be judged on fit to Ames Lab anniversary theme, and feasibility of production
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The prize is victory, and a quart of ice cream for each winning entrant.
To enter, please read the entire set of contest rules, HERE.
75th Anniversary roundup: Ames Lab on IPR and more
Director Schwartz on Iowa Public Radio
On Thursday, Jan. 20, Ames Laboratory Director Adam Schwartz joined host Ben Kieffer on the second half of Iowa
Public Radio's River to River program. Their discussion explored Ames Laboratory's origins as a key component of the Manhattan Project, and how it continues to serve the nation as an institution of ground breaking research and development. To listen to the podcast, please use this LINK. Adam's interview begins at the 24:05 mark.
Get your t-shirts here!
To have a 75th Anniversary t-shirt delivered to your office, we have a request form HERE. To be in the initial delivery group on Friday, Feb.11, please submit your form by Friday, Feb. 4
Guest speaker Teresa Wilhelm Waldolf
On Monday, Jan. 31, guest speaker Teresa Wilhelm Waldof, granddaughter of Ames Laboratory co-founder Harley Wilhelm, shared with us her in-depth historical research on the Ames Project and the origins of Ames Laboratory. Look for a link to the recording in the near future, delivered via all-personnel email.
75th themed templates and backgrounds
Looking for 75th anniversary themed PowerPoint templates and video conferencing backgrounds? Visit this knowledge article in ServiceNow to download.
We are Ames Laboratory: Procurement
What is the Department’s name? Procurement. The department used to be known as “Purchasing” but purchasing is a small subset of the broader procurement function. We changed the department name to “Procurement” because the name encompasses in addition to purchasing, subcontracts, P-card program, small business program, and compliance, and focuses on value creation.
What does Procurement do to support Ames Laboratory? We help the Laboratory acquire all the goods and services necessary to accomplish its mission, from office supplies to computer equipment to scientific instrumentation. Our vision is to be a trusted partner within our customer and vendor base and pursue innovative strategies and tactics that enable the laboratory to acquire high quality, cost-effective goods and services in support of Ames Laboratory’s mission, vision and core values.
Why is Procurement important to Ames Laboratory? Procurement ensures that the Laboratory is compliant with terms of our Prime Contract with the Government. Our mission is to acquire a broad range of high-quality, cost-effective products and services that provide the best value in support of customer requirements. Procurement staff are committed to ethical, safe and compliant business practices; seeking out sustainable solutions; and establishing and maintaining a strong, competitive supplier base that reflects the diversity of the small business and socioeconomic supplier community, supporting Ames Laboratory’s Prime Contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). We buy what you need, when you need it, in a compliant and ethical manner, so that together we can support the Laboratory's overall mission.
What is unique, interesting, or special about Procurement? The Ames Lab Procurement team works closely together like a family. Together, we strive to continuously improve upon acquisition processes to provide a better customer experience. We strive for excellence by being Engaged, Proactive, Innovative, and Creative in arriving at procurement solutions to support your needs, goals, and acquisition strategies. Simply put, we approach procurement in an EPIC way!
Who is in charge around here? Director Karl Duke, who’s been at the helm of Procurement since Dec. 1, 2021. Karl has 35 plus years of government contracting and procurement experience including working at other National Laboratories.
Who else is on the procurement team?
Karl Duke
Director
Andrew Saxton
Contract Manager
Morgan Ricke
Head Procurement Agent
Joanne Isenhart
Head Procurement Agent
Austin Tidemann
Procurement Agent
Jonah Tibbits
Procurement Agent
Melissa McCormick
Clerk III
Where can I find Procurement?
Physical Location: 237 TASF
Phone number: 515-294-1780
Department email: procurement@ameslab.gov
Link to ServiceNow Staff Directory: LINK
ServiceNow Knowledge Base: LINK
Two from Ames Lab named Oppenheimer Fellows
The Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program (OSELP) recently announced the selection of Fellows for its 2022 Cohort, which included two Ames Laboratory employees. Chelsey Aisenbrey, Director of Planning and Performance; and Ryan Ott, Deputy Director for the Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, will join 31 other Fellows that together represent all 17 National Laboratories.
Established in 2017, OSELP is a distinguished Fellowship Program that brings together exceptional leaders to explore the complexities, challenges and opportunities facing the National Lab system and the Department of Energy (DOE).
To read the full announcement, go HERE. Congratulations to Chelsey and Ryan!
Chelsey Aisenbrey
Ryan Ott
January IDEAs: MLK Day, and links to great reads
Independent does not mean alone: This editorial piece from C&EN gives early career scientists insight into meaningful mentorships.
By playing it safe, I became a Latino scientist. But that approach held me back: In this column published in Science, Cornell researcher Christopher Hernandez reflects on the effects of this strategy on his research.
Discrimination still plagues science: Employers need to do more to improve workplace diversity, equity and inclusion, a Nature survey finds.
Innovation Partnerships Program Updates
Available Funding Opportunities can be viewed on the Funding Opps Dashboard. Below are highlighted opportunities. If you intend to submit a concept paper or full proposal, please use the Intent to Submit Form on the Dashboard.
REMADE RFI: Ames Laboratory is a member of the REMADE Institute. They have released an RFI seeking input on their roadmap, as well as their sustainability strategy and approaches to the Circular Economy. Responses are due Feb 22, 2022.
EERE is populating a new email list for funding opportunities. Sign up here.
Announcements and Events
Science Bound seeks science fair judges for February
Ames Laboratory continues to partner with Iowa State University’s Science Bound Program, and they are currently seeking support for their upcoming eighth grade science fairs. They are looking for people to serve as volunteer judges.
Due to current COVID numbers and to keep Science Bound participants as safe as possible, the science fairs will be held in a virtual format again this year. All the science fairs are from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (CST), and individuals may volunteer for as few or as many dates as desired. If you and/or your colleagues are interested, the science fair dates are:
· Friday, February 4: Marshalltown
· Tuesday, February 8: Clarke
· Thursday, February 10: Des Moines (greatest need)
· Monday, February 14: Denison
The format will consist of a brief training, student presentations, and judging will be conducted live on Zoom. Judges will be in breakout rooms with 5-6 students. Each student will do a 5-minute presentation of their project, and then judges will have about 5 minutes for questions and feedback. Judges will also have access to pdf files of the students' posters during their presentations. With this format, the experience will still be live and interactive for everyone!
To sign up as a volunteer judge for any or all the science fairs, please complete this form: https://bit.ly/3IwiUIt Science Bound continues to be grateful for Ames Laboratory’s support of our Science Bound students and scholars!
Relationship Intelligence training available for teams
The Learning & Development Office is offering Relationship Intelligence assessments and training to Ames Laboratory departments, groups and teams. Individuals will complete an online assessment as pre-work, identifying each employee's strengths and motives when working with others. Team training sessions then help coworkers compare and identify the motivations and strengths of others, thus allowing them to be more adaptable in their work relationships, even when conflict occurs. Employees will also have the opportunity to share results with others across the Lab. Estimated time commitment for this training is five to six hours. If you want to learn more about this opportunity, please contact L&D Manager Erin Gibson.
Director’s Excellence Award nominations open
Nominations for the Director's Excellence Award are open now through April 15, 2022. Please consider nominating a fellow employee who has positively impacted Ames Laboratory through their demonstration of one or more of our core values. See the Director's Excellence Award 2022 knowledge article for more information on criteria and the nomination process.
Red Cross announces urgent need for blood donations
The American Red Cross is reporting a national blood crisis– its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments. To find the blood drive nearest you, go to this LINK and schedule a donation soon.
Job opportunities at Ames Lab
Did you know you can find a current list of employment opportunities at Ames Laboratory on the Job Opportunities page at www.ameslab.gov? Share with friends and colleagues, or apply yourself! You can also find the page linked on the Employee Dashboard.