October 26, 2012

STC in Canandaigua receives federal certification

By: Erinn Cain

Source: MPNnow

MPNnow.com — A certification given to the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering's (CNSE) Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center of Excellence (STC) in Canandaigua could mean more high-tech jobs and millions of dollars in defense contracts in Ontario County, according to United States Sen. Charles E. Schumer.

The center has been certified by the Department of Defense as a “trusted aggregator,” meaning that it can now work with other secure suppliers to get components to make new types of equipment for the military. The center, which is one of only six locations nationwide to receive the certification, was created in 2010 through a merger of Infotonics Technology Center and the Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology at the CNSE at the State University of New York at Albany.

“This elite federal status as a ‘trusted aggregator’ from the DOD will allow the Canandaigua STC to collaborate with other high-tech operators to hopefully land many lucrative and job-creating contracts that can usher in new high-tech jobs to this whole region,” said Schumer.

The accreditation comes on the heels of the Department of Defense’s designation of the STC in April as a “trusted foundry,” which recognizes it as a secure source for the development and manufacturing of integrated circuits for a wide range of defense and intelligence applications.

“This critical designation of CNSE’s STC as the first Trusted Foundry–Aggregator in the Northeast is testament to the vision and leadership of Gov. Andrew Cuomo in developing a world-class nanotechnology industry in New York,” said CNSE Senior Vice President and CEO Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros. “With this accreditation, CNSE’s STC will gain further recognition as a prime location for next-generation military technologies, and, at the same time, provide opportunities to attract additional high-tech growth to Western New York.”

The center now has the ability to work directly with the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, allied foreign governments and government contractors.

Schumer said the certifications will also enable the STC to compete for a major Department of Defense chip fab contract that is expected to be announced by early next year.

“This prominent designation gives further momentum to our efforts to establish New York as the center of the world’s fast-growing nanotechnology industry,” said Cuomo. “This recognition will add fuel to the fire in further expanding the state’s critical mission of attracting high-tech jobs, companies and private investment.”