GAO Sees University Research as a Risk

The issue of “deemed exports” in the fundamental research arena at US universities is back front and center thanks to a new GAO report. The report, issued in early December, 2006, used unusually critical language in questioning whether the DDTC and BIS were doing an adequate job of educating universities about compliance with US export regulations as they relate to research programs. The GAO’s major concern was that sensitive information could be accessed by foreign students.

Universities contacted by the GAO complained that any guidance from State and Commerce was focused too much on corporations and didn’t address the specific issues of universities.

In response to the report, the DDTC issued a statement saying, in essence, that they recognize that a risk exists but do not know if they have the resources to do anything about it at this point. Both agencies (DDTC and BIS) also candidly stated that their top priorities were processing license applications, not outreach and education.