About Technology & Development
The National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is a problem-solving organization for the Forest Service. NTDP seeks and implements solutions to problems and technical challenges faced by Forest Service employees and partners.
NTDP is under the direction of Forest Service Washington Office Engineering, Technology, and Geospatial Services. We work with Washington Office sponsors, field employees, and cooperating agencies to develop solutions, including equipment, information, training, concepts, and ideas to better manage public lands. These products and services help employees work more safely and efficiently. The program’s approach to creative problem-solving results in unique and innovative solutions.
NTDP's work is focused around three business lines:
Some NTDP services include:
- Encouraging Forest Service employees to identify problems and needs
- Surveying commercial markets and testing promising products
- Designing, building, and testing prototype equipment
- Cooperating with private industry to develop commercial sources for new products
- Maintaining specifications and standards for safety, engineering, recreation, and fire equipment
- Producing and distributing publications, fabrication drawings, and videos
- Transferring old and new technologies to Forest Service employees to help them better perform their jobs
- Developing training
Technology transfer is an element in all NTDP project work. NTDP shares its solutions with field employees
through tech tips, project reports, videos, qualified products lists, specifications, drawings, brochures,
and posters. The program has centers in two locations—San Dimas, CA, and Missoula, MT—and program areas
managed at one or both centers.
Programs Include
- Chief Information Office
- Ecosystem Management Coordination, Inventory, and Monitoring
- Engineering
- Field Data Collection and GNSS Testing
- Fire and Aviation Management
- Forest Health Protection
- Forest and Rangeland Management and Vegetation Ecology
- Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources
- Office of Health and Occupational Safety
- Uniforms
- Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air, and Rare Plants
- Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers
Support the Mission
To support NTDP’s mission, the program maintains a cadre of talented employees with diverse skills who are innovators and problem-solvers dedicated to the Forest Service mission, “caring for the land and serving people.” Architects, biological scientists, drafters, editors, engineers, equipment specialists, foresters, hydrologists, illustrators, photographers, physical scientists, soil scientists, and social scientists work together on projects. NTDP specialized in project management to Business operations staff provide crucial technical and administrative support. These professionals use scientific methods to provide solutions to problems or issues submitted by field employees, Forest Service leadership, and land management partners. Additionally, NTDP accomplishes some project work using associate staff (Forest Service employees on other units), professional services contracts, and agreements with other agencies and academia.
NTDP Project Management Office
NTDP's Project Management Office (PMO) maintains and develops project management standards that project managers use to achieve project rigor, timely delivery, and effective reporting. The PMO provides a foundation for standardized, consistent, and exceptional project management. Continued training, leadership engagement, and tailored processes ensure effective communication, improved efficiency, and increased accountability to serve the needs of the Forest Service and interagency partners.