Subcommittee Examines NIST Laboratories
(Washington, DC) – Today, the Subcommittee on Technology held a hearing to examine the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) laboratories in preparation for a reauthorization of NIST. Testifying before the Subcommittee were Dr. Willie E. May, the Associate Director for Laboratory Programs at NIST, and Dr. Ross B. Corotis, a professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Member of the Laboratory Assessments Board at the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.
NIST laboratories were reorganized as a result of direction in the America COMPETES Act of 2010. The reorganization restructured the laboratories from ten to six and created the position of Associate Director for Laboratory Programs. The purpose of the reorganization was to create mission-focused laboratories that were vertically integrated so a single lab would be responsible for everything from basic research to the delivery of products and services to its customers.
Ranking Member Frederica Wilson (D-FL) said in her opening statement, “NIST is a relatively small agency, but is an extremely important player in federal efforts to spur innovation and economic prosperity in this country. For more than 100 years, NIST has supported the competitiveness of U.S. industry by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. NIST’s broad and deep technical expertise, as well as its ability to serve as a bridge to U.S. businesses, is unparalleled.”
Members and witnesses discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the laboratory reorganization, the findings and recommendations of the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT) and Laboratory Assessment Board (LAB) reports, and how NIST is responding and applying those recommendations. Witnesses also provided recommendations for how NIST can be more efficient and effective.
Ms. Wilson expressed disappointment that there was not a witness present from VCAT, “I think it is unfortunate that we do not have a member from NIST’s advisory committee testifying here today. I understand there were scheduling conflicts, but having an oversight hearing without a witness from the group specifically tasked by Congress to review and make recommendations regarding NIST management and policy is regrettable”.
She went on to express concern about the current budget environment and sequestration. “At a time when we should be doing everything to ensure our nation’s leadership position in innovation, we are talking about cutting the budgets of agencies like NIST,” said Ms. Wilson. “Additionally, sequestration will have real impacts on NIST, including the elimination of grants and contracts, delayed or canceled equipment purchases, and deferred repair and maintenance of NIST facilities. We need to be making smart investments that will help our nation’s economy grow. I hope we will focus on making those needed investments when we reauthorize NIST.”
Responding to members regarding the impact not fully authorizing NIST would have on programs, Dr. Corotis stated, “There is not excess there. We have looked at the quality and are very impressed with it…Our reports have consistently shown that there is just not extra there that can be cut and have them still continue to have the same breadth of programs.”
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