STATEMENT OF DR. ERNEST AMBLER, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE; ACCOMPANIED BY DR. JOHN D. HOFFMAN, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH; DR. JOHN W. LYONS, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY; AND M. ZANE THORNTON, ACTING DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

Dr. AMBLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We will summarize the written statement that we have submitted to you.

The NBS certainly appreciates the interest you are taking in the broad fields of science and technology, and I personally appreciate the opportunity to describe to you the Bureau, its programs, and its impact on national concerns.

In my testimony I have tried to respond to the six questions in your letter of invitation to this hearing.

The Bureau was created by Congress in 1901. At that time, science, technology, and commerce were undergoing rapid growth. That growth brought into sharp focus the neeed for a central reference laboratory. Congress responded to that need by enacting an Organic Act establishing a National Bureau of Standards.

The first and second questions asked about the evolving role of the NBS, its relationship to the goals of the Department of Commerce, and the adequacy of the NBS Organic Act.

We believe the Organic Act to be most adequate. It is not so much the mission of NBS that is changing as it is the way in which we are called upon to respond to it.

These changes result from developments in science and technology, and from the changing needs and demands of our clients.

The Bureau has, since shortly after its founding, functioned in two major roles. First, it has function as the national central reference laboratory and as lead agency for the provision of measurements, standards, and data. Second, it has functioned as a technology problem solver through the application of our competences.

I illustrate that in my written statement, Mr. Chairman. I won't go into detail, now.

We would like to say that the two roles are complementary. The competence required to operate a successful central reference laboratory can be drawn on to solve more specific problems. On the other hand, by working on such problems, we maintain contact with many important areas that stimulate the work of the reference laboratory. The basic reason for central reference measurements can be traced back to ancient times. It has always been important for equity in commerce, for example, that the measuring stick by which one buys be the same as that by which one sells. Everybody has a stake in uniform and accurate measurements.

With the industrial revolution and the increasing complexity of technology used by society came the need for more complex measurements in commerce. As a consequence, at the end of the 19th century central reference laboratories in all industrialized countries were established. Moreover, international compatability was provided through a treaty.

The growth and increase in complexity of science and technology during this century has accelerated, and so have the demands not only for measurments but also for a credible base of scientific and technical information.

Today's demands manifest themselves in areas such as realizing the second, and its reciprocal quantity, frequency to such an accuracy that one can design a standard clock with an accuracy of 1 second in 300,000 years, improving the measurement of ultraviolet radiation by a factor of 5, providing better measures for the thermal resistance of insulation, appliance efficiency, building codes and standards, liquefied natural gas, and consumer information. The relationship of these activities to the Department of Commerce's role of fostering U.S. commerce is clear.

Moreover, in view of the large numbers of people and institutions affected by these questions of equity and need for credible technical information, there is a need for a central focus, and that central focusmade clear in the Organic Act-is the NBS.

To describe the evolving role of the National Bureau of Standards, let me first quote from the Organic Act:

The Bureau is authorized to exercise its functions for the Government of the United States, and for international organizations of which the United States is a member; for governments of friendly countries; for any State or municipal government within the United States; or for any scientific society, educational institution, firm, corporation, or individual within the United States. * * * In my written statement, I illustrate our changing service to each of these clients.

For example, in our work with other Federal agencies, our largest sponsor 10 years ago was the Defense Department. Today, our largest sponsor is the Department of Energy.

In addition to the work for other Federal agencies, Congress itself has, since 1955, made some 17 assignments to the Bureau of Standards through legislation. In an attachment to my statement are our detailed responses to these pieces of legislation.

Our interaction with State and local governments for many years involved only weights and measures. Today the NBS services to State and local governments include law enforcement standards and aid to forensic investigations, services to aid in evaluating effects of earthquakes or other natural disasters—we have, for example, some of our staff members working on the underlying causes for the collapse of the Hartford, Conn., arena. In addition, the NBS helped create the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards.

Our support for industry's need for reliable measurements and data continues to be very broad. In recent years we have increased our activity to help industry demonstrate compliance with regulations.

The Bureau has an outstanding international reputation. Many NBS programs contribute to ―and benefit from international cooperation. Such cooperation involves support of U.S. treaty obligations, work supporting Agency for International Development AID programs, working with scientific societies as well as standards-making bodies, and via a number of bilateral agreements.

Our interactions with scientific societies and educational institutions are vital, not only in the development of the careers of all scientists

and engineers at the NBS, but also in many institutional arrangements. I give an example of such interactions in my written statement.

In order to respond better to various interests of consumers, the NBS consolidated its work in this area in an NBS Center for Consumer Product Technology in 1974. One component of that work is the brochures we issue in order to provide consumers with useful and timely information.

Your third question refers to the factors influencing the NBS's ability to carry out its mission.

The most important factors are our staff, our facilities, and our resources. We have a full-tme permanent staff, as of December 31, 1977, of 3,040. We have concentrations of expertise in physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering.

The breadth of our programs, and of our deep involvement in current national concerns, also calls for broad expertise in such areas as architecture, psychology, economics, and law.

In addition, we use various authorities to bring people to the Bureau and send people to other institutions for a limited period. Such authorities are the National Research Council/National Bureau of Standards postdoctoral research program, the industrial research associates program, guest workers, and the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.

Under these and other programs, we have presently approximately 175 people at the NBS, and approximately 75 NBS people in other institutions. I cite this to indicate that, despite a relatively constant personnel ceiling for the past 10 years, we have made every effort to keep a flow of people and new ideas into the NBS.

Our physical facilities rank with the best in the world. Our headquarters are located in Gaithersburg, Md. on a 576-acre site. About 450 of our people are located at laboratories in Boulder, Colo., and we operate radio stations in Colorado and Hawaii that broadcast time and other information.

The funding for our various programs comes to us in three separate ways. Some $70 million this year is a direct congressional appropriation. For the work that we do for other agencies, we expect to receive this year about $55 million from 102 different agencies. Finally, we provide various services to both Government agencies and the public for which we charge a fee; and this year, we expect an income of $6.4 million from this source.

As to the adequacy of these resources, let me respond by answering your question No. 6. You asked me to comment on the Bureau's fiscal year 1979 budget.

The President's budget estimates, which have been forwarded to the Congress contain for NBS a budget of over $94 million, which consists of about $5 million for adjustments to base and built-in changes, and $19 million for program expansion. If appropriated, this will represent the largest dollar increase in NBS history. In addition, I will be working with the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the coming year to determine if any additional increases are warranted for NBS programs.

Your question No. 4 deals with the proposed reorganization of NBS. These plans is that have been approved by the President's Reorganization Task Force and OMB, and by the Secretary of Commerce. We

expect to be operating under this new organizational structure on April 9.

In broad terms, the new structure will have three major operating units. These units are: a National Measurement Laboratory, a National Engineering Laboratory, and an Institute of Computer Sciences and Technology. I describe each of these in some detail in my written statement, and I won't repeat it at this time, Mr. Chairman. I also indicate in the written statement some of the advantages of this reorganization: helping us organize along the major functional lines; consolidating the competences; and providing for greater flexibility.

In discussing the response of your question No. 5 concerning the future of NBS, I would first like to commend to you our role as the Central Reference Laboratory. Perhaps this role does not have the glamour of energy, medical research, or pollution control, but in my opinion, this aspect of NBS provides a fundamental factor in the operation of today's highly technological society.

The application of our expertise to the solution of national problems is already well focused on fire technology, building technology, energy conservation. The NBS role is developing in automation and electronic technology as well.

I see the need for NBS to respond to what I expect will be an increasing national concern-namely, the catalytic role the Federal Government can play in providing for a healthy environment for technological innovation and the development and use of technology in the private sector in order to strengthen the economy.

To this end, there is in the NBS fiscal year 1979 budget, some $2 million which is intended to be used in order to investigate the desirability and feasibility of a cooperative technology program which would advance critically needed technologies common to disaggregated industries or small independent firms in selected industry groups. The emphasis here is on the word "cooperative."

Also, NBS can play a growing role in the provision of consultation and services to state and local governments. I have already described how this NBS activity has been growing and changing over the past 10 years, and I expect that trend to continue.

The NBS will be faced, more than ever before, with making choices on how to respond to our mission and clients. Recognizing this, the President's fiscal vear 1979 budget contains a $850,000 increase for our central planning function.

Thus, while it is too early to state specifically how we shall organize to do long-range planning more thoroughly, organization along the major sectors of our clientele-that is, among the Federal agencies, legislation, State and local governments, science and universities, international, industry, and the general public could well be a good way for us to set up.

Let me close, Mr. Chairman, on a personal note. I have been at the NBS for 24 years, at positions ranging from bench scientist to Director. I have always been proud of NBS and its reputation for technical accomplishment and integrity. I believe that reputation is a major factor in bringing about so many new demands for our services. It is true that these assignments have presented us with challenges, but the way we have responded is, in my view, correct not only in the interests.

of good government, but also for maintaining the reputation of NBS as an agency responsive to national priorities.

I am optimistic about the future. The administration supports a strong and vigorous NBS, and we appreciate the support shown by the NBS Statutory Visiting Committee. I truly appreciate the active interest shown by your committee, Mr. Chairman, in the NBS. We are pleased at the prospect of continuing dialog.

Finally, the proposed reorganization of NBS will improve our ability to respond to changing needs. In summary, I see in the coming years the opportunity to strengthen a fine institution that applies resources for public benefits.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Senator STEVENSON. Thank you, Dr. Ambler. [The statement follows:]

STATEMENT OF ERNEST AMBLER, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee: We at NBS appreciate the interest you are taking in the broad fields of science and technology, and I personally appreciate the opportunity to describe for you the Bureau, its programs, and its impact on national concerns.

I would also like to respond to the six question in your letter of invitation to this hearing. With me today are Dr. John Hoffman, Dr. John Lyons, and Mr. Zane Thornton. They will describe for you the activities that will be conducted in the newly being formed National Measurement Laboratory, and National Engineering Laboratory, and also in the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology.

The Bureau was created by Congress in 1901. At that time, science, technology, and commerce were undergoing rapid growth. That growth brought into sharp focus the need for a central reference laboratory. Congress responded to that need by enacting an Organic Act establishing NBS. The Organic Act assigns us responsibility for:

Developing,

measurement.

maintaining and disseminating standards of physical

Determining materials properties and physical constants.

Developing test methods for materials, mechanisms, and structures.

Establishing standard practices in cooperation with Government agencies and the private sector.

Providing advisory services to Government Agencies.

Your first and second questions ask about the evolving role of NBS, its relationship to the goals of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the adequacy of the NBS Organic Act.

I believe the Organic Act to be most adequate. It is not so much the mission of NBS that is changing as it is the way in which we are called upon to respond to it. These changes result from developments in science and technology and from the changing needs and demands of our clients.

NBS has, since shortly after its founding, functioned in two major roles. First it has functioned as the National Central Reference Laboratory and as lead agency for the provision of measurements, standards, and data. Second it has functioned as a technology problem solver through the application of our competences. In our measurement role, we assure that such quantities as length, mass, time, temperature, luminous intensity, force, and many others are precisely defined, accurately, realized, internationally compatible, and accessible to a broad range of users. We are also concerned with the chemical measurement of trace impurities in foods and in the environment, and with the measurement of the fracture and corrosion behavior, and the electrical, mechanical, and magnetic properties of materials. In our problem solving role, we are broadly involved in such areas as energy conservation, building technology, fire research, cryogenic technology, electronic reliability, and automation. We are also deeply involved in solving problems related to the Federal use of computers. We do this by developing and issuing standards, and by providing advisory services and technical assistance to Federal agencies. The two roles are complementary; the competence required to operate a successful central reference laboratory can be drawn on