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 for through a treaty-the treaty of the meter-to which the United States was an original adherent in 1875. The growth and increase in complexity of science and technology during this century has accelerated and so have the demands not only for measurements, 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 five, 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 of the DOC 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 need for a central focus and that focus-made clear in the Organic Act-is the National Bureau of Standards. To describe the evolving role of NBS, let ne 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 . . .” Let me take each of these constituencies in turn and describe, through example, how their needs have influenced our programs. NBS competence has been drawn upon by other Federal agencies since the Bureau was established. As the national problems addressed by these agencies changed, so has the NBS response. For example, our largest sponsor 10 years ago was DOD; today, our largest sponsor is DOE. A decade ago, NBS had no other agency sponsored work involving the need to preserve the environment; now EPA (which itself did not exist in 1967) is our fifth largest sponsor. NBS became more heavily involved in aiding other agencies in areas such as health and safety, fire protection and prevention, and housing. All of these activities increased dramatically in the 1970's, while at the same time, other agency work, such as support for the space program declined. In addition to the work for other Federal agencies, Congress itself has, since 1965, made some 17 assignments to NBS through legislation, covering many national problems including radiation protection, materials and energy conservation, and aid to consumers. These assignments and our responses to them are detailed in an attachment to this statement. Our interaction with State and local governments for many years involved only weights and measures. Today, 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. (e.g., collapse of the Hartford, Conn., arena). NBS helped create the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards, acted as Secretariat during the formative years, and now provides technical support. This group provides a national focus for the task of removing barriers to the adoption of new technology in the building field. Our support for industries' 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. For example, in the past 10 years we have developed 76 standard reference materials, such as sulphur in coal, six mixtures of carbon dioxide with other gases for auto efficiency measurements, and sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide permeation tubes. NBS has an outstanding international reputation. Many NBS programs contribute to and benefit from international cooperation. Such cooperation involves treaty obligations, AID programs, scientific societies, standards making bodies, and bilateral agreements such as the US-USSR agreement for cooperation in Science and Technology. A good example is provided by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), a treaty organization that this country joined in 1972 following recommendations of this committee. Current activity includes international consideration of uniform methods of measuring moisture in grain. Our interactions with scientific societies and educational institutions are vital not only in the development of the careers of all scientists and engineers at NBS but also in many institutional arrangements. For example, the NBS Office of Standard Reference Data publishes with the American Institute of Physics and the American Chemical Society, the Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data. This journal, the only one solely dedicated to reliable reference data, is used by scientists throughout the world. We also work with the Committee on Data for Science and Technology, which represents 12 scientific unions, to maximize worldwide use of reliable data. In order to respond better to the various interests of consumers, NBS consolidated its work in this area in the Center for Consumer Product Technology in 1974. We have joint programs with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commisison, and the Department of Energy, and disseminate much of our work through an NBS Series of Consumer Booklets. E.G., "Making the Most of Your Energy Dollars in Home Heating and Cooling," has been distributed to over 2 million homeowners. The booklet, which is based on thermal engineering and economic studies provides the homeowner with a simple step-by-step procedure for determining cost-effective insulation requirements for his particular home. Your third question refers to the factors influencing the Bureau's ability to carry out its mission. Let me now discuss staff, facilities, and resources. We have a full-time permanent staff, as of December 31, 1977, of 3,040. Of this number, 626 have Ph. D. degrees, 302 have masters degrees, and 430 hold a bachelors degree. As you would expect, we have concentrations of expertise in physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering. The breadth of our programs, and our deep involvement in current national concerns, 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 the institutions for a limited period. Such authorities are the NRC/NBS Postdoctoral Research Program, the Industrial Research Associates Program, Guest Workers, and the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, Under these and other programs, we have presently 255 people at NBS, and 188 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 NBS. Our physical facilities rank with the best in the world. NBS headquarters are located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This 576 acre site contains 27 buildings, including seven general purpose laboratories, a research nuclear reactor, a fire research facility, and facilities devoted to acoustics measurements. About 450 of our people are located at laboratories in Boulder, Colorado, 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. The largest amount, some $70 million this year, is a direct Congressional appropriation. This money is applied to our responsibilities under the Organic Act and subsequent legislation. The work we do for other agencies is directly related to our mission and draws on our reputation for credibility in technical matters. This year, we expect to receive about $55 million from 102 agencies for our services. Finally, we provide various services to both Government agencies and the public for which we charge a fee. These services include calibrations and tests, advisory services and the sale of standard reference materials. From these activities, we expect an income of $6.4 million this year. As to the adequacy of these resources, let me respond by answering your question number 6. You ask me to comment on the Bureau's FY 1979 budget. The President's budget estimates which have been forwarded to 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, 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 number four deals with the proposed reorganization of NBS. The status of our plans is that they have been approved by the President's Reorganization Task Force and OMB, and by the Secretary of Commerce. I expect to be operating under this new organization on April 9th. One of the most notable features of the plan is that we become organized along major functional lines. I have described the dual role of the NBS as the Central Reference Laboratory and as a contributor to the solution of specific national problems. 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 & Technology, which is also presently a part of the NBS structure. The National Measurement Laboratory will provide the national system of physical, chemical, and materials measurement. This national system permits the scientific community, industry, and commerce to make accurate, uniform measurements. The Measurement Laboratory will also coordinate our measurement system with those of other nations, paving the way for the free flow of information and goods. The NML program, to be truly effective, must be support by fundamental research in the physical sciences. Some of the elements of such a program will be: Development of National Measurement Standards. Development of Standard Reference Data. Materials Research. Compositional Analysis. Development of Standard Reference Materials. Calibration Services Related to National Standards. The National Engineering Laboratory will conduct a broad spectrum of programs in engineering and applied science. Each program will provide public benefits by supporting the technology needed to solve significant national problems. The work includes engineering measurements data, standards, codes, and practices. Research findings will be converted into forms suitable for the ultimate user, and institutional mechanisms for transferring results are developed when necessary. These programs must be supported by strong research in applied science. Some of the major programs and competences within the National Engineering Laboratory will be: Building Technology. Consumer Product Technology. Fire Research. Automation and Electronics Technology. Experimental Technology Incentives Program. Applied Mathematics. Mechanical Engineering. We have a third major group, the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology, whose functions are defined by the Brooks Act. The Institute carries out its mission by managing the Federal Information Processing Standards Program, developing Federal ADP standards and Guidelines, and participating in ADP voluntary standardization activities. It also provides advisory services and assistance to Federal Agencies, and provides the technical foundation for computer-related policies of the Federal Government. Since the Federal investment in computers runs into billions of dollars, the potential impact of these programs is clear. The detailed structure of the two laboratories is such that it greatly consolidates like competences and provides an excellent basis for building in the future. Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Lyons are prepared to discuss this further. A more detailed description of the new organizational structure is attached to this statement. In addition, the new organization will provide for greater flexibility. For example, there are currently 249 formal organizational units at NBS. This number will be reduced to about 106 in the new plan. Our intent is to push detailed technical management as far down into the organization as possible, and to pull administrative support as high as we can. Reducing the number of units increases flexibility, as people will be able to change assignments without need for formal transfer and the paperwork that is usually involved. In discussing the response to your question number five 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 glamor of energy, medical re search or pollution control; but, in my opinion, it is 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 and is developing in automation and electronic technology. 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 request $2 million 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 has been growing 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 year 1979 budget contains a $850K increase for a central planning function. While I think NBS has used its resources well to respond to the many demands placed upon us, the intensity is now high across all of our clientele. 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; i.e., other 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 NBS for 24 years, in 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 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 very optimistic for the future. The Administration supports a strong and vigorous NBS and we appreciate the support shown by the NBS Statutory Visiting Committee. I appreciate the active interest shown by this Committee in NBS. and we are pleased by the prospect of a continuing dialog. Finally, the proposed reorganization of NBS will improve our ability to respond to changing needs. In sum, I see in the coming years the opportunity to strengthen a fine institution to continue and to apply its resources for public benefit. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I will be pleased to answer your questions. APPENDIX The Funding Information Shown represents direct budget authority and reimbursable obligations for Fiscal Year 1977 1. BROOKS ACT - 1965 (40 USC_759 (£)) Provisions: Funding: "The Secretary of Commerce is authorized (1) to provide processing standards. The Secretary of Commerce is auth- Direct Reimbursable $4,055,000 $5,144,000 Provisions: "Whenever the Secretary of Commerce determines that there is Assisted in development of voluntary product standards in 50 categories, e.g., toothpaste Developed model laws for state and local government, e.g., model state unit pricing regulation Funding: NBS output: (1) (2) Provisions: The Secretary (of Commerce) is authorized and directed to critical evaluation, publication, and dissemination of |