LABORATORY AND INSTITUTE GOALS
NATIONAL MEASUREMENT LABORATORY
The Laboratory provides the national system of physical and chemical measurement, coordinating the system with measurement systems of other nations and furnishing essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical and chemical measurement throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and commerce. It conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement, standards, and data on the properties of materials needed by industry, commerce, educational institutions, and Government; provides advisory and research services to other Government agencies; and develops, produces, and distributes standard reference materials.
NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
The Laboratory provides technical services to promote development and use of technology and to facilitate technological innovation in industry and Government; cooperates with public and private organizations in developing technological standards and test methods; and provides technical advice and services to Government agencies upon request. It conducts research in support of the specific objectives of these activities; monitors NBS engineering standards activities; and provides liaison between NBS and national and international engineering standards bodies.
INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES
AND TECHNOLOGY
The Institute develops and recommends uniform Federal automatic data processing standards; provides automatic data processing scientific and technological advisory services to Federal agencies; and undertakes necessary research in computer science and technology.
DON FUQUA, PLA., CHAIRMAN
ROBERT A. ROE, N.J.
MIKE MC CORMACK, WASH.
GEORGE E. BROWN, JR., CALIF.
JAMES H. SCHEVER, N.Y.
RICHARD L. OTTINGER, N.Y.
TOM NARKIN, IOWA
JIM LLOYD, CALIF.
JEROME A. AMBRO, N.Y.
MARILYN LLOYD BOUQUARD, TENN.
JAMES J. BLANCHARD, MICH.
DOUS WALGREN, PA.
RONNIE 6. FLIPPO, ALA.
DAN BLICKMAN, KANG.
ALBERT GORE, JR., TENN.
WEB WATKINS, OKLA.
ROBERT A. YOUNG, MO.
RICHARD G. WHITE, TEXX.
HAROLD L. VOLKMER, MO.
DONALD J. PEASE, OHIO
HOWARD WOLPE, MICH.
NICHOLAS MAVROULES, MASS.
BILL NELSON, FLA.
BERYL ANTHONY, JR., ARK.
STANLEY H. LUNDINE, N.Y.
ALLEN & ERTEL, PA.
KENT HANCE, TEX
HAROLD A. GOULD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PHILIP B. YEAGER
REGINA A. DAVIS
WILLIAM G. WELLS, JR.
RALPH N. READ
JERRY STAUS
DARRELL R. BRANSCOME
JAMES W. SPENSLEY
STEPHEN LANES
IAN W. MARCEAU
PAUL A. VANDER MYDE MINORITY STAFF DIRECTO
The National Bureau of Standards is the Nation's oldest national labora-
tory. In the past few years, it has become evident that the Bureau's
scientific and technical capabilities need to be strengthened. This
year the Committee on Science and Technology, through its Subcommittee
on Science, Research and Technology, will be conducting the first auth-
orization hearings held by the House of Representatives on the Bureau
in its 79-year history. It is our hope to remedy past neglect and help
insure that the Bureau's resources are used more effectively.
During our preparation for these hearings, it became obvious that in
1981 we should conduct an investigation and hold hearings on the National
Bureau of Standards' organic act. With this in mind, we should like to
ask the GAO to undertake a study of the Bureau which addresses the follow-
ing specific questions and any other pertinent issues that the Subcommittee
should be made aware of:
NBS appears to be divided as to its function in relation to the enab-
ling legislation and the subsequent legislative mandates. On one hand,
NBS is to assure maximum application of the physical and engineering
sciences to the advancement of technology in industry or commerce
through its standards and measurement functions; on the other hand the
Bureau is to strengthen and advance the Nation's scientific and tech-
nological capabilities and to facilitate their effective application
for public benefit.
1. What changes, if any, in the amended organic act are
needed to enable the Bureau to perform these functions?
4. What is the extent of NBS's financial investment compared
with civilian technology research and development
efforts of other agencies? Is this effort sufficient
to strengthen and advance science and technology for
public benefit?
Basic Missions vs. Other Legislative Functions
The Bureau, over the years, has developed into a laboratory guided
by its organic act missions and other legislative authorities to
perform work for outside agencies.
To what extent has manpower and other resources (in
constant dollars) been used by the Bureau to carry out
the legislative mandates and the outside, non-statutory
tasks since 1965?
To what extent have outside non-statutory assignments
detracted from the Bureau's capability to meet traditional
statutory responsibilities?
The Competence Building program has over the last couple of years
been on the Bureau's list of priority programs.
Honorable Elmer B. Staats
January 23, 1980
Page Three
Following our authorization hearings for fiscal year 1981, we may
find it desirable to ask that additional questions and issues be
included in this study. In that event a follow-up letter will be
sent to you, after consultation with members of your staff, identify-
ing such further questions and issues.
I believe that a GAO study of these questions and issues will make
a valuable contribution to the Committee's review of the organic
act of the National Bureau of Standards. I have asked Mr. John
Clements to serve as my direct contact point with you and your staff
for this study. In order for this study to be most useful to the
Committee, the completed report should reach us no later than
December 31, 1980.
During our current preparations for the authorization hearings which
will begin next month, we have had the assistance of Mr. Jack Glick
of your staff. Mr. Glick's thorough knowledge of the NBS has been
most valuable to my staff and myself, and I should like to express
to you my thanks for the valuable contribution he has made to our
work, as well as for the GAO's willingness to assist us further with
the study we are requesting in this letter.
Sincerely,
Zeory
GEORGE BROWN, JR.
Chairma
Science, Research and
Technology Subcommittee
a/Many of the acts listed place authority with the Secretary of Commerce; however, responsibility under the statutes has been specifically delegated to NBS.
b/Scientific and Technical Research and Services (direct appropriations).
C/Other agency funds provided.
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