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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