VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

National Institute of Standards and Technology

2013 Annual Report

Visiting Committee on Advanced 

Technology

of the

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology

U.S. Department of Commerce

March 2014
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Preface

The Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 

(NIST) was established in its present form by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and updated by 

the America COMPETES Act. The VCAT is a Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) committee and its charter 

includes reviewing and making recommendations regarding general policy for NIST, its organization, budget, and 

programs within the framework of applicable national policies as set forth by the president and the Congress. In 

addition, the America COMPETES Act calls for the VCAT to comment on NIST’s three-year programmatic plan in its 

annual report to Congress. This 2013 annual report covers the period from the beginning of March 2013 through 

February 2014. 

The Committee reviews the Institute’s strategic direction, performance and policies, and provides the Secretary of 

Commerce, Congress, and other stakeholders with information on the value and relevance of NIST’s programs to 

the U.S. science and technology base and to the economy. At the first meeting of each year, the Director of NIST 

proposes areas of focus to the Committee and agreement is reached on a program for the year. Over the past 

year, the Committee has been active in assessing NIST’s contributions to and progress in the following areas: 

• NIST Safety Systems and Culture

• Cybersecurity

• Advanced Manufacturing

• NIST User Facilities and Partnership Models

• Forensic Science

The Committee reviews a significant portion of NIST programs through direct discussion with NIST leaders, 

scientists, and engineers. Reactions and observations of the Committee members are presented candidly to the 

NIST senior management and other attendees at each meeting. This feedback encourages continuous 

improvement in key areas in the overall operation. The Committee also visits various NIST laboratories and 

satellite facilities to discuss research projects directly with the technical staff. These laboratory tours help the 

Committee to assess the impact of NIST research, progress towards achieving research goals, the quality of the 

staff, institutional culture, and the efficacy of the facility infrastructure. 

Under the Committee charter, the Director of NIST appoints the VCAT members. Members are selected on a clear, 

standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance. Members are selected 

solely on the basis of established records of distinguished service; provide representation of a cross-section of 

traditional and emerging U.S. industries; and are eminent in fields such as business, research, new product 

development, engineering, labor, education, management consulting, environment, and international relations. No 

employee of the Federal Government can serve as a member of the Committee. Members are appointed for 

staggered three-year terms.

One new member was appointed during the period covered by this report: Dr. Rita Colwell (University of Maryland 

and The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health).

This report highlights the Committee’s observations, findings and recommendations. Detailed meeting minutes 

and presentation materials are available on the NIST web site at www.nist.gov/director/vcat.
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VCAT Members During the Period Covered by this Report

Dr. Alan I. Taub, Chair

University of Michigan

Term: May 9, 2008 - May 8, 2014

Dr. Tony Haymet, Vice-Chair

University of California, San Diego

Term: September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2015

Dr. Sujeet Chand

Rockwell Automation

Term: April 1, 2010 - March 31, 2016

Dr. Uma Chowdhry

DuPont (Emeritus)

Term: October 1, 2010 - September 30, 2016

Dr. Rita R. Colwell

University of Maryland at College Park

Term: January 6, 2014 – January 7, 2017

Dr. Karen Kerr

Agile Equities, LLC

Term: June 1, 2011 - May 31, 2014

William M. Holt

Intel Corporation

Term: May 13, 2012 - May 12, 2015

Dr. Pradeep Khosla

University of California, San Diego

Term: June 2, 2008 - June 1, 2014

Dr. Roberto Padovani

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Term: May 1, 2011 - April 30, 2014

Dr. Alton D. Romig, Jr.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

Term: April 15, 2009 - April 14, 2015

Dr. Darlene J.S. Solomon 

Agilent Technologies

Term: January 3, 2010 - January 2, 2016

Dr. John J. Tracy

The Boeing Company

Term: January 7, 2013 – January 6, 2016
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Table of Contents

Preface ...................................................................................................................................................... ii

Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................. iv

1. VCAT Focus in 2013 ......................................................................................................................... 1

2. Safety..................................................................................................................................................... 2

3. NIST Role in Cybersecurity............................................................................................................ 4

3a. Cybersecurity Activities at NIST................................................................................................................................. 4

3b. Optimum Balance for NIST’s Cybersecurity Efforts........................................................................................... 5

3c. Methods of Cybersecurity Partnership, Collaboration, and Communication.......................................... 5

4. NIST Role in Advanced Manufacturing...................................................................................... 7

4a. NIST’s Programs in Advanced Manufacturing...................................................................................................... 8

4b. Responding to the Changing Manufacturing Technology Landscape......................................................... 8

4c. Collaboration and Coordination of Research Activities in Advanced Manufacturing.......................... 9

5. NIST User Facilities and New Partnership Models..............................................................12

5a. User Facilities...................................................................................................................................................................12

5b. Other Partnership Models ..........................................................................................................................................13

6. Forensic Science..............................................................................................................................14

7. NIST Budget and Planning...........................................................................................................15

7a. NIST Three-Year Programmatic Plan 2015-2017.............................................................................................15

7b. NIST Budget (Dollars in Millions)...........................................................................................................................16

7c. FY 2013 Appropriations ..............................................................................................................................................16

7d. FY 2014 Appropriations..............................................................................................................................................17

7e. Impacts of Government Shutdown .........................................................................................................................17
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1. VCAT Focus in 2013

In 2013, the VCAT focused its primary attention on NIST’s role and programs in two key administration priorities –

advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. To address these issues, the VCAT in consultation with the NIST 

Director established two subcommittees to develop specific recommendations in each of the subject areas. The 

respective charges to these subcommittees and to the continuing Subcommittee on Safety are provided below:

VCAT Subcommittee on Cybersecurity – Roberto Padovani, Chair

NIST’s expertise in cybersecurity has garnered it a key role in the nation’s response to growing cybersecurity 

concerns. From NIST’s responsibilities outlined in the Executive Order on Improving Critical Infrastructure 

Cybersecurity to programs including the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, the National Cybersecurity 

Center of Excellence, and the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace, NIST is increasingly called 

upon to act as a technical expert and neutral convener in the development of cybersecurity solutions. The role of 

this VCAT subcommittee will be twofold: 

1. To make recommendations to position NIST to best respond to the nation’s cybersecurity needs.

Specifically,

a. How can NIST ensure that it has the optimum balance between responding to short-term 

priorities and cultivating long-term technical expertise? 

b. How can NIST confirm that its methods of partnership, collaboration, and communication are 

sufficient to meet stakeholder’s needs?; and 

2. To comment on what tools or mechanisms organizations require in order to address their cybersecurity 

risk. More specifically, (a) is the development of a fundamental cybersecurity risk measurement method 

important, (b) what role would economic modeling play in risk measurement, and (c) what tools do 

corporate Chief Risk Officers require to assess their cybersecurity risk?

VCAT Subcommittee on Manufacturing – Sujeet Chand, Chair

NIST’s FY 2014 budget request had a strong focus on manufacturing with increases to manufacturing-focused 

efforts in the labs and in its extramural programs. The VCAT is well positioned to give NIST advice on how to 

position itself so that the labs remain aligned with industry needs. Furthermore, the VCAT can help amplify the 

important role that the NIST laboratory programs have in regard to manufacturing by highlighting the critical 

infrastructural connections that NIST provides, such as measurement services and standards. The role of this VCAT 

subcommittee will be to: 

1. Assess NIST’s approach to meeting the needs of a changing technology landscape in advanced 

manufacturing. Particularly, review NIST’s methods for identifying emerging trends and provide 

recommendations regarding NIST’s mechanisms for developing technical capabilities with necessary 

agility; and

2. Review and provide recommendations regarding NIST’s approach to research, collaboration, technology 

transfer, and outreach across multiple NIST programs on advanced manufacturing technology areas, using 

additive manufacturing as a case study.
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During and in-between formal VCAT meetings, the manufacturing and cybersecurity subcommittees held multiple 

meetings and teleconferences including meetings with numerous external stakeholders from government and 

industry in order to gather data and develop their initial recommendations for consideration by the full VCAT.

VCAT Subcommittee on Safety – Tony Haymet, Chair

A culture change toward safety is well underway at NIST. It is moving from the “design-build” phase to one of 

continual improvement. While NIST has made substantial progress in developing a positive safety culture, further 

emphasis on safety is needed to ensure that safety remains a NIST core value. Towards this end, the Subcommittee 

on Safety chartered in July of 2012 will continue to: 

1. Assess NIST’s progress in meeting senior leadership’s commitment to making safety an integral core value 

and vital part of the NIST culture; and 

2. Identify strengths and opportunities for improvement in both approach and direction. 

This 2013 Annual Report summarizes the work of the manufacturing and cybersecurity subcommittees and the 

recommendations that were ultimately adopted and issued by the VCAT in each of these two important areas. The 

report also provides our recommendations and comments about NIST’s continued efforts to establish a shared 

safety culture, NIST’s user facilities and partnership models, as well as the NIST budget.

2. Safety 

In 2012, as a result of an in-depth review by the VCAT Subcommittee on Safety, the VCAT reported that a cultural 

change toward safety is well underway at NIST. However, while NIST has made substantial progress in developing a 

positive safety culture, the NIST recordable incident data did not yet demonstrate a clear downward trend. The 

underlying driver of the incidents appears to be high-frequency, lower-consequence events (rather than lowfrequency, higher-consequence events). The VCAT made recommendations to help NIST further improve its safety 

performance. While NIST still has issues to address, significant progress against these recommendations has been 

made. 

2012 VCAT recommendations:

• “NIST’s safety goal should be zero accidents. The VCAT encourages continued recognition of and reward 

for safety improvement. 

• The VCAT recommends continued “grand rounds” audits of individual laboratory rooms led by senior, 

trained NIST executives. 

• The VCAT recommends that NIST set a firm target for improvement in each Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration (OSHA) recordable statistic. 

• The VCAT urges the NIST Director to distribute and discuss Incident Reporting and Investigation System 

(IRIS) statistics each reporting period. Based upon these reports, NIST leadership should identify top 

priority IRIS issues and action plans to reduce occurrence. Progress will be reviewed as a standing agenda 

item at the beginning of each VCAT meeting. 

• The VCAT recommends that NIST concentrate its investigation time and reports on OSHA recordable 

incidents. 

• The VCAT strongly urges increased “transparency” on all safety metrics, including easily accessible 

identification of the exact stage at which any non-closed IRIS cases are at any time.”
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Response:

In 2013, NIST has made continued improvements in developing a positive safety culture. The NIST Director and 

Chief of the Office of Safety, Health, and Environment distribute and discuss IRIS statistics regularly through 

monthly presentations to the NIST Leadership Board, newsletters to all staff, and at town-hall meetings with all 

staff. The goal for safety is zero accidents; this goal is expressed at every town-hall meeting by the Director, and in 

other safety presentations and communications. 

In 2013, NIST reduced its numbers of OSHA Recordable Cases (RCs) and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred 

(DART) cases by 34% and 38%, respectively, compared to 2012. RCs are generally incidents that require medical 

treatment beyond first aid, and DART cases are a subset of recordable cases that resulted in employees missing 

days of work, being put on restricted duty, or being transferred to another job.

NIST plans to pursue the goal of zero accidents by reducing the most common types of OSHA-recordable incidents 

at NIST. Cases resulting from slips, trips, and falls; being stuck by/struck against an object; and overexertion have 

accounted for about 75% of NIST’s OSHA recordables over the past several years. Over the past three years, slips, 

trips, and falls resulted in 37% of NIST’s OSHA recordables and 37% of its DART cases. Efforts to reduce slips, trips, 

and falls are now underway.

NIST’s approach to achieving zero injuries also includes adding safety goals to NIST Operating Unit (OU) Directors’ 

annual performance plans.

To address the VCAT’s recommendation on “grand rounds” and to eliminate common safety issues at NIST, NIST 

began a program called the Shared Standard of Safety Performance. NIST OU Directors in October agreed on the 

first set of common safety issues that everyone at NIST will strive to eliminate, correct, and avoid introducing in 

the future: obstacles in walkways, improper use of electrical cords, and improperly labeled chemical containers. 

This set of identified conditions becomes the NIST Shared Standard. As these conditions become nonexistent at 

NIST, another set of common safety issues will be introduced and become the next set of issues everyone at NIST 

will strive to eliminate. This cycle will be part of NIST’s process for continually improving its safety performance. 

Dr. Gallagher launched the effort to all staff at a town-hall meeting in December 2013.

NIST streamlined the reporting and investigation of incidents for which the causes, corrective actions, and lessons 

identified are clear at the time of the incident. In such cases, OUs can submit both the initial incident report and 

the incident investigation report with little to no delay. 

NIST also increased the transparency to the OUs on all IRIS-related metrics. As a result, the backlog of incident 

investigation reports outstanding for more than 20 business days decreased from 56 in October 2012 to less than 

10 in January 2014. 

OBSERVATIONS:

The VCAT has placed an emphasis on safety at NIST starting with the 2012 report. The Committee has seen a 

steady improvement in safety performance and was glad to note the recent recognition by the National Safety 

Council of Dr. Gallagher as one of its “2014 CEOs Who Get It”, leaders who demonstrate a personal commitment to 

protecting worker safety and health. Driving a positive safety culture in any organization requires strong, dedicated 

leadership, and Dr. Gallagher has provided that leadership. 

• NIST’s OSHA-recordable and DART cases have decreased for each of the past three years. These results are 

attributable to NIST management attention supported by the VCAT’s increased emphasis on safety.
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• NIST’s OSHA total recordable case rates and DART rates compare favorably to those of three Department of 

Energy national laboratories.

• NIST trained 28 senior executives on 37 common safety issues at NIST. The training covered what the issues 

are, why they are safety issues, and common ways they can be addressed.

• NIST has made significant progress in reducing the backlog of incident investigation reports outstanding for 

more than 20 business days. NIST can consider this issue closed.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 NIST should establish a baseline against which to measure the success of its efforts to reduce slips, trips, and 

falls. NIST should continue to report to the VCAT regularly on progress.

 The VCAT recommends that NIST expand the number of common safety issues included in the NIST Shared 

Standard of Safety Performance.

 NIST should implement metrics to demonstrate the success of the NIST Shared Standard program in 

eliminating common safety issues at NIST.

 The VCAT recommends that NIST conduct a safety culture survey to assess its progress in making safety an 

integral core value and vital part of the NIST culture, and compare the results to those of the safety climate 

survey completed in June 2011.

3. NIST Role in Cybersecurity

In 2013, the NIST Director established the VCAT Subcommittee on Cybersecurity for 2013 to make 

recommendations and to comment on NIST’s ability to support the nation’s cybersecurity needs. The VCAT 

subcommittee was specifically asked:

1. To make recommendations to position NIST to best respond to the nation’s cybersecurity needs. 

Specifically,

a. How can NIST ensure that it has the optimum balance between responding to short-term 

priorities and cultivating long-term technical expertise? 

b. How can NIST confirm that its methods of partnership, collaboration, and communication are 

sufficient to meet stakeholder’s needs?; and 

2. To comment on what tools or mechanisms organizations require to address their cybersecurity risk. More 

specifically, (a) is the development of a fundamental cybersecurity risk measurement method important, 

(b) what role would economic modeling play in risk measurement, and (c) what tools do corporate Chief 

Risk Officers require to assess their cybersecurity risk?

3a. Cybersecurity Activities at NIST

Cybersecurity work is performed throughout the NIST Information Technology Lab (ITL). This includes basic 

research that characterizes macro-scale structures and dynamics of large-scale interconnected systems and 

identifies fundamental metrics that are indicators of the system’s inherent level of security and reliability. These 

fundamental metrics can be used to develop tools for cybersecurity risk management and feedback loops to 

mitigate risks. Applied research efforts are focused on designs, standardization, and tests that foster commercial 

deployment of new technologies to improve the security, robustness, and scaling of core Internet infrastructure. 

ITL develops standards, guidelines, tests, and metrics for the protection of non-national security federal 

information and communication infrastructure. ITL research on usable security recognizes that the user is often 

the most important part of a security solution, going beyond well-designed interfaces to address the mental 

models individuals use for risk calculation. ITL has researchers focused on accelerating the development and 
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adoption of correct, reliable, testable software and has an established statistical expertise to fortify its 

cybersecurity work. 

The National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) takes a more short term approach by providing 

businesses with real-world cybersecurity capabilities based on commercially available technologies. The center 

brings together experts from industry, government, and academia to demonstrate integrated cybersecurity that is 

cost-effective, repeatable, and scalable. The NCCoE accelerates the adoption of secure technologies by 

collaborating with innovators to provide real-world cybersecurity capabilities that address business needs.

Overall, ITL’s cybersecurity work is targeted towards a number of key application areas through specific projects 

such as Cloud Computing, Smart Grid, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Trusted Identities, Security Automation, 

Voting Standards, Health Information Technology (IT), Big Data, and Quantum Information Science.

3b. Optimum Balance for NIST’s Cybersecurity Efforts

The VCAT was asked how NIST can ensure that it has the optimum balance between responding to short-term 

priorities and cultivating long-term technical expertise. As described above, NIST has deep expertise in many 

technical and scientific areas critical to cybersecurity technologies. Because of this expertise, partnership with the 

cybersecurity community, and successful leadership in cybersecurity standards, NIST is frequently asked by the 

Administration and Congress to lead new cybersecurity efforts. When meeting these requests, it is important for 

NIST to maintain the scientific and technical capabilities and thought leadership necessary for the long-term health 

of NIST’s cybersecurity programs.

ITL’s cybersecurity activities occur within and are driven by the fundamental and unique characteristics of the IT 

landscape. Specifically, IT advances quickly, is pervasive, is intrinsically complex, and is an emerging area of 

measurement science. The ITL strategy must be agile, adaptive, and forward-looking; responsive to all areas of 

science and society; cognizant of intrinsic complexity with solutions “as simple as possible but no simpler;” and 

inclusive of basic and applied research, development, technology transfer, and standards. 

The ITL has about 370 employees, a quarter of which are in the Computer Security Division. A number of 

researchers in other ITL Divisions contribute to NIST’s cybersecurity efforts. In addition, NIST/ITL hosts 170 guest 

researchers, 10-20 of whom work in the Computer Security Division.

When asked to research or develop cybersecurity guidelines or standards, NIST begins by examining what is 

happening within IT to see how the relevant digital technologies are evolving in the area of concern. Second, NIST 

examines the changing threat environment exploring what are the classes of attacks relevant to the area of 

concern. Lastly, NIST looks across the research community in cybersecurity to determine if it can leverage internal 

and external capabilities to address the area of concern. 

3c. Methods of Cybersecurity Partnership, Collaboration, and Communication

The VCAT was asked how NIST can confirm that its methods of partnership, collaboration, and communication are 

sufficient to meet stakeholders’ needs. As a non-regulatory federal agency, NIST’s efforts have the most impact 

when they have the support of the relevant communities. This is especially true in cybersecurity, where the stakes 

are high, the community is diverse, and the landscape evolves quickly. To ensure success, NIST collaborates closely 

and extensively with relevant stakeholders to develop cybersecurity solutions through a variety of mechanisms, 

from partnerships with the NCCoE, standards frameworks such as the recent Cybersecurity Framework for Critical 

Infrastructure, competitions like the Secure Hash Algorithm competition, and more traditional methods such as 

ongoing workshops and conferences.
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The Cybersecurity Framework for Critical Infrastructure is a recent illustration of one of NIST’s efforts to 

collaborate with diverse stakeholders to develop a robust standards framework. Recognizing that the national and 

economic security of the United States depends on the reliable functioning of critical infrastructure, the President 

under the Executive Order “Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity” directed NIST in February 2013 to work 

with stakeholders to develop, by February 2014, a voluntary framework for reducing cyber risks to critical 

infrastructure. NIST worked with hundreds of U.S. businesses across multiple industries, with academia, and with 

state and local governments to create a Cybersecurity Framework reducing the cybersecurity risks that we face 

from hackers, foreign countries, and our nation’s enemies. This framework was created in a public-private 

partnership involving over 3,000 individuals in workshops across the country, illustrating the outstanding work that 

can be accomplished when NIST partners with the private sector. The Framework provides guidance to an 

organization on managing cybersecurity risk. A key objective of the Framework is to encourage organizations to 

consider cybersecurity risk as a priority similar to financial, safety, and operational risk while factoring in larger 

systemic risks inherent to critical infrastructure. 

The Framework relies on existing standards, guidance, and best practices to achieve outcomes that can assist 

organizations in managing their cybersecurity risk. By relying on those practices developed, managed, and updated 

by industry, the Framework will evolve with technological advances and business requirements. The use of 

standards will enable economies of scale to drive innovation and development of effective products and services 

that meet identified market needs. Market competition also promotes faster diffusion of these technologies and 

realization of many benefits by the stakeholders in these sectors.

Established in 2012, the NCCoE is a public-private collaboration for accelerating the widespread adoption of 

integrated cybersecurity tools and technologies. In addition to an update about the purpose and organization of 

the NCCoE, the VCAT heard from Vernon Lee, the Federal Civilian Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft Services, 

one of the NCCoE’s industry partners. Mr. Lee impressed upon the VCAT the utility to industry of having access to 

NIST’s expertise in cybersecurity through a public-private partnership such as the NCCoE. 

More broadly, the Computer Security Resource Center website, http://csrc.nist.gov/, demonstrates the depth and 

breadth of partnership and communication mechanisms used for cybersecurity efforts. For outreach, NIST relies on 

standards such as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) and international and national consensus 

standards; guidelines through special publications and NIST internal or interagency reports; and journal and 

conference research papers. NIST uses workshops, conferences, and forums both as hosts (33 events) and as 

participants to develop consensus and share its research. During Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, NIST posted nine draft 

special publications and three draft interagency or internal reports for public comment. In the same period, NIST 

published two FIPS publications, thirteen special publications, ten interagency or internal reports, and twelve 

security bulletins. NIST develops reference implementations and demonstrations; conformance verification 

activities; and test, tools, and other conformance determination tools. NIST is active in and often leads national 

and international committees. NIST also has strong representation and leadership within the Networking and 

Information Technology Research program, including co-chairing the Cyber Security and Information Assurance 

Interagency Working Group. Through these various mechanisms, NIST engages a number of partners from 

industry, academia, international, and federal, state, and local governments.

OBSERVATIONS:

• The VCAT is pleased with the progress achieved within the NCCoE, especially the enlisting of more than a 

dozen industry partners and the continued effort to recruit additional partners. The projects and use cases 

under development are highly relevant and the expansion of such projects is only limited by resources at this 

stage.
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• The VCAT is also very pleased with the level of effort and planning ITL puts into its outreach and partnership 

mechanisms and encourages it to continue and expand such activities. It also recommends studying 

mechanisms for obtaining measurable feedback about such partnerships from the stakeholders for further 

improving the effectiveness of such key efforts.

• A major NIST accomplishment in 2013 has been the execution in the implementation of Executive Order 

13636, namely the creation of the Cybersecurity Framework for Critical Infrastructure. The Framework was

completed on time and the VCAT is particularly pleased with NIST’s approach to attract and engage the largest 

possible set of stakeholders both public and private, and with NIST’s role as the convener and facilitator of a 

joint development effort. The feedback VCAT has received has been unanimously positive. The VCAT is also 

pleased to learn that NIST intends to participate in future activities related to the framework and that it is also 

investigating long term governance solutions.

• The VCAT is also satisfied that NIST is achieving a good balance between the needs to cover short-term 

activities, such as the Cybersecurity Framework development, and long-term needs such as fundamental 

research. The VCAT was concerned that short-term activities would undermine the efforts in fundamental 

research but at this point in time it does not appear to be the case. 

• The VCAT values highly the ability of NIST to contribute independent technical expertise to international 

standards development processes for cryptography. In 2014, VCAT will lead an effort to validate NIST’s 

internal development processes.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 The VCAT recommends that NIST continues to participate in the activities related to the Cybersecurity 

Framework beyond the publication of its first version. It also encourages NIST to investigate long-term 

governance solutions for the effort.

 The VCAT recommends that NIST remain vigilant about the tradeoffs between short-term activities and the 

need for world class capabilities in the fast changing and extremely complex security landscape. This is an area 

that should be closely monitored and the VCAT recommends that some metrics be employed to assess such 

balance going forward. These metrics could also be applied to other major programs.

4. NIST Role in Advanced Manufacturing

In 2013, the VCAT continued to review Advanced Manufacturing research programs at NIST. The NIST Director 

established a VCAT Subcommittee on Manufacturing for 2013 to examine NIST manufacturing programs with 

respect to how NIST is meeting the changing technology landscape, how NIST is coordinating advanced 

manufacturing programs across the labs, and how NIST is approaching collaboration and outreach. NIST continues 

to use a number of partnering mechanisms to support engagement with industry, academia, and other 

government laboratories. The VCAT was specifically asked to consider the following questions:

1. Assess NIST’s approach to meeting the needs of a changing technology landscape in advanced 

manufacturing. Particularly, review NIST’s methods for identifying emerging trends and provide 

recommendations regarding NIST’s mechanisms for developing technical capabilities with necessary 

agility; and

2. Review and provide recommendations regarding NIST’s approach to research, collaboration, technology 

transfer, and outreach across multiple NIST programs on a single advanced manufacturing technology 

area, using additive manufacturing as a case study.
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4a. NIST’s Programs in Advanced Manufacturing 

Enhancing U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through the delivery of measurement science, standards and 

technology is a fundamental part of NIST’s mission. Long-term economic competitiveness is strengthened by the 

development and deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies that are enabled by NIST measurement 

science. NIST aligns its research and services with industry needs through partnerships with manufacturers, 

academic and government laboratories, and through staff participation in national and international standards 

activities. Technology and knowledge transfer from NIST to promote U.S. competitiveness is enabled through 

various agreements and intellectual property tools such as NIST inventions, patents, and licenses. Visiting scientists 

and postdoctoral researchers develop technical expertise through research experiences at NIST.

• The NIST Laboratories address complex measurement challenges, ranging from the very small (nanoscale 

devices) to the very large (vehicles and buildings), and from the physical (renewable energy sources) to the 

virtual (cybersecurity and cloud computing). Research at NIST is underway to develop and deliver the 

measurement science tools that will support advanced manufacturing technologies, including materials 

modeling and simulation, nanomanufacturing, biomanufacturing, smart manufacturing, and robotics.

• NIST user facilities support innovation in materials science, nanotechnology discovery and fabrication, and 

other emerging technology areas through the NIST Center for Neutron Research, which provides world class 

neutron measurement capabilities to the U.S. research community, and the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science 

and Technology, which supports nanotechnology development from discovery to production.

• The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is supporting technologies and practices that 

increase the competitiveness and resilience of our nation’s small and medium manufacturing base. A federalstate-local partnership, MEP is enabling future growth with a focus on education and training, accelerating the 

adoption of new technologies, responding to evolving supply chains, and implementing environmentally 

sustainable processes. 

• The new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia (AMTech) program will provide funding to establish 

industry-led consortia to create technology roadmaps to identify and tackle long-term research and 

development (R&D) challenges shared by industry. AMTech-supported consortia will enable university 

research capabilities to be focused on industry-driven R&D, lower the risk to investment in new technologies, 

and accelerate technology transfer.

• The Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO) is an interagency office hosted by NIST, which 

serves as the central point of contact for federal programs in advanced manufacturing. The purpose of the 

AMNPO is to create and implement a whole-of-government advanced manufacturing strategy. The AMNPO is 

also responsible for planning and executing the proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation 

(NNMI) program.

4b. Responding to the Changing Manufacturing Technology Landscape

The VCAT was asked to assess how NIST responds to rapidly changing technology in manufacturing. New 

manufacturing technology, such as nanomanufacturing, requires new measurement science to overcome barriers 

to successful development and commercialization.

NIST presented three programmatic case studies as examples of how NIST identifies emerging trends in 

manufacturing and develops new technical capabilities and research programs to address these trends. In many 

cases, completely new measurement science is needed to overcome manufacturing challenges.
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• MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) are miniaturized mechanical and electro-mechanical elements that 

are made using semiconductor fabrication techniques. MEMS researchers and developers have demonstrated 

a large number of microsensors and devices for a wide range of applications including temperature, pressure, 

inertial forces, motion, magnetic fields, biometrics, video, and audio. Early MEMS device implementations —

primarily as accelerometers in airbag systems in the automotive industry – established the value and 

robustness of this technology. MEMS devices are now important components of smart phones, tablet 

computers, lab-on-a-chip diagnostic systems, and implantable medical devices. Global MEMS industry 

revenues are projected to grow from about $11 billion in 2012 to $22 billion in 2018. The NIST MEMS project 

began in 1987 to provide new measurement capabilities for small scale devices. At the time, calibration of 

such devices was extremely difficult – preventing broader adoption. NIST highlighted several research projects 

including new measurements for microheating elements, thermal flat displays, gas sensors, microwave power 

sensors, and single molecule nanovials. The MEMS Technology Working Group, co-chaired by NIST, has over 

60 industry and university members. 

• Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security: Factory control systems need to be protected from vulnerabilities 

that may arise as a result of their increased connectivity, use of wireless networks and sensors, and use of 

widespread information technology. Effective cybersecurity standards are essential to realize the full potential 

of smart manufacturing. Cybersecurity standards are difficult to deploy because they have to complement

safety-critical and time-sensitive requirements of advanced factory control systems. One of the most 

important outputs of the NIST project is the measurement science necessary to develop standards for securing 

factory control systems against cyber attack, and to specify the test methods and metrics to ensure that the 

standards have been correctly implemented and do not negatively impact the performance of the system.

• The ICS Security Framework developed by NIST is documented in NIST Special Publications (SPs) SP-800-82 and 

SP-800-53. The documents provide guidance for secure ICS including supervisory control and data acquisition, 

distributed control systems, and other systems such as Programmable Logic Controllers. As ICS and IT 

networks are becoming increasingly integrated, there is less isolation for ICS from the outside world than ever 

before, creating a critical need to secure the systems from remote, external threats. Wireless networking also 

places ICS at greater risk from those in close proximity to equipment. The framework is based on a “defensein-depth” strategy, layering security mechanisms so that impact to one mechanism as a result of failure is 

minimized. NIST SP 800-82 has been downloaded over 2.5 million times since its release and is widely 

referenced in the controls community.

• Neutron-based measurements for soft materials (nSoft) is a NIST-led consortium of industrial, government, 

and academic members designed to further the NIST mission to promote U.S. innovation and industrial 

competitiveness by advancing measurement science and reducing barriers for industrial research using 

neutron-based measurements for soft materials. The range of applications for which neutron scattering 

provides valuable insight is extensive and growing.

The Subcommittee agreed that these programs were outstanding examples of building new competences and 

capabilities within NIST to meet new technology challenges to serve U.S. manufacturing companies.

4c. Collaboration and Coordination of Research Activities in Advanced 

Manufacturing

The VCAT was asked to assess NIST’s approach to research, collaboration, technology transfer, and coordination 

across multiple NIST programs in the area of additive manufacturing. NIST presented an overview of laboratory 

programs and industrial service programs supporting additive manufacturing as a case study. Additive 

manufacturing is a relatively new program at NIST. The strategic planning and coordination between the NIST labs 
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is in the early stages and provides the VCAT an opportunity to assess NIST’s processes for planning and 

coordination including coordination with extramural programs.

NIST provided an overview of laboratory programs to develop measurement science for additive manufacturing. 

NIST’s research focus is to overcome technical barriers that are preventing broad adoption of additive 

manufacturing. The five technical program thrusts are:

• Materials characterization

• Process control and uncertainty

• Qualification of materials and processes

• Certification of parts produced by additive manufacturing

• Systems integration

Additive manufacturing processes employ a wide range of mechanisms and materials. The initial scope of the NIST 

program addresses fused deposition of metals. Specifically, NIST is looking at high strength steel alloys (Inconel 625 

and Cobalt-Chromium). The metal-based additive manufacturing market segment is smaller than the polymerbased market, but growing. Research on metals processes will be applicable to non-metal processes.

Initial NIST research results in additive manufacturing are being used by industry researchers and standards 

developers. NIST work in metal powder characterization, process characterization test artifact development (soon 

to be an ASTM Standard), and test protocol development is already being used by industry developers to measure 

additive manufacturing machine performance.

NIST plays a leading role in standards related to additive manufacturing, including its leadership of the ASTM 

strategic standards planning effort. NIST conducted a roadmapping workshop for Measurement Science for MetalBased Additive Manufacturing in December 2012. The results of this workshop are being used as a foundation for 

ASTM F42 Committee’s strategic plan. NIST chairs the ASTM F42 Test Methods Subcommittee. NIST worked with 

ASTM and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to implement a joint standards development plan 

where additive manufacturing standards published by ASTM will be recognized by ISO.

NIST additive manufacturing programs have substantial interactions with industry, government agency, and 

academic stakeholders. NIST serves on the Advisory Board for the America Makes Consortium and is a member of 

the Additive Manufacturing Consortium. NIST participates in the federal government Interagency Working Group 

on Additive Manufacturing, which includes the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), NIST, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Defense Advanced 

Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Department of Energy (DOE). NIST is working on 

specific research projects together with industry partners that include GE, Honeywell Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, 

and Carpenter Powder. Academic research partners include University of Louisville, Carnegie Mellon University, 

Virginia Tech, North Carolina State University, and Penn State University.

NIST is actively coordinating additive manufacturing research programs across the NIST labs and other NIST 

organizations. The NIST programs that contribute to additive manufacturing include:

• Standards development, process measurement, materials system integration (Engineering Laboratory)

• Materials modeling, non-metallic materials characterization (Material Measurement Laboratory)

• Sensors, with a focus on temperature, emissivity, and laser interactions (Physical Measurement 

Laboratory)

• Integration, statistical analysis (ITL)

• External research awards (AMNPO)
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• Education and training (MEP)

• Manufacturing trends analysis, market research on additive manufacturing (NIST Economics Office)

OBSERVATIONS:

• Manufacturing is vital to the American economy. Efficient manufacturing of complex goods is key for a 

successful export economy and creating manufacturing jobs in America. Manufacturing must be considered 

fundamental to future economic growth. 

• The VCAT fully supports the work at NIST, and feels strongly that NIST’s measurement science mission, its 

unique and longstanding relationship with industry, and its broad portfolio of programs make it a critical 

element of the Administration’s efforts to strengthen manufacturing in America. The VCAT observed that 

NIST’s project portfolio in advanced manufacturing is well aligned with industry needs and the quality of work 

is world-class.

• The VCAT notes the agility of the NIST organization in responding to renewed focus on advanced 

manufacturing.

• The NIST lab programs that were reviewed by the VCAT demonstrated inter-lab collaboration as well as 

collaboration with third parties. The Committee notes significant examples of technology transfer activities 

that go beyond patents and licensing to include training, publications and new products. In particular, user 

facilities at NIST are highly beneficial for training.

• The VCAT notes that NIST’s technical staff and leadership understands the potential of Additive Manufacturing 

and the barriers to its commercial implementation and NIST researchers have identified key R&D needs to 

move Additive Manufacturing forward.

• NIST is aware of global activities in Additive Manufacturing. The VCAT notes collaboration with European 

Union through ISO and ASTM international standards committees.

• The VCAT believes that the long standing support of U.S. manufacturers provided by the NIST Labs and the 

well-established MEP program will be significantly strengthened by the addition of the new AMTech and 

NNMI programs to the NIST portfolio.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 The VCAT recommends that NIST consider publishing technology and standards roadmaps where 

measurement science is an enabler for advanced manufacturing technologies such as Additive Manufacturing.

 The Committee acknowledges NIST’s leadership in convening workshops and developing roadmaps in new 

initiatives such as Additive Manufacturing, and recommends expansion of such workshops to produce 

roadmaps for additional advanced manufacturing areas.

 The VCAT strongly endorses the dedication and commitment of NIST leadership to apply NIST resources in a 

way to maximize agility and responsiveness of the organization. 

 The VCAT strongly supports the growth of budget and capabilities within NIST to expand focus on advanced 

manufacturing leveraging the well-established core NIST focus on metrology and standards which remain 

critical to industry.

 The VCAT recommends that the Additive Manufacturing portfolio be fully resourced.

 The VCAT strongly recommends that NIST continues to take a lead role in global standards for Additive 

Manufacturing.

 The VCAT believes that the way NIST has positioned itself in Additive Manufacturing with the America Makes 

program is a good base that needs to be expanded as future NNMI’s are launched.
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 The VCAT endorses the overall approach that the NIST leadership has presented to the Committee to optimize 

the synergy between the NIST advanced manufacturing laboratory programs and the new extramural 

initiatives.

5. NIST User Facilities and New Partnership Models

In 2013, the VCAT reviewed NIST’s substantial and expanding portfolio of partnership models. NIST leverages its 

unique facilities, from dedicated user facilities to centers of excellence to consortia, to expand its capacity for 

research and to generate increased opportunities for impact on industry. 

5a. User Facilities

NIST houses two unique user facilities, the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) and the Center for Nanoscale

Science and Technology (CNST). The NCNR provides neutron measurement capabilities to the U.S. research 

communities, offering its instrumentation for use by all qualified applicants. The CNST supports the U.S. 

nanotechnology enterprise from discovery to production by providing the U.S. research community with access to 

world-class nanoscale measurement and fabrication methods and technology, with a shared-use NanoFab giving 

economical access to and training on commercial tools, and a NanoLab offering opportunities to collaborate on 

creating and using the next generation of instruments and methods. The NCNR and CNST have similar practices for 

partnership, but differ in important ways.

The NCNR allocates beam time based on scientific merit and programmatic relevance. The NCNR publishes

biannual calls for proposals, which are critically reviewed for scientific merit by experts external to the NCNR. 

Proposals that are favorably reviewed by referees and recommended by the Beam Time Allocation Committee

(BTAC) are then scheduled for experiments in the next six-month period (typically beginning three months after 

proposals are due). Researchers requiring beam time in the very near future may submit a Quick Access Proposal, 

which will be reviewed by the BTAC and held to a higher standard. NIST also has instrument time reserved for NIST 

research or programmatic research for a consortium of institutions that builds and operates a particular 

instrument. Beam time for non-proprietary research is provided without charges; beam time for proprietary 

research is provided for full cost recovery. 

The CNST NanoFab provides access to facility tools and processes based on impact of NanoFab use and relevance 

to NIST, and technical or innovative quality and value to CNST mission. Applications are reviewed weekly, with 

project approval typically about two weeks from application submission. All NanoFab rates are based on the 

operating cost to the CNST, though non-proprietary research that advances the CNST mission may be eligible for 

reduced rates. Researchers may also collaborate with the multidisciplinary scientists and engineers in the CNST’s 

NanoLab to create and use the next generation of nanoscale measurement instruments and methods.

OBSERVATIONS: 

NIST Center for Neutron Research

• The VCAT was pleased to see the successful completion of the NCNR Expansion Project, which addresses a 

significant supply-demand mismatch in the United States. This expansion, the world class staff at the NCNR, 

and the NIST commitment to add innovative instrumentation to the existing suite of world-class instruments 

at the NCNR are key reasons why the NCNR ranks among the top three neutron research facilities in the world.

• The VCAT was pleased to learn about the nSoft consortium being launched by NCNR and MML, which is a 

positive example of how NIST is working to promote industrial utilization of this one-of-a-kind facility.
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• The VCAT also appreciates the role that the NCNR plays in supporting advanced manufacturing with new funds 

in 2014 being used to support a significant capability and capacity upgrade to the engineering diffractometer,

which is an instrument used by industry on a number of challenges including the investigation of residual 

stresses in pipes, automobile components, and aerospace parts.

Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology

• The VCAT endorses the operating model of the CNST which is designed in a way that facilitates collaboration 

with industry partners. Specifically, the provision of state of the art capabilities, full time professional staff, 

flexible access models, and multiple options for collaboration and the protection of intellectual property (IP)

make the CNST an industry friendly national facility.

• In addition to providing direct support to its users, the CNST also facilitates the access of the external 

community to the broader research capability of NIST which has helped launched new collaborations and 

partnerships to the mutual benefit of NIST and the external participants.

• The VCAT was also pleased to see the impact that CNST has in helping to train the next generation of scientists 

and engineers. While Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education is not directly a part of 

the CNST mission, the Center has had a positive effect both through the training of post-docs (25% of whom

go straight to industry), and through their proactive NanoFab Community College Internship program, which is 

helping to train the next-generation work force that is needed to support broader industrial work in 

nanotechnology.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 The VCAT endorses the strong foundation of unique facilities and world-class expertise of the Centers and 

their strong ties to industry. The VCAT recognizes the need for and recommends continuing to fund

modernization and expansion of capacity of the facilities to meet industry demand.

 The VCAT recommends that NIST continues to broaden the mechanisms of technology transfer beyond 

licenses, publications, and training, through mechanisms such as remote access and broadening the industry 

sector users.

5b. Other Partnership Models

This year VCAT reviewed NIST’s efforts to develop additional partnerships and external capacity in areas of 

national priority. These models include the NCCoE, NIST’s new Centers of Excellence program and its first Center in 

advanced materials, and the Center for Advanced Communications (CAC).

NIST’s Centers of Excellence program, first funded in FY 2013, are strategic engagements that allow NIST to carry 

out its mission by leveraging capabilities in universities and other research organizations.. The Centers of 

Excellence will provide an in-depth disciplinary environment in which NIST, academia and industry can collaborate 

in pursing research focused on innovations in measure science and development of new technology focused on 

emerging areas of national need. The first Center of Excellence will focus on advanced materials with the goal of 

reducing the time required to move materials from discovery to market through modeling and computation. By 

combining NIST's expertise and experience in materials science, materials characterization, reference data, and 

standards with leading research capabilities for designing, producing, and processing advanced materials, the 

Advanced Materials Center of Excellence will create a collaborative environment and concentration of scientific 

and technical capability to accelerate materials discovery and development; provide opportunities to transition 

new breakthroughs in advanced materials to industry, convene multidisciplinary and multi-sector communities for 

in-depth discussions; and provide training opportunities for scientists and engineers in materials metrology. In 
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December, NIST selected a consortium led by Northwestern University to establish the Center for Hierarchical 

Materials Design (CHiMaD).

The new CAC is a third new model to increase NIST’s capability and capacity for partnership and impact. A 

partnership between NIST and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the CAC

will promote interdisciplinary research, development and testing in radio frequency technology and spectrum 

sharing for public safety and commercial broadband applications. To support the CAC partnership, NIST is 

establishing a new Communications Technology Laboratory based at the Boulder campus that will be a hybrid user 

facility for test beds and R&D management capability.

OBSERVATIONS:

• The VCAT has previously endorsed the concept of NIST leveraging external partners and the general Centers of 

Excellence model. The Committee was pleased to see the launch of the first Center of Excellence, the CHiMaD, 

and looks forward to the launch of the newly funded additional Centers of Excellence.

• The VCAT strongly endorses the new organizational approach for the Communications Technology Laboratory 

since would be difficult to fit into a single existing laboratory.

RECOMMENDATION:

 The VCAT would like follow-up discussion on NIST’s selection of additional Center of Excellence areas and 

progress in refining the Center of Excellence model to ensure that they are meeting NIST needs.

6. Forensic Science

In 2013, VCAT was briefed on NIST’s efforts in forensic science, including the history of NIST’s role in forensic 

measurements, a memorandum of understanding between NIST and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to create a 

National Commission on Forensic Science, as well as the role of NIST’s laboratory programs in developing forensic 

measurement science and standards. NIST will enable measurement science and related standards to support 

scientifically valid and accurate forensic analysis in order to strengthen all aspects of our justice system. Two 

primary roles for NIST in this area are the development and application of measurement science to support 

validation of forensic measurements and the coordination of guidance to support forensic laboratories. More 

specifically, NIST will 1) co-chair the National Commission on Forensic Science, 2) administer and coordinate 

support for discipline-specific guidance groups, 3) conduct research supporting the development and 

dissemination of methods, standards, and technical guidance for forensic science measurements; and 4) test and 

validate select existing forensic science practices and standards as appropriate.

The National Commission on Forensic Science, which builds off a National Academy of Science 2009 report 

“Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States,” is co-chaired by the NIST Director Patrick Gallagher and the 

Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole of the DOJ. The Commission includes federal, state and local forensic 

science service providers; research scientists and academics; law enforcement officials; prosecutors, defense 

attorneys and judges; and other stakeholders from across the country. This breadth of experience and expertise 

reflects the many different entities that contribute to forensic science practice in the U.S. and will ensure these 

broad perspectives are represented on the commission and in its work. The Commission will assess and prioritize 

as appropriate forensic measurement methods as well as scientific guidance and protocols for evidence seizure, 

testing, and storage. 
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NIST is responsible for the administration and coordination for guidance groups that will promote scientific validity 

and reliability in forensic science. These guidance groups will replace an existing ad hoc system of scientific 

working groups that are funded by a variety of agencies and have different sizes, structures and output. The 

groups’ impact within their respective fields also varies. NIST seeks to leverage the best work of the existing 

working groups to standardize activities and output across disciplines. NIST collected public comment on the 

structure of guidance groups, and has developed a plan for the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC).

The NIST laboratories will perform research to characterize and improve the accuracy and efficacy of many forensic 

approaches, aiding practitioners by providing tools for crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis, and court 

room use of this evidence while also enabling NIST laboratories to innovate completely new approaches to forensic 

science disciplines. 

OBSERVATION:

• The VCAT recognizes the critical role of NIST in forensic science and applauds the progress to date in the 

establishment of the National Commission on Forensic Science with the DOJ. The VCAT will continue to 

monitor NIST progress in this area.

RECOMMENDATION:

 The VCAT recommends that NIST continue to strengthen the science base that supports forensic 

data/information used in the U.S. criminal justice system. The 2014 budget increase is consistent with this 

need and the Committee hopes to see growth in the future.

7. NIST Budget and Planning

7a. NIST Three-Year Programmatic Plan 2015-2017

The Committee has read and reviewed the draft NIST three-year programmatic plan as of February 2014 and 

believes that it accurately portrays the near-term path of activity and development at NIST. The Committee 

appreciates NIST management’s efforts to develop a longer-term strategic perspective of evolving agency needs 

and challenges that are evident in this programmatic plan. NIST’s longer-term priorities are evident in the three 

key perspectives of National Priorities, Long-Term Trends, and Internal Processes. By showing how NIST is growing 

capabilities in the long-term scientific and structural trends that are shaping national priorities, the NIST ThreeYear Programmatic Plan illustrates a long-term vision for NIST’s contributions towards key areas of national 

importance.
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7b. NIST Budget (Dollars in Millions)

FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015

Enacted Enacted Request

STRS $579.8 $651.0 $680.0

Laboratory Programs 517.1 578.0 597.5

Corporate Services 17.3 17.3 17.3

Stds Coord. and Spec. Prgs. 45.4 55.7 65.2

ITS $133.6 $143.0 $161.0

Advanced Manu. Tech. Consort. 10.6 15.0 15.0

Hollings Manuf. Ext. Prg. 123.0 128.0 141.0

Mfg. Innovation Inst. Coordination 5.0

CRF $55.9 $56.0 $59.0

 Const. & Major Renovations 11.8 11.8 14.8

Saf. Cap., Maint., Maj. Repairs 44.1 44.2 44.2

Total NIST Appropriation $769.3 $850.0 $900.0*

* Excludes transfer of $4.9 million from Department of Justice / Election Assistance Commission to NIST

The FY 2015 Budget Request also includes a separate Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative. At NIST, this

Initiative would provide an additional $115 million that would help strengthen NIST’s cutting edge R&D capabilities 

and facilities. The initiative would also support industry and government efforts to address today’s biggest 

challenges in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, advanced communications, forensic science, and other areas 

of critical national importance. 

A major element of the Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative is $2.4 billion for NNMI to support the 

President’s goal of creating 45 manufacturing innovation institutes over 10 years. At this time, the Administration 

is working with Congress on authorizing legislation for the program. In anticipation of authorization and funding of 

the program, NIST, through the AMNPO, has made significant progress to clarify policies and guidelines for the 

NNMI, including IP rights and institute performance metrics. In addition, through AMNPO, NIST has supported 

interagency collaboration leading to the establishment of NNMI institutes, including America Makes, the National 

Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing Innovation (LM3I) 

Institute, and the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation (DMDI) Institute supported by the Department of 

Defense (DoD), and the Next Generation Power Electronics Innovation Institute supported by the DOE. Four more 

institutes are planned for 2014, as announced by the President in the State of the Union on January 28, 2014, 

including a DOE-led Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation Institute. NIST continues to work with 

congressional leaders on bipartisan, bicameral legislation authorizing the NNMI. 

7c. FY 2013 Appropriations

The FY 2013 appropriation was an increase of $73 million over FY 2012 enacted, which became a net increase of 

$18.5 million after sequester and rescission. The VCAT endorsed NIST’s plans for allocating the program increases 

towards:

- Restoration of Core Programs ($20 million)

- Advanced manufacturing R&D ($15.2 million)

o Advanced Materials ($5.2 million)

o Biomanufacturing ($2 million)

o Nanomanufacturing ($2 million)
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o Smart Manufacturing ($2 million)

o Advanced Neutron Technologies ($2 million)

o Embedded standards ($2 million)

- Cybersecurity ($5 million)

- NIST Centers of Excellence ($7 million)

- Disaster Resilience ($2 million)

- AMTech ($7 million)

This allocation allowed NIST the flexibility to restore core programs and capabilities that were cut under the 

sequester, but retained the Administration’s support of key priorities, including manufacturing, cybersecurity, and 

disaster resilience.

7d. FY 2014 Appropriations

The FY 2014 appropriation was an increase of $81 million over FY 2013 enacted. Of this increase, $70 million is 

directed to Scientific and Technical Research and Services. These appropriations support national priorities 

including:

- Advanced manufacturing ($30 million increase), 

- Cybersecurity ($9 million increase)

o Research ($5 million increase)

o National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education ($4 million increase)

o National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence ($15 million)

- Disaster resilience ($1 million increase) 

- Forensics ($5 million)

- Greenhouse gas measurements (up to $3 million)

- Centers of Excellence, including the Center for Hierarchical Materials Design awarded in December 2013 

($15 million)

- AMTech ($5 million increase)

- MEP ($5 million increase)

7e. Impacts of Government Shutdown

The 17-day Government Shutdown in October was highly disruptive to NIST’s operations and impact. The October 

VCAT meeting, one of the three annual meetings, was cancelled due to the shutdown. Across the Gaithersburg, 

Boulder, and Charleston campuses, 253 NIST employees (8%) were “excepted” to work during the shutdown; the 

rest of the staff were furloughed and all guest researchers were barred from campus. The Shutdown delayed the 

release of the draft Cybersecurity Framework by almost two weeks, from its originally scheduled release date of 

October 10th until October 22nd, with significant negative media coverage. NIST’s user facilities were significantly 

impacted by the Shutdown: CNST’s NanoFab cancelled over 340 reservations and NCNR cancelled about 70 

experiments. These cancellations resulted in lost income for the facilities, hampering their maintenance, upgrade, 

operations, and therefore effectiveness; and in research delays, negatively impacting industry, academic, and 

government research.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 The VCAT endorses both the increase in NIST budget and the technology areas identified for increases.

 The VCAT continues to strongly support the request for full funding of the NNMI program at the requested 

level. The Committee also appreciates the recent Congressional action to enact NNMI.
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 The VCAT supports the approach that NIST is taking to make AMTech effective despite the reduced budget 

level. It is important to also continue the effort to strengthen the alignment of the extramural programs, 

particularly AMTech and NNMI programs.

 The shutdown of the NIST facility had serious detrimental impact and the VCAT recommends a means of 

ensuring continuous operation of the NIST facility.