VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY (VCAT)

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 18, 2016 MEETING

BOULDER, CO

ATTENDANCE:

Visiting Committee 

Members Attending

Adler, Allen

Brooks, Rodney

Colwell, Rita

Holt, William *

Ishak, Waguih

Padovani, Roberto *

Sizer, Theodore *

Wilson, David 

Designated Federal Officer 

Stephanie Shaw 

NIST Leadership Board 

Boehm, Jason

Celotta, Bob

Dimeo, Rob

Harary, Howard

Kayser, Rich

Kimball, Kevin

Locascio, Laurie

May, Willie

Messerly, Clyde

Olthoff, James

Orr, Dereck

Porch, Susanne

Rochford, Kent

Romine, Charles (Chuck)

Royster, Cecelia 

Saunders, Mary

Singerman, Phillip *

Thomas, Carroll

NIST Staff and Associates

Antonishek, Brian *

Banovic, Stephen *

Boisvert, Ronald

Briggman, Kimberly

Burrus, James

DelRio, Frank

Dowall, Marla

Drapela, Tim

Evans, Heather *

Fasolka, Michael

Fitzgerald, Ryan *

Frey, Mike

Genco, Sheryl

Goldstein, Barbara

Grove, Tom

Henry, Akeem *

Hickernel, Bob

Hochman, Howard

Hoergo, Jennifer *

Jillavenkatesa, Ajit *

Kelley, Mike

Ludlow, Andrew

Marcoullier, Tammi

Martinez, Serena 

Miner, Laurel

Niharger, John

Ost, Laura

Parris, Reenie

Porter, Gail

Ringen, Sonja

Robinson, Crissy

Rudman, David

Schlatter, Katie

Szakal, Christopher *

Wang, Jack

Others

Bognitz, Tom -MEP Colorado 

Manufacturer’s Edge 

*Participated Remotely
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Call to Order - Dr. Rita Colwell, VCAT Chair

Dr. Colwell called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. The Chair reviewed logistics and the meeting agenda.

OVERVIEW AND SAFETY UPDATE

NIST Update and Agenda Review – Dr. Willie E. May, Under Secretary of 

Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director

Dr. May began his update by expressing sorrow for the loss of two prominent members of NIST’s research 

staff, Dr. Katharine Gebbie and Dr. Deborah Jin.

Dr. May mentioned that two recent security incidents exposed the security deficiencies at NIST. After an audit

of NIST’s Police, Security Guard, and Foreign National Visitor programs was conducted by the Federal 

Protective Service and the DoC Office of the Inspector General, three independent security experts were asked 

to review NIST’s security requirements and practices and provide their individual input and recommendations. 

The consensus of the recommendations was to strengthen security measures at both campus, to move 

security functions higher up in the organization, and to improve the overall safety culture.

Physical security improvements have already begun at the Gaithersburg site by installing a turnstile to secure a 

major junction between public space and laboratory space; NIST is learning from this pilot and continually 

trying to make it a more effective and efficient gateway. Improvements also include expanded coverage of the 

sites through CCTV cameras, the installation of cyber locks within individual laboratories, and improvements to 

both the visitor registration and associate systems. There have been critical IT network security equipment 

upgrades. The DoC Office of Security and NIST are currently working with the DoC office of the Inspector 

General to review NIST’s Foreign Guest Researcher program. In Boulder, NIST has taken steps to improve the 

security deficiencies, such as requiring two factor authentication to access buildings, an increased number of 

security guards and patrols, and after-hours locking of service galley doors. NIST leadership also met with the 

City Staff and Congressional Delegations to discuss upgrading the security posture of NIST’s Boulder campus.

Dr. May provided an overview of the current budget status. Congress has not come to an agreement on the 

President’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request; on September 28th, a ten-week continuing resolution was passed 

authorizing NIST to spend at the same rate as the prior year until December 9th.

Dr. May next discussed a few program highlights. He first addressed the National Network for Manufacturing 

Innovation, which on September 12th Secretary Pritzker renamed to Manufacturing USA. NIST currently has an 

open-topic competition to award the Department of Commerce’s first Manufacturing Institutes; proposals have 

been submitted and are going through deliberations. NIST hopes to have at least one institute awarded by the 

end of the current administration. The Department of Defense has committed to awarding Manufacturing USA 

institutes on robots in manufacturing and on advanced tissue biofabrication. The Department of Energy is also 

adding an institute on modular chemical process intensification. 

Dr. May then gave updates on a number of programs including the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program 

and the creation of the Baldrige Cybersecurity Excellence Builder assessment tool, the Community Resilience 

Planning Guide for buildings and infrastructure systems, NIST work in forensic science, the release of a new 

SRM to support the manufacture of biologic drugs, as well as NIST’s role in voting systems and our work with 

the Election Assistance Commission in the development of voluntary voting system guidelines.

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:

- The evolution of NIST over the past few decades, its expanding scope of responsibilities, and how and 

when to refocus on core efforts.
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- Plans to address the security of NIST at the Boulder campus.

For more information, see Dr. May’s presentation.

Safety Update – Dr. Richard Kayser, Chief Safety Officer

Dr. Kayser reviewed the latest safety metrics at NIST and provided an update on two new programs: workplace 

inspections and radiation safety. NIST’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable incidents 

have stayed the same as in FY15 and the number of Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred cases went down 

by 3. There is an issue with the recordkeeping of hearing loss that Dr. Kayser promised to update VCAT on at 

the next meeting.

Dr. Kayser then updated the VCAT on NIST’s workplace inspection program, the first phase of which to spell 

out clear roles and responsibilities was implemented on October 1st. Online and classroom training is now 

available. Just since the last VCAT meeting in June, over 300 NIST staff members have been trained. The 

remaining requirements are to be completed and in effect by October 2017.

Finally, Dr. Kayser reviewed NIST’s radiation safety programs. He reminded the VCAT of the extensive efforts 

NIST has made since the plutonium contamination event in June 2008. In September 2016 the Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission (NRC) did an unannounced inspection. The outcome was high praise to all of the NIST

staff and the way NIST proactively identified and corrected issues and kept NRC informed. 

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:

- Roles and responsibilities of reporting of safety hazards and radiation safety

- What the engineering problems are and how to prevent exposure to those hazards.

For more information, see Dr. Kayser’s presentation.

CRITICAL FACETS OF THE NIST CORE

Evolution of the NIST Research Agenda – Dr. Kent Rochford, Associate Director

of Laboratory Programs

Dr. Rochford led a discussion on the importance of NIST’s fundamental R&D metrology programs and the 

recent stress on these programs stemming from the ever increasing number of non-research related mandates. 

Dr. Rochford began by stating that while other federal agencies have seen either a flat or shrinking budget, 

NIST has seen a 46% increase since 2009 in its laboratory program budget. At the same time, support for 

construction of research facilities has decreased dramatically. Dr. Rochford continued by highlighting the 

budget growth focused on addressing a number of national priorities, most predominantly manufacturing and 

cybersecurity. Funding for manufacturing has roughly doubled since 2011 and cybersecurity has tripled. During 

this time, much of NIST’s budgetary growth has been aimed at developing partnerships and collaborations and 

not to investing directly in intramural research. Dr. Rochford also highlighted that NIST has a lot of room to 

grow in several research areas. From NIST’s perspective, areas that have had some growth recently but still 

have room to achieving critical mass are advanced communications, disaster resilience, and bioscience. Lastly, 

there are endless areas where NIST could grow or start new programs. NIST is looking to the VCAT to help 

down select.

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:

- What areas should NIST focus on with the current funding levels?
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- What are some of the new areas for growth?

- What is the real NIST role?

For more information, see Dr. Rochford’s presentation.

Facility Needs of NIST’s Scientific Work – Mr. Clyde Messerly, Chief, Design and 

Construction Division, NIST Office of Facilities and Property Management 

Mr. Messerly began his presentation by stating facility deficiencies is the number one risk at NIST. Most of the 

buildings on NIST’s Boulder campus were built in the 1950’s and are in serious need of repair. There are 

currently two wings, 3 and 6, that are under renovation. NIST’s Gaithersburg site has similar issues in that twothirds of those laboratories were built in the 1960’s and are in need of repair. To list out a few of the facility 

deficiencies and the effects:

• Lack of temperature stability affects optics;

• Humidity fluctuations affects sensitive measurements;

• Vibration problems affects sensitive spatial measurements;

• Equipment from the 1950’s means that replacement parts/components are difficult to obtain.

Every 3 years, a Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) is performed, developing a metric called the Facilities 

Condition Index (FCI). An excellent rating is 95 or better, good is 90-95, fair is 85-90, and poor is anything 

below 85. The overall condition of the facilities on both of NIST’s campuses is in poor condition according to 

these metrics. Based on studies from 2013 and 2015, Boulder’s FCI is 82, and Gaithersburg’s FCI is 84 based 

on studies in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Mr. Messerly next described the status of NIST’s funding support for facilities improvements. The Federal 

Facilities Council (FFC) recommends funding of 3-4% of current replacement value, which would be $80-107M 

for NIST’s four sites. NIST’s current funding is just under $50M, far short of the FFC’s recommendations, has 

led to a $346.2M backlog of facility condition improvement projects. The largest category in this backlog is for 

mechanical-electrical system repair and replacement, totaling $209.8M. Maintaining mechanical, humidity, and 

electrical stability in the laboratories is necessary to conduct the kind of research NIST requires.

Mr. Messerly next summarized the facility renovation projects underway on both the Boulder and Gaithersburg 

campuses. 

Lastly, Mr. Messerly summarized the impacts of the condition of NIST’s facilities on its mission. A 2006 report

estimated that these conditions led to a productivity loss of about 20%. Yearly impact to the nation was 

identified as $130 million. Extrapolating that impact to today, the total impact to the nation would be $1 billion.

He reiterated that these conditions affect not only the research, but it also affects the people doing the 

research.

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:

- How to present the need to update/renovate/replace/maintain the building facilities in terms the new 

administration would understand, ie. The Radiation Physics Laboratory is responsible for maintaining 

the standard for the mammography, x-rays, etc.?

For more information, see Mr. Messerly’s presentation.

Importance of an Open Research Environment – Dr. Willie E. May, Under 

Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director
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Dr. May stated NIST’s most important program is its world-leading scientific research program, since that 

underpins the work of NIST’s other programs. NIST has 3,400 federal employees, 3,970 guest researchers and 

other NIST associates of which 1,400 are foreign guest scientists. Since 1974, NIST’s federal staff has not 

grown substantially, while NIST’s guest scientists have grown nearly tenfold. Dr. May emphasized that enacting 

extensive bans on foreign guest researchers would have a negative effect on NIST’s ability to continue to be a 

world-class scientific research laboratory. NIST needs to find a way to manage its environment and take

advantage of the best minds world-wide to carry out the NIST mission. Furthermore, Dr. May highlighted that 

NIST must address its own security issues, since an outside entity would not understand the particular 

requirements of NIST and its mission.

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:

- The question is, is NIST worried about the model of research changing aside from the security part?

- What would happen to NIST without an open research environment?

- Clarity of major decisions made by those who do not truly understand the fundamental research.

For more information, see Dr. May’s presentation.

Discussion on the Letter from the VCAT to Secretary Penny Pritzker regarding the 

upcoming Administration Transition – Dr. Rita Colwell, VCAT Chair

Dr. Colwell, the VCAT Chair, lead the discussion on the finalization of a letter report to the Secretary of 

Commerce articulating the current concerns and recommendations of the VCAT regarding NIST’s budget and 

programmatic portfolio. After finalizing the letter report in this session the VCAT unanimously voted to approve 

the letter.

UPDATE ON MAJOR PROGRAMS:

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program – Ms. Carroll Thomas,

Director, Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program

Ms. Thomas provided the VCAT with an update on MEP’s recent activities. She began with a brief reminder of 

MEP’s mission and history.

Ms. Thomas provided the VCAT with an update on the MEP Center re-competition. The entire network of MEP 

centers has been re-competed over the past 18 months to optimize funding available to centers so that it is more 

in line with the number of small and medium manufacturers that each center serves. This re-competition also 

increased the program’s focus on small and rural manufacturers. Three out of four rounds of the competition 

have been completed, with the fourth round scheduled to begin in early 2017. 

Ms. Thomas also updated the VCAT members on MEP’s efforts to embed center employees in each of the 

existing Manufacturing USA institutes in order to ensure a linkage and connection to smaller manufacturing 

clients. NIST plans for all existing Manufacturing USA institutes to have an MEP presence by January 1, 2017.

Ms. Thomas pointed out the major challenges ahead that are not in MEP’s control, including rapid technological 

change spurring “Manufacturing 4.0”, the legislated cost share, and funding to provide consistent resizing of the 

centers. What is in MEP’s control is the branding messages for the MEP centers, improving performance metrics,

and expanding MEP’s role in manufacturing ecosystems.

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:

- The measure of success with the transition from working with the “Client floor” and the CEO’s.
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- The benefit of the connecting the Manufacturing USA program with MEP. 

- Using training as a building block to strengthen the manufacturing base in the US. 

- The metrics used to track the penetration, funding, and not just the number of successes but, also the 

value and substance of the interaction.

For more information, see Ms. Thomas’ presentation.

Cybersecurity Convening Activities – Dr. Chuck Romine, Director, Information 

Technology Laboratory

Dr. Romine provided an update on NIST’s various partnership and convening activities in support of 

cybersecurity.

He began with an update on the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE). The NCCOE, DoC’s 

first Federally Funded Research and Development Center, has more than 60 CRADA partners. Since moving 

to a new facility, the NCCoE has grown from 4 laboratories to 23 with 15 active projects. The NCCoE published 

a draft practice guide; produced 2 draft technical guidance documents; 2 NIST interagency reports; and have 

held more than 10 workshops. In addition, NIST’s National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cybersecurity 

(NSTIC) program has been integrated with NCCoE.

Dr. Romine next provided an update on NIST’s cryptography program, which the VCAT reviewed in 2014. The 

VCAT recommended that NIST increase the strength of NIST’s internal capacity and capability in cryptography. 

Since 2014, NIST has addressed this recommendation by adding new staff including2 new PhDs and 3 new 

foreign guest researchers. The VCAT also recommended that NIST increase engagement with the broader 

community, including international partners. NIST has accomplished that by leading international efforts in 

quantum-resistant cryptography at the University of Waterloo, holding conferences in Japan, and interacting 

with British Standards Institution and Fraunhofer in Germany. In 2018, NIST will host the International PostQuantum Cryptography Workshop, the premier workshop in this space. The VCAT also asked to have 

clarification on NIST’s policies in cryptography, which has been accomplished with an internal report on NIST’s

cryptographic development program and procedures. Other recent accomplishments include issuing a Federal 

Register Notice on post-quantum or quantum-resistant cryptography and the draft SHA-3 Functions Guideline, 

Special Publication 800-185.

Dr. Romine next provided updates on the Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity and the 

Presidential Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. NIST reached out to stakeholders to 

understand areas where more work is needed. Two areas of high interest are in cyber threat intelligence and 

supply chain risk management. ITL is also working with the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program to 

develop a self-assessment tool to enhance use of the framework. For the Cybersecurity Commission, NIST has 

held six field hearings and testimonies, and is on track to deliver recommendations to the President by 

December 1, 2016.

Dr. Romine wrapped up with new opportunities for NIST contributions in cybersecurity, including:

• The growth in the Internet of Things, addressing the privacy implications;

• Data Analytics, improving cybersecurity;

• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, the challenge of determining the security of those kinds of 

systems and how to build systems to understand these systems;

• and National Strategic Computing Initiative, building new technologies to ensure there is security built 

in before systems are deployed.

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:
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- The Internet of Things and related privacy issues.

For more information, see Dr. Romine’s presentation.

Redefinition of the SI – Dr. Jim Olthoff, Director, Physical Measurement 

Laboratory

Dr. Olthoff provided the VCAT with an update of the ongoing process of the redefinition of the International 

System of Units (the SI). The revision of the SI, which primarily affects the kilogram, ampere, kelvin, and mole, 

is intended to allow all of the units to be realized anywhere in the world through multiple paths.

The kilogram is the last unit to still be realized by a physical object – “Le Grande K”, which resides in France. 

After the redefinition, the kilogram will be realized through two primary ways: by a watt balance, where NIST

identifies electromagnetic force with gravitational force, and by counting the number of atoms in an enriched 

silicon sphere. Dr. Olthoff highlighted NIST’s accomplishment of developing a new working watt balance in five 

years, which produced one of the three most accurate values of Planck’s constant in the world, in addition to its 

designed purpose of realizing the kilogram. 

Dr. Olthoff next reminded the VCAT about the redefinition of the ampere and the kelvin, which will be defined in 

terms of charge of the electron and the Boltzmann constant, respectively. The research performed by NIST in 

support of this redefinition are also enabling NIST to advance efforts to develop embedded, quantum-based 

sensors that don’t require calibration.

Dr. Olthoff next described the major milestones of the redefinition. By July 1, 2017, all values for the constants 

to be redefined have to be submitted to the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA), which 

is the organization that determines the values of the physical constants. CODATA is expected to do the 

redefinition or recalculation of the values at that time. Then, in the fall of 2018 the General Conference on 

Weights and Measures will approve the redefinition, which will be implemented on World Metrology Day in May 

of 2019.

NIST will then take a number of steps to promulgate the redefinition through its measurement services and 

products. This includes a full analysis of the impact on all of the NIST calibration services. NIST is also working 

on international education and publicity efforts and developing materials for direct communication with its

customers to know what to do and where to get help. 

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:

- A funding opportunity to develop a documentary film, as part of the communication effort;

- The simplest, clearest way to teach the redefinition to the public through textbooks.

For more information, see Dr. Olthoff’s presentation.

Communications Technology Laboratory – Mr. Dereck Orr, Communications 

Technology Laboratory

Mr. Orr gave a brief update on recent work of the Communications Technology Laboratory, describing efforts in 

Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR) and National Advanced Spectrum and 

Communications Test Network (NASCTN).

Mr. Orr reminded the VCAT that NIST was provided $300 million over six years to perform research and 

development in support of a nationwide public safety LTE network. To execute this research, the PSCR will 

fund a number of programs throughout NIST to meet particular challenges that public safety face and how 

NIST is going to take advantage of the broadband network. PSCR will also continue to convene stakeholders in 
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the public safety arena, industry, and academia through a consortium. At one point, NIST had above 75 

industry partners, which allowed PSCR to build a complex LTE test network. NIST has funded NASA to utilize 

the prize challenge contract vehicles while building that infrastructure within NIST. NIST will also use grants 

and cooperative agreements to get academia and industry involved in the basic research.

A primary challenge for public safety is the inability to track each other or assets when they go inside of 

buildings. PSCR has convened a working group to create a roadmap for public safety location-based services. 

NIST has funded three internal projects; two in ITL and one in PML to create a new standard on indoor 

localization and tracking and if this works it will be replicated outside of NIST. In the Time and Frequency 

Division, enhanced 3D geolocation is being looked at especially in ultra-wideband technologies.

In March 2015, NIST published a roadmap for developing analytics to leverage the flood of data that will be 

produced by this new network. NIST also held a summit in August of 2016 to look for opportunities on how this 

information can assist and not hinder public safety in their operations.

Mr. Orr next provided the VCAT an update on NASCTN. The NASCTN was created to be a neutral, third-party 

organization to provide trusted data to help inform future spectrum policy with other federal partners, such as 

Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, National Telecommunications and Information 

Administration, and NIST. NASCTN initiated three significant spectrum-sharing projects, the waveform 

measurements of radars operating in the 3.5 GHz band; out-of-band emissions measurements of LTE devices 

operating in the AWS-3 band; and the impact of LTE signals on GPS receivers.

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topics:

- Fundamental research in measurement capabilities around millimeter waves and mobility in 5G and 

beyond;

- Fundamental measurement science capabilities in microwave metrology.

For more information, see Mr. Orr’s presentation.

Closing Thoughts – Dr. Willie E. May, Under Secretary of Commerce for 

Standards and Technology and NIST Director

Dr. May reminded the VCAT of the priorities he presented to them when he became NIST Director in 2014: 

• Fill key senior leadership vacancies;

• Work with the senior leadership to continue to strengthen the NIST safety and security culture;

• Completing the successful implementation of the new technical programs;

• Enhancing current and new capabilities to enhance mission delivery;

• Strengthen the MEP program and continue to connect them to the laboratory programs;

• Addressing the long-term sustainability of the Baldrige Program;

• Support the Secretary with innovation agenda, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of NIST’s

internal operations – hire the correct people in a timely fashion; and

• Increasing staff engagement in the direction and implementation of NIST programs.

Dr. May specifically asked the VCAT to help in determining strategies for establishing and sustaining a healthy 

NIST. He also asked the VCAT to help ensure goals and expectations are met in the areas of disaster 

resilience, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and advanced communications. In the future, NIST would 

like the VCAT to continue to examine the measurement service program and advise on the effectiveness of its 

international engagement programs.
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Dr. May concluded by stating that NIST has become a key player in the administration’s innovation team and is 

the nation’s go-to agency for measurements, standards, and technology and NIST would not be where NIST is

without the support of the VCAT.

Discussion: 

The group discussed the following topic:

- The consideration of a 6-year appointment for the Director of NIST taking the NIST Director out of the 

political arena; a change in legislation.

For more information, see Dr. May’s presentation.

Administrative Business

Dr. Colwell reminded VCAT that they need to produce a report by the end of February, and that a main focus of 

the report should be on recommendations for balancing core research and efforts of NIST to ensure that other 

forms of service to the nation are not overwhelming one or the other. Dr. Colwell also enquired how the VCAT 

could help with educating the new administration on the important role of NIST. Because of the traditional 

timing of the VCAT report, the VCAT members discussed whether shorter topic specific papers might be a 

more-timely approach for informing incoming policy makers.

There were no public comments offered.

Adjournment

Given there will be a change in administration on January 20, 2017, the VCAT expressed their appreciation for 

the incredible leadership that Dr. May has provided to NIST. The VCAT is impressed with Dr. May’s dedication 

to NIST over the decades and wish him the best in the future. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM. 

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, the forgoing minutes are accurate and complete.

Stephanie Shaw, Designated Federal Officer, NIST Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology

Dr. Rita Colwell, Chair, NIST Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology