Executive Director’s Recommendation

Commission Meeting: April 5, 2018

PROJECT

Draft Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology

100 Bureau Drive

Gaithersburg, Maryland

SUBMITTED BY

United States Department of Commerce

REVIEW AUTHORITY

Approval of Master Plans for use by the 

Commission

per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(a) and (b)(1)

NCPC FILE NUMBER

MP23

NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER

3115.10(05.00)44725

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Approval of comments on draft 

master plan

PROPOSED ACTION

Approve comments on draft master 

plan

ACTION ITEM TYPE

Staff Presentation

PROJECT SUMMARY

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Gaithersburg campus is a beautiful 

setting, featuring a rolling terrain dotted with trees and wooded areas. There are 62 buildings and 

structures, totaling over 3.6 million gross square feet of space and housing approximately 4,000 

personnel (both employees and associates). Approximately half of the permanent buildings are 

now more than 50 years old.

The master plan provides for the modernization of aging, inefficient buildings and accommodates 

the anticipated growth in research programs over the next 20 years. The campus plan includes 

approximately 1.4 million gross square feet of new facilities and 15 building renovations. Many 

of the proposed projects are required to address existing campus deficiencies rather than future 

program needs driven by growth. The master plan offers a framework for accomplishing NIST’s 

goals of meeting anticipated scientific program growth, enhancing the Gaithersburg campus, 

providing appropriate facilities, encouraging professional collaboration and advancing sustainable 

practices. The emphasis is on research buildings - upgrading existing laboratory buildings and 

infrastructure to support current and future research, and adding new facilities needed for planned 

programs.

KEY INFORMATION

• The last time the Commission reviewed a master plan for the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology (NIST) was in 2009, which included many projects from its predecessor 

1972 plan. Many of the projects have since been constructed.

• Most of the projects in the draft campus plan are intended to meet today’s research needs 

rather than future projected needs.
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• The campus plan includes two projects that were recently reviewed by the Commission –

the Building 245 Radiation Physics Laboratory rehabilitation and addition (July/September

2017) and new ground solar array installation (February 2018).

• The City of Gaithersburg submitted comments that are supportive of the National Institute 

of Standards and Technology’s draft master plan. In particular, the City appreciates the 

plan’s focus on pedestrian and green infrastructure, as well as traffic flow and entrance 

queuing improvements. City staff had the opportunity to provide comments during the 

development of the draft, and the plan was presented to the City Planning Board in February 

2018.

• The NIST Gaithersburg campus is one of two research campuses under the administration 

of the United States Department of Commerce. The other campus is located in Boulder, 

Colorado.

RECOMMENDATION

The Commission:

Approves the following comments on the draft campus plan for the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology (NIST) Gaithersburg campus.

Supports the Alternative F development concept, which concentrates new development in the 

campus center (historic core) to facilitate research; preserves the campus’s open space character; 

and adds more programmable outdoor spaces to facilitate professional collaboration.

Finds that Alternative F most successfully provides for NIST’s research mission, while preserving 

the historic campus core and integrating new sustainable development measures.

Historic Preservation

Notes that the Maryland Historic Trust (State Historic Preservation Office) has determined the 

campus is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places “for its association with 

events that made important contributions to the broad patterns of history under the Science and 

Technology and Postwar Research Campus Design themes, and as a recognizable entity that 

embodies the characteristic of Post War Research Campus design.”

Finds that Alternative F best preserves the campus core’s existing grid pattern of development, 

formal landscape, large-scale monumental buildings, and general/specialized laboratories, 

identified as hallmarks of postwar research campus design.

Commends NIST’s careful consideration of the campus’s unique historic character throughout the 

planning and design process.
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Sustainability

Supports the National Institute of Standards & Technology’s effort to meet federal and State 

sustainability goals at its Gaithersburg campus through integrated, campus-wide strategies related 

to stormwater management, landscaping, and energy-efficiency.

Finds that all of the proposed alternatives, including Alternative F, convert significant amounts of 

manicured property to new forests and meadows; identify a campus-wide system of rain gardens, 

bioswales, and planter boxes; and identify future solar panel installations and net-zero energy 

buildings.

Access/Transportation

Supports NIST’s plans to develop a new pedestrian promenade between the adjacent Corridor 

Cities Transitway station and campus core, new interior campus trail network, additional 

sidewalks/crosswalks, bikeshare stations, and new external bicycle trails to encourage pedestrian, 

bicycle, and transit travel.

Supports the planned development of Gate F to accommodate future commercial vehicle 

inspections, shipping/receiving, and conference visitor screening based on site compatibility.

Requests that NIST continue refining the project’s design to minimize impacts to the campus 

setting and off-site neighborhoods through landscaping, reconfiguring access roads, and light 

control measures.

Notes that NIST will improve its overall parking ratio from 1:1.5 to 1:1.9 with the implementation 

of the campus plan. The proposed ratio for federal employees, who comprise approximately 70

percent of the total population on campus, is 1:2. The proposed ratio for non-federal employees 

(contractors, guest researchers), who comprise 30 percent of the total population, is 1:1.7.

Requests that NIST prioritize development of a detailed Travel Demand Management plan with 

future mode share goals, program implementation steps/schedules, and regular commuter travel 

monitoring program for both federal and non-federal employees. The TDM plan should contain

programs, strategies, goals, and implementation information specifically directed at encouraging 

more sustainable travel behavior by non-federal employees. 

Requeststhat NIST submit a transportation progress report to NCPC for review prior to submitting 

the new parking garage and Building 411 lot expansion projects with the following information:

• Status of programs included in the future NIST Travel Demand Management plan, which 

demonstrate progress towards attaining future non-single occupant vehicle mode share 

goals; and

• Travel trend information based on commuter surveys given between 2016 and most recent 

survey prior to submission of the new garage and Building 411 lot expansion projects.
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PROJECT REVIEW TIMELINE

Previous actions None.

Remaining actions

(anticipated)

July/September 2018 – Final master plan approval

PROJECT ANALYSIS

Executive Summary

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has submitted a draft campus plan for NCPC’s 

review. In general, the plan articulates a reasonable balance between accommodating future 

growth, preserving the campus’s historic nature, and attaining federal and State sustainability 

goals. The NIST campus plan goals and objectives appear to be generally consistent with many 

policies articulated in the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, staff 

recommends that the Commission approve comments on the draft campus plan for the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Gaithersburg campus.

Background

Existing Conditions

The National Institute of Standards & Technology spans 579 acres in central Montgomery County, 

surrounded by the incorporated City of Gaithersburg, Maryland. The campus is bordered by 

Quince Orchard Road along its west-side, West Diamond Avenue along its north-side, Interstate 

270 along its northeast-side, Muddy Branch Road along its east-side, and private residential 

development and forested property owned by the Izaak Walton League to the south. The daytime 

worker population is 4,007, with an average of 250 visitors per day. In addition, NIST hosts 

approximately 75-80 conferences a year, ranging in size from 3-650 attendees. The Gaithersburg 

campus is one of two research campuses under the administration of the Department of Commerce, 

with a mission to “promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing 

measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and 

improve our quality of life.” 

The campus is divided into five basic land use areas, with service-oriented development situated 

along the western side (Quince Orchard Road) of campus; historic research-oriented development 

in the center of campus; specialty research in the south; forestland in the southwest; and manicured 

open space (with clusters of trees) along the northern, northeastern, and eastern sides of campus. 

Open space (448 acres) makes up approximately 77% of the total campus area, with development 

(75 acres) occupying approximately 13% of the campus and forested property (56 acres) occupying 

10% of the campus area.
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The entire NIST campus has been determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of 

Historic Places by the Maryland Historic Trust based on its design as a mid-century modern 

research campus. The campus plan identifies a number of characteristics that define the historic

campus setting and International architectural style of the buildings. Historic campus 

characteristics include a formal landscape, ample parking, large-scale monumental buildings, and 

general/specialized laboratories, identified as hallmarks of postwar research campus design. 

Historic building features include curtain-wall construction, ample use of glass, clean monolithic 

forms and minimal ornamentation. Twenty-five of the 62 existing buildings/structures are over 50 

years old, with five (5) buildings constructed in the 1970’s, two (2) buildings constructed in the 

1980’s, six (6) buildings constructed in the 1990’s, and twenty-four (24) buildings constructed 

since 2000.

The campus has six gates (A-F), four of which are routinely used and the other two only 

intermittently used. The full service main gate (Gate A) is located along West Diamond Avenue 

(in the north), used by employees and visitors. There are three gates along Quince Orchard Road 

(Gates B, C, and D) and two gates along Muddy Branch Road (Gates E and F). Gate D is normally 

closed, Gate C is for inbound-only commercial delivery and employee traffic, and Gate D is for 

existing employee traffic only during afternoon/evening hours. Gate E is normally closed and Gate 

F is used by both employees and larger visiting groups for conferences.

The campus has 2,672 employee parking spaces (equating to a 1:1.5 ratio), 769 visitor/conference 

attendee spaces, 229 service spaces, and 34 short-term spaces. There are few bicycle racks oncampus, and a discontinuous sidewalk network within the historic core area. One of the notable 

features of the campus core development is its indoor pedestrian concourse that links each original 

General Purpose Laboratory (GPL) buildings. Externally, the campus is served by two NIST 

shuttle routes, one that provides service between Building 101 (Main Administration Building) 

and Shady Grove Metrorail station (15 minutes one-way travel) and one that provides service 

between Building 101 and the closest commuter rail station (7 minutes one-way). Montgomery 

County bus service (Ride-On) provides direct on-site service to Building 101 with one route, and 

two routes serving stops outside of the campus near the main gate (Gate A). Quince Orchard 

Avenue, West Diamond Avenue and Muddy Branch Road all have existing shared-use bicycle 

trails/sidewalks within their right-of-ways.

NIST identifies a number of considerations that the campus plan intends to address including:

• Laboratory Environmental Control. Much of the research on the campus requires precise 

performance and measurements, which demand very controlled environments - rigorous 

temperature and humidity control, vibration stability, air cleanliness and quality electric 

power.

• Aging Buildings and Infrastructure. Twenty-five buildings remain from the initial campus 

construction, with engineering systems that are well past their service life.

• Public Facilities. Conferences and professional visits bring many people to the campus and 

Building 101 facilities, at a time when security requirements are more of a concern. Previous 

studies propose improvements to food service on campus, as well as recommendations for 

changes to the conference center, library and visitor-use services.
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• Historic District Context. As eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places 

as a historic district, all improvements should comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s 

Standards for the Treatment of Historic Preservation to the degree possible.

• Stormwater Management. Future planning must reduce runoff from existing impervious 

surfaces and offset any addition, using structural or bio-retention approaches.

• Transit linkages. Maryland’s Corridor Cities Transitway is planning a bus rapid transit 

(BRT) alignment between the Shady Grove Metro Station (along the NIST campus’s westside) and the Metropolitan Grove commuter rail station in an initial phase. The project will 

require various changes to NIST property to accommodate the facility, including relocation 

of Gate C.

• Campus Circulation. The gates around the campus perimeter experience frequent 

congestion at peak times, with limited queuing and turnaround space.

• Security. Most commercial vehicles currently enter at Gate C, with a lack of queuing space 

and inspection facilities. In addition, there are no facilities to screen visitors’ or staff 

vehicles.

• Parking. Parking capacity and distribution must be a balanced approach, considering 

campus functions, employee commuting patterns, conference surge, public transportation 

opportunities, and community and environmental considerations.

Future Conditions

The campus plan assumes a population growth of 1,099 additional employees over the next 20 

years (to a total population of 5106), with a projected need of 1.4 million gross feet of new space 

(renovated and new construction) to fulfil NIST’s research mission in the future. Approximately 

37% of the future space is planned as administrative office space, 13% is planned as

service/support space, and 50% is planned as research-dedicated space. The campus plan bases 

projected population and space need assumptions on previous studies of historic data. The campus 

plan notes that a significant majority of the new space is necessary to accommodate current 

research needs.

In an effort to focus future development within the historic core area, NIST developed six potential 

future development concepts that would attain its planning goals, with varying concentrations of 

research and administration space interwoven throughout the core. The preferred NIST concept 

(F) adds new office space within existing General Purpose Laboratory buildings, thereby 

dedicating all new construction space solely to research uses. In addition, Concept F is one of two 

concepts (B and F) that best replicate the historic core development pattern along the interior 

pedestrian concourse, without extending beyond the historic boundary of the core. With the 

exception of Concept F, all other concepts (A-E) show the new administrative space as new 

construction, and some of the concepts show new development extending beyond the historic core 

area boundary. Each of the concepts redevelop (remove) surface core parking to different degrees; 

however, Concepts D and F maximize surface parking redevelopment.

The campus plan includes campus-wide strategies related to stormwater management, 

sustainability, and operational efficiency, designed to enable NIST to achieve a number of 

planning goals as follows:
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• Increase total forest land area to 15% based on Maryland-National Capital Park and 

Planning standards and total tree canopy area to 40% by 2025 based on Maryland state 

standards;

• Treat 20% of all future impervious surface area runoff based on Maryland state standards;

• Reduce nutrient and sediment stormwater runoff loads equivalent to treatment of 20% of 

pre-1985 impervious surface area by 2025 based on Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act 

standards;

• Attain the following NIST building performance goals:

o Daylighting for 75% of all regularly-occupied interior building space

o 30% of hot water needs met by solar technology

o 30% electric energy from renewable sources by FY25

o Reduce energy intensity by 25% by FY 25.

To preserve the campus’s historic qualities, in addition to adhering to the Secretary of the Interior’s 

Standards for Rehabilitation, the campus plan includes a number of additional strategies to help 

preserve its history. Some of the strategies are as follows:

• Ensuring that a number of significant views across the campus remain unimpeded with

proposed improvements;

• Maintaining all primary building entrances on the short sides of the General Purpose 

Laboratory buildings - on the spines and/or facing the roads – with entrances clearly marked 

and be visible from a distance;

• Maintaining the existing interior concourse (within the historic core) that connects the 

original General Purpose Laboratory buildings by siting new construction accordingly;

• Identifying “design language zones” (historic core, new development, existing site) with 

guidelines for landscaping, materials, and amenities;

• Creating a NIST Design Review Board to review and approve major capital improvements

to buildings and grounds, establishing a predictable process for assuring that projects are 

consistent the campus plan, Section 106 historic review process, and NIST 

standards/mission goals.

The campus plan shows 25 total future projects, developed in three sequential phases (Immediate, 

Next Step, Program Expansion), with some projects listed as part of a fourth Independent Phase. 

Two notable projects (both included in the Immediate Phase 1) will redevelop Gate A and Gate F 

to better accommodate future commercial deliveries, shipping and receiving, and conference 

visitors. NIST considered three different alternative concepts for Gate A, with the NIST-preferred 

concept shown in the campus plan. The preferred Gate A concept allows for more thorough, 

convenient screening and processing of visitors and their vehicles compared to the existing facility.

The Gate F development would accommodate a relocated (from Gate C) commercial vehicle 

inspection, shipping/receiving, and larger visitor groups (conference attendees) with a dedicated 

visitor center, inspection area, shipping/receiving building, and security booth. NIST considered 

four separate Gate F concepts with varying numbers of access points, and combined and separate 
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visitor and commercial delivery handling facilities. The NIST-preferred Gate F concept is included 

in the campus plan. 

Based on NIST’s employment population change, the campus plan proposes to increase employee 

parking (over the next 20 years) based on NCPC’s 1:2 ratio goal. The NCPC Comprehensive Plan 

specifies that the 1:2 ratio is appropriate for the NIST campus, with its proximity to High 

Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) facility access along Interstate 270. Although the NIST plan notes that 

its future parking calculation is based on only part (70%) of the total on-campus employment 

population based on NIST’s interpretation of the parking ratio policy since contractors and guest 

researchers are not federal employees. Non-federal workers may not be eligible to participate in 

various travel demand management programs available to workers appointed to federal positions. 

Therefore, the campus plan proposes to increase NIST’s parking supply by 125 spaces to 

accommodate the campus’s additional non-federal population, which equates to a 1:1.7. Overall, 

the campus will improve from a 1:1.5 to a 1:1.9 ratio, with a total space increase of 275 for both 

federal and non-federal workers.

Analysis

Alternative F Development Concept

The Alternative F development concept is the best combination of replicating the historic core 

development pattern, respecting the traditional boundary of the historic center, and adding new 

space for research purposes. The concept dedicates all new construction to research purposes in 

support of NIST’s research-oriented mission. In addition, Concept F focuses a majority of new 

development in the campus core, which helps preserve much of the campus’s open space, 

consolidates employee parking (into a new garage), and creates more opportunities for 

programmable spaces. Outdoor spaces are viewed as helpful to facilitating professional 

collaboration and improving the usability of the campus. Therefore, staff recommends that the

Commission support the Alternative F development concept, which concentrates new 

development in the campus center (historic core) to facilitate research; preserves the 

campus’s open space character; and adds more programmable outdoor spaces to facilitate 

professional collaboration. Furthermore, staff recommends that the Commission find that 

Alternative F most successfully provides for NIST’s research mission, while preserving the 

historic campus core and integrating new sustainable development measures.

Historic Preservation

The NIST Gaithersburg campus was designed by Voorhees Walker Smith Smith and Haines, who 

designed the Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey, as a modern suburban research campus in the 

early 1960’s. The campus is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places “for its 

association with events that made important contributions to the broad patterns of history under 

the Science and Technology and Postwar Research Campus Design themes, and as a recognizable 

entity that embodies the characteristic of Post War Research Campus design.” Therefore, staff 

recommends that the Commission note that the Maryland Historic Trust (State Historic 

Preservation Office) has determined the campus is eligible for inclusion in the National 

Register of Historic Places “for its association with events that made important contributions 
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to the broad patterns of history under the Science and Technology and Postwar Research 

Campus Design themes, and as a recognizable entity that embodies the characteristic of Post 

War Research Campus design.”

The NIST-preferred Alternative F development concept is one of two concepts (B and F) that 

effectively replicates the historic core development pattern along the interior pedestrian concourse, 

without extending beyond the historic boundary of the core. Additionally, the concept respects the

core’s character-defining features, including its grid pattern of development, formal landscape, 

ample parking, large-scale monumental buildings, and general/specialized laboratories. Therefore, 

staff recommends that the Commission find that Alternative F best preserves the campus’s 

existing grid pattern of development, formal landscape, ample parking, large-scale 

monumental buildings, and general/specialized laboratories, identified as hallmarks of 

postwar research campus design. Furthermore, staff recommends that the Commission 

commend NIST’s careful consideration of the campus’s unique historic character 

throughout the planning and design process.

Sustainability

As previously described, the campus plan is designed to attain a number of planning goals that 

will improve the natural environment, operational efficiency, and energy security. Notable 

strategies include a campus-wide system of stormwater management features; conversion of large 

areas of lawn/manicured area to forests and meadows; establishment of a water quality bank; and 

campus retrofit of energy saving/generation projects. In particular, the new development will be 

designed based on the latest energy-efficiency standards, and the new Gate F development will be 

designed to attain the “net-zero” energy standard. Therefore, staff recommends that the 

Commission support the National Institute of Standards & Technology’s effort to meet 

federal and State sustainability goals at its Gaithersburg campus through integrated, 

campus-wide strategies related to stormwater management, landscaping, and energyefficiency. Furthermore, staff recommends that the Commission find that all of the proposed 

alternatives, including Alternative F, convert significant amounts of manicured property to 

new forests and meadows; identify a campus-wide system of rain gardens, bioswales, and 

planter boxes; and identify future solar panel installations and net-zero energy buildings.

Access/Transportation

The campus plan reflects a substantive effort to improve pedestrian conditions through a new eastwest promenade (between a future Corridor Cities Transitway station adjacent to the NIST campus

and its core), a new multi-use trail network, and additional sidewalks/crosswalks. The new 

promenade will feature a robust streetscape with additional landscaping and street furniture. In 

addition, all three roads adjacent to NIST have existing designated bicycle routes within their rightof-ways. Notable planned bicycle improvements are a new trail connection between the existing 

West Diamond Avenue and Muddy Branch Road routes, and a new trail extension north along 

Quince Orchard Road adjacent to the future CCT alignment. Therefore, staff recommends that the 

Commission support NIST’s plans to develop a new pedestrian promenade between the 

adjacent Corridor Cities Transitway station and campus core, new interior campus trail 
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network, additional sidewalks/crosswalks, bikeshare stations, and new external bicycle trails 

to encourage pedestrian, bicycle, and transit travel.

Relocation of the Gate C commercial delivery, inspection, and shipping/receiving operation to 

Gate F is advisable based on the availability of land and traffic conditions along Muddy Branch 

Road. The current operation does not meet current federal security standards in its present location, 

and the current operation adversely impacts traffic flow along Quince Orchard Road, which is 

busier than Muddy Branch Road. Consideration was given to developing Gate E with a new 

inspection/delivery facility; however, existing utilities prohibit that move. Therefore, staff 

recommends that the Commission support the planned development of Gate F to accommodate 

future commercial vehicle inspections, shipping/receiving, and conference visitor screening 

based on site compatibility.

Although redevelopment of Gate F to accommodate future commercial deliveries/inspections/

conference visitor processing is reasonable, the size and scale of the facility should be minimized 

to reduce its potential impact to campus open space and views. This is particularly important with 

existing residential development on the other side of Muddy Branch Road, directly across from 

Gate F. NIST should continue to refine the project concept with additional landscaping, access 

road reconfigurations, and light control measures. Therefore, staff recommends that the 

Commission request that NIST continue refining the project’s design to minimize impacts to 

the campus setting and off-site neighborhoods through landscaping, reconfiguring access 

roads, and light control measures.

The campus plan distinguishes between federal and non-federal employees (researchers, 

contractors), thereby applying NCPC’s applicable 1:2 Comprehensive Plan goal for the campus to 

federal employees only. Approximately 70% of the campus’s total employment is federal. Based 

on NIST’s future projected non-federal employee population and future parking demand for these 

workers, the plan proposes to increase campus parking by 125, resulting in a parking ratio 

improvement from 1:1.5 to 1:1.7. Overall, the NIST plan will improve the campus ratio from 1:1.5 

to 1:1.9. Therefore, staff recommends that the Commission note that NIST will improve its 

overall parking ratio from 1:1.5 to 1:1.9 with the implementation of the campus plan. The 

proposed ratio for federal employees, who comprise approximately 70 percent of the total 

population on campus, is 1:2. The proposed ratio for non-federal employees (contractors,

guest researchers), who comprise 30 percent of the total population, is 1:1.7.

The NIST plan lists a number of future Travel Demand Management (TDM) strategies including: 

operating a shuttle with more campus coverage, installing additional secured bicycle 

parking/storage facilities, implementing a parking permit system, and developing a more detailed 

TDM plan. A recent commuter survey for the campus shows NIST with an 84% “single occupant 

vehicle” mode share. In recognition of the planned CCT and its potential accessibility 

improvements, a consultant assessed future campus employee commuting patterns using Census 

Transportation Planning Products data. The study concludes that the CCT would not significantly 

benefit most NIST employees since many do not currently live near future CCT station sites, nor 

connecting services such as commuter rail. However, the Gaithersburg area’s changing land use

patterns, with multiple mixed-use developments (with housing) and planned transportation 
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improvements, may result in a sizable redistribution of NIST employees in the future. As such, 

NIST should recognize the potential opportunity to reduce parking further at its Gaithersburg 

campus and benefit from associated environmental, construction, security, and maintenance cost 

reductions.

NIST should prioritize development of its future TDM plan with mode share goals, program 

implementation steps/schedules, and regular employee commuter travel monitoring in support of 

the future CCT facility and planned local area development. In particular, the TDM should also 

identify feasible strategies directed at encouraging more sustainable travel behavior by its nonfederal employees, with detailed information on work duration, place of residence, barriers to 

commuting via non-SOV modes, and TDM program availability to these workers. NCPC staff 

notes that the Commission’s parking ratio policy pertains to general employee populations, and 

does not differentiate between federal and non-federal workers. Therefore, staff recommends that 

the Commission request that NIST prioritize development of a detailed Travel Demand 

Management plan with future mode share goals, program implementation steps/schedules, 

and regular commuter travel monitoring program for both federal and non-federal 

employees. The TDM plan should contain programs, strategies, goals, and implementation 

information specifically directed at encouraging more sustainable travel behavior by nonfederal employees. 

In recognition that future planned development and transportation improvements near the NIST 

campus may result in a sizable employee residential distribution shift (and reduced parking 

demand), staff recommends that the Commission request that NIST submit a transportation 

progress report to NCPC for review prior to submitting the new parking garage and 

Building 411 lot expansion projects with the following information:

• Status of programs included in the future NIST Travel Demand Management plan, 

which demonstrate progress towards attaining future non-single occupant vehicle 

mode share goals; and

• Travel trend information based on commuter surveys given between 2016 and most 

recent survey prior to submission of the new garage and Building 411 lot expansion

projects.

CONFORMANCE TO EXISTING PLANS, POLICIES AND RELATED GUIDANCE

Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital

The campus plan is generally consistent with the policies established in The Comprehensive Plan 

for the National Capital, including those related to historic preservation, sustainability, and the 

federal environment.
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National Historic Preservation Act

The entire NIST campus has been determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of 

Historic Places by the Maryland Historic Trust. New construction and work to existing buildings 

should comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic 

Properties to the degree possible. Adoption of the Secretary’s Standards for new construction, will 

assure architectural compatibility in scale, massing, size, and overall design with existing historic 

building stock and landscapes. In consultation with MHT, NIST believes that consistency with the 

Standards may result in a finding of no adverse effects under 36 CFR 800. The ten Secretary’s 

Standards outline an approach to facilitate the continued use of historic properties and to new 

construction while retaining character-defining design features. The Standards are accompanied 

by guidelines for general and specific rehabilitation strategies. NIST has indicated that should an 

adverse effect be determined, they will coordinate with MHT to develop a Programmatic 

Agreement to mitigate any identified adverse effects. For federal projects located outside of the 

District of Columbia, NCPC does not have a review responsibility under the National Historic 

Preservation Act.

National Environmental Policy Act

NIST is preparing an EA to analyze the campus plan with two alternatives – an action alternative 

that analyzes the “preferred” development scenario and a “no action” alternative. NIST is currently 

accepting public comments until March 31st, and has committed to accepting NCPC’s draft 

campus plan comments (from its April meeting) in lieu of regular staff comments. The final 

campus plan submission to NCPC will include the final EA and FONSI. For federal projects 

located outside of the District of Columbia, NCPC does not have a review responsibility under the 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

CONSULTATION

NCPC referred out the draft campus plan submission to the Maryland Department of Planning 

clearinghouse on January 9, 2018, and the submission was transmitted to the Maryland Department 

of Transportation, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Department of Natural 

Resources, Maryland Historic Trust, Montgomery County, and Maryland-National Capital Park 

and Planning Commission (Montgomery County). As of the writing of this staff report, NCPC has 

not received any comments from the clearinghouse.

Separately, NIST submitted a copy of the draft master plan to the City of Gaithersburg for review 

and comment. Representatives of NIST also presented the plan to the Mayor and City Council on 

February 5, 2018. As evidenced by feedback from the Mayor and City Council following the 

presentation, the City greatly values NIST’s presence, and views this plan as a great model of 

sustainability and environmental consciousness. In particular, the City appreciates the plan’s focus 

on pedestrian and green infrastructure, as well as traffic flow and entrance queuing improvements. 

City Staff had the opportunity to provide comments during the development of the draft, and is of 

the opinion that the plan is compatible with the adjoining Master Plan of the City of Gaithersburg 
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and concurs with the goals and conclusions outlined in the draft plan. These comments were 

transmitted to NCPC staff via e-mail on March 14, 2018.

ONLINE REFERENCE

The following supporting documents for this project are available online:

• Submission Letter

• Draft Environmental Assessment

• Draft NIST Campus Master Plan

Prepared by Michael Weil

03/29/2018

POWERPOINT (ATTACHED)
Submitted by the United States Department of Commerce

Draft Review

Project Synopsis

National Institute of Standards & Technology

Master Plan

Gaithersburg, Maryland

_______________
2

Project Information

Project Summary:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Gaithersburg campus is a beautiful setting, featuring a rolling terrain dotted with trees and wooded areas. There are 62 

buildings and structures, totaling over 3.6 million gross square feet of space and housing approximately 4,000 personnel (both employees and associates). Approximately half of 

the permanent buildings are now more than 50 years old, although two significant facilities were built in the last 20 years: the Advanced Chemical Sciences Laboratory (ACSL) and 

the Advanced Measurement Laboratory Complex (AML). Additionally, NIST has constructed several smaller buildings and additions within the last 10 years for specialty research 

and support operations.

The Master Plan provides for the modernization of aging, inefficient buildings and accommodates the anticipated growth in research programs over the next 20 years. 

Approximately 1.4 million gross square feet of new facilities will be added and 15 buildings will be renovated. Many of the proposed elements are needed today, and are not the 

result of program driven growth. The Master Plan offers a framework for accomplishing NIST’s goals of meeting anticipated scientific program growth, enhancing the Gaithersburg 

campus, providing appropriate facilities, encouraging professional collaboration and advancing sustainable practices. The emphasis is on research buildings— upgrading existing

laboratory buildings and infrastructure to support current and future research, and adding new facilities needed for planned programs.

The Master Plan concentrates new research buildings in the central campus core, where most of the existing laboratories buildings are located, including the seven original general 

purpose laboratories and the main administrative building. The building configurations follow a regular pattern, linked by an interior pedestrian concourse. The new building 

configurations and locations build upon that historic pattern, and connect into the interior pedestrian concourses. New specialty laboratory buildings are placed outside the core, 

and the existing special purpose laboratories are planned for renovations and additions as part of the 20-year Plan. Other campus recommendations improve security, upgrade 

infrastructure and encourage collaboration.

Commission meeting date: April 5, 2018

NCPC review authority: Approval of Master Plans for use by the Commission (40 U.S.C. § 8722(a) and (b)(1))

Applicant request: Draft Review

Delegated / consent / open / executive session: Open Session

NCPC Review Officer: Michael Weil

NCPC File number: MP23
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Campus Location
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Surrounding Context
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Existing Campus
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Existing Campus
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Existing Campus
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Existing Campus
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Existing Campus
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Existing Campus
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Existing Campus
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Campus Plan Goals / Highlights

Goals Highlights
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Potential Future Central Core Development Concepts
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Potential Future Central Core Development Concepts
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Potential Future Central Core Development Concepts
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Potential Future Central Core Development Concepts
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Potential Future Central Core Development Concepts
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Potential Future Central Core Development Concepts

NIST-Preferred
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Gate F Improvements

NIST-Preferred
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Further Modified NIST-Preferred

Gate F Improvements
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Gate A Improvements
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Future Campus
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Existing Travel
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Existing/Future Non-Auto Transportation
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Existing/Future Non-Auto Transportation
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Future Travel Analysis

new MXD / 135-355 new DUs

3 new multi-family 

apartment buildings

new MXD / up to 1450 

residential multifamily units

Kentlands

NIST

King Farm

MedImmune

2 new multi-family 

w/ 350? units

new MXD w/ 366 multifamily dwelling units

new MXD w/ 2250 

dwelling unit mix

new MXD w/ 850 

dwelling unit mix

new SAC w/ 9000 

dwelling unit mix

new MXD w/ 1520 

dwelling unit mix

550 new luxury apts.