Virtual Meeting

February 9, 2022

NIST Update

Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology 

James K. Olthoff

Associate Director performing the Nonexclusive Duties of 

the NIST Director
The Marshall Fire on December 30, 2021, 

caused significant disruption to the NIST 

community in Boulder, CO.

• 29 federal employees are known to 

have been directly impacted and an 

estimated equal number of contractors 

and associates were affected

• NIST is aware of 5 staff and 3 associates 

who have lost their homes

• NIST put in place several resources to 

help affected staff

Boulder Fires and NIST Community Impact

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Image Credit: Colorado Governor Jared Polis
Dr. Michelle Parker

Vice President and Deputy General Manager

Space and Launch

Defense, Space & Security

Boeing

Welcome New VCAT Member

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NIST Leadership Changes

Dr. Laurie Locascio

Nominee for Under Secretary of Commerce for 

Standards and Technology, NIST Director

Image Credit: UMD

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Status: Nomination was resubmitted, and 

currently waiting for congressional action.
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NIST Leadership Changes

Dr. Joannie Chin

Director, 

Engineering Laboratory

Hannah Brown

Deputy Associate Director of 

Laboratory Programs
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Anita Vanek 

Deputy Associate Director for 

Management Resources

NIST Leadership Changes
Meeting Agenda

Session I: Programmatic Updates

• NIST Update and Agenda Review

• Safety Update

Session II: Programmatic and Operational Updates

• Forward Looking Plan for MEP

• NCNR Update

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at NIST Update

Session III: Working Session

• Review of the 2021 VCAT report

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America COMPETES Act of 2022

• Engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and bio 

metrology

• Green House Gas Measurement

• Cybersecurity for supply chain, Cloud Computing, 

and Usability

• Biometric Identification

• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science 

• Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for NIST

Contains deliverables and requests for NIST in a broad range of 

areas including:

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Credit: Shutterstock/Lucky-photographer
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Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC)

Department of Commerce and NIST solicited nominations to a 

newly established IAC. 

Request for Information (RFI)

On January 24th, the Department of Commerce and NIST issued an 

RFI on the CHIPS Act. 

America COMPETES Act

On January 25th, House version of USICA introduced as part of the 

America COMPETES Act of 2022. 

Credit: Intel

CHIPS Act Status

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NIST Program Update –

continued progress on our priorities 
Artificial Intelligence Update 

AI Risk Management Framework

• To better manage risks to individuals, 

organizations, and society associated with AI

• 1st draft expected in March 

• Workshop #2: March 29-31

National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC)

• To advise on AI topics including state of 

science and U.S. competitiveness, workforce

• Review and selection process underway

Image Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST
Cybersecurity Update

Updated Federal PIV Standard

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 

201 increases number of acceptable credentials 

types

Executive Order 14028, Improving the 

Nation’s Cybersecurity

• Updated Secure Software Development 

Framework

• Labeling requirements for software and 

Internet of Things (IoT) devices to inform 

consumers about product security

Image Credit: Pixabay
Quantum Information Sciences Update

NIST physicists demonstrate high-fidelity laser-free universal control 

of two trapped-ion qubits by creating both symmetric and 

antisymmetric maximally entangled states. This could lead to new 

ways to make more powerful quantum computers based on ions 

(charged atoms). 

Credit: D. Slichter/NIST

Practical Intermediate Representation for 

Quantum (PIRQ) Workshop. 15 DEC, 2021

Recent Workshop

QED-C study and report on “Quantum Computing 

Industry and Related Supply Chain” 14 JAN, 2022

QED-C report on “Electronic Control of Quantum 

Systems” 30 DEC, 2021

Quantum Economic Development 

Consortium (QED-C)
Image Credit: NIST

Biotechnology Update

NIST’s Genome in a Bottle (GIAB) human genome reference 

standards were used to certify a new Guinness World Record 

for the fastest sequencing of a single human genome (5 hr, 2 

min)

A recent study showed that NIST’s SARS-CoV-2 Synthetic RNA 

Research Grade Test Material can help harmonize and 

increase the reliability of PCR assays that are used to track 

and monitor the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 around the world.

Image Credit: CDC Image Credit: NIST
Advanced Communications Update

New report shows $509.8 M in 

economic impact by Public 

Safety Communications 

Research (PSCR) Division

Supports evolving business models 

and facilitates cloud computing

based on IEEE's P2302 Working 

Group and NIST research

• Partnering with NSF & DoD to 

identify technical gaps for 

innovation of post-5G wireless

• Assesses research advancements 

and characterizes technology gaps

NextG Wireless Gaps Analysis Update

Public Safety IEEE Standard for Intercloud Interoperability and Federation

Communications Research 

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Image Credit: NIST

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Image Credit: NIST
Standards and Performance Metrics for 

On-Road Autonomous Vehicles 

Workshop

March 8 - 9, 2022

Safety | Communication | Cybersecurity | 

Artificial Intelligence | Sensor Perception

NIST and Autonomous Vehicles

Automated Driving System Safety 

Measurement Part I: Operating 

Envelope Specification 

NIST Special Publication 1900-301: a novel 

approach to automated driving systems safety 

measurement

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Zapp2Photo
Standards Update: Situation

Increased PRC investment in R&D and SDO participation 

targeting critical and emerging (CET) technology creates a 

strategic challenge for the U.S.

Instead of “packing the room”, the U.S. requires an agile

and asymmetric approach built around:

1) A sustained investment in R&D – a critical component 

of successfully influencing international standards

2) Expanded collaborations between allied governments, 

industry, and academia

3) A commitment to industry-led standards development 

processes 

NIST and DOC efforts will ensure that the U.S. and its 

allies have a sustainable foundation for continued 

leadership in SDO activity for CET

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Image Credit: Atlantic Council

NIST has a pivotal role to play in coordinating U.S. government agencies’

participation in standardization. The active involvement of NIST and U.S.

government representatives in preparing for standards negotiations—as

well as in standards committees and working groups—is welcomed by

U.S. and international industry collaborators.

- Center for Strategic & International Studies 
Standards Update: International Engagement

• First-ever Quad Leaders Summit held in SEP 2021

• Released a joint statement that included CET 

standards

• NIST chairs the CET WG Standards Subgroup

• NIST leading efforts to facilitate coordination on 

technology standards development

• Next Quad Ministerial (in-person) in Melbourne 

(FEB 2022)

• Inaugural meeting “Pittsburgh Summit” in SEP 2021

• NIST and ITA Co-Chair Technical Standards Subgroup

• Identified AI as CET area of interest (advanced 

manufacturing and other areas in development)

• Collaborating on a U.S.-EU system

• Identifying opportunities to engage the private 

sector

• Next TTC Ministerial Meeting in Paris (May 2022) 18

U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council

Image credit: State Department Photo by Ron Przysucha/ Public Domain

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)

Image credit: Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
Standards Update: Progress in the TTC

• Enhanced SDO Election Coordination

• U.S.-EU International Cooperation on 

Standards Network (ICSN)

• U.S.-EU International Technology Standards 

Early Warning System Coordination 

(ITSEWS)

• Technology Standards WG Artificial 

Intelligence Focus Group

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U.S.-EU TTC Technology Standards Cooperation Working Group

Near-Term Deliverables

U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council

Image credit: State Department Photo by Ron Przysucha/ Public Domain
NIST Facilities Construction Program

Financial

• $4.2 billion program submitted by NIST

• $665 million in Build Back Better bill

• $2.3 billion will be sufficiently planned 

to start by September 2022

Components

• Complete funding for B245 

Modernization & B1 Renovation 

• Program of Requirements in 

development for 12 additional facilities

Time to Complete

• $2.3 billion program: 5 years for both campuses

• $4.2 billion program: Boulder = 5 years & Gaithersburg = 12 years

NIST Facilities Master Plan

Image Credit: NIST

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NIST Facilities Update

Image Credit: Hensel-Phelps

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Building 245 Modernization

Completed: H-Wing Addition, Infrastructure, Early labs

Awarded: Swing space, Wing C, Wings A & D (partial)

Awaiting funding: Wing B, Wings A & D ($70 M); Wing G ($7 M)

Building 1 Renovation

Completed: Wings 3 & 6, Building 3, Boulder Computing Facility

Awarded: Wing 5, Wing 4

Awaiting funding: Building 3 Addition ($30 M), Partial Spine ($23 M)

NASEM Review

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine (NASEM) 

to review NIST’s facilities management program and provide 

recommendations on facilities budgetary needs

• 18 members from academia, the public, and federal agencies 

• Report due to Congress in September 2022

Building 245 Modernization

Image Credit: NIST

Building 1 Renovation 
Study To Advance a More Productive Tech Economy

Studies on emerging technology areas to 

recommend policy and legislative proposals

• Request for Information closing 

February 15

• In review: Artificial intelligence

• Ongoing: 3D printing, New & Advanced 

Materials, Unmanned Delivery Services, 

and Quantum Computing

• Up next: Blockchain and IoT

Final report due to Congress in 

December 2022

Image Credit: PopTika/Shutterstock

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Artificial Intelligence Blockchain Technology

Internet of Things (IoT) IoT in Manufacturing

New & Advanced Materials Quantum Computing

3D Printing Unmanned Delivery Service 22
Office of Advanced Manufacturing | 

Manufacturing USA

$83 M awarded to NIIMBL for coronavirus response

Full portfolio of 32 projects announced DEC 2020

Agile Manufacturing 

Testbeds

Innovating Vaccine 

Production, Quality 

Testing and Stability

Rapid Scaling of Critical 

Reagents for 

Monitoring Emerging 

Variants

Strengthening the 

Biopharmaceutical 

Manufacturing 

Workforce

ARP Projects

Pandemic Response 

Update

CARES Act: 11 NIIMBL Projects Completed

American Rescue Plan (ARP): $54 M will be 

awarded to non-Commerce funded institutes

Manufacturing Technology 

Roadmapping Awards 

• $3.2M available for awards with FY21 funds

• Additional awards will be considered pending FY22 

budget or other legislation

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DISCUSSION