National Institute of Standards and Technology

Gaithersburg Campus

Draft Master Plan

Gaithersburg City Council Briefing

February 5, 2018

United States Department of Commerce
NIST Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan

• Improves campus access points to 

address congestion and security

• Maintains green perimeter and 

increases tree cover

• Improves stormwater management

• Modernizes older buildings and 

site utility infrastructure

• New construction focused on 

research facilities

• Respects historic district/features 

with new building placement

• Anticipates funding after 2020, except 

for one lab modernization underway

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Quick Facts

• Founded in 1901 as National Bureau of Standards

NIST is a non-regulatory agency and Federal research laboratory in the US Department of Commerce

• Campus Established in 1960’s

Relocated from Washington DC as NIST Headquarters

26 buildings constructed 1961-1969 = 73% of current assigned space

• Campus Size

579 acres 

62 buildings & structures, 3.64 million gross sq. ft.

4,000 personnel, 20% FTE live within Gaithersburg zipcodes

• Historic District - 2016

Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places

• Visitors

Approx. 33,000 visitors per year, average 250 per day

• Conferences (2016)

Hosted 77 (many multi-day) with a total of 7,577 attendees 

• Commercial Vehicles

Approx. 18,000 vehicles per year, average 71 per day 3
Existing Site Plan

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Existing Campus

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Key Drivers & Issues

Current Issues

• Aging buildings with obsolete systems

• Poor Lab Environmental Controls

• Outdated/obsolete site infrastructure

• Security & circulation issues at Gates

• Pedestrian connection improvements

Future Requirements: 20 years

• Precision measurement and flexible 

labs for expected program growth

• Specialty labs for planned research

• Office space for improved utilization 

and expected 27% staff increase

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Master Plan Program

Mission for Advancing Measurement Science & Technology:

• Requires flexible, integrative, collaborative space

• Requires highly controlled research environments

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Goals & Purpose of the Master Plan

• Comprehensive 20 year framework

• Appropriate facilities and infrastructure for advanced research

• Maintain attractive campus environment

• Respect & embrace campus designation as a Historic District

• Support & advance sustainable design & environmental goals

• A plan for gradual change, complete at each step

• NEPA compliance thru development of Environmental Assessment

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Campus Today

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Campus 20-Year Master Plan

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Campus 20-Year Master Plan

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Phase 1 – Immediate Priorities

• Building 245 Expansion/Renovation (underway)

• Site Utility Infrastructure Renewal

• Gates A & F Modifications

• New Research Building

• Existing Laboratories: Phased Modernizations 12
Gates A & F Improvements

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Center Core & Enhanced Pedestrian Connections

New research building with 

covered walkway to Gate A

Walkway from center core 

to Quince Orchard Rd.

New research buildings with 

pedestrian way, limited traffic

Existing pedestrian 

concourses 14
Environmental Assessment (EA)

Developed in accord with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

• Reviews environmental consequences of:

• Proposed Action Alternative (i.e. the Master Plan)

• No Action Alternative

• Summarizes effects and mitigation measures and finds that:

• For most resource areas, impacts are positive overall, with some minor 

temporary adverse effects during construction

• Highlights of EA

• Minor economic benefits from staff increase, increased construction 

and increased productivity from campus improvements

• 16% increase in impervious surfaces; potential long-term 

improvements to stormwater quality and reduction of quantity

• Landscape with increased native vegetation, meadows, & reforestation

• Moderate demand increase in utilities but improved efficiencies 

through building & system modernization

• LEED Gold or net-zero energy facilities, extensive renewable energy

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Providing Comments

Draft Master Plan & Draft EA Comments

• Comment period ends March 31, 2018

• Submit written comments to:

nistMPcomments@nist.gov

or

NIST Master Plan Comments

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology

100 Bureau Drive, MS-1900

Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1900

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• The Draft Master Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment 

are available to view or download at:

https://www.nist.gov/ofpm/nist-gaithersburg-master-plan
Simulated Flyover Video

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