NIST Update

Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology

May 8, 2017

1
Outline

Administration context:

- Reform Plan

- Budget

NIST Programmatic Updates

- Security Sprint 

- Forensics Commission

- MEP National Summit

2
Budget Update

• FY 2017 – Omnibus

All figures in $M

• FY 2018: Expected release on May 22

FY 2015 Enacted FY 2016 Enacted FY 2017 Enacted +/(-) Over FY 2016

Lab Programs 675.5.0 690.0 690.0 0.0 

Hollings Manufacturing Extension 

Partnership 130.0 130.0 130.0 0.0 

Manufacturing USA 0 25.0 25.0 0.0 

Construction of Research Facilities 50.3 119.0 109.0 (10.0) 

Total 863.9 964.0 954.0 (10.0) 

3
OMB Memo M-17-22: Government Reform

Comprehensive Plan 

for Reforming the 

Federal Government 

and Reducing the 

Federal Civilian 

Workforce

Agencies directed to eliminate, 

restructure or merge programs 

based on factors like:

• Duplicative

• Non-Essential

• Federalism

• Cost-Benefit

• Efficiency and Effectiveness

• Customer Service

• Provides guidance on prior orders

– Jan 23 “Hiring Freeze” Presidential 

Memorandum

– Mar 13 “Comprehensive Plan for 

Reorganizing the Executive 

Branch” Executive Order 

• Instructs Agencies to develop 

reform plan

– Outline and approach by June, 

final by September

– Aligned with Strategic Plans 

developed concurrently

– Implemented with FY19 budget

• Will be led at the Agency (Dept. of 

Commerce) level

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Security Prioritization Sprint

• Charge

5

“Speed is more important than accuracy”

– 30 days –

Produce a holistic prioritized list of security 

vulnerabilities and associated mitigations using a 

methodology similar to the NIST safety framework
Security Sprint: Prioritized Actions

• Identify the optimal organizational fit for security

• Establish clear baseline security requirements and R2A2s for the NIST staff

• Exercise leadership and improve accountability and understanding

• Create ESC-like advisory group to engage OU leadership in the establishment of 

the NIST security program

• Establish and implement security standards for NIST spaces warranting 

enhanced security 

• Establish clear NIST security program requirements and R2A2s beyond the 

baseline

• Expand security awareness training (on topics such as active shooter, 

workplace violence, general crime prevention measures, suspicious packages)

• ....

6
National Commission on Forensic Science

• Established in 2013, the 

National Commission on 

Forensic Science (NCFS) 

was jointly chaired by NIST 

and DOJ

• Second term of NCFS 

expired April 23

• Last meeting April 10-11, 

2017

43 Work Products:

- 20 Recommendation 

Documents

- 23 Views Documents

In three broad categories:

- Foundational

- Operational

- Relational

7
MEP National Summit

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VCAT 2017 Focus

Trade

Through its measurement science, standards, and technology mission, NIST has a unique role in 

supporting U.S. trade priorities. How can NIST ensure it is positioned to strengthen this 

Administration priority? 

Innovation and Competitiveness through Fundamental Measurement R&D 

Many of NIST’s biggest impacts come from investment in fundamental measurement science 

research that enables new technologies, new markets, and new industries. How can NIST 

prioritize its measurement science research and development efforts to maximize current impact 

and ensure continued impact in the years to come? 

Communications 

Through NIST’s reauthorization in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, NIST was 

directed to seek improvements to its laboratory programs, in part by optimizing commercial and 

industrial applications. To this end, how can NIST more effectively capture and describe the 

importance of its mission to U.S. industry and national priorities? 

9
Thank You

Measurement science

Standards 

Technology 

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