That won't be the case in two to three years without facility upgrades. Newman added that construction on the Advanced Chemical Sciences Lab and the Advanced Technology Lab have come to a halt. The Advanced Technology Lab, which would be mostly underground, would work with such tight tolerances that designers found they needed to look at alternate landscaping because the vibration from lawnmowers would be too disruptive, Newman said. Work at NIST's Boulder, CO, facility also has been deferred indefinitely as a result of the CRF budget' s current status. The ATP is geared for companies of all sizes.
Risk is risk, whether the company is small or large.
In addition, the funding limitation could also hurt small businesses because many smaller companies are involved in joint ventures with large companies or are under contract with large companies that won ATP awards. The current appropriation doesn't include money for training programs for MEP centers and field agents, for the continued development of a nationwide Internet connection, and for developmental programs. He added that the worst part of this proposed budget is that industry is doubting NIST's future. Our customers are insecure and have doubts about NIST's and the ATP's existence next year. HR 3814 still needs Senate and Presidential approval before it becomes law.