Senate FY 2010 National Institute of Standards and Technology Funding Bill

The Senate Appropriations Committee has sent its FY 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill to the Senate floor. Among the programs this legislation funds are those of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The budgets for NIST, the National Science Foundation and the DOE Office of Science are slated to double by 2016 under the President’s Plan for Science and Innovation and the America COMPETES Act.

Senate Committee report 111-32 accompanies this bill, H.R. 2847, and will be available here . Selections from this report related to NIST follow. All figures are as compared to the FY 2009 appropriation.

Total NIST:

The FY 2009 appropriation was $819.0 million
The Administration’s request was $846.1 million, an increase of 3.3 percent or $27.1 million.
The House bill recommended $781.1 million, a cut of 4.6 percent or $37.9 million.
The Senate Appropriations Committee bill recommends $878.8 million, an increase of 7.3 percent or $59.8 million.

Scientific and Technical Research and Services:

The FY 2009 appropriation was $472.0 million
The Administration’s request was $534.6 million, an increase of 13.3 percent or $62.6 million.
The House bill recommended $510.0 million, an increase of 8.1 percent or $38.0 million.
The Senate Appropriations Committee bill recommends $520.3 million, an increase of 10.2 percent or $48.3 million.

The committee report stated:

“The Scientific and Technical Research account funds NIST Laboratories, which provide the measurement science and physical standards critical to supporting technology infrastructure for U.S. innovation. NIST is one of the science agencies supported by the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-69), doubling funding for basic research over 10 years. The recommendation supports many of the administration’s new initiatives, increasing research funding by more than 7 percent over the 2009 fiscal year level. Within the funds provided, NIST is directed to expand its capabilities and resources into the Pacific region through a Pacific Islands component of NIST, and is provided $750,000 to expand its biodiversity storage capabilities into the region.

“The Committee includes funding within the amounts provided for Strategic Measurement Partnerships for the following congressionally designated projects, and directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to refrain from charging administrative costs to these grants. The Committee expects that the National Institute of Standards and Technology will provide appropriate management and oversight of each grant.”

Industrial Technology Services:

The FY 2009 appropriation was $175.0 million
The Administration’s request was $194.6 million, an increase of 11.2 percent or $19.6 million.
The House bill recommended $194.6 million.
The Senate Appropriations Committee bill recommends $194.6 million, the Administration’s request.

The committee report stated:

“Supporting the Nation’s manufacturers, especially small businesses, is critical to keeping America innovative in a global marketplace. ITS provides a bridge for advancing cutting-edge technologies with cost-saving measures. The Committee is encouraged by the administration’s healthy request for ITS, which shows a genuine intention to partner with industry for the benefit of the Nation’s future. The Committee supports NIST’s requested allocation of funding for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Program [MEP] and the Technology Innovation Program.

“Within MEP, NIST, and its partners are directed to consider the importance automation plays in accelerating and integrating manufacturing processes. The topic of automation cuts across all levels of industry, rather than serving as a stand-alone technology, and particularly affects the fields of control systems cyber security, industrial wireless sensors, systems interoperability, and other basic automation technologies necessary for the success of industrial enterprises. NIST is encouraged to consult and collaborate with independent experts in the field of automation to support the agency’s efforts in working with industry to increase innovation, trade, security, and jobs.”

Construction of Research Facilities:

The FY 2009 appropriation was $172.0 million
The Administration’s request was $116.9 million, a cut of $55.1 million or 32.0 percent.
The House bill recommended $76.5 million, a cut of 55.2 percent or $95.5 million.
The Senate Appropriations Committee bill recommends $163.9 million, a cut of 4.7 percent or $8.1 million.

The committee report stated:

“The recommendation funds the highest priority safety, capacity, maintenance, and repair projects at NIST.

“JILA Expansion- The Committee has learned that NIST has not entered into a formal acquisition agreement with its partners to expand the JILA facility [http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/gallery/jila.htm ]. Within 60 days of enactment of this act, the agency shall amend its formal memorandum of understanding with JILA partners to incorporate language addressing each party’s responsibility including project contingencies and cost overruns.

“The Committee directs NIST to provide quarterly reports on the status of all construction projects.

“The Committee provides $47,000,000 for congressionally designated projects, and directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to refrain from charging administrative costs to these grants. The Committee expects that the National Institute of Standards and Technology will provide appropriate management and oversight of each grant.“