October 2019 NIST Constituent Newsletter

NIST Congressional and Legislative Affairs

Monthly Constituent Newsletter - October 2019

LEGISLATION

Continuing Resolution (H.R. 4378)

On September 27th, President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 4378) which provides continued funding to federal agencies through November 21, 2019. The House and Senate continue negotiations on full appropriations for the rest of FY 2020.

RECENT NEWS

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.  NIST has partnered with other federal agencies to raise awareness about cybersecurity through events and provide helpful tools and resources. 


Manufacturing USA


Manufacturing USA Annual Report for 2018 Released

Manufacturing USA released its 2018 Annual Report, highlighting impacts and collaborative projects underway with the 14 national institutes and their members. Their work propels critical technologies and equips the workforce with new advanced manufacturing knowledge and skills, helping to secure global competitiveness for U.S. manufacturers and the nation.


SBIR Grants

NIST has awarded a total of nearly $4 million in grants to 19 small businesses to support innovative technology development. Awardees in 12 states will receive Phase I or Phase II funding through NIST’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.  The press release provides additional information and a list of awardees. 

 

bldg 245

Bldg 245 Ribbon Cutting

On September 23rd, NIST held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of the H-wing of the Radiation Physics Building.  This new wing adds 38 new laboratories and will substantially enhance NIST’s capabilities for radiation measurements critical to health care, food processing, national security and other industries.  The new addition will dramatically improve control of temperature, humidity and air filtration to levels needed for precision measurements.  

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Baldrige Fall Conference

The Alliance for Performance Excellence in partnership with the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program will be holding the Baldrige Fall Conference in Nashville, TN October 24 – 25, 2019.

This year’s conference is full of sessions from past Baldrige winners sharing experiences and lessons learned on their Baldrige journeys, as well as sessions on critically relevant topics today like Cybersecurity.  The conference offers an amazing opportunity to learn from Baldrige experts and network with people dedicated to performance excellence from around the country.  Register and view the agenda


2019 NICE Conference and Expo

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Conference and Expo – hosted by Florida International University, New America, and Arizona State University – will be held November 18 – 20, 2019 in Phoenix, AZ.  This annual conference brings together thought leaders from industry, government, academia, and non-profit organizations to address the community’s cybersecurity education, training, and workforce needs.  Throughout the conference, attendees will have access to over 30 presentations covering best practices from around the world and across sectors. 


2019 NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference

On December 9-10, 2019, the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) K12 Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, CA.   Join us as we expand the national effort to promote and increase the K12 cybersecurity education programs on-going throughout the country, and address how K12 education is uniquely positioned to accelerate learning, identify methods to best nurture a diverse learning community, and provide approaches to guide career development and workforce planning for students.

CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS

Raising the Bar: Progress and Future Needs in Forensic Science

On September 10th at 10:30 a.m., Susan Ballou, Program Manager, Forensic Science Research Program, Special Programs Office at NIST testified before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on NIST’s role in the advancement of forensic science research and standards.   View of copy of her testimony or the live webcast

Additional Witnesses included:

  • Ms. Vicki Zemp Behenna; Executive Director; Oklahoma Innocence Project
  • Mr. Matthew Gamette; Crime Lab Director; Idaho State Police Forensic Services
  • Ms. Lynn Garcia; General Counsel; Texas Forensic Science Commission
  • Dr. Karen Kafadar; Professor and Chair, Department of Statistics; University of Virginia and President, American Statistical Association