Legislation
NIST for the Future Act (H.R. 4609)
On July 21, 2021, the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology Chairwoman Haley Stevens and Ranking Member Mike Waltz along with Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Ranking Member Frank Lucas introduced the NIST for the Future Act. The NIST for the Future Act is a reauthorization of NIST.
The draft legislation includes a focus on several measurement research areas including engineering biology, advanced communications, quantum information science, artificial intelligence and others. It also updates general policies at the agency and makes additional updates to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.
Recent News
Dr. Locascio nominated as Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology
President Biden announced his intent to nominate Dr. Laurie Locascio as Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and next NIST Director. Dr. Locascio is the Vice President for Research at the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Prior to the University of Maryland, Dr. Locascio worked at NIST as the Acting Associate Director for Laboratory Programs and previously as the Director of the Material Measurement Laboratory.
Update on NIST’s Investigation of the Champlain Towers South Collapse
NIST’s work right now is focused on ensuring that information and evidence related to the June 24, 2021, partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium is identified, collected and preserved, in support of NIST’s technical investigation into the likely cause of the collapse.
NIST is in the process of putting together the National Construction Safety Team that will lead the technical investigation.
NIST Requests Information to Help Develop an AI Risk Management Framework
NIST is requesting input from the public that will inform the development of AI risk management guidance. Responses to the Request for Information (RFI), will help NIST draft an Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), a guidance document for voluntary use intended to help technology developers, users and evaluators improve the trustworthiness of AI systems.
Responses to the RFI are due on August 19, 2021. NIST also plans to hold a workshop in September where attendees can help develop the outline for the draft AI RMF. Information on the workshop will be available on the NIST website when details are finalized.
To submit responses to the RFI, download the template response form and email it to AIframework@nist.gov. Full details on responding can be found in the Federal Register.
NIST Awards $153M to NIIMBL
NIST has made two awards totaling $153 million to the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL).
The first award renews NIST’s federal sponsorship of NIIMBL, providing $70 million over five years. This award will allow NIIMBL to continue driving innovation in domestic biopharmaceutical manufacturing by developing flexible, agile and cost-effective manufacturing processes that can be scaled up quickly and are less reliant on foreign supply chains.
NIST will also provide $83 million to NIIMBL over three years from the American Rescue Plan to support research and development to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus outbreaks.
Cybersecurity Executive Order Assignments
NIST has fulfilled additional assignments to enhance the security of the software supply chain called for by a May 12, 2021, Presidential Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity (14028), which charges multiple agencies – including NIST– with enhancing cybersecurity through a variety of initiatives related to the security and integrity of the software supply chain.
NIST recently published guidance outlining security measures for critical software after consulting with the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). NIST also published guidelines recommending minimum standards for vendors’ testing of their software source code after consulting with the National Security Agency (NSA).
In addition, EO 14028 directs NIST to initiate pilot consumer labeling programs for Cybersecurity of IoT devices and of software. NIST will hold a virtual workshop on this topic September 14-15.
MEP Annual Report
The 2020 MEP Annual Report is now available on the NIST MEP website. The report features the MEP National Network™ response to the year’s many challenges. This includes efforts across the Network, the National Conversations with Manufacturers series, and MEP National Network Supplier Scouting service. The report describes MEP Advisory Board activities, accomplishments toward MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan goals, fiscal year 2020 economic impacts, and results of the Summit Consulting and W.E. Upjohn Institute study. Learn about MEP program performance evaluations, NIST MEP special awards, highlights of MEP activities throughout the year, and new initiatives coming in 2021.
NIST Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Economic Impact Analysis Report
PSCR contracted Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) of Lexington, MA to conduct an economic impact analysis (EIA) of Public Safety Trust Fund investments into NIST PSCR’s research mechanisms. The EIA shows how NIST PSCR’s research investments translate into broader impacts to states, focusing on new jobs, earnings, value added, and total economic output. The results of the EIA (presented in 2020 dollars) show that NIST PSCR’s investment of $230 million into the suite of research mechanisms generated 4,280 jobs, $262 million in earnings, $431 million in value added, and $513 million in total economic output.
Read the full report or the one-page fact sheet.
Funding Opportunties
Prize Challenge Launches Research for Unmanned Aircraft in Search and Rescue
NIST has launched a new prize competition to advance the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in first responder search and rescue operations.
Named the First Responder UAS Triple Challenge, this prize competition comprises three challenges with three different focus areas — all aimed at advancing UAS technology to support critical, lifesaving missions. NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) division will accept contest entries beginning Aug. 2, 2021, with multiple stages running through June 2022.
The First Responder UAS Triple Challenge offers participants the unique opportunity to use their ingenuity and hardware-building expertise to meet public safety’s needs. To learn about eligibility requirements, visit challenge.gov, and for additional information about the challenge and to register, visit uastriplechallenge.com.
NIST Launches New Manufacturing USA Technology Roadmap Grant Competition
NIST has announced a new competition for awards to support industry-driven consortia in developing technology roadmaps that will address high-priority research challenges to grow the advanced manufacturing sector in the U.S.
NIST’s Manufacturing USA Technology Roadmaps (MfgTech) program anticipates awarding up to eight awards with a period of performance of up to 18 months each, with individual awards of up to $300,000 and no cost-share requirement.
Proposals are due by Aug. 16, 2021. Details about the competition, including eligibility, selection criteria, legal requirements and the mechanism for submitting proposals are found in the Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity posted at Grants.gov under funding opportunity number 2021-NIST-MfgTech-01.
|
