House FY 2015 NIST Appropriations Bill

Yesterday the House Appropriations Committee released an unnumbered Full Committee Print to accompany the FY 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. This is a draft version of the committee report that is to be issued providing all-important language on the departments and agencies funded by this bill. This FYI reviews the National Institute of Standards and Technology portion of the report.

The House Appropriations Committee’s recommendations for NIST can be found on pages 17-19 of the report.

Total NIST:

The FY 2014 adjusted appropriation was $850.0 million
The FY 2015 adjusted request is $900.0 million, an increase of $50.0 million or 5.9 percent
The House bill provides $855.8 million, an increase of $5.8 million or 0.7 percent above current funding

Within this budget are the following programs:

Scientific and Technical Research and Services:

The FY 2014 appropriation was $651.0 million
The FY 2015 request is $680.0 million, an increase of $29.0 million or 4.5 percent
The House bill provides $670.5 million, an increase of $19.5 million or 3.0 percent above current funding

Report language found on pages 17-18 pertains to laboratory programs; Cybersecurity Center of Excellence; standards coordination and special programs; tornado resistant structures; windstorm research and disaster resiliency; canine detection standards; and textile research. Of note: “Laboratory programs.—The recommendation includes $597,512,000 for NIST Laboratory programs. This amount is the same as the request to support U.S. innovation, advanced manufacturing and industrial competitiveness.”

Industrial Technology Services:

The FY 2014 appropriation was $143.0 million
The FY 2015 request is $161.0 million, an increase of $18.0 million or 12.6 percent
The House bill provides $130.0 million, a decrease of $13.0 million or 9.1 percent below current funding

Report language found on pages 18-19 pertains to program efficiencies; technology and supply chain connections; and Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. Of note: “The entire amount recommended inthis account is for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which is $2,000,000 above fiscal year 2014 and $11,000,000 below the request. The Committee reiterates its support for the MEP program which helps U.S. businesses streamline manufacturing techniques and increase efficiency and profits through training resources as well as specific project assistance to the U.S. domesticmanufacturing industry.”

Construction of Research Facilities:

The FY 2014 appropriation was $56.0 million
The FY 2015 request is $59.0 million, an increase of $3.0 million or 5.4 percent
The House bill provides $55.3 million, a decrease of $0.7 million or 1.3 percent below current funding

Report language found on page 19 pertains to construction and major renovations; and safety, capacity, maintenance, and major repairs.