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Office of the Director

Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT)

October 20, 2020 VCAT Agenda

VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY National Institute of Standards and Technology Webinar – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm ET Gaithersburg, MD October 20, 2020
Session I: NIST Update
Session II: Setting the Stage -- The Role of NIST in America’s Evolving Innovation Ecosystem
Session III: Steps Taken and Future Opportunities
Session IV: Discussion with VCAT
October 20, 2020
10:00 am	Call to Order and Roll Call Dr. Allen Adler - Chair, VCAT
10:05 am	NIST Update and Agenda Review Dr. Walter Copan - Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director
10:45 am	Discussion
11:00 am	Safety Update – Keeping NIST Staff Safe During COVID Dr. Elizabeth Mackey – Chief Safety Officer and Director of the Office of Safety, Health and Environment
11:15 am	Discussion
11:25 am	Break
11:35	Keynote – The State of U.S. Advanced Tech Industry Competitiveness and What to Do Dr. Robert Atkinson– President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
12:05 pm	Discussion
12:30 pm	Break for Lunch (Breakfast for those on West Coast)
1:30 pm	Strategic Landscape and Emerging Challenges – Implications for NIST Dr. Jason Boehm – Director NIST Program Coordination Office
1:45 pm	Discussion
1:55 pm	Update on NIST Strategic Plan Dr. Jason Boehm – Director NIST Program Coordination Office
2:05 pm	Discussion
2:10 pm	Strengthening Technology Transfer – Update on ROI and Plans for NIST Ms. Mojdeh Bahar – Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services
2:30 pm	Discussion
2:40 pm	The Expanding Role of Partnerships in the Delivery of NIST’s Measurement Science Mission Dr. James Olthoff – Associate Director for Laboratory Programs
3:00 pm	Discussion
3:10 pm	Break
3:30 pm	Looking Ahead: Opportunities for NIST in America's Innovation Ecosystem Advanced Communications: Technology and Standards for 5G and Beyond Standards Leadership for the Nation Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain Security Cybersecurity and Privacy Strengthening America’s Competitive Position in the World Dr. Walter Copan - Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director
4:00 pm	Discussion with VCAT What areas or issues do you feel NIST is missing or not focusing enough attention on? What is the right balance of intramural and extramural programs? As NIST expands its partnerships with outside groups, what are the best models to use - for example, through existing programs (like MEP, Manufacturing USA), an increased portfolio of competitive grants and Centers, or other? International Standards Development is now seen as by some as a critical area of national interest. How can NIST best navigate this new era as we look to taking on expanded roles to ensure that national interests are being met?
4:40 pm	Discussion with VCAT Members: Preparing NIST for the Next 4 Years Dr. Allen Adler - Chair, VCAT
4:55 pm	Public Comment
5:00 pm	Adjourn

Created October 14, 2020, Updated March 14, 2025