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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

October 20, 2020

Session I: NIST Update

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

Session II:  Setting the Stage -- The Role of NIST in America’s Evolving Innovation Ecosystem

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

Session III:  Steps Taken and Future Opportunities 

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?

Session IV:  Discussion with VCAT

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 September 9, 2021