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The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a
non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce
Department's Technology Administration. NIST's mission is to
develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology to
enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality
of life. NIST carries out its mission in four cooperative
programs:
1. the NIST Laboratories, conducting research that advances the
nation's technology infrastructure and is needed by
U.S. industry to continually improve products and services;
2. the Baldrige National Quality Program, which promotes
performance excellence among U.S. manufacturers, service
companies, educational institutions, and health care providers;
conducts outreach programs and manages the annual Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes performance
excellence and quality achievement;
3. the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide network
of local centers offering technical and business assistance to
smaller manufacturers; and
4. the Advanced Technology Program, which accelerates the
development of innovative technologies for broad national
benefit by co-funding R&D partnerships with the private
sector.
NIST has an operating budget of about 退 million and
operates in two locations: Gaithersburg, Md.,
(headquarters?234-hectare/578-acre campus) and Boulder, Colo.,
(84-hectare/208-acre campus). NIST employs about 3,000
scientists, engineers, technicians, and support and
administrative personnel. About 1,600 guest researchers
complement the staff. In addition, NIST partners with 2,000
manufacturing specialists and staff at affiliated centers around
the country.
Website: "http://www.nist.gov/"
[Summary provided by NIST]
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