29 



facilities. For example, within DOD, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Armed 

 Forces Radiobiology Research Institute are reducing their combined number of labo- 

 ratories from 76 to 31, according to DOD research managers. Similarly, USDA is 

 studying whether to close or consolidate some of ARS' 111 laboratories, DOE is con- 

 sidering how to realign its nuclear weapons laboratories in response to the end of the 

 Cold War, and NASA is developing a national facility plan for world-class aeronautics 

 and space facilities. House bill 1432 proposes to establish the Federal Laboratory Mis- 

 sion Evaluation and Coordination Committee, which in part would make recommen- 

 dations on the advisabilit)' of establishing a commission to determine whether specific 

 federal laboratories should be realigned, consolidated, or closed. One criterion that 

 the Laboratory Committee would be directed to consider is improving the efficiency 

 and effectiveness of the overall federal laboratory system. 



CONCLUSIONS 



Most of the eight federal agencies' laboratory facilities are at least 30 years old, 

 requiring increased maintenance and repair funding. Li fiscal year 1992, six of the 

 eight agencies did not spend the Building Research Board's minimum guideline for 

 funding routine maintenance and repair, and many agencies currently have a substan- 

 tial backlog of needed repairs. In addition, inadequate facilities are limiting research 

 capabilities at some federal laboratories. Substantial funding would be needed to pro- 

 vide the proposed new laboratory facilities. 



In recent years, DOD, DOE, NASA, and USDA have initiated task forces to re- 

 examine their R&D mission and/or improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their 

 laboratory facilities. An important consideration in such reviews is to ensure adequate 

 funding to support laboratory facilities, which may involve (1) reducing expenses by 

 realigning, closing, or consolidating laboratories not essential for fulfilling an agency's 

 R6cD mission as well as (2) increasing funding to maintain, repair, and upgrade those 

 laboratory facilities considered essential to fulfilling an agency's R&D mission. 



Mr. Vice Chairman, this concludes my statement. I would be happy to respond to 

 any questions that you or members of the Committee may have. 



76-813 - 94 - 2 



