73 



Appendix FV 



Objectives, Scope, and Methodology 



The Vice Chainnan, Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress, expressed 

 concern that federal research agencies may be underinvesUng in 

 maintaining, repairing, and upgrading their laboratory facilities. Citing the 

 importance of federal had to economic growth and national well-being, the 

 Vice Chainnan requested that we assess the (1) condition of federal 

 laboratory facilities, (2) effect of inadequate laboratory facilities on 

 agencies' scientific productivity and research capabilities, and (3) funding 

 needed to repair or upgrade these facilities. 



As agreed with the Vice Chairman's office, to assess the condition of 

 federal laboratory facilities, we obtained information from the Department 

 of Commerce; dod; exde; EPa; nasa; ars, within the Department of 

 Agriculture; nih, within the Department of Health and Human Services; 

 and uses, within the Department of the Interior. These agencies have 220 

 government-owned laboratory campuses that spent about $18.1 billion of 

 the estimated $24.9 billion obligated for rad at federal laboratories in fiscal 

 year 1992. (See table IV. 1.) In addition, ars, epa, noaa, and nih lease some 

 of their laboratories from state governments, universities, or private 

 companies.' 



'For eiample. 9 of EPAs 32 labonilones and firld suiions and 15 of NOAAl 39 labomones arc leased 

 raalitiea. 



