66 



However, the cost of any one facility is limited to $S million. Accordingly, 

 when a particular budget recommendation exceeds $5 million, ARS prepares a 

 legislative proposal to authorize the recommended amount. 



In regard to closing and/or consolidation of facilities, ARS has closed 

 over 30 facilities since 1979. The Agency uses the following criteria in making 

 a decision to close and/or consolidate the function with another location: 



— Condition of facility. 



— Has the mission of the facility been con^)leted? 



— If not, can the mission be accomplished elsewhere? 



— Is there a critical mass of scientists? 



— Is the facility cost efficient to operate in relation to its productivity 

 and accomplishments? 



— Priority of the program to the mission of the Agency. 



— Who are the clients and can their needs be met elsewhere? 



— Is the research duplicative of research being conducted by other 

 organizations? 



ARS senior managers make the decisions to close/consolidate/replace 



facilities using the best management criteria available to them from a variety of 



sources and using their experience, knowledge and judgment about the current 



and future research needs to sustain the food and fiber production of the United 



