[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 143 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40813-40814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16179]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Establishment of a Laboratory Accreditation Program for 
Laboratories Performing System Integration Testing and Operational/User 
Acceptance Testing on Federal Warfare Systems Under the National 
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 
(NVLAP) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
announces the establishment of a laboratory accreditation program and 
the availability of applications for accreditation of laboratories that 
perform System Integration Testing (SIT) and Operational/User 
Acceptance Testing (O/UAT) on Federal Warfare Systems.

ADDRESSES: Laboratories may obtain NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures 
and General Requirements, NIST Handbook 150-872, Federal Warfare 
System(s), and an application for this program by visiting the NVLAP 
website at https://www.nist.gov/nvlap or by sending a request to NVLAP 
by mail at NIST/NVLAP, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 
20899-2140 or by email at [email protected]. All applications for 
accreditation must be submitted to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Moore, Program Manager, NIST/
NVLAP, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, Phone: 
(301) 975-5740 or email: [email protected].
    Information regarding NVLAP and the accreditation process can be 
obtained from https://www.nist.gov/nvlap.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to the need for an improved 
capability to protype and experiment prior to generating requirements, 
the U-2 Federal Laboratory was established in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 
3710 and 10 U.S.C. Sec.  2500. The U-2 Federal Laboratory's mission is 
to ``[f]ast-field advanced technologies at a speed relevant to the 
warfighter,'' in accordance with House Report 115-676 (2018) \1\ and 
the Congressionally-mandated 2018 National Defense Strategy. This is 
accomplished through vertical integration with one laboratory to effect 
``[c]onfluence of Warfighter, Developer, and Acquirer.'' \2\
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    \1\ U.S., House, Committee on Armed Services, National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H. Rpt. 115-676). 
Washington: Government Printing Office, 2018.
    \2\ MAJOR Tierney, Raymond G., The Federal Warfare Systems 
Laboratory Executive Summary, Available at: https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2021/05/27/FWS%20LAB_2021%20White%20Paper_v17.2021APR19.pdf. Accessed: 7/13/
2021.
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    On May 7, 2019, the U-2 Federal Laboratory formally requested in 
writing the Chief of NVLAP consider the establishment of a proposed new 
Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP) entitled, ``Federal Warfare 
System(s) LAP,'' in accordance with NIST Handbook 150 Para 2.1.3. In 
compliance with NVLAP procedures (15 CFR part 285), NVLAP held a public 
workshop on November 19, 2019 to solicit further comments on the 
establishment of a Federal Warfare System(s) LAP and on the technical 
requirements to be associated with the LAP.

Determination

    Under the framework of the Federal Warfare Systems Laboratory, 
advanced technologies can be developed or integrated to determine 
technical feasibility (``Is it possible?''). Embedded developers then 
hand the technology to the end-user (``Warfighter'') to determine 
operational utility (``Is it useful?''). This process continuously 
cycles between development and operations. The desired outcome is 
achieved when the technology has evolved to a high-Technology Readiness 
Level (TRL), Warfighter-useful solution. At this point, the technology 
generally transitions into the Joint Capabilities Integration and 
Development System and Defense Acquisition System (DoD Directive 
5000.01 and DoD Instruction 5000.02) as a vetted, mature requirement. 
In this way, the acquisitions process is meaningfully compressed, and 
cost offsets realized, by (a) front-loading development with the end-
user and (b) abating the problems of scope, understanding, and 
volatility associated with the requirement development process. 
Importantly, establishment of this LAP affords a means to standardize 
the traceability, competence, impartiality, and operational consistency 
of Federal Laboratories supporting warfare systems within the 
Department of Defense, as well as a means to meet a 2018 National 
Defense Strategy mandate that, ``prototyping and experimentation should 
be used prior to defining requirements.'' \3\
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    \3\ Excerpt from the 2018 National Defense Strategy.
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    The U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) Office of the Chief 
Scientist is considering a command-wide plan for adoption of the 
Federal Warfare System Laboratory construct. Interest in this concept 
has also been expressed by senior military leaders.
    Based on careful analysis of comments received during the public 
workshop and a review of the Secretary of Defense's strategies, 
instructions, and mandates, the Chief of NVLAP has determined that the 
establishment of a LAP for laboratories conducting SIT and O/UAT on 
Federal Warfare Systems best meets government needs.
    This notice is issued in accordance with NVLAP procedures and 
general requirements, found in 15 CFR part 285.
    NVLAP provides an unbiased, third-party evaluation and recognition 
of competence. NVLAP accreditation signifies that a laboratory has

[[Page 40814]]

demonstrated that it operates in accordance with NVLAP management and 
technical requirements pertaining to quality systems, personnel, 
accommodation and environment, test and calibration methods, equipment, 
measurement traceability, sampling, handling of test and calibration 
items, and test and calibration reports.
    NVLAP accreditation does not imply any guarantee (certification) of 
laboratory performance or test/calibration data. NVLAP accreditation is 
a finding of laboratory competence.
    Technical Requirements for the Accreditation Process: NVLAP 
assessments are conducted in accordance with the National Voluntary 
Laboratory Accreditation Program regulations, which are found at 15 CFR 
part 285. NVLAP accreditation is in full conformance with relevant 
standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 
and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), including ISO/
IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and 
calibration laboratories.
    Accreditation is granted to a laboratory following successful 
completion of a process, which includes submission of an application 
and payment of fees by the laboratory, a review of the laboratory 
management system documentation, an on-site assessment by technical 
experts, participation in proficiency testing when available, and 
resolution of any management system or technical nonconformities 
identified during any phase of the application process. The 
accreditation is formalized through issuance of a Certificate of 
Accreditation and Scope of Accreditation.
    General requirements for accreditation are given in NIST Handbook 
150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements, https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/hb/2020/NIST.HB.150-2020.pdf. The specific 
technical and administrative requirements for the program for 
accreditation of laboratories performing SIT and O/UAT on Federal 
Warfare Systems are provided in NIST Handbook 150-872, Federal Warfare 
System(s), https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/hb/2021/NIST.HB.150-872-2021.pdf. Laboratories must meet all NVLAP criteria and requirements in 
order to become accredited. To be considered for accreditation, the 
applicant laboratory must provide a completed application to NVLAP, pay 
all required fees, agree to conditions for accreditation, and be found 
competent to perform the tests prescribed in the standards.
    Application Requirements include: (1) Legal name and full address 
of the laboratory; (2) Ownership of the laboratory; (3) Authorized 
Representative's name and contact information; (4) Names, titles, and 
contact information for laboratory staff nominated to serve as Approved 
Signatories of test and calibration reports that reference NVLAP 
accreditation; (5) Organization chart defining relationships that are 
relevant to performing testing and calibrations covered in the 
accreditation request; (6) General description of laboratory, including 
its facilities and scope of operations; and (7) Requested scope and 
accreditation.
    For this program, the laboratory shall provide a copy of its 
management system documents prior to the on-site assessment. NVLAP will 
review the management system documentation and discuss any 
nonconformities with the Authorized Representative before the on-site 
visit. Laboratories that apply for accreditation will be required to 
pay NVLAP fees and undergo on-site assessment and shall meet 
proficiency testing requirements before initial accreditation can be 
granted.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: This action contains a collection-of-
information requirement subject to review and approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 
1995. Collection activities for NVLAP are currently approved by OMB 
under control number 0693-0003.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

Alicia Chambers,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2021-16179 Filed 7-28-21; 8:45 am]
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