Notice2021-16179
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
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Published
July 29, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Institute of Standards and Technology
Abstract
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.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 143 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 143 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40813-40814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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 <a href="https://www.nist.gov/nvlap">https://www.nist.gov/nvlap</a> 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d1bfa7bdb0a191bfb8a2a5ffb6bea7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="355b43595445755b5c46411b525a43">[email protected]</span></a>. All applications for
accreditation must be submitted to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82ecf4eee3f2c2ecebf1f6ace5edf4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e18f978d8091a18f889295cf868e97">[email protected]</span></a>.
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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#147666757078716d3a797b7b6671547a7d67603a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a18081b1e161f0354171515081f3a1413090e541d150c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Information regarding NVLAP and the accreditation process can be
obtained from <a href="https://www.nist.gov/nvlap">https://www.nist.gov/nvlap</a>.
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: <a href="https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2021/05/27/FWS%20LAB_2021%20White%20Paper_v17.2021APR19.pdf">https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2021/05/27/FWS%20LAB_2021%20White%20Paper_v17.2021APR19.pdf</a>. 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, <a href="https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/hb/2020/NIST.HB.150-2020.pdf">https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/hb/2020/NIST.HB.150-2020.pdf</a>. 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), <a href="https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/hb/2021/NIST.HB.150-872-2021.pdf">https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/hb/2021/NIST.HB.150-872-2021.pdf</a>. 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]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
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