The NRC shall appoint three panels to assess independently the scientific and technical work performed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Physical Measurement Laboratory, Information Technology Laboratory, and Center for Neutron Research. Each panel will review technical reports and technical program descriptions prepared by NIST staff and will visit the facilities of their respective NIST laboratory. Visits will include technical presentations by NIST staff, demonstrations of NIST projects, tours of NIST facilities, and discussions with NIST staff. Each panel will deliberate during separate panel meetings and will prepare a separate report summarizing its assessment findings.

NIST has requested that the assessments include the following broad criteria:

1. The technical merit of the current laboratory programs relative to current state-of-the-art programs worldwide;

2. The adequacy of the laboratory budget, facilities, equipment, and human resources, as each affects the quality of the laboratory's technical programs; and
3. The degree to which laboratory programs in measurement science, standards, and services achieve their stated objectives and desired impact.