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Radio Frequency Technology Division

The Radio Frequency Technology Division (RFTD) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) maintains strong capabilities in metrology science and calibration services, with recognized contributions in quantum sensing and high-frequency electronics. RFTD work impacts all time-critical systems across national security and civilian infrastructure domains, improving technology from cell phones to computer chips. This assessment evaluates the division’s performance against the mission of a national metrology institute (NMI), comparing capabilities with peer institutions and assessing whether the division adequately supports U.S. industry and research needs.

BACKGROUND ON THE RADIO FREQUENCY TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

The RFTD operates through four research groups: the Electromagnetic Fields Group, the Guided Wave Electromagnetics Group, the High-Speed Waveform Metrology Group, and the Superconducting Electronics Group. Table 3-1 provides an overview of the objectives of each of these research groups.

TABLE 3-1 Overview of the Radio Frequency Technology Division Research Groups

SOURCE: Committee generated using CTL (2025).

Technical work is organized around metrology portfolio areas, aligning long-term activities with national metrology needs:

• RF Metrology and Calibrations—standard reference instruments, measurement standards, and calibration services spanning power, impedance, field strength, antenna calibration, and quantum voltage standards;
• High-Speed Microelectronics—metrology for Next Generation Communications (NextG) wireless, high-speed microelectronics, and quantum communications; and
• Quantum Communications—quantum sensing, computing, and networking measurement techniques.

The division maintains international standards contributions through multilateral measurement intercomparisons, participation in France’s Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) key comparisons, and collaborations with national metrology institutes including the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan for antenna metrology at 140–220 gigahertz (GHz), the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science for quantum computing metrology, and the National Institute of Aerospace Technology in Spain for Josephson voltage standards deployment.

TECHNICAL PROGRAMS

The RFTD manages four primary portfolios—Calibration, NextG, High-Speed Microelectronics, and Quantum—with a $24 million budget (approximately $9.2 million in base funding) and 51 federal employees out of 108 total staff. The division has achieved notable success in establishing new measurement capabilities and enabling technology transfer, although questions exist about strategic priorities and resource allocation.

Quality of Research Compared to World-Class Standards

The Rydberg sensor development represents a paradigmatic success for NIST’s measurement science mission. NIST established SI-traceable RF field measurement methods that enabled an entire industry sector—approximately 25 companies with $100 million in commercial activity now build upon NIST’s measurement foundations. This exemplifies the appropriate NMI model: NIST develops measurement science at low technology readiness level (TRL), and industry implements commercial systems at high TRL. Since 2021, NIST’s Rydberg sensor program has secured approximately $14 million in external direct funding, earned multiple Department of Commerce awards, and delivered more than 50 publications, conferences, and patents—highlighting both scientific excellence and translational impact. By pioneering atoms as calibrated metrology artifacts, NIST transformed RF probe calibration into atom-based primary standards, reducing uncertainties and positioning the United States as the global leader in RF quantum sensing. Beyond metrology, the program has demonstrated novel applications including atom-based receivers, RF imaging, angle-of-arrival sensing, and blackbody/voltage standards, underscoring its broad technical reach.

NIST maintains foundational voltage standard capabilities with uncertainties at parts in 10^12. International comparisons with BIPM, the National Metrology Institute of Japan, and NIST achieved agreement within 5 parts in 10¹² (Rufenacht et al. 2018). NIST systems are replicated globally by other NMIs, demonstrating sustained technical leadership comparable to Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Germany and the National Physical Laboratory in the United Kingdom. Since 2010, NIST has disseminated more than 25 programmable Josephson voltage standards, 20 cryopackaged systems, and 8 Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizers worldwide, supporting NMIs, national laboratories (NASA Houston, Sandia National Laboratories, Oak Ridge National Laboratory), and industry leaders (HP, Keysight, Fluke, Boeing). These platforms deliver quantum-accurate references up to 10 volts (V) direct current (DC) and multivolt alternating current (AC) waveforms, with DC–DC comparison reproducibility of 3×10^–11, underscoring NIST’s role in setting and maintaining the global benchmark for voltage metrology.

The Electro-Optic Sampling system provides waveform characterization up to 1 terahertz (THz) with 100 femtosecond (fs) resolution, establishing measurement capabilities that surpass commercial instruments, which typically operate below 100 GHz. It delivers traceable magnitude and phase references that support calibration

of oscilloscopes, analyzers, and network systems, with possibility of traceability greater than 250 GHz and high spatial waveform imaging. The program has produced peer-reviewed results (e.g., Bosworth et al. 2023; Cheron et al. 2022), although high-impact publications are still limited, secured CRADAs with industry, and established calibration pathways for the U.S. Department of War (DOW) and six companies, underscoring its technical rigor and measurable impact.

NIST’s cryogenic RF calibration program leads internationally by integrating probe stations inside dilution refrigerators for on-wafer measurements below 0.1 K, enabling calibrated scattering-parameter and modulated-signal characterization of quantum devices. The group has developed cryogenic microelectromechanical systems switch networks for high-throughput calibration, as well as standard qubits, power sensors, and single-photon sources to support round-robin interlaboratory comparisons. With multiple peer-reviewed demonstrations since 2020 and commercial prototypes already tested down to 0.1 K, NIST provides unique capabilities unmatched by other NMIs.

Critical Gaps in Supporting Emerging Industry Needs

The panel’s assessment of gaps, summarized below, is based on division presentations and early career researcher posters representing examples of ongoing work. These may not reflect the complete scope of division capabilities, and additional programs exist beyond those presented during the review.

6G Frequency Range: Measurement Science Gap

NIST capabilities in channel sounding and general RF metrology remain largely below 100 GHz, while 6G standards development targets 100–300 GHz (THz bands). The division demonstrates antenna metrology work at 140–220 GHz through bilateral comparisons with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan, indicating partial capability in this frequency range for antenna-specific applications. However, Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP 2025) TR 38.901 Release 19 now covers 0.5–100 GHz, and industry consortia are planning systems across the broader 100–300 GHz range for channel characterization, device testing, and system validation.

Assessment: This discrepancy represents a measurement science gap—U.S. industry developing 6G technologies may lack NIST-traceable measurement methods beyond the antenna-specific capabilities already demonstrated. NIST should either develop broader THz measurement capabilities to support U.S. 6G development across channel sounding and device characterization or explicitly determine that these frequencies fall outside mission scope and that industry must develop measurement methods independently.

Hot Qubit Metrology: Development Program in Progress

The division’s 100 GHz/1 K hot qubit program is in active development, targeting qubit frequencies of 10–100 GHz to enable approximately 1 K operation versus standard <50 mK requirements. Early career researchers report infrastructure development with external collaborations, including University of Colorado, Dartmouth College, Google, and Fermilab/Brookhaven National Laboratory, with five publications, one patent, and ongoing measurement system development. However, academic institutions, including University of Chicago/Stanford University and TU Delft, have demonstrated operational high-frequency and elevated-temperature qubit systems several years ahead of NIST’s current development status.

Assessment from NMI perspective: The program demonstrates appropriate strategic positioning through strong external collaborations and active infrastructure development. However, NIST is several years from providing operational measurement support for industry. If quantum computing platforms transition to elevated-temperature operation in the near term, U.S. industry may require measurement capabilities before NIST systems reach maturity. The division should undertake a hot qubit metrology program strategic review to clarify (1) the anticipated timeline for operational measurement services, (2) whether its development pace matches projected industry needs, and

(3) the decision criteria for resource allocation given the multiyear gap between current status and demonstrated academic capabilities (Recommendation 3-1).

Quantum Transduction: Mission Alignment Question

Literature searches reveal that NIST participates primarily in theoretical quantum transduction work, while experimental demonstrations with reported end-to-end efficiency come from international institutions.

Assessment from NMI perspective: The critical question is whether quantum transduction represents a measurement science need (NIST’s role) or a quantum device development need (not NIST’s role). If U.S. quantum networking efforts require standardized transduction measurement methods, NIST could develop them. If transduction is purely a device engineering challenge, NIST’s theoretical contributions may be sufficient NMI support. The division should clarify the industry need and whether current activities appropriately address it.

Strategic Resource Allocation

A fundamental strategic issue emerges from resource allocation: approximately 50 percent of researcher effort is devoted to performing calibration services rather than developing new measurement capabilities. While providing calibrations is a core NMI function, this raises efficiency questions. Are highly skilled PhD researchers the appropriate workforce for routine calibrations, or should technicians perform these services? Does the current calibration fee structure (up to 900 percent markup) provide sufficient cost recovery to support both service provision and capability development?

The division’s stated goal to enable others to perform NIST-level calibrations aligns well with NMI best practices. The Air Force Metrology and Calibration Program has successfully developed primary standards capability, exemplifying this model. However, no systematic plan exists to transition additional routine calibrations to qualified secondary laboratories, which would free NIST researchers to focus on developing measurement capabilities for emerging technologies.

Channel Sounding: Mission Alignment and Deployment Limitations

The Next Generation Communications program includes the design, construction, and use of channel sounders in a millimeter-wave and sub-THz bands. Channel sounders are critical in providing an experimental basis for channel models used to assess communication (and, more recently, sensing) system performance. This is an important and natural role for CTL, as it helps derisk commercial use of these bands. The sounder equipment is state of the art, covering all relevant signal properties (path loss, polarization, angles of arrival and departure, etc.). The primary accomplishment is system integration of various components and collection of channel sounding data in select environments. However, the resulting sounder is physically large and heavy so as to restrict measurement to short-range, indoor locations where a cart can be pushed on a level floor. Commercially important environments, such as macro-cells, which have rooftop or tower-mounted antennas, are thus not measurable using such a sounder. This restricts the applicability and impact of the resulting data and conclusions. Additionally, the current use of a BNC coaxial cable to synchronize the sounding transmitter and receiver limits the range of the system. The next iteration of the sounder design can be improved by exploring use of any of the NIST optical clock technology to remove this restriction.

SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE

The RFTD possesses strong scientific expertise across its mission areas, with recognized contributions in quantum sensing, high-frequency electronics, and calibration sciences. Staff have pioneered measurement methods including Rydberg atom electrometry and electro-optic sampling to 1 THz, and have advanced channel sounding methodologies. Early career researchers demonstrate enthusiasm and technical depth, contributing to a vibrant research environment.

World-Class Expertise Assessment

The Rydberg sensor development team exemplifies NIST’s capacity for pioneering measurement science. Starting as exploratory work in 2010 that was difficult to justify for funding, this program has established an entirely new measurement field and enabled commercial sector development, demonstrating NIST’s culture of supporting long-term technical vision with high-risk, high-reward potential. The high-frequency electronics group’s work on characterizing heterogeneous (3D) microelectronics helps position NIST to support semiconductor industry measurement needs, particularly the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act objectives. This work now underpins a $100 million U.S. commercial sector and has reduced RF field measurement uncertainties. The team’s more than 100 publications, 8 patents, and the Department of Commerce Gold Medal and Ron Brown Innovation Award confirm global scientific leadership, while approximately $14 million in recent external funding (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Department of Energy, DOW) highlights broad impact. Beyond metrology, NIST has demonstrated atom-based receivers, RF imaging, angle-of-arrival sensing, and traceable power and voltage standards, bridging fundamental physics and applied measurement needs.

As another example, the Electro-Optic Sampling team demonstrates world-class expertise in high-frequency waveform calibration, developing the first traceable system reaching up to 1 THz with 100 fs resolution—well beyond the below 100 GHz limit of commercial tools. Their methods provide absolute magnitude and phase references for oscilloscopes, analyzers, and network systems, with calibration services already adopted by DOW and industry partners. Recent advances in modulation traceability (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [IEEE] 1765 EVM), photodiode calibration to 250 GHz, and on-wafer imaging confirm NIST’s leadership in waveform metrology.

In the area of quantum voltage standards, NIST’s superconducting electronics group maintains foundational voltage standards with uncertainties at parts in 10^12, comparable to or exceeding Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). International comparisons with BIPM, the National Metrology Institute of Japan, and NIST agree to within 5 parts in 10¹². The dissemination of more than 25 programmable Josephson systems and 8 waveform synthesizers since 2010 demonstrates sustained leadership. These platforms provide quantum-accurate references up to 10 V DC and multivolt AC waveforms, establishing NIST as the global benchmark in electrical metrology.

The division’s publication output of 103 papers over 3 years for 51 federal employees translates to roughly 0.67 publications per researcher per year. This rate must be contextualized: research staff dedicate approximately 50 percent of their efforts to calibration services, meaning the effective publication rate reflects half-time research capacity. The division has received significant recognition through the Arthur S. Flemming Award and Presidential Rank Award, demonstrating individual research excellence. The division contributed five patents from 2022 to 2025 and maintains international engagement with BIPM, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology through bilateral antenna metrology comparisons at 140–220 (GHz), Josephson voltage standards deployment to Spain’s National Institute of Aerospace Technology, and participation in standards development including IEEE P1765 and 3GPP.

Expertise Development Needs

The division shows limited recruitment connections with universities beyond the local region. The formal Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) partnerships are administered by the NIST International and Academic Affairs Office and are restricted to four institutions which are partners on the current grant for the Boulder facility: three Colorado universities (University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Denver, and Colorado School of Mines) and New Mexico State University. Some researchers from other institutions work at Boulder through mechanisms such as the National Research Council postdoctoral program or individual collaborations. In contrast, peer NMIs demonstrate broader formal academic engagement: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt engages more than 30 universities where doctoral students maintain academic supervisors, and the NPL’s Postgraduate Institute collaborates with approximately 35 UK academic institutions. This difference in partnership breadth may limit the division’s access to emerging research areas and diverse talent pools.

Between January and September 2025, CTL experienced a reduction of 19 federal staff members (10.7 percent), declining from 178 to 159 employees. These dates were selected to capture the impact of recent government-wide voluntary workforce reduction policies. This includes the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority program and other voluntary departures across the tenure spectrum. The reduction was not distributed uniformly across divisions: Smart Connected Systems was disproportionately affected with a 33 percent reduction (from 27 to 18 staff), while RFTD lost 11 percent of its workforce (from 54 to 48 staff). The tenure statistics reveal concerning patterns. While average years at NIST increased by 0.61 years and average time in grade increased by 0.63 years—both slightly below the expected 0.75-year increase from the 9-month elapsed time—the average years since the last degree decreased by 0.53 years. This counterintuitive decrease indicates the loss of more experienced researchers, as natural progression should have increased this metric. Additional context is provided by looking at data from January 2024. It is clear that the hiring freeze during 2025 kept CTL from replacing departed staff with more junior new hires as was done in 2024.

Additionally, the retirement of key personnel, such as the main architect of the uncertainty software, highlights institutional knowledge risks. No formal succession planning process or knowledge transfer protocols were described during the review. Given the specialized nature of metrology expertise, loss of senior staff without planned knowledge transfer could compromise NIST’s ability to maintain measurement capabilities.

Workforce stability is also a concern. Associates and permanent staff in probationary status face job uncertainty because of recent government actions. This is likely to impact performance and project continuity. The division reports good diversity in recruitment mechanisms with 57 associates including postdoctoral researchers, PREP researchers, and international associates, but retention becomes difficult once they complete degrees, given very limited availability of permanent positions at NIST. The combination of recent workforce reductions, loss of experienced researchers, ongoing institutional knowledge risks, and continued uncertainty for associates and probationary staff creates a compounding challenge for maintaining CTL’s technical capabilities. The committee recommends tracking workforce metrics quarterly to evaluate stabilization and guide strategic workforce planning (Recommendation 3-6).

FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Infrastructure Deficiencies Compromising Metrology Mission

The division’s facilities face significant infrastructure challenges that actively compromise its ability to provide reliable national measurement standards—the core NMI function. Multiple facilities experience power failures (both planned and unplanned), uncontrolled temperature issues affecting calibration chamber stability, and inadequate environmental controls requiring makeshift solutions like opening windows for equipment cooling. The absence of backup power systems represents a fundamental failure for an NMI to provide the foundation of U.S. measurement traceability and protect national standards.

Infrastructure failures directly threaten NIST’s ability to provide reliable calibration services and maintain measurement standards. Industry and government customers rely on NIST for measurement traceability—these failures undermine this core function. Despite inquiries about facility repair and improvement funding, no concrete plan exists to address these deficiencies beyond attempting to “minimize impacts” of ongoing issues.

Equipment Limitations

Laboratory equipment generally supports current measurement services across the frequency spectrum. Notable systems include material measurement systems for RF and microwave frequencies of 1 megahertz to 100 GHz, antenna testing facilities, and integrated circuit characterization capabilities. However, equipment limitations may constrain the division’s ability to support emerging U.S. industry needs, particularly for cryogenic RF measurements where the NPL has demonstrated capabilities to tens of millikelvin.

Human Resource Challenges

The division faces a persistent technician shortage, a challenge that extends across the laboratory. This shortage has resulted in graduate students and postdoctoral researchers filling roles that could be performed by technicians in support of both research and calibration services. Retention becomes difficult once these individuals complete their degrees, creating an ongoing cycle that has not been addressed through systematic workforce planning. The absence of a stable technician workforce requires PhD researchers to spend significant time on routine calibration tasks rather than advancing measurement science. Developing high school apprenticeship programs leading to technician certification and/or partnering with relevant technical training programs could provide a sustainable solution to this persistent workforce gap.

Cost Recovery Model

Despite high calibration fees, cost recovery remains insufficient to support both facility needs and capability development. This suggests fundamental issues with overhead and wrap rate structures, or that the current service volume cannot sustainably fund both operations and innovation.

EFFECTIVENESS OF DISSEMINATION OF PROGRAM OUTPUTS

Dissemination Strengths

The division demonstrates competence in traditional NMI dissemination methods including journal publications, conference presentations, technical reports, and standards development. Notable technology transfer successes include automation of the Josephson voltage standard, enabling adoption by other NMIs; development of primary standards lab capability within the Air Force Metrology and Calibration Program; development of open-source Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) testbed tools, and development of the NextG Channel Model Alliance data repository. Testbed tools and research for 5G O-RAN are a potential area of new or increased collaboration with the Spectrum Technology and Research Division. These examples demonstrate appropriate NMI technology transfer: NIST develops measurement methods and makes them available for implementation by others.

Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Engagement Framework

CTL has established systematic strategic planning processes including roadmap development with stakeholder engagement (surveys, interviews, working groups); formal project planning with 2–3-year horizons; and quarterly reviews tracking research progress, budget, and risks. This systematic approach addresses 2022 National Academies’ recommendations for research and development roadmaps and demonstrates proactive planning aligned with industry needs. Impact assessment could be improved by estimating economic value of calibration services, systematic tracking of measurement method adoption in commercial products, and examination of industry development based on NIST dataset support. This could be accomplished via an industry survey to identify priority U.S. measurement requirements, perform gap analysis of NIST’s capabilities versus industry needs, and create an evidence base to rank priorities.

Opportunities for Enhanced Impact Assessment

While the division tracks research outputs through quarterly reviews (publications, standards contributions, conferences attended, laboratory tours provided, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements established), opportunities exist to strengthen demonstration of economic value and industry adoption. Quantifying calibration cascade economic impact (e.g., 25 power calibrations enabling 30,000 DOW calibrations annually), systematically tracking technology adoption in commercial products, and analyzing how datasets support industry develop-

ment would provide stronger evidence of mission impact. International metrology institutes like the NPL and the National Metrology Institute of Japan provide models for comprehensive impact assessment and economic value quantification.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CTL’s RFTD is a global leader in metrology and has pioneered many advanced technologies, even leading to completely new industries. The subpanel frames its conclusions and recommendations to highlight strengths and address critical issues for the division’s advancement.

Conclusion 3-1: The Radio Frequency Technology Division has strengths in metrology, measurement sciences, and technology development:

• Strong foundational metrology capabilities (e.g., Josephson standards and radio frequency power and scattering-parameter measurements, competitive with leading peer national metrology institutes);
• Successful measurement science innovation enabling new industries (e.g., Rydberg sensing); and
• Active development programs with strong external collaborations positioning for future industry needs (e.g., hot qubit metrology with industry, national laboratories, universities, magnetic materials, 5G/6G electromagnetic compatibility frameworks).

Conclusion 3-2: The Radio Frequency Technology Division effectively disseminates its work by

• Demonstrating an appropriate technology transfer model (the National Institute of Standards and Technology develops measurement science for low technology readiness level (TRL), and industry implements systems at high TRL) and
• Contributing effectively to standards development (e.g., Next Generation Communications Channel Model Alliance, Third Generation Partnership Project participation, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standards development).

Conclusion 3-3: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has world-class expertise in Rydberg sensor science, defining the state of the art in atom-based radio frequency metrology. Emphasis on higher frequency (>110 gigahertz) and deployable system integration would help NIST to sustain its leadership.

Recommendation 3-1: Based on confirmed industry needs, the Radio Frequency Technology Division should develop terahertz-frequency measurement capabilities for 6G support or determine that the frequencies fall outside its mission scope; conduct a hot qubit metrology program strategic review to determine industry need and timeline, pace of NIST measurement capability development, and resource allocation decision criteria; and assess cryogenic radio frequency measurement requirements for the quantum computing industry.

Conclusion 3-4: Power failures, absent backup systems, and environmental control deficiencies represent an infrastructure crisis, and actively compromise the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s ability to provide reliable national measurement standards. This threatens the core national metrology institute (NMI) function and risks loss of international credibility in key comparisons with other NMIs such as Germany’s Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, the United Kingdom’s National Physical Laboratory, and the National Metrology Institute of Japan.

Recommendation 3-2: The National Institute of Standards and Technology should install backup power systems for all measurement standards facilities; remediate environmental controls; stabilize temperature control for calibration chambers; and develop a multiyear capital facilities plan with dedicated funding.

Conclusion 3-5: Several programs show active development with appropriate external collaborations (hot qubit metrology, terahertz frequency extensions, cryogenic radio frequency), but timelines to operational capability may not align with U.S. industry needs. Early career researcher presentations demonstrate progress, but multiyear gaps may exist before measurement services reach maturity. Strategic clarification is needed on development pace versus anticipated industry demand, particularly for quantum computing and 6G technologies where academic and international capabilities are advancing rapidly.

Conclusion 3-6: The Radio Frequency Technology Division has established strategic planning with stakeholder engagement and quarterly tracking of research activities (publications, standards contributions, conferences, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements). Opportunities exist to enhance impact assessment beyond activity metrics to include economic value quantification of calibration services, systematic tracking of measurement method adoption in commercial products, and analysis of how datasets support industry development. These enhanced metrics would strengthen demonstrated value and inform resource allocation.

Recommendation 3-3: The Radio Frequency Technology Division should conduct a strategic stakeholder needs assessment based on a comprehensive industry survey to identify priority U.S. measurement requirements; perform gap analysis comparing capabilities against industry needs; and develop an evidence-based priority ranking.

Recommendation 3-4: The Radio Frequency Technology Division should enhance its impact assessment by implementing comprehensive tracking of calibration service reach and economic value; develop technology adoption metrics; create systematic industry feedback mechanisms; and publish its annual impact assessment to demonstrate mission effectiveness.

Conclusion 3-7: The current model with PhD researchers spending a large percentage of time performing routine calibrations while calibration fees prove insufficient for facility or capability needs appears unsustainable. Peer national metrology institutes use different workforce models and cost recovery structures that may better support both service provision and innovation.

Recommendation 3-5: The Radio Frequency Technology Division should optimize its workforce by implementing or partnering with an existing technician training program for routine and high-volume calibrations and review cost recovery models for sustainability; conduct a comprehensive workforce assessment including experience demographics and retirement impact; develop succession plans for critical positions; and expand university recruitment relationships beyond the local region.

Recommendation 3-6: The Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) should perform a workforce metrics analysis, tracking workforce metrics semiannually—including headcount by division, average years at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, time in grade, and years since the last degree—to evaluate workforce stabilization, assess the ongoing impact of recent reductions, and guide strategic workforce planning.

REFERENCES