STATUS OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REFERENCE MATERIAL PROGRAM AT NEW BRUNSWICK LABORATORY

The New Brunswick Laboratory (NBL), a government owned and operated laboratory since 1948, is the U.S. governments certifying authority for nuclear reference materials. In September 2004, the functions of the laboratory, including reference material production, certification and measurement exchange programs, were entered into an A-76 competition. The OMB prescribed A-76 process pits government employees against commercial providers to provide cost-savings to the government. The results of the competition, it's impact on the U.S. reference materials program and users, and the current status of the laboratory and program will be discussed.