Background

The Measurement Services Advisory Group (MSAG) was established by the NIST Director to address NIST-wide issues related to NIST measurement services, including, but not limited to, calibration services, Standard Reference Materials, and Standard Reference Data.  The MSAG superseded the Calibration Advisory Group, which focused on calibration services only.

Purposes

(1) To identify and address NIST-wide issues related to the quality, relevance, performance, and resources allocated to the health and improvement of NIST measurement services; and

(2) To advise the NIST Director and NIST management on critical NIST-wide issues affecting measurement services and the national measurement standards underpinning them.

Membership

The MSAG consists of the Directors of the Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, Physics Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, Building and Fire Research Laboratory, Information Technology Laboratory, and Technology Services, or their designees, with the Chair selected by the NIST Deputy Director.  The Chair of the Measurement Services Division Chiefs Group (see below) is a non-voting member.

Functions

(1) To develop a vision, mission, and operating guidelines for NIST measurement services and standards realization;

(2) To be an advocate for allocation of resources necessary to implement the measurement services mission and to make NIST the leading National Metrology Institute in the World;

(3) To develop an international strategy regarding measurement services and standards, including criteria for partnership arrangements with other NMIs and support for U.S. international trading partners (e.g., the countries of the Americas);

(4) To develop, adopt, review, revise, document, and oversee implementation of NIST-wide policies, procedures, practices, and plans related to the quality, relevance, and performance of NIST measurement services, e.g., the NIST Quality System for Measurement Services, NIST policy on traceability, roles and responsibilities of different parts of NIST in providing measurement services, operational efficiency and effectiveness of measurement services, customer satisfaction and value of measurement services, measurement-services business practices, etc.; and

(5) To report on at least an annual basis to the NIST Director on key issues related to measurement services.

To effectively implement this charter, MSAG will establish the Measurement Services Division Chiefs Group to advise MSAG on both policy and operational issues as related to measurement standards and their dissemination by NIST.

Meetings

The MSAG meets as necessary to conduct business.  The Chair schedules meetings and documents agreed-upon results.