Manufacturing USA Semiconductor Institute RFI - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I submit questions regarding the RFI?
2. When are RFI responses due back to NIST?
3. How do I submit an RFI response and what formats are acceptable?
4. Will my RFI response be made public?
5. If I miss the deadline for the RFI responses, can I still submit my comments?
6. What is the key focus of the RFI?
7. Will NIST be hosting a workshop surrounding this RFI?
8. Why is feedback requested now?
9. Where can I find more information about the CHIPS Act?
10. How is this Semiconductor RFI different from that previously published by the Department of Commerce in September 2021?
11. When does NIST anticipate releasing a Funding Opportunity related to this RFI?
12. Where do I direct any questions or comments that are unrelated to this RFI?
13. Where can I download the Summary of Responses to this RFI?

Answers

Where can I submit questions regarding the RFI?

For questions about this RFI contact: Kelley Rogers in the Office of Advanced Manufacturing, National Institute of Standards and Technology, telephone number 301-219-8543 or via email to MfgRFI [at] nist.gov (MfgRFI[at]nist[dot]gov).

For media inquiries contact: NIST’s Office of Public Affairs at 301-975-2762.

Cite “Manufacturing USA Semiconductor Institutes - Questions” in all correspondence.

When are RFI responses due back to NIST?

NIST has extended the comment period to 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 12, 2022.

How do I submit an RFI response and what formats are acceptable?

Comments may be submitted by either of the following methods:

• Electronic submission: Submit electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
  • Go to https://www.regulations.gov/and enter NIST-2022-0002  in the search field.
  • Click the “Comment Now!” icon and complete the required fields.
  • Enter or attach your comments.
• Email: Comments in electronic form may also be sent to MfgRFI [at] nist.gov (MfgRFI[at]nist[dot]gov) in any of the following formats: HTML; ASCII; Word; RTF; or PDF.

Please submit comments only and include your name, organization’s name (if any), and cite “Manufacturing USA Semiconductor Institutes” in all correspondence. Comments containing references, studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include copies of the referenced materials. 

All comments responding to this document will be a matter of public record. Relevant comments will generally be available on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.Regulations.gov and on NIST's website at https://www.nist.gov/oam/manufacturing-usa-semiconductor-institute-request-information-rfi.

NIST will not accept comments accompanied by a request that part or all of the material be treated confidentially because of its business proprietary nature or for any other reason. Therefore, do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive, protected, or personal information, such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, or names of other individuals. 

Will my RFI response be made public?

All comments responding to this document will be a matter of public record. Relevant comments will generally be available on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.Regulations.gov and on NIST's website at https://www.nist.gov/oam/manufacturing-usa-semiconductor-institute-request-information-rfi.

If I miss the deadline for the RFI responses, can I still submit my comments?

NIST welcomes any and all feedback submitted to through the mechanisms above. Written comments in response to the RFI should be submitted according to the information found in the RFI’s ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION sections. However, submissions received after 11:59 PM ET on November 28, 2022 may not be considered.

What is the key focus of the RFI?

The key focus is to inform the development of up to three Manufacturing USA semiconductor institutes that will strengthen leadership and national resilience of the U.S. semiconductor and microelectronics industry and other industries that rely on microelectronics, through research and development of manufacturing technology, and enhanced education and workforce development. Responses to this RFI may include any topic believed to have implications for the development of Manufacturing USA semiconductor institutes, regardless of whether the topic is included in this document.   

NIST would greatly appreciate the public’s input into:  

• Design of, and requirements for, potential Manufacturing USA institutes to strengthen the semiconductor and microelectronics innovation ecosystem, which could include design, fabrication, advanced test, assembly, and packaging capability. 
• How these Manufacturing USA institute(s) would support R&D efforts, infrastructure investments including the establishment of a National Semiconductor Technology Center, investments in advanced packaging, expansion of NIST’s metrology R&D in support of semiconductor and microelectronics R&D as well as education and workforce development.

Will NIST be hosting a workshop surrounding this RFI?

NIST held informational webinars explaining how the public can submit comments. 

• The three informational webinars were held October 20, November 2, and November 16. The content and format of each webinar was the same. 
• If you were unable to attend, click here to watch a recorded webinar.

Why is feedback requested now?

Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) will inform NIST’s development of funding opportunities for federal assistance to establish Manufacturing USA semiconductor institutes. 

Where can I find more information about the CHIPS Act?

• In January 2021, Congress passed the CHIPS for America Act. This legislation, enacted as part of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorized a series of programs to promote the research, development, and fabrication of semiconductors within the United States. 
  • https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr6395/BILLS-116hr6395enr.pdf

• In August 2022, Congress passed the CHIPS Act of 2022 which amended the CHIPS for America Act. The CHIPS Act of 2022 can be found at:

  • https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4346/BILLS-117hr4346enr.pdf

• The specific Manufacturing USA institute provision of the CHIPS Act was codified at 15 U.S.C. 4656(f) - Creation of a Manufacturing USA institute:

  • https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section4656&num=0&edition=prelim

How is this Semiconductor RFI different from that previously published by the Department of Commerce in September 2021?

The Department of Commerce through NIST previously issued a Notice of Request for Public Comments on Risks in the Semiconductor Supply Chain in September 2021.  That RFI was released to inform the planning and design of all programs authorized by the CHIPS for America Act prior to final passage and enactment. At that time, the Department sought input on the potential set of programs in general and the following topics specifically:  Semiconductor Financial Assistance Program, National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) and Workforce Development Needs of the Industry.  A summary of responses to that RFI was published in an August 2022 special publication.   

In contrast, this Manufacturing USA Semiconductor Institute RFI focuses specifically on a single element of the enacted CHIPS Act:  the authority to establish up to three Manufacturing USA institutes focused on semiconductor manufacturing innovation.  Questions in this RFI are designed to inform NIST’s planning for a potential funding opportunity for these institutes.