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ExpectMore.govExpectMore.gov home pageEXPECT FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO PERFORM WELL, AND BETTER EVERY YEAR.
 
Program Assessment

Program

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Federally Funded Research and Development Centers

Federally funded research and development centers are independent nonprofits funded by the U.S. government that bring together government, private sector, and academia to solve complex problems. The four FFRDCs sponsored by NSF operate and maintain telescopes, research aircraft, and supercomputers, among other examples.

Rating

What This Rating Means

PERFORMING
Effective

This is the highest rating a program can achieve. Programs rated Effective set ambitious goals, achieve results, are well-managed and improve efficiency.
  • This program is effective in operating unique research centers and resources. Independent assessments find that the program provides significant access for researchers to state-of the-art scientific facilities.
  • In FY 2007, this program achieved both annual output goals, but did not achieve the annual efficiency goal because one of the four facilities, the NAIC Arecibo Telescope, did not meet its operating time goal due to repair of instruments and major maintenance that removed the telescope from service for nearly six months.

Improvement Plan

About Improvement Plans

We are taking the following actions to improve the performance of the program:

  • Managing and maintaining these facilities and resources to ensure they operate near peak performance.

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