Contact: Michael Newman
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Quotes from the Maryland
Members of Congress

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the Commerce Department's Technology Administration, today announced that Clark/Gilford, a joint venture partnership between The Clark Construction Group Inc., of Bethesda, Md., and Gilford Corp., of Beltsville, Md., has been awarded the $174 million contract to construct one of the most technologically advanced buildings in the world, the NIST Advanced Measurement Laboratory, in Gaithersburg, Md.

"The AML will give NIST and its partners in U.S. industry access to research
and development capabilities not available anywhere else in the world," said Secretary of Commerce Norman Mineta. "This selection underscores the Department's
commitment to providing opportunities to small businesses, especially those that
are disadvantaged or minority-owned."

"With its state-of-the-art stringent controls on particulate matter, temperature, vibration and humidity, the AML will allow NIST to provide U.S. industry and science with improved measurements and standards, and together, speed the development of research advances," said NIST Director Ray Kammer.

When it is ready for occupancy in 2004, the 47,480-square-meter (511,070-square-foot) laboratory will house the institute's most advanced metrology, physics, chemistry, electronics, engineering and materials science research, and will enable NIST to keep pace with rapid developments in semiconductors, industrial robots, computers, pharmaceuticals and emerging technologies requiring molecular and atomic-level precision.

Clark/Gilford was selected as the prime contractor for the AML—the largest single construction project in NIST history—because the joint venture could provide the highest possible technical expertise at the most cost-effective price. In addition, the partnership proved that it could help small businesses share in the economic benefits from building the AML. Even the joint venture itself is a partnership between a large business, Clark Construction, and a small disadvantaged business, Gilford.

The Commerce Department is aggressively committed to providing subcontracts to small businesses, especially those that are disadvantaged, women-owned or in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (distressed areas with small businesses qualified for federal contracting opportunities). Under the conditions of the AML construction contract, Clark/Gilford is committed to award 50 percent of the $125 million for subcontracts to small businesses. Of this $62.5 million, $25 million in contracts will go to disadvantaged firms, $12.5 million to women-owned companies and $2.5 million to firms in HUBZones.

Two other key criteria for NIST's choice of the AML prime contractor were finding a firm with a successful track record in implementing small business subcontracting plans and a strong ability to forge mentor-protégé relationships with small business subcontractors. The joint venture partners, Clark Construction and Gilford, have entered into a mentor-protégé agreement that will enhance and develop Gilford's capabilities in all aspects of project management and supervision of a high- technology construction project.

The AML will consist of five sections: two single-floor measurement laboratory sections below ground with 151 modules (for improved vibration isolation and temperature control), two single-floor instrument laboratory sections above ground with 187 modules, and one clean room wing above ground. Specialty areas within the AML include 48 precision temperature control laboratories (constant temperatures within ±0.1 degree Celsius or ±0.01 degree Celsius depending on need) and 27 extremely low-vibration laboratories.

Characteristics that will be uniform throughout the AML include strict laboratory air cleanliness assured by HEPA filtration; a baseline temperature control of ±0.25 degree Celsius; mechanical, electrical and structural systems designed to minimize vibration; and a power system rated for critical electronic loads. Mechanical services (piping, ventilation and electrical) as well as laboratory support equipment (such as gas canisters) are located in a service corridor located between laboratory modules, maximizing flexibility and cleanliness.

Finally, natural daylighting, energy conservation and recycling are incorporated into the "green" building design and planned operation of the AML.

For more details on the AML, including graphics and artist renditions, visit www.ta.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/aml.htm.

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology
Administration, NIST strengthens the U.S. economy and improves the quality of life by
working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards through four partnerships: the Measurement and Standards Laboratories, the Advanced Technology Program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Baldrige National Quality Program.

Quotes from the Maryland Members of Congress

Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.)

"This is terrific news that Maryland workers will be utilized to build NIST's new state-of- the-art high-tech lab in Maryland," said Senator Paul S. Sarbanes. "NIST's research activities are crucial to our nation and I am pleased that Maryland companies and their workers will be leading the way to construct this new laboratory."

Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.)

"I am so excited that NIST has selected two Maryland companies," said Senator Barbara Mikulski. "This means jobs for Maryland today and jobs for Maryland tomorrow."

Representative Constance Morella (R-Md.)

Congresswoman Connie Morella, chair of the House Technology Subcommittee,
said, "As we begin the 21st Century, this new state-of-the-art AML lab will
allow our federal scientists and engineers at NIST to tackle the awesome technological challenges that face our nation. I congratulate Clark Construction, a Montgomery County firm, which will construct this world-class facility and allow NIST to continue performing its vital mission."

Representative Steny Hoyer (D-Md.)

"The joint venture between Clark Construction and Gilford Corp. in this $174 million contract to construct our nation's most advanced measurement lab is another demonstration of our federal government's commitment to supporting small business. Gilford Corp. of Beltsville, Md., has proven its expertise and now has the opportunity to continue its mission of providing excellence and reliability in general contracting of this facility which will house some of our country's top scientists."

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