Press Statement - August 20, 1996

NSFnumber
Media contact:	Cheryl Dybas	(703) 306-1070	cdybas@nsf.gov

Statement by Dr. Neal Lane
Director, National Science Foundation

On Supercomputer Acquisition

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that it is initiating an investigation to determine whether Japanese vector supercomputers were being dumped in the United States and whether these imports were injuring the U.S. Industry. The investigation includes a bid submitted in a supercomputer procurement being conducted by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) -- an awardee of the National Science Foundation. In my view, it would be inappropriate for NSF to approve this procurement until the dumping issue has been resolved.

In light of the numerous questions raised about and interest expressed in this procurement, I am pleased that the issue of dumping is being properly addressed by the appropriate federal agencies. The Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission have the statutory authority, the expertise, and the established procedures to determine whether this offer is being made at less than fair value, and whether it would be injurious to American industry.

I am acutely aware that the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), which is operated by UCAR, needs state-of-the-art computational equipment to maintain U.S. world leadership in climate modeling research. I feel, however, that acting now on this procurement would be inconsistent with the responsible stewardship of taxpayer monies.

I hope the investigations will proceed expeditiously and bring a prompt resolution to this matter.