Press Statement - August 29, 1997

Media contact:

Cheryl Dybas

(703) 306-1070

cdybas@nsf.gov

Statement by Dr. Neal Lane
Director, National Science Foundation

On Supercomputer Acquisition

The National Science Foundation is deeply committed to the principle of fair and open procurement practices. Given the Department of Commerce determination last week (August 20) that supercomputers -- including those involved in a NSF-supported procurement by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) -- were being offered at less than fair value, NSF will not approve this procurement.

As a result of this decision, NSF will work closely with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research -- which operates NCAR -- on how to proceed to obtain the additional supercomputing capacity it needs. I am confident that, working together, we will be able to ensure that our nation's scientists and engineers have access to the research tools necessary to help maintain U.S. world leadership in climate modeling research, and that we will apply public funds wisely toward that goal.

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