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Excerpt from the Carl Levin National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015
The following excerpt relating to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research is taken from the Senate Armed Services Committee report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act.1
The committee notes that the Secretary of the Air Force announced the decision to not relocate the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in testimony. The committee commends the Secretary on the decision. AFOSR plays a vital role in the development of new Air Force capabilities, by funding basic research programs at universities, small businesses, and government laboratories in areas including advanced materials, cybersecurity, hypersonics, robotics, and computer science. AFOSR investments in the past have led to a range of deployed and commercial systems ranging from the computer mouse to lasers to stealth materials used on tactical aircraft. The committee notes that AFOSR has funded research by 73 scientists and engineers who have earned Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, medicine, or economics. Further, AFOSR plays a leading role in Air Force engagement with the global scientific community, and in supporting the training of the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technology entrepreneurs through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and graduate fellowship programs.
The research community collaborates with AFOSR at its present location, and has expressed concern to the committee about the potential adverse impact of relocation on both the mission of AFOSR and on its current federal and non-federal partners. The committee notes that AFOSR moved to its present location in the late 1990s, specifically to be physically close to other key federal research offices, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and Office of Naval Research (ONR). This co-location was endorsed as a Center of Excellence by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. The Commission further cautioned that placing AFOSR onto a military installation could restrict access by key partners.
The committee is concerned that any relocation could risk the Air Force losing the advantages of AFOSR’s current location, which likely enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization in the performance of its Air Force-designated missions. Finally, the committee has yet to receive any detailed budget information justifying a potential move on the basis of cost savings. Accordingly, the committee directs the Air Force to put on hold any further plans for the relocation during fiscal year 2015.
Further, the committee directs the Air Force to report to the committee on AFOSR programs and activities, no later than 180 day after the enactment of this Act. The report should include information on planned activities to
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1 S. Rept. 113-176, Carl Levin National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, 113th Congress (2013-2014), June 2, 2014, as reported by the Senate Armed Services Committee, https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/113th-congress/senate-report/176/1.
maintain and strengthen AFOSR’s basic research function, policies, and activities being developed to ensure AFOSR can shape a workforce best-qualified to manage the Air Force basic research portfolio, activities intended to continue and expand AFOSR outreach to universities and the U.S. and global scientific community to support Air Force missions, and specific examples of coordinated research and other activities with peer federal research agencies.
