Calibration Program

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the Department of Commerce operates the Calibration Program (CFDA 11.601) to provide a consistent system of physical measurement in the United States through calibration and testing services offered on a fee basis.

The program delivers NIST calibration services to customers both internal and external to the institute, including state and local governments, academic institutions, scientific laboratories, industrial firms, corporations, and individuals. Services establish traceability to national standards for measurements used in assurance of interchangeability and uniformity of manufactured items, process control, informational and scientific purposes, and fairness and objectivity in commerce and regulation. There are no use restrictions on the measurements provided.

The program operates on a fee-for-service model rather than through competitive grant solicitation. Calibrations and tests are provided directly by NIST to eligible customer categories on a transactional basis, meaning this program does not distribute federal grant awards to external recipients and does not issue grant opportunities with application deadlines. Organizations seeking calibration services engage NIST directly to purchase those services at established rates.

This program is not suitable for organizations pursuing federal grant funding. Entities requiring calibration or measurement services should contact NIST directly to procure those services; entities seeking federal research or project funding should evaluate other CFDA lines within the Department of Commerce or relevant to their research mission.