Senators Warren, Markey, Representatives Clark, Trahan, Moulton Call for Updates on Progress of MIT Lincoln Laboratory's West Lab Project

Press Release

Dear Secretary Kendall:

We write regarding our support for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln
Laboratory's West Lab Project at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts and request an update on the project's progress. While we thank the Air Force for breaking ground on the Compound SemiConductor Laboratory and Microelectronic Integration Facility (CSL-MIF) last July,1
we want to ensure the successful completion of the Engineering Prototyping Facility (EPF) and that both projects remain on track.
Recognized as a prominent Federally Funded R&D Center, MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides critical
support for U.S. national security.2 The documented facility deterioration threatens its future ability to provide advanced mission-enabling technologies to the military.3 In fiscal year 2016 the Air Force
requested funding for the West Lab Project, made up of two research and development (R&D)
facilities,4 at Hanscom Air Force Base.5 The budget request came after "seven years of independent
third-party and government studies" identifying a need to modernize the over 70-year-old facility
housing the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.6 Funding and completing the West Lab Project will enable the
lab to provide its important national security work and continues to hold strong support by Congress.

The West Lab Project consist of two phases, which are equally important. The CSL-MIF will provide
the Defense Department with an urgently needed, trusted micro-electronics R&D capability. The CSLMIF will then be followed by the second phase, the EPF, which will enable rapid prototyping of

1 Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, "Groundbreaking for new facility at MIT Lincoln Laboratory held," 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs, July 11, 2022, https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7314105/groundbreaking-new-facility-mitlincoln-laboratory-held.
2 MIT Lincoln Laboratory, "About," https://www.ll.mit.edu/about.
3 Wicked Local, "Lincoln Laboratory conditions "highly degraded,' officials chart improvements needed," Ross Cristantiello, September 29, 2021, https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/lexington-minuteman/2021/09/29/lincolnlaboratory-conditions-highly-degraded-30-year-plan shared/5898765001/.
4 House Report, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, H.R. 4350, p. 34,
https://www.congress.gov/117/meeting/house/114012/documents/BILLS-117-HR4350-G000559-Amdt-RDYEB1.pdf.
5 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, "Construction contract awarded for new semiconductor facility at MIT Lincoln Laboratory," Ariana Tantillo, January 28, 2022, https://www.ll.mit.edu/news/construction-contractawarded-new-semiconductor-facility-mit-lincoln-laboratory; U.S. Department of the Air Force, Fiscal Year 2015 Budget
Estimates, March 2014, https://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/Portals/84/documents/FY15/AFD-140310-047.pdf?ver=2016-08-24-094601-527.
6 Lincoln Laboratory, "New facilities will keep Lincoln Laboratory at the forefront of advanced prototyping," Kylie Foy, April 1, 2019, https://www.ll.mit.edu/news/new-facilities-will-keep-lincoln-laboratory-forefront-advanced-prototyping.

advanced technologies. However, we are seeking clarity on future funding for this project given
variances in past budget requests for the project.7 We understand the challenges posed by the
construction of the two unique, state-of-the-art facilities, but want to underscore that your engagement with this project has been, and remains, essential to its timely completion.

As the construction effort for the West Lab Project proceeds, we request updates on the status of both the CSL-MIF and EPF. Specifically, we ask that you provide by October 3, 2023, (1) an update on the completion schedule for the CSL-MIF project, and (2) an update on the Air Force's budgetary and execution planning for the EPF project.

The Massachusetts delegation thanks you for your support of this critical project and we look forward to hearing from you regarding their status.

Sincerely,

Source