NIBS is a non-profit, non-governmental organization bringing together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests to focus on the identification and resolution of problems and potential problems that hamper the construction of safe, affordable structures for housing, commerce and industry throughout the United States. NIBS provides an authoritative source of advice for both the private and public sector of the economy with respect to the use of building science and technology. Congress recognized that the lack of such an authoritative voice was a burden on all those who plan, design, procure, construct, use, operate, maintain and retire physical facilities, and that this burden frequently resulted from failure to take full advantage of new useful technology that could improve our living environment.