INVITATION LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS TO ATTEND FEB. 4, 2000 MEETING, ROOM 2325 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BLDG., 8:30AM-3PM
(Invitees who did not attend first meeting on January 19, 2000)
I am writing to invite you to the second special meeting of concerned individuals and experts relating to the matter of the proposed closure of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by the Department of Commerce, and transfer of its collections and functions to another agency. The meeting will be held from 8:30AM - 3 PM on Friday, February 4, 2000, in Room 2325 Rayburn House Office Bldg., on Capitol Hill. Lunch will be available.
A preliminary agenda, list of invitees, and current list of core NTIS functions and services are attached. If you believe we have overlooked someone who should be invited, by all means let us know. Also, if you believe after looking over the list of core NTIS functions and services that we have overlooked something important, or mislabeled or misplaced an item, please also advise us.
Both Administration and Congressional staff have told us they are "still keeping an open mind so as to consider all options," notwithstanding Secretary of Commerce Daley's announced intention to transfer the NTIS functions to the Library of Congress by October 1, 2000. But time is of the essence because of (1) the serious detrimental impacts the current unresolved situation is having on NTIS employees, (2) the continued erosion of NTIS services, and (3) the fact that Congress has already begun to consider the President's FY 2001 budget. In short, no one wants to see the matter linger any longer than is absolutely necessary for the President and the Congress to reach final decisions.
NCLIS is playing an "honest broker" role by bringing together the various stakeholder groups and other experts to fully consider all of the options available. A special meeting was held on January 19, 2000 at the Benton Foundation here in Washington, D.C. The meeting was very successful because of the in-depth knowledge and expertise of the participants, and because of the participants' shared goal to try to reach a constructive, satisfactory solution. Over forty individuals attended, including representatives from the Congress and the Department of Commerce, as well as other major stakeholder groups in both the public and private sectors. A summary of the meeting can be accessed on the NCLIS web site (URL address below).
Assisted by the active involvement and participation of the meeting participants, NCLIS reviewed the history of NTIS (two former NTIS directors were present), and then addressed the Administration's current proposal to close NTIS and transfer its functions and collections to the Library of Congress. Following that, several other options were reviewed.
As background to the meeting, a dozen or so participants shared with NCLIS in advance of the meeting various documents they had authored, or assisted in preparing, which pertained in some way to this matter. These documents are all posted, along with links to Congressional and Administration web sites containing other relevant materials, on the NCLIS web site at:
As you may know, the Congress came back from recess on January 24th, and because (1) the cognizant authorization committees with jurisdiction over NTIS are moving very quickly to pinpoint a satisfactory resolution of this matter, and (2) the cognizant appropriation committees are already scheduling their hearings to consider the President's FY 2001 budget, including the NTIS budget and the budgets of possible "recipient" agencies such as the Library of Congress, NARA, or GPO, NCLIS was asked to schedule a second meeting as quickly as possible.
We've asked several of the January 19th meeting participants to take the lead in "fleshing out" each of the eight alternatives that are still being actively considered. In so doing, the" lead presenter" will make a short presentation of the option being addressed so that participants have a clearer idea of just what is involved, especially as regards the possible need for modified statutory authorities, budgetary implications, possible policy changes needed, personnel consequences, and possible legal ramifications (e.g. matters relating to foreign contractual agreements). It is understood that the lead presenter, in making a presentation, neither necessarily carries the official endorsement of his or her employing organization, nor even necessarily personally advocates the alternative involved. The idea is to facilitate the discussions.
Please confirm whether you will be joining us, or if you're unable to attend, are able to send a substitute. NCLIS consultant Woody Horton is coordinating the meeting and can be reached at (202) 606-9200, or faxed at (202) 606-9203. His e-mail address is whorton@nclis.gov.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Willard
Executive Director
NCLIS