CHRONOLOGY/BIBLIOGRAPHY OF EVENTS RELATIVE TO NTIS'

POSITION IN COMMERCE

Prepared by Sarah T. Kadec

January 26, 2000

• no effort was made to be comprehensive.
• selections were made to show the variety of options presented over time.

1945	Executive Orders 9568 and 9604 Providing for the Release of Scientific Information. 10 FR 6917 and 10 FR 10960. Created Publications Board (PB) and authorized it to disseminate domestic and foreign World War II technical reports to industry.
1946	E.O. 9809 Providing for the disposition of certain war agencies. Merged the PB into a new unit, the Office of Technical Services (OTS), located in the Department of Commerce.
1950	Technological, Scientific, and Engineering Information Act; to provide for the dissemination of technological, scientific and engineering information to American business and industry and for other purposes. 81st Congress. Public Law 81-776. Directs the Secretary of Commerce “to establish and maintain a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of scientific, technical and engineering information.”
1954	Department of Commerce Order 157. 19 FR 8045. Developed and implemented policy governing dissemination of unclassified scientific, technical and economic information through OTS.
1958	Improving the availability of scientific and technical information in the United States. Washington, DC, President's Science Advisory Committee, December 7, 1958. (Baker report) Recommended against creation of a centralized government information center; for creation of a Science information Service within NSF.
1962	Task Force to the President's Special Assistant for Science & Technology. Scientific and technological communication in the government,- task force report. Washington, DC, OTS, April 1962. AD 299545. (Crawford Report) Translations recognized as a form of special information product; agreement between OTS and the John Crerar Library. Required DOC to process information from domestic and foreign sources and make it available to state and local governments and other Federal agencies, as well as American industry, business and the public. (Some conflict of interpretation and understanding with responsibilities assigned to NSF in Title IX, NDEA 1958 arose). “It is the policy of this Act, to the fullest extent feasible and consistent with the objectives of this Act, that each of the services and functions provided herein shall be self-sustaining or self-liquidating and that the general public shall not bear the cost of publications and other services which are for the special use and benefit of private groups and individuals; .…” These provisions of the Act have apparently influenced the limitation of funds allocated to OTS. The resources provided to OTS over the years could not support an effective clearinghouse effort of the type intended by the Congress. Recommendations to establish within the Executive Branch a Government-wide clearinghouse capability for documents reporting the results of R&D work; retrospective search and retrieval services of Federally supported, organized collections of scientific and technological information and for coordinated access to Federally supported specialized information centers and services. (Also currently and planned R&D and formal sci-tech meetings supported by the Federal Government). Transfer of Technical Information Division, OTS, resources and responsibilities to the recommended clearinghouse. OTS’s “STINFO mission is quantitatively a minor portion of the over-all activities of the Department of Commerce and has never received emphasis from high administrative levels in that organization.” “Past experience has shown that serious problems of interagency cooperation arise when an agency with operating responsibilities is given Government-wide jurisdiction in that same area.”
1963	President's Science Advisory Committee. Science, Government and Information; he responsibilities of the technical community and the government in the transfer of information. Washington, DC, The White House, January 10, 1963. (Weinberg Report). Not in favor of proposed Department of Science or single organization for Government's total information system. “A communication system controlled by the people it serves may in some respects be less efficient than a monolithic government system; it has, however, the overriding merit of being sensitive to the needs of its customers. It was as much as anything to preserve this essential quality of the present rather haphazard information system that the Baker Panel recommended against establishing an all encompassing, Government-operated information system in which control, however well meaning and beneficent its intent, is removed from the practitioners.” “We believe that OTS should be given enough support so that it can announce promptly and supply inexpensively a copy of any declassified Government technical report to any customer -- in short, that it should become a complete Government technical reports sales agency.”
1965	Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information (CFSTI) created in NBS. 30 FR 1207. Replaced OTS in Department of Commerce; began to issue consolidated index of Federal scientific and technical reports.
1965	Dr. Mortimer Taube, Documentation, Inc., proposed CFSTI as an independent organization.
1970	Department of Commerce Order 30-7A. 34 FR 14475. CFSTI renamed NTIS and empowered to act as major Federal clearinghouse for STI and business and statistical information; designed to be largely self-supporting.
1970	Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology in the Department of Commerce recommends NTIS become a corporation.
1975	U. S. Congress. House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Domestic and International Scientific Planning and Analysis, Intergovernmental dissemination of Federal research and development results, Oversight hearings, 94th Congress, 1st Session. Washington, DC, U.S. Government Printing Office, November 1975, Report no, 94-48. STI discussed generally in terms of needs of state/local governments, especially re NTIS; Federal technology transfer programs also described.
1975	U. S. Congress, House, Committee on Science and Technology. National Science and Technology Policy and Organization Act of 1975. Report together with additional views, 94th Congress, 1st Session, Washington, DC, Government Printing Office, October 29, 1975. Report no. 94-595, to accompany H. R. 10230. --- The National Science Policy and Organization Act of 1975, Hearings, 94th Congress, 1st Session. Washington, DC, June 1975 (on H, R. 4461 and H. R. 7630), Committee Print no. 15. --- A proposed National Science Policy and Organization Act of 1975. 94th Congress, 1st Session, Washington, DC, 1975. Committee Print, Serial C. --- A Bill - National Science Policy and Organization Act of 1975. HR 4461, 94th Congress, 1st Session, March 6, 1975. (Resulted in P.L. 94-282 in 1976) Create a new Science and Technology Information and Utilization Corporation, merging NTIS, SSIE and NSF/DSI into it. Rationale: (1) STI is one of the nation's leading commodities and therefore could be handled by a corporate structure and (2) it may be desirable to make Federal STI dissemination efforts completely or partially self-sustaining. Contains a chronology of Federal Executive Branch science organization from 1787-1975 and a list of selected references regarding Federal science policy and organization from 1951-1975.
1976	National Science & Technology Policy, Organization and Priorities Act of 1976. P. L. 94-262. 1970 Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology in the Department of Commerce recommends NTIS become a corporation.
1975	U. S. Congress. House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Domestic and International Scientific Planning and Analysis. Intergovernmental dissemination of Federal research and development results, Oversight hearings, 94th Congress, 1st Session. Washington, DO, U. S. Government Printing Office, November 1975, Report no. 94-48. STI discussed generally in terms of needs of state/local governments, especially re NTIS; Federal technology transfer programs also described.
1975	U. S. Congress, House, Committee on Science and Technology. National Science and Technology Policy and Organization Act of 1975. Report together with additional views, 94th Congress, 1st Session, Washington, DO, Government Printing Office, October 29, 1975. Report no. 94-595, to accompany H. R. 10230. -- The National Science Policy and Organization Act of 1975, Hearings, 94th Congress, 1st Session. Washington, DC, June 1975 (on H, R. 4461 and H. R. 7630), Committee Print no, 15. -- A proposed National Science Policy and Organization Act of 1975. 94th Congress, 1st Session, Washington, DC, 1975. Committee Print, Serial C. -- A Bill - National Science Policy and Organization Act of 1975. HR 4461, 94th Congress, 1st Session, March 6, 1975. (Resulted in P.L. 94-282 in 1976) Create a new Science and Technology Information and Utilization Corporation, merging NTIS, SSIE and NSFIDSI into it. Rationale: (1) STI is one of the nation's leading commodities and therefore could be handled by a corporate structure and (2) it may be desirable to make Federal STI dissemination efforts completely or partially self-sustaining. Contains a chronology of Federal Executive Branch science organization from 1787-1975 and a list of selected references regarding Federal science policy and organization from 1951-1975.
1976	National Science & Technology Policy, Organization and Priorities Act of 1976. P. L. 94-262. See notes above relating to bill, Committee prints and report.
1976	Whalen, Bruce G. and Joyce, Charles C., Jr., Scientific and technical information: options for national action, prepared for the National Science Foundation, Division of Science Information by Mitre Corporation, Metrek Division. Washington, DC, U. S. Government Printing Office, November 1976. “...SSIE and NTIS represent the only Federal mechanisms whose mandates cut across all missions and disciplines; …the only centralized sources of STI which deal with dissemination of all Federally sponsored research and development results.”
1980	Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. P. L. 96-480, 94 Stat. 2311. Directed the Department of Commerce to create the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology (CUFT).
1980	Commerce Technical Advisory Board's (CTAB) working group on STI Policies examines the role of NTIS and possible alternatives to present operations.
1981	Functions of the Smithsonian Science Information Exchange (SSIE) transferred to NTIS. SSIE superseded by Federal Research in Programm (FEDRIP); available online through DIALOG.
1981	Assistant Secretary for Communications in Department of Commerce asks the Information Industry Association (IIA) to consider whether the private sector could offer NTIS products. Task Force recommends contracting out entire operation.
1984	President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control: Report to the President by Chairman J. Peter Grace. (the Grace Commission). P13 84-161 587.
	Specifically recommended that NTIS not be privatized, citing the need for an expanded NTIS role in R&D coordination.
1984	Based on IIA recommendations, NTIS is zeroed out of FY 1984 budget; Commerce reviews task force report, appeals to OMB for restoration; OMB approves restoration.
1984	NTIS issues Federal Register notice seeking vendors to distribute technical reports; no responses.
1985	Assistant General Counsel for Administration in Department of Commerce issues opinion that NTIS has legal authority to price its products higher than cost, provided they are reasonable.
1985	OMB asks Commerce to convene an industry/government working group on privatizing NTIS.
1986	Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986. P.L. 99-382, 100 Stat. 811. Amended the Stevenson-Wydler Innovation Act of 1960; authorized NTIS and other offices within the Department of Commerce to acquire and translate selected Japanese technical reports and documents of value to Federal agencies and U. S. industry.
1986	NTIS holds meeting on privatization.
1987	OMB directs privatization of NTIS in FY 1988 passback. H. R. 2160 amends NTIS reauthorization to prohibit privatization pending further study.
1987	Vlannes, N. P. et al. National Technology Center: A national public service report. PB 87-174 728. Proposed a National Technology Center as a new “national library” and as a focal point for public access to Federal STI; would incorporate NTIS.
1987	U. S. Congress. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology; Subcommittee on Science Research and Technology. Hearing on the privatization of the National Technical Information Service, Washington, DC, U. S. Government Printing Office, 1987. Y4.Sci 2:100/5. First hearing on NTIS privatization; testimony on the benefits and dangers of turning it over to the private sector.
1987	U. S. Congress, House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Science Research and Technology. Scientific and technical information: policy and organization in the Federal Government (H.R. 2159 and H.R. 1615); house hearings. Washington, DC, U S. Government Printing Office, 1987. Y4. Sci 2:100/36. Discussed policy options for governing the collection and dissemination of STI, including establishing a National Technical Information Corporation as a wholly owned government corporation under the Secretary of Commerce, and a Government Information Agency to collect and distribute results of Federal R&D.
1988	On January 6, a notice was issued in the Commerce Business Daily to announce a planned January 29 conference with potential bidders on a contract for performance of NTIS services.
1988	On January 29, a pre-bidders conference was held at the Department of Commerce.
1988	Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (See Title V, Technology Competitiveness Act). P.L. 100-418, 102 Stat. 1107. Prohibited NTIS privatization and required the Secretary of Commerce to report recommendations to Congress regarding NTIS modernization.
1988	U.S., Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. Informing the Nation: Federal dissemination in an electronic age. Washington. DC, U.S. Government Printing Office, October 1988. OTA-CIT-396. Addresses proposals to (1) retain NTIS in DOC; (2) as a government corporation, (3) consolidate with SupDocs, either within GPO or part of a new Government Information Office; (4) consolidate with LC.
1988	.......; National Technical Information Act (NTIA) of 1988. P. L. 100-519 102 Stat, 2589. Creates new Technology Administration with NTIS (called the National Technical Information Center (NTIC) as a government corporation) as an integral part, ending the privatization controversy by ensuring NTIS to be a governmental function. Contained language stating that the Congress “remains unalterably opposed to contracting out NTIS or major functions or activities of the agency.” Specific responsibilities assigned to NTIS by NTIA; Establish and maintain a permanent repository of non-classified scientific, technical and engineering information; cooperate and coordinate its operations with other Government scientific, technical and engineering information programs; enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, joint ventures and other transactions with outside firms, in accordance with all relevant provisions of Federal law; levy reasonable fees to operate on a self sustaining basis and, for the first time, to utilize net revenues for the acquisition of capital equipment; make its bibliographic information products (including, but not limited to, catalogs. indices, abstracts, and newsletters) available in a timely manner to depository libraries as a part of the Depository Library Program of the Government Printing Office; upon request and as appropriate, provide technical assistance and services to Federal agencies, consistent with the policy of the NTIA that all services and functions be self-sustaining or self-liquidating to the fullest extent feasible; in conjunction with the private sector as appropriate, to collect, translate into English, and disseminate unclassified foreign scientific, technical, and engineering information; implement new methods or media for the dissemination of scientific, technical and engineering information.
1988	Wood, Fred (OTS). Informing the Nation: Federal information dissemination in an electronic age. Washington, DC, Congressional Joint Committee on Printing (JCP). OTA-CIT-396, Y3. T22/2:2 In 3/9, PB 89-114 243. Outlined strategies for GPO, Depository Library Program (DLP), and NTIS.
1988	Privatization: toward more effective government, report of the President's Commission on Privatization. Pr 40.8 P 92/P 29. (the Linowes Commission). Privatization of NTIS was not recommended.
1990	Stewart, Robert Keith. Access and efficiency in Reagan-Era information policy: A case study of the attempt to privatize the National Technical Information Service. (doctoral dissertation).University of Washington. 91-04302. Concluded that by the mid-1980s there was an apparent shift in the direction of Federal information resource management policy away from access toward the idea of efficiency.
1991	American Technology Preeminence Act (ATPA) of 1991. Operating costs associated with the acquisition, processing, storage, bibliographic control, and archiving of information and documents would be recovered primarily through the collection of fees (specifically no longer called “appropriations”). The head of each Federal executive department or agency was required to transfer in a timely manner and prescribed format to NTIS unclassified scientific, technical, and engineering information that results from Federally funded R&D activities. The Secretary of Commerce was directed to issue regulations within one year outlining procedures for the ongoing transfer of such information to NTIS. Required a report that would include a revised detailed modernization plan, a business plan, and certification that NTIS had employed a CFO and begun taking reasonable steps towards strengthening its accounting system. Clarified NTIS' joint venture authority granted under NTIA. Required the Secretary of Commerce to perform a feasibility study of establishing and operating a Federal Online Information Product Catalog (FEDLINE) at NTIS that would serve as a comprehensive inventory and authoritative register of information products and services disseminated by the Federal government and assist Agencies and the public in locating Federal Government information. Amended the NTIA to allow NTIS to produce and disseminate information products electronically.
1993	House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Technology, Environment, and Aviation. The National Competitiveness Act of 1993, Hearings. Washington, DC., U. S. Government Printing Office, 1993. H. R. 820, Y4.SCI 2:103/13. Includes “The National Technical Information Service Business Plan”, July 1992. The plan includes a discussion of consensus viewpoints derived from numerous studies in the 1980's. “Privatization was ruled out by Congress.….. [as] inappropriate from a public policy prospective [and] would be counter productive from an operational standpoint. The information and data sets ....are taxpayer assets and should be subject to policy determinations of the Federal Government. A single private firm would find it difficult if not unmanageable to maintain ongoing acquisition relationships with the various Government information source agencies”. NTIS commits to incorporate further study of organizational changes into its long-term planning, “in recognition of the importance of continuing the cross-Government consensus to preserve NTIS' dual character -- that of a public Agency and that of a self-supporting enterprise”.
1995	House Committee on Science. Restructuring the Federal scientific establishment; dismantling of the Department of Commerce, Hearing. 104th Congress, 1st session. Washington, DC, U, S. Government Printing Office, September 12, 1995. Congressman Walker (PA.) proposed to move Commerce Science and Technology programs into a new Department of Science or, failing that, to transfer some of those functions to the Department of Energy. Secretary Brown: NTIS as a self-supporting Federal agency is not an appropriate target for privatization as has been proposed. As part of our reinvention efforts will seek to provide NTIS with increased flexibility to use commercial business practices, be granted waivers, and be accountable for agreed-upon performance gains. Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee: Several attempts have been made to privatize NTIS; it has been well documented that no commercial entity could be found to assume its responsibilities. Principal of government is that it should be held responsible for how the taxpayers’ money is spent. Allowing a private entity to then resell this information to the same public that paid for it seems to me to be unfair and unacceptable. Question of who would control the archives if it were owned by a foreign government; would that government control people's access to that information. Jean G, Mayhew, Chairman, NTIS Advisory Board. The NTIS Advisory Board advocates the reorganization of NTIS as a government corporation with government retaining full policy control to assure that public good functions are maintained. Government corporation status provides NTIS the necessary flexibility to operate as a small business rather than a bureaucracy. Disadvantages of NTIS being sold to the private sector: collection lacks copyright protection; it could be legally reproduced by a competitor; once in the hands of the private sector, there is no guarantee that the documents would be managed in the best interests of the Nation; if the collection fell into the hands of a foreign company, it would decide which documents would remain available to the public, how much we would have to pay, or whether they could be destroyed. By privatizing NTIS, its mission and collection of information is no longer in the public interest; its access to federal agencies is limited, and it loses its status in dealing with other governments to obtain information for dissemination within the United States. Congressman Brown, Jr.: In 1988, when the Committee on Science rejected the idea of privatizing the National Technical Information Service, Sherry Boehlert said “NTIS - or really its users -- have been sentenced to privatization, despite the verdict of numerous studies, each determining that the agency should remain within the government.”