NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION ACT OF 1988 NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION ACT OF 1988 Public Law 100-519, as amended NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION ACT OF 1988 519 110–161 Statute Compilation United States House of Representatives Office of the Legislative Counsel text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. GPO Statute Compilations USLM converter, version 20210527.1 2021-10-15 National Technical Information Act of 1988 1870 100 1988-10-24 NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION ACT OF 19881 [Public Law 100-519] [As Amended Through P.L. 110–161, Enacted December 26, 2007] [Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 100-519 . It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/] [Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]
* * * * * * * <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="II">TITLE II—</num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE </heading> <elided style="-uslm-dtd:omitted-text">* * * * * * *</elided> <subtitle style="-uslm-dtd:subtitle" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">Subtitle B—</num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">National Technical Information Service </heading> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s211" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="211">SEC. 211. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t15/s3701">15 U.S.C. 3701 note</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">SHORT TITLE. </heading> <content style="-uslm-dtd:text" class="block">This subtitle may be cited as the “<shortTitle style="-uslm-dtd:quote"><inline style="-uslm-dtd:short-title">National Technical Information Act of 1988</inline></shortTitle>”.</content><footnote id="ID23D0DE78985E4A609396274A84FA7C16" style="-uslm-dtd:footnote"><sup style="-uslm-dtd:superscript">1</sup><p style="-uslm-dtd:para; margin-left:1em">This subtitle was enacted as subtitle B of title II of Public Law 100–519.</p></footnote> </section> <section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="212">SEC. 212. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t15/s3704b">15 U.S.C. 3704b</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE. </heading> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="a">(a) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Powers.—</heading><paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/1" styleType="OLC" class="inline"><num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Technical Information Service (hereafter in this subtitle referred to as the “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">Director</quotedText>”) is authorized to do the following:</chapeau> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/1/A" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Enter into such contracts, cooperative agreements, joint ventures, and other transactions, in accordance with all relevant provisions of Federal law applicable to such contracts and agreements, and under reasonable terms and conditions, as may be necessary in the conduct of the business of the National Technical Information Service (hereafter in this subtitle referred to as the “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">Service</quotedText>”).</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/1/B" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">In addition to the authority regarding fees contained in section 2 of the Act entitled “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">An Act to provide for the dissemination of technological, scientific, and engineering information to American business and industry, and for other purposes</quotedText>” enacted September 9, 1950 (15 U.S.C. 1152), retain and, subject to appropriations Acts, utilize its net revenues to the extent necessary to implement the plan submitted under subsection (f)(3)(D).</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/1/C" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Enter into contracts for the performance of part or all of the functions performed by the Promotion Division of the Service prior to the date of the enactment of this Act. The details of any such contract, and a statement of its effect on the operations and personnel of the Service, shall be provided to the appropriate committees of the Congress 30 days in advance of the execution of such contract.</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/1/D" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="D">(D) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Employ such personnel as may be necessary to conduct the business of the Service.</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/1/E" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="E">(E) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">For the period of October 1, 1991 through September 30, 1992, only, retain and use all earned and unearned monies heretofore or hereafter received, including receipts, revenues, and advanced payments and deposits, to fund all obligations and expenses, including inventories and capital equipment.</content> </subparagraph><continuation style="-uslm-dtd:continuation-text" role="paragraph">An increase or decrease in the personnel of the Service shall not affect or be affected by any ceilings on the number or grade of personnel.</continuation></paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/2" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The functions and activities of the Service specified in subsection (e) (1) through (6) are permanent Federal functions to be carried out by the Secretary through the Service and its employees, and shall not be transferred from the Service, by contract or otherwise, to the private sector on a permanent or temporary basis without express approval of the Congress. Functions or activities—</chapeau> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/2/A" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">for the procurement of supplies, materials, and equipment by the Service;</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/2/B" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">referred to in paragraph (1)(C); or</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/2/C" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">to be performed through joint ventures or cooperative agreements which do not result in a reduction in the Federal workforce of the affected programs of the service,</content> </subparagraph><continuation style="-uslm-dtd:continuation-text" role="paragraph">shall not be considered functions or activities for purposes of this paragraph.</continuation> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/3" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="3">(3) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">For the purposes of this subsection, the term “<term style="-uslm-dtd:term">net revenues</term>” means the excess of revenues and receipts from any source, other than royalties and other income described in section 13(a)(4) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710c(a)(4)), over operating expenses.</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/a/4" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="4">(4) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Section 11(h) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 is repealed.</content> </paragraph> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/b" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="b">(b) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Director of the Service.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The management of the Service shall be vested in a Director who shall report to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Secretary of Commerce.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/c" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="c">(c) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Advisory Board.—</heading><paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/c/1" styleType="OLC" class="inline"><num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">There is established the Advisory Board of the National Technical Information Service, which shall be composed of a chairman and four other members appointed by the Secretary.</content></paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/c/2" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">In appointing members of the Advisory Board the Secretary shall solicit recommendations from the major users and beneficiaries of the Service's activities and shall select individuals experienced in providing or utilizing technical information.</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/c/3" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="3">(3) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Advisory Board shall review the general policies and operations of the Service, including policies in connection with fees and charges for its services, and shall advise the Secretary and the Director with respect thereto.</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/c/4" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="4">(4) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Advisory Board shall meet at the call of the Secretary, but not less often than once each six months.</content> </paragraph> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/d" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="d">(d) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Audits.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary of Commerce shall provide for annual independent audits of the Service's financial statements beginning with fiscal year 1988, to be conducted in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.</content> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/e" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="e">(e) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Functions.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Service, shall—</chapeau> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/e/1" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">establish and maintain a permanent repository of nonclassified scientific, technical, and engineering information;</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/e/2" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">cooperate and coordinate its operations with other Government scientific, technical, and engineering information programs;</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/e/3" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="3">(3) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">make selected bibliographic information products available in a timely manner to depository libraries as part of the Depository Library Program of the Government Printing Office;</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/e/4" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="4">(4) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">in conjunction with the private sector as appropriate, collect, translate into English, and disseminate unclassified foreign scientific, technical, and engineering information;</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/e/5" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="5">(5) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">implement new methods or media for the dissemination of scientific, technical, and engineering information, including producing and disseminating information products in electronic format; and</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/e/6" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="6">(6) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">carry out the functions and activities of the Secretary under the Act entitled “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">An Act to provide for the dissemination of technological, scientific, and engineering information to American business and industry, and for other purposes</quotedText>” enacted September 9, 1950, and the functions and activities of the Secretary performed through the National Technical Information Service as of the date of enactment of this Act under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.</content> </paragraph> </subsection> <subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f" styleType="OLC"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="f">(f) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Notification of Congress.—</heading><paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/1" styleType="OLC" class="inline"><num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary of Commerce and the Director shall keep the appropriate committees of Congress fully and currently informed about all activities related to the carrying out of the functions of the Service, including changes in fee policies.</content></paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/2" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the Congress a report on the current fee structure of the Service, including an explanation of the basis for the fees, taking into consideration all applicable costs, and the adequacy of the fees, along with reasons for the declining sales at the Service of scientific, technical, and engineering publications. Such report shall explain any actions planned or taken to increase such sales at reasonable fees.</content> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/3" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="3">(3) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the Congress which shall—</chapeau> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/3/A" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">summarize the operations of the Service during the preceding year, including financial details and staff levels broken down by major activities;</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/3/B" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">detail the operating plan of the Service, including specific expense and staff needs, for the upcoming year;</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/3/C" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">set forth details of modernization progress made in the preceding year;</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/3/D" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="D">(D) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">describe the long-term modernization plans of the Service; and</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/3/E" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="E">(E) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">include the results of the most recent annual audit carried out under subsection (d).</content> </subparagraph> </paragraph> <paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/4" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="4">(4) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary shall also give the Congress detailed advance notice of not less than 30 calendar days of—</chapeau> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/4/A" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">any proposed reduction-in-force;</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/4/B" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">any joint venture or cooperative agreement which involves a financial incentive to the joint venturer or contractor; and</content> </subparagraph> <subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/100/519/tII/stB/s212/f/4/C" styleType="OLC" class="leftIndentDecrease1"> <num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">any change in the operating plan submitted under paragraph (3)(B) which would result in a variation from such plan with respect to expense levels of more than 10 percent.</content> <elided style="-uslm-dtd:omitted-text">* * * * * * *</elided> </subparagraph> </paragraph> </subsection> </section> </subtitle>