Legal Definitions - National Technical Information Service

The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is a U.S. government agency operating within the Department of Commerce. Its primary function is to serve as a central repository and disseminator of scientific, technical, engineering, and business-related information generated by U.S. government-funded research and development. NTIS collects, organizes, and makes this vast array of information accessible to businesses, researchers, academics, and the public, thereby supporting innovation, economic growth, and national competitiveness.

Here are some examples of how the National Technical Information Service operates:

• Scenario: A small aerospace engineering firm is developing a new lightweight alloy for aircraft components. They know that the Department of Defense has funded extensive research into similar materials over the past decade.

  NTIS in Action: Instead of trying to contact various military research labs, the firm would search the NTIS database. They could find and access technical reports, scientific papers, and data sets from these government-funded projects, allowing them to leverage existing public research, avoid duplicating efforts, and accelerate their own development process.

  Explanation: This illustrates how NTIS acts as a central hub for government-generated technical information, making it accessible to private industry for product development and innovation.

• Scenario: A non-profit environmental organization is preparing a comprehensive report on the long-term effects of a specific industrial pollutant on local ecosystems. They need data from various federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which have conducted numerous studies.

  NTIS in Action: Rather than contacting each agency individually, the organization can access a wide range of relevant environmental impact assessments, scientific studies, and data compilations through NTIS. This provides a consolidated source for the diverse government research they need.

  Explanation: This demonstrates NTIS's role in consolidating diverse government research from multiple agencies into a single, searchable resource, benefiting public interest groups and academic researchers.

• Scenario: A university professor in a business school is conducting research on the economic impact of artificial intelligence on various industries. They are looking for government analyses, forecasts, and policy papers related to AI development and its societal implications.

  NTIS in Action: The professor can utilize NTIS to find reports from agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or the Department of Commerce itself. These reports may contain detailed economic analyses, technological roadmaps, and policy recommendations concerning AI, all compiled and made available through NTIS.

  Explanation: This highlights NTIS's function in providing access to government-generated business and policy-related information, supporting academic research and informing public understanding of emerging technologies and their economic consequences.