National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

The National Technology Information Service (NTIS) is an agency of the United States Department of Commerce, primarily tasked with collecting and organizing scientific, technological, engineering, and commercial information generated from research and development funded by the United States government for private enterprises, government, academia, and the public.

The NTIS system, equipment, financial structure, and professional skills can assist other institutions in need of these specialized resources. According to the National Technical Information Act of 1988 (15) USC3704b, NTIS has the right to establish and maintain a permanent repository of non confidential scientific, technical, and engineering information; Collaborate and coordinate the operation of other government science, technology, and engineering information programs; Implement new methods or new media for disseminating scientific, technological, and engineering information, including the production and dissemination of electronic format information products, and make necessary arrangements for market expansion.

The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) helps federal agencies make better decisions using data. We provide support and structure to help our partners securely store, analyze, sort, and aggregate data in new ways. We leverage the knowledge of our private sector partners to create new ways of using data to solve problems. Our joint venture project works alongside universities, non-profit organizations, and industry professionals who can conduct experiments together before data science technology is put into the market.

The History of the National Technical Information Service in the United States

Originally known as the Publishing Bureau, NTIS was created after World War II. The purpose is to serve as a scientific research and information repository for the US government. Therefore, NTIS still maintains the world's most comprehensive collection of US funded research. We have collected over 3 million publications, covering various topics from aerodynamics to urban development. Our records cover the Manhattan Project up to now.

NTIS has made changes to meet the needs of data-driven government. We have a new mission: to provide innovative data services to federal agencies through joint venture partnerships with the private sector, to advance federal data priorities, promote economic growth, and achieve operational excellence.

Today, NTIS is working with private sector partners to build new solutions. We are leveraging public-private partnerships (our Joint Venture Partnership (JVP) program) to achieve results, which is a delivery capability that extends traditional government data and analytics capabilities far beyond what is currently available within the federal government, rapidly narrowing the gap between private and public sector capabilities.