EVALUATION OF NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE (NTIS) CONTRACT FOR A "TECHNICAL INFORMATION NETWORK"

technical publications in LDC"s. Special evaluation covers the period 1/74-11/75 and is based on site visits and document review. Although the goal of transferring technical information to LDC"s is worthwhile, the ability of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) to direct such an effort is questionable. NTIS is primarily a document collection and dissemination service and does not provide the complete range of services available from Canadian, Danish, and British organizations. NTIS reports are too research-oriented and can already be obtained either from NTIS itself or from local libraries and information centers. While use of agents from counterpart LDC information institutions can boost sales (e.g., Ecuador), in other cases sales are only slightly influenced (e.g., Brazil), or agents are poorly equipped to act as sales promotors (e.g., Colombia). Also, given that A.I.D. subsidizes some agents, the system may jeopardize an agent"s ability to act in his/her nation"s interest in judging the appropriateness and relevancy of the information being transferred. Project management by both NTIS and A.I.D. has been inadequate. NTIS, while responding to agents" problems, has not worked sufficiently with agents to assure achievement of project objectives. For its part, A.I.D. has not demanded NTIS report its activities with sufficient frequency or detail. Although it is recommended that A.I.D. continue the project using NTIS through FY77, it is recommended that NTIS visit agents more frequently; increase training in information retrieval/dissemination methodology; better report agent achievements; handle all announcements through agents; assist agents to develop better announcement systems using local language promotional aids; and fund agent purchases of microfiche reader/printers. It is also recommended that A.I.D provide discounts in countries where report prices have constrained sales; study new ways of assisting the transfer of more relevant information to LDC"s from a variety of U.S. sources; and prepare case studies on the project"s economic impact.