Proposed National Technical Information Service Revolving Fund

Gao ID: RCED-83-218 August 25, 1983

In response to a congressional request, GAO examined selected activities and functions of the Department of Commerce's National Technical Information Service (NTIS) clearinghouse, focusing on the need to establish a new revolving fund as proposed by companion bills H.R. 2514 and S. 808. The current NTIS special fund facilitates payments to cover most operating costs associated with its information clearinghouse functions and acquiring inventory and equipment.

The proposed legislation would establish a revolving fund to permit NTIS to recover all clearinghouse costs, retain net earnings, and purchase equipment and inventory from the fund. GAO believes that, although the revolving fund would not substantially change clearinghouse operations and procedures, it could be an appropriate funding mechanism to finance clearinghouse operations. However, stricter controls would be needed on the fund because the proposed legislation does not provide for congressional oversight.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Herbert R. Mclure Team: General Accounting Office: Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division Phone: (202) 275-7783


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