Federal Register #2026-20023

NTIS Seeks Input on Digitizing and Modernizing the National Technical Reports Library

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is gathering input on modernizing the National Technical Reports Library (NTRL). - Opportunity type: Request for Information (RFI) for stakeholder feedback; it is not a request for bids or a contract award. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service (NTIS); the effort concerns the National Technical Reports Library (NTRL). - Potential scope: Digitize approximately 2 million records held in physical or legacy formats, including paper, microfilm, microfiche, and magnetic tape, and improve access to scientific, technical, and engineering information. - Input sought: Digitization methods and logistics; preservation and quality control; optical character recognition (OCR) and metadata; storage and infrastructure; dataset curation and formats; access and licensing models; public benefit and partnerships; and potential applications in AI and advanced computing. - OEMs, vendors, products, and quantities for purchase: None are identified. The estimated record volume describes the collection under consideration, not a purchase quantity.

Description

The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) seeks stakeholder feedback and technical insights to inform modernization and digitization of the National Technical Reports Library (NTRL). The library contains federally sponsored scientific, technical, and engineering reports, including records that exist only in physical formats. NTIS is seeking input on digitization processes, infrastructure, data curation, access and distribution models, and potential partnerships. The notice is a request for information, and comments are due by November 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

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