The OTIS Basic Index Access System (OBIAS) for searching the ERIC data base is described. This system offers two advantages over the previous system. First, search time has been halved, reducing the cost per search to an estimated $10 on a batch basis. Second, the "OTIS ERIC Descripter Catalog" which contains all descriptors used in the ERIC records is updated each quarter. This frequency of updating guarantees a high level of descriptor current awareness. The OBIAS search system is limited to searching against descriptors, published and unpublished, in the current file, thus, history file searches (1968 or before) must be searched with the earlier system. The OBIAS description includes: an overview of the system, system procedures, program documentation, machine configuration, comments and alternatives to the basic system, an example of the search card for OBIAS and statistics of run times. (Author/NH)