In recent years there has been considerable debate about the appropriate role, management structure, and activities for the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). This background paper identifies key issues that require attention by Congress and by NTIS itself to increase the effectiveness of NTIS in the collection and dissemination of Federal scientific and technical information (STI). It begins by discussing factors that have affected the development and current status of NTIS, including an ambiguous Federal STI policy system; broad (or non-specific) enabling legislation; limited Congressional oversight; staving off privatization; and competitive and collaborative relationships with other agencies. Underlying assumptions of STI use and dissemination are then outlined and approaches to increasing the usefulness of the technical report literature are discussed. An overview of key policy issues related to the future role of NTIS in the collection and dissemination of Federal STI is presented and these issues are discussed: STI dissemination process; organization of NTIS within the Federal Government; pricing and fiscal management, and internal NTIS concerns. The paper concludes by suggesting options and strategies by which NTIS could improve its operations and its role in linking information services and products to the STI community, including ways in which NTIS could improve its self-sufficiency. (22 references) (SD)