Statutory Authorities, Standards, and STI-Related DOE Directives

Established in 1947, the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) grew out of the post-World War II initiative to make scientific research of the Manhattan Project as freely available to the public as possible. Today, OSTI fulfills the responsibilities related to the collection, preservation, and dissemination of scientific and technical information originating from Department of Energy R&D activities.

This responsibility has been summarized in the legislation of DOE and its predecessor agencies and, more recently, was defined as a specific OSTI responsibility in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58), Section 982. "The Secretary, through the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, shall maintain with the Department publicly available collections of scientific and technical information resulting from research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications activities supported by the Department."

Statutory Authorities, Policies, and Schedules:

America COMPETES Act of 2007, P.L. 110-69

Requires that Federal agencies that conduct scientific research develop agency-specific policies and procedures regarding the public release of data and results of research (Section 1009 (link is external)).

America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, P.L. 111-358

Reauthorizes various programs intended to strengthen research and education in the United States, and establishes an Interagency Public Access Committee as relates to Federal science agencies (Section 103 (link is external)).

Atomic Energy Acts of 1946, P. L.79-585 and 1954, as amended P.L. 83-703

Establishes a program for the dissemination of unclassified scientific and technical information and for the control of classified information (42 U.S.C. Sec. 2013, 2051, and 2161 (link is external)).

Classified National Security Information, Executive Order 13526, 32 CFR Parts 2001 and 2003 Link (link is external)

Controlled Unclassified Information, Executive Order 13556, 32 CFR Part 2002 (link is external) Link (link is external)

Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, P.L. 95-91

Provides for maintaining a central source of information and disseminating information (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5916, 7112 (link is external)).

Department of Energy Research and Development Records Schedule Link (link is external)

DOE Acquisition Guide, Chapter 35.1, Scientific and Technical Reporting Link (link is external)

DOE Acquisition Guide, Chapter 42.4, Contract Closeout Link (link is external)

DOE Guide to Financial Assistance Link (link is external)

DOE Open Government Plan Link (link is external)

Energy Policy Act of 2005, P.L. 109-58

"The Secretary, through the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, shall maintain with the Department publicly available collections of scientific and technical information resulting from research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications activities supported by the Department." (Section 982 (link is external))

Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, P.L. 93-438

Defines responsibilities for developing, collecting, distributing, and making scientific and technical information available for distribution (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5813, 5817 (link is external)).

Freedom of Information Act,P.L. 89-487

Provides for public access to Federal agency records, which would include records containing scientific and technical information created with Federal funding (5 U.S.C. 552 et seq. (link is external)).

Identification and Protection of Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information, 10 CFR Part 1017

Establishes policies and procedures for the identification and protection of UCNI (10 CFR Part 1017 (link is external)).

Presidential Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, Subject: Transparency and Open Government Link (link is external)

Presidential Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, Subject: Scientific Integrity, March 9, 2009. Link (link is external)

Presidential Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, Subject: Open Government Directive, December 8, 2009. Link (link is external)

Title XXXII, National Nuclear Security Administration Act, as Amended, P.L. 106-65, Establishes a separately organized agency within the Department of Energy in 2000. Link (link is external)

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) 2022 Memorandum, "Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research" Link (link is external)

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) 2013 Memorandum, "Increasing Access to the Results of Federally Funded Scientific Research." Link (link is external)

Standards

The following standards provide information on recommended practices as well as guidance for Departmental elements and others in the preparation of STI products.

ANSI/NISO Z39.18-2005; Scientific and Technical Reports - Preparation, Presentation, and Preservation

This Standard outlines the elements, organization, and design of scientific and technical reports (link is external). It provides guidance to individuals and organizations in preparing reports and contains examples of best practices, with a recognition of the changing environment driven by the growing digital environment.

ANSI/NISO Z39.14-1997; Guidelines for Abstracts

This standard helps authors and editors (link is external) prepare useful abstracts by describing the components of an abstract and appropriate styles; includes examples which illustrate the instructions presented in the standard and clarifies how to handle special cases.

ANSI/NISO Z39.23-1997; Standard Technical Report Number Format and Creation

This standard describes a flexible and unique numbering system (link is external) that improves access to scientific and technical reports issued by the government and private organizations. It explains how and where the Standard Technical Report Number (STRN) should be assigned and used.

STI-Related DOE Directives

Dissemination of scientific and technical information (STI) resulting from Department of Energy (DOE) research and development programs promotes scientific progress and public understanding and has been a fundamental requirement since the founding of the Department and its predecessor agencies. A number of laws require the Department to make its information available, while others place some limits on the dissemination of scientific and technical information for which the unauthorized release would be detrimental to national interests and security. Departmental directives are DOE's primary means of establishing policies, requirements, responsibilities, and procedures for Departmental elements and contractors. DOE O 241.1B Chg 1 (Admin Chg) (link is external) is the primary DOE directive on STI management and provides the overall DOE objective, requirements, and responsibilities within which these STI mandates are to be met. The following directives are also relevant to the management of STI. View additional DOE Directives (link is external).

U.S. Department of EnergyScientific and Technical Information Program