Abstract
The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) received the 1986 Senate Productivity Award for public sector organizations. The NTIS system for productivity improvement is composed of six major programs. They are: a program of integrated planning, the automation of production processes, quality circles, internal communication improvements, a professional development program and a program of awards and recognition. To ensure that these programs are fully integrated into the organizational structure, employee involvement concepts, technological innovation and strong management support are emphasized through the performance plans of NTIS managers. Each of these personal plans includes an element requiring on-going human resource development. The author describes the NTIS productivity improvement system and discusses the positive impact the award had on NTIS services and service providers.