Prepared in response to a request from the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, this report assesses how scientific and technical information (STI) developed by or for the Federal Government can contribute to a more competitive United States and what actions are needed to realize this potential. It is argued that STI is important because of its potential significant impact on global issues, as well as its critical role in the innovation process in education, basic research, applied research and development, product development and manufacturing, and the application of science and technology to meet the needs of the commercial, not-for-profit, and governmental markets. Topics of discussion include: (1) Federal Scientific and Technical Information and the U.S. Competitive Edge, which includes science and technology policy, science education, and international competitiveness; (2) Reaching Consensus on Principles of Federal Scientific and Technical Information Dissemination; (3) Reaching Consensus on the Open Flow and Government-wide Dissemination of federal STI, which focuses on the role of government wide dissemination and archival agencies in STI; and (4) Framework for a Presidential Initiative on Scientific and Technical Information, which highlights the role of the Executive Office of the President, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), as well as other Federal Government agencies. A review of technological opportunities for managing and disseminating federal STI and a list of acronyms are appended, and an index by major topics is provided. (DB)