15 U.S.C. § 1361
Reference services to assist designated agencies to obtain information outside State
(Pub. L. 89–182, § 11, Sept. 14, 1965, 79 Stat. 683.)
The Secretary is authorized and directed to aid designated agencies in carrying out their technical services programs by providing reference services which a designated agency may use to obtain scientific, technical, and engineering information from sources outside the State or States which it serves, for the purposes of this chapter.