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Technical assistance tasks can pose a challenge in that the sponsor of the TA is separate from the end users or recipients. In some cases, recipients are eager to receive TA and have specific, ongoing needs that are ripe to be addressed by the TA provider. In other cases, intended TA recipients need support in framing their project and identifying areas where TA can be of assistance. NORC typically conducts extensive needs assessment and introductory activities at the start of any TA initiative. Depending on the number and nature of recipients, this can involve administering questionnaires, convening recipients by phone or in person, conducting structured interviews with individual TA recipients, or a combination of these approaches. These activities are invaluable in helping to gauge the goals, objectives, and context of TA recipients, the specific needs that can be addressed by the program, and the best mechanisms to address those needs.