Methods and procedures which should be used by an Advanced Institutional Development Program grantee college in selecting an assisting agency or a consulting firm to provide assistance in the areas of academic program and administrative capacity improvement are recommended and include: (1) the college should devote considerable time and thought to defining the problem(s) for which outside assistance is sought, making estimates of the benefits of problem solution and clarifying the type of assistance required; (2) final selection of an assisting agency should be based on an agency's understanding of the problem(s), approach proposed for problem solution, benefits expected for the college, cost, and agency qualifications and experience; (3) the college should maintain close communications with the assisting agency, carefully reviewing progress, alternative solutions, findings, recommendations, and conclusions of the agency; (4) once accepted, recommendations should be immediately implemented; and (5) the college should evaluate benefits derived from services provided, particularly in terms of whether the college has developed an improved capacity for solving its own problems. A list of agencies assisting two- and four-year Advanced Institutional Development Program grantee colleges is appended. (JDS)