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•	About the U.S. Government Printing Office
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	Ben's Guide to U.S. Government

Our Mission: Serving the Printing, Binding, and Information Dissemination Needs of the U.S. Government

The mission of the Government Printing Office is to inform the Nation by producing, procuring, and disseminating printed and electronic publications of the Congress as well as the executive departments and establishments of the Federal Government.

The Government Printing Office (GPO) began operations in accordance with Congressional Joint Resolution 25 of June 23, 1860. The activities of GPO are defined in the public printing and documents chapters of Title 44 of the U.S. Code.

The Public Printer, who serves as the head of GPO, is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Activities

The Government Printing Office produces and procures printed and electronic publications for Congress and the departments and establishments of the Federal Government. It furnishes printing supplies to all governmental activities on order. It catalogs, distributes, and sells Government publications in printed and electronic formats.

GPO invites bids from commercial suppliers on a wide variety of printing and reproduction services, awards and administers contracts, and maintains liaison between ordering agencies and contractors.

Printing processes used are electronic prepress, including networked on-demand printing systems; offset presswork, featuring direct-to-plate technology; and bookbinding. Electronic databases prepared for printing are premastered for CD-ROM replication and are used to provide online access.

GPO sells approximately 10,000 different printed and electronic publications that originate in various Government agencies. It administers the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) through which a comprehensive range of Government publications are made available for the free use of the public in more than 1,300 libraries throughout the country. GPO also provides online access to more than 80 applications of Federal Government publications, including the Congressional Record and the Federal Register. GPO's online information service, GPOAccess, may be reached at http://www.gpoaccess.gov.

Sources of Information

General inquiries about GPO should be directed to the Office of Public Relations. Phone, 202-512-1957.

Contracts

Commercial printers interested in Government printing contract opportunities should direct inquiries to the Manager, Printing Procurement Department, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401. Phone, 202-512-0327. Contract opportunities are also posted on GPO's Web site at http://www.gpo.gov/procurement/index.html, or you may contact one of the GPO Regional Printing Procurement Offices.

Suppliers of paper products and printing equipment and supplies; purchasers of surplus printing equipment, waste, and salvage materials; and freight carriers should contact the Director of Materials Management, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401. Phone, 202-512-0935.

The booklet How To Do Business With the Government Printing Office, A Guide for Contractors is available upon request from the GPO Central Office or any GPO Regional Printing Procurement Office. It is also available in PDF format from this site at http://www.access.gpo.gov/procurement/pub1050.pdf.

Employment

Office of Personnel Management registers are used in filling administrative, technical, crafts, and clerical positions. Inquiries should be directed to the Chief, Employment Branch, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401. Phone, 202-512-1124. Employment information is also available via the Internet at http://www.gpo.gov/employment/index.html.

Government Publications

Orders and inquiries concerning publications and subscriptions for sale by GPO should be directed to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Orders may be phoned in toll-free at 866-512-1800 or in the DC Metro area at 202-512-1800, or faxed to 202-512-2250. Orders also may be placed via the Internet at the U.S. Government Online Bookstore.

To locate Government publications, the public is offered various lists for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, or they may be viewed via the Internet at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

The Sales Product Catalog (formerly the PRF) provides author, title, and subject access to Government publications available for sale through the Superintendent of Documents.

The Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications is the most comprehensive listing of Government publications issued by Federal departments and agencies.

There also are two free catalogs of new or popular publications available: U.S. Government Information, which lists best-selling titles, and New Products, a bimonthly list of all Government publications placed on sale in the preceding 2 months. These publications can be obtained by calling the Superintendent of Documents toll-free at 866-512-1800 or in the DC Metro area at 202-512-1800.

Remittance for all publications ordered from the Superintendent of Documents must be received in advance of shipment by check or money order payable to the Superintendent of Documents. Orders also may be charged to MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover/Novus accounts or a GPO deposit account.

Depository Libraries

GPO distributes printed and electronic publications to more than 1,300 depository libraries nationwide where they may be used by the public free of charge. A list of depository libraries is available from the Superintendent of Documents. Phone, 202-512-1119. It may also be accessed on-line at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/libraries.html.

Electronic Access

GPOAccess provides online access to key Government publications through the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov. For information or assistance, please contact the U.S. Government Printing Office using http://www.gpoaccess.gov/help.

For further information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Government Printing Office, 732 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20401. Phone, 202-512-1957. Internet, http://www.gpoaccess.gov.