CIRCULAR LETTER NO. 484

February 12, 2001

To: Printing and Publishing Officials of the Federal Government

SUBJECT: Coding the Federal Register using the SGML/XML Database Structure

The Government Printing Office (GPO) has now implemented its SGML/XML coding scheme in the production of the Federal Register, replacing the GPO Locator coding scheme. The typesetting program (MicroComp) requires specific SGML/XML tags designed for this publication. For background information regarding this conversion to SGML/XML, please refer to the following Circular Letters:

1. Circular Letter No. 459, "Changes in the Cost to Publish in the Federal Register";
2. Circular Letter No. 468, "Discontinuance of the Special 'Interim Rate' Contained in Circular Letter No. 459, 'Changes in the Cost to Publish in the Federal Register'"; and
3. Circular Letter No. 476, "SGML/XML Federal Register Briefing."

Agencies submitting Locator-coded documents must contact William Reilly at the GPO by e-mail wreilly@gpo.gov, telephone (202) 512-1369, or fax (202) 512-1840 to have the names of their representatives placed on a list for training in SGML/XML. While on the list and awaiting training, these agencies will continue to receive the F (coded and validated) discount rate.

As soon as representatives are trained, agencies may begin submitting their documents coded in the new SGML/XML format and use the S Billing Code; or, select one of the other billing code categories (excluding F). Please note that all documents must contain the same SGML/XML coding used by GPO to be eligible for the S Billing Code.

Agencies not registered for training that submit Locator-coded documents after March 1, 2001, will no longer be eligible to receive the F discount. Since files coded in Locators present growing problems (e.g., they have to be translated), agencies choosing not to be trained in SGML/XML will have to select the M, C, U, or P Billing Code methods.

Billing Code F will only be accepted from agencies on the list to be trained in the SGML/XML method. All other agencies must submit their documents using one of the other allowable billing codes.

If you have any questions regarding the information contained in this Circular Letter, please contact William Reilly.

Sincerely,

JIM BRADLEY
Director, Customer Services

Questions or comments regarding this service? Contact wwwadmin@gpo.gov.

Page #CIR484   February 12, 2001