CIRCULAR LETTER NO. 557

May 6, 2004

TO: Printing and Publishing Officials of the Federal Government

SUBJECT: Web Access to GPO Data Through PICSWEB and the Discontinuance of Dial-up (GPP5) Service

This Circular Letter is to notify you that as of May 15, 2004, GPO customers will no longer be able to use Dial-up (GPP5) to communicate with GPO's mainframe computer. Web access to GPO is now available through PICSWEB, which enables customers to tap into GPO's Procurement Information Control Systems (PICS). Because it is internet-based, PICSWEB can be accessed by any registered user on any computer with Web access. It can also be accessed anytime between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. (e.s.t.) even on weekends and Federal holidays..

PICSWEB provides access to GPO Central and Regional office records and current job status; older Small Purchase and One Time Bid records; an estimating tool for books, pamphlets, and other products; quality assurance information including quality levels and PSI schedules and results; contractor name and address information; and projected shipping dates. Users can also verify the date of proofs and get a budget estimate for an upcoming project. Those who have requested Inquiry plus Update authority are also able to submit non-compliance forms (907), and 2511s (print orders for direct deal only) to GPO.

If you would like more information, or if you are ready to register for PICSWEB, click on http://govprint.access.gpo.gov. If you are unsure of your access needs, please feel free to contact the PICSWEB help desk at PICSWEB@gpo.gov. Alternatively, if you are with Army, Homeland Security, Agriculture, the Office of Management and Budget, Health and Human Service, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Social Security Administration, General Accounting Office, Department of Transportation, Interior, Commerce, Veterans Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, or the State Department, call Agency Publishing Services on 202-512-0320 or your GPO Regional Procurement Office. If you are from another department/agency other than listed above, please call the Departmental Account Representative Division, on 202-512-0238 or your GPO Regional Procurement Office.

Sincerely,
JIM BRADLEY,
Managing Director, Customer Services