Government Printing: Legal and Regulatory Framework Is Outdated for New
Technological Environment (Letter Report, 04/15/94, GAO/NSIAD-94-157).

With the emergence of various electronic technologies, the traditional
definitions of printing and duplicating have become blurred.  As a
result, the framework of laws and regulations used to manage government
publishing has become outdated.  Because outdated definitions drive
federal publishing decisions--rather than sound business practices that
stress cost-effectiveness and customer service--agencies are confused
about how best to manage their publishing activities.  Moreover, the
federal government's two largest printers, the Government Printing
Office (GPO) and the Defense Printing Service (DPS), are operating with
excess capacity. In fiscal year 1993, GPO reported revenues of $817
million and DPS reported revenues of $403 million.  Both GPO and DPS are
challenged with managing current operations under existing laws,
regulations, and guidance, while planning future operations that respond
to the rapid technological change.  Both are experiencing operating
losses as a result of diminishing workloads and excess capacity.  Some
DPS practices are inconsistent with applicable laws, regulations, and
congressional guidance.  For example, DPS has procured some printing
work that should have gone to GPO, has filled a small amount of printing
orders for non-DOD agencies, and has acquired duplicating equipment
without certification from the Joint Committee on Printing or the Public
Printer of the United States.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  NSIAD-94-157
     TITLE:  Government Printing: Legal and Regulatory Framework Is 
             Outdated for New Technological Environment
      DATE:  04/15/94
   SUBJECT:  Printing costs
             Publication costs
             Government publications
             Information dissemination operations
             Life cycle costs
             Federal regulations
             Technology transfer
             Electronic publications
             Cost analysis

             
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