Federal Citizen Information Center (39.009)
Program
39.009 Federal Citizen Information Center
Federal Agency
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Authorization
Executive Order 11566, October 26, 1970; Public Law 95-491, 40 U.S.C. 751.
Program Number
39.009
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist Federal agencies to release information of interest to citizens and consumers, to increase public awareness of the availability of this information, and to provide telephone service to the public so that they may address questions about Federal programs and services to a single point of contact.
Types of Assistance
Dissemination of Technical Information.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Provides a quarterly catalog of selected government publications of consumer interest in English. Publishes the biennial Consumer Action Handbook, which helps the public find the best source for solving consumer problems. Maintains a nationwide toll-free contact center to respond to telephone inquiries from the general public regarding Federal programs or activities. Maintains several websites including info.gov, kids.gov, firstgov, consumeraction.gov and www.pueblo.gsa.gov. The pueblo site provide access to the full text of hundreds of the most helpful and popular Federal documents and links to thousands of useful Federal and private sector sites. FirstGov.gov is the official Internet portal to all U.S. government information and services. It is the most comprehensive place available online for U.S. government information and services, including federal grants and loans.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Anyone can request information.
Beneficiary Eligibility
General public.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
For responses to questions about the Federal government, telephone the Federal Citizen Information Center at 1-800-333-4636 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Recorded responses to the most popular topics are always available or access the information online at www.FirstGov.gov. For Federal Citizen information, telephone 1-888-8-PUEBLO, write to the Federal Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009, or visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov on the Internet.
Award Procedure
Not applicable.
Deadlines
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Program Accomplishments
During fiscal year 2002, a quarterly Consumer Information Catalog was compiled, news releases were prepared, public service announcements were distributed to broadcast and print outlets, 6.0 million publications were developed and distributed to the public, and approximately 2.1 million telephone inquiries were answered in June 2002, FCIC was given the responsibility to operate and maintain FirstGov.gov, the official web portal to the U.S. Government. The addition of this enormously popular website dramatically increased FCIC's volume of contacts with the American public from 29.8 million in fiscal year 2001 to an estimated 165.9 million in fiscal year 2004. Fiscal year 2003 is the first full year of FCIC operation of the FirstGov.gov website. In fiscal year 2003 and 2004, FCIC will prepare quarterly Consumer Information Catalogs, maintain and enhance the websites, produce a new edition of the Consumer Action Handbook, continue to distribute consumer publications nationwide, and continue to respond to consumer inquiries through a toll-free call center. FCIC will also handle e-mail from the public directed to FirstGov.gov.
Financial Information
Account Identification
47-4549-0-3-376.
Obligations
(Salaries and expenses) FY 02 $6,604,000, FY 03 est $14,987,000 and FY 04 est $18,203,000 for FCIC. (Note: In addition to these amounts, other Federal agencies and private sector entities pay the cost of reimbursing The Government Printing Office for distribution of free consumer publications from Pueblo, Colorado. These costs are as follows: FY 02 $3,010,000, FY 03 est $2,664,000 and FY 04 est $2,646,000. Public Law 98-63 established a revolving fund for the Consumer Information Center (CIC). Under this fund, FCIC activities are financed from the following: Annual appropriations from the general funds of the Treasury, reimbursements from agencies for distribution of publications, user fees collected from the public, gifts to defray the cost of printing, publishing, and distributing informational and educational materials and any other income incident to FCIC activities. All are available as authorized in appropriation acts without regard to fiscal year limitations.)
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
The Consumer Information Catalog, and the Consumer Action Handbook are free. Government publications listed in the Catalog either are available free or are offered for sale at prices indicated. There is a user fee of $2.00 per total order when ordering free publications.
Related Programs
40.002, Government Publications Sales and Distribution.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Director, Federal Citizen Information Center, General Services Administration, Washington, DC 20405. Telephone: (202) 501-1794.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
