Government Publications Sales and Distribution (40.002)
Program
40.002 Government Publications Sales and Distribution
Federal Agency
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Authorization
44 U.S.C. 17.
Program Number
40.002
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To make U.S. Government publications available for purchase.
Types of Assistance
Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods; Dissemination of Technical Information.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, is an authorized sales agent for information published by the various departments and agencies of the Federal Government. Approximately 9,000 titles covering nearly every field of interest are available for purchase at nominal prices. If purchasers order 100 copies or more of one publication to be mailed to a single address, they will receive a 25 percent discount. Bookdealers, regardless of the quantity purchased, will be allowed a 25 percent discount when the publications, pamphlets, periodicals or subscription services are mailed, delivered, or forwarded to the dealer's normal place of business. No discounts are allowed when the publication, pamphlet, periodical, or subscription service is mailed to a third party (unless in quantities of 100 or more), or on those periodicals and subscription services which fall into a special pricing category as noted in, "U.S. Government Subscriptions" which is described below. Generally speaking, there are no restrictions on reprinting or quoting from U.S. Government Publications, as the code of laws of the United States provides that they cannot be copyrighted. However, Government publications occasionally contain copyrighted material which was used with permission of the copyright owner, and publication in a Government document does not authorize any use or appropriation of such copyright material without the consent of the owner. As the Government Printing Office serves merely as a printing and distribution agency for Government publications and has no jurisdiction over their content or subject matter, it is suggested that the originating department or agency or its successor be consulted prior to reprinting or quoting from any given publication. In those instances in which permission to reprint material from Government publications is granted, customary credit should be given to the Government Department which prepared the material. By law, every publication printed through the GPO, whether it is designated for sale or not, must be cataloged and indexed. The "Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications" is produced to fulfill this obligation. The approximately 9,000 titles sold by the Superintendent of Documents include about 300 subscription services. These subscription items are listed in the Superintendent of Documents, "U. S. Government Subscriptions," which is revised quarterly and includes order blanks for obtaining these items. All titles sold by GPO are listed in 150 Subject Catalogs, which are revised as needed and include order blanks for obtaining these items. The Sales Product Catalog list the entire inventory. The Sales Product Catalog is on the Internet at: http://www.bookstore.gpo.gov.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The services of the Superintendent of Documents are available to all interested parties and there are no eligibility requirements.
Beneficiary Eligibility
General public.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Not applicable.
Award Procedure
Not applicable.
Deadlines
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
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
The sales program of the Superintendent of Documents provides a means whereby the public can purchase selected U.S. Government publications. During fiscal year 2002, 292,600 mail order sales were received and processed; during fiscal year 2003, it is estimated that approximately 272,100 will be processed; and an estimated 253,100 will be processed in fiscal year 2004.
Financial Information
Account Identification
04-4505-0-4-808.
Obligations
(Revolving Fund) FY 02 $37,984,000; FY 03 est $32,000,000; and FY 04 est $30,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
"U.S. Government Information" catalog lists many of the bestsellers sold by the Superintendent of Documents. "New and Popular Titles" catalog lists Selective titles in the active sales inventory no charge. "Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications, "lists by agencies the publications catalogued each month. It includes those sold by the Superintendent of Documents, those for official use, and those which are sent to depository libraries for $69.00 a year for paper. It is also available on the GPO website at the following address: http://www.gpo.gov/catalog. The "Subject Bibliography Index" at no charge; lists approximately 150 free Subject Bibliographies covering a wide-range of topics. The "Sales Product Catalog" along with other sales information is on the Internet at http://www.bookstore.gpo.gov.
Related Programs
11.650, National Technical Information Service; 39.009, Federal Citizen Information Center; 40.001, Depository Libraries for Government Publications; 42.005, Library of Congress Publications; 43.002, Technology Transfer.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Direct purchases of publications carried in stock may be made from the following Government Printing Office Bookstores: District of Columbia: Government Printing Office, 710 North Capitol St. NW., Washington, DC 20401, Telephone: (202) 512 0132 and Maryland: Retail Sales Branch, 8660 Cherry Lane, Laurel, MD 20707, Telephone: (301) 953-7974. GPO's online Bookstore is on the Internet at: http://www.bookstore.gpo.gov.
Headquarters Office
Mail orders and inquiries should be addressed to: United States Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol Street, Washington, DC 20402. Contact: Order Desk. Telephone: (toll free) (866) 512-1800 or DC area (202) 512-1800. Fax: (202) 512-2250, E Mail: orders@gpo.gov.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
