1997 ANNUAL REPORT 

GPO: An Agency 

in Transition 
Inspector

General

U.S. Government Printing Office

Administrative

Law Judge 

Office of 

Budget

Policy

Coordination

Staff

Production

Department

General

Counsel

Customer Services 

Office of 

Congressional,

Legislative, and 

Public Affairs 

Materials

Management

Service

Quality Control 

and Technical 

Department

Deputy Public Printer 

Public Printer 

Office of the 

Comptroller

Office of 

Planning

Occupational

Health and 

Environmental

Services

Office of 

Personnel

Office of 

Labor/

Employee

Relations

Engineering

Service

Office of 

Administrative

Support

Office of 

Information

Resources

Management

Office of 

Equal

Employment

Opportunity

Printing

Procurement

Department

Document

Sales

Service

Information

Dissemination

Policy

Library

Programs

Service

Office of 

Electronic

Information

Dissemination

Technical

Support

Group

Congressional

Printing

Management

Division

Institute for 

Federal

Printing and 

Publishing

Departmental

Account

Representative

Division

Typography

and Design 

Division

Superintendent of Documents 

Inspector

General
UNITED STATES 

GOVERNMENT 

PRINTING OFFICE 

ANNUAL REPORT 

Fiscal Year 1997 
Table of Contents 

page 

Message from the Public Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v

Part I Customer Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Chapter

1 Customer Involvement through Oversight Hearings, Councils, Commissions, 

and Other Forums to Address Critical Issues Facing GPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

2 Customer Satisfaction and Improved Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

3 Quality and Responsiveness in Delivery of GPO’s Products and Services . . . . . . . . .9

4 Expanding the Availability of Government Information Computerized Databases . .11

5 Enhancing Information Technology Investments to Provide Better Service . . . . . .14

6 An Effective Underlying Support Operation Ensures Quality Service . . . . . . . . . . .17

7 Recognition of GPO’s Organizations and Employees for Quality Service . . . . . . . .20

Part II Operating and Financial Performance Measures and 

Other Significant Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Operating Performance Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Financial Performance Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Other Significant Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Figure

1 Consolidated Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

2 Consolidated Net Income/Loss as Percent of Cost Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

3 GPO In-Plant Press Output as Equivalent Units Produced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

4 Production Department Orders Processed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

5 Printing Procurement Program Orders Processed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

6 Superintendent of Documents/GPO Access Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

7 Superintendent of Documents/Sales Program Workload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

8 Superintendent of Documents/Federal Depository Library Distribution . . . . . . . . .31

9 Congressional Hearings Original Pages Produced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

10 Congressional Bills, Resolutions, and Amendments Original Pages Produced . . . . .32

11 Congressional Record Original Pages Produced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

12 Congressional Record Copies Distributed Compared With Online Retrievals . . . . .33

13 Budget of the United States Copies Distributed Compared With Online Retrievals .34

14 Code of Federal Regulations Copies Distributed Compared With Online Retrievals . .34 

15 Commerce Business Daily Copies Distributed Compared With Online Retrievals . .35

16 Federal Register Copies Distributed Compared With Online Retrievals . . . . . . . . .35

17 Postcards Produced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

18 Passports Produced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

19 GPO On-Board Staffing Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

20 GPO Staffing Mix of White and Blue-Collar Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

21 GPO Full-Time Equivalents Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

22 GPO Personnel Expense for Compensation and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

iii
page 

Part III Financial Year In Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Appendix

I Independent Auditors’ Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

II Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Consolidated Balance Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Consolidated Statements of Revenue and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Consolidating Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Supplemental Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

III Public Printer’s Assertion Letter on Internal Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Part IV Abbreviations and Special Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Appendix

IV Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

V National Performance Review GPO 1997 Hammer Award Recipients—CBDNet . . .75

Part V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

iv
M e ssage from the Public Printer 

Public Printer of the United States 

February 1993 — Present 

An abiding commitment to public access to Government information is deeply rooted in our 

system of Government.The Government Printing Office (GPO) is one of the most visible demonstrations 

of that commitment. For more than a century, GPO’s mission under the public printing and documents 

statutes of Title 44, U.S. Code, is to fulfill the needs of the Federal Government for information products 

and to distribute those products to the public. 

Formerly, GPO’s mission was accomplished through the production and procurement of traditional printing technologies. However, a generation ago we began migrating our processes to electronic 

technologies, and in 1993 Congress amended Title 44 with the GPO Electronic Information Access 

Enhancement Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-40), which requires us to disseminate Government information 

products online.This Act is the basis of GPO Access, our Internet information service. 

Today, GPO is dedicated to producing, procuring, and disseminating Government information 

products in a wide range of mediums: print, microfiche, Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), and 

online. In GPO, the Government has a unique asset that combines a comprehensive range of conventional 

production and electronic processing, procurement facilitation, and multi-format dissemination capabilities to support the information life cycle needs of Congress, Federal agencies, and the public: 

• We provide print and electronic information products and services to Congress and Federal agencies through in-plant processes and the procurement of information products from the private 

sector. For Congress, we maintain a capability to fully support the information product needs of 

the legislative process, working in close cooperation with leadership offices, committees, 

Members, and staffs in each Chamber. 

• We disseminate Government information to the public in tangible and electronic mediums 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

through a sales program and a reimbursable program, and to Federal depository libraries nationwide where the information may be used by the public free of charge.We catalog and index 

Government information products so they can be identified and retrieved by users. 

v
• We disseminate a massive volume of information online via the Internet with GPO Access. By

September 1997, about 6.5 million documents were being downloaded monthly by the public 

using this system.We have strongly supported the increased dissemination of Government information in electronic formats, and GPO Access today is one of the leading Federal sites on the 

Internet. Our home page on the World Wide Web (WWW) provides free public access to more 

than 70 Federal databases from all three branches of the Government, a growing number of 

agency Government Information Locator Service (GILS) sites, and associated locator and Pathway 

Services. GILS is a Federal Government-wide effort to direct users to relevant information 

resources, and includes electronic information resources. 

We provide all of our services in a non-partisan, service-oriented environment that emphasizes 

the primacy of the customers’ requirements for timeliness, quality, security, and economy.We are committed to achieving the greatest access and equity in information dissemination through printed publications, microfiche, CD-ROM, and online information technologies. Our electronic and traditional technologies simultaneously enable us to facilitate the re-engineering of information products to satisfy the 

Government’s changing information requirements, and to preserve and protect public access to 

Government information for all of our citizens. 

GPO’s programs reduce the need for duplicative production facilities throughout the 

Government, achieve significant taxpayer savings through a centralized production and procurement 

system, and enhance public access to Government information, which is increasingly valuable to all 

Americans in the Information Age. 

More than a century ago, Congress in its wisdom designed a system in GPO for keeping America 

informed.That system continues to serve a vital purpose today. 

MICHAEL F. DiMARIO 

Public Printer 

September 1998 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

vi
CHAPTER 1:

Custom Involvement through Oversight Hearings, Councils, Commissions, and Other

Forums to Address critical Issues Facing GPO 

 I 

Customer

Outreach

PART
CHAPTER 1: 

Customer Involvement Through Oversight Hearings, Councils, Commissions, and 

Other Forums to Address Critical Issues Facing GPO 

The House Subcommittee on 

Legislative Appropriations and the Senate 

Subcommittee on Legislative Branch 

Appropriations (Committees on Appropriations) 

held their annual hearings on GPO’s funding 

request for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998, in February and 

June 1997, respectively. GPO presented information to Congress related to its state-of-the-art electronic prepress systems, characterized by a complex of direct linkages to a variety of 

Congressional offices for data interchange. Once 

considered only the by-product of the print production process, digitized electronic databases of 

Congressional information are now the primary 

product: they are the databases from which the 

official versions of documents are produced in 

print, CD-ROM, and online access mediums. 

GPO’s electronic systems provide 

Congress and the taxpayers with a number of 

advantages.They provide a standardized system 

for use by both Houses of Congress, resulting in 

compatibility of production processes and uniformity in the resulting products.They provide for 

the interchangeable use of databases to produce 

different congressional publications. Finally, they 

facilitate both production and dissemination. Our 

use of electronic information technologies has 

substantially reduced the real cost of congressional products. In FY 1978, GPO’s appropriation for 

Congressional printing was $84.6 million, the 

equivalent in today’s dollars of $209.5 million. By 

comparison, GPO’s approved FY 1997 funding 

was $81.7 million, a reduction of nearly two-thirds 

in real economic terms.This has yielded savings to 

the taxpayer of well over $100 million per year. 

In March 1997, the Joint Committee on 

Printing (JCP) conducted its annual oversight 

hearing.A significant issue for GPO is the effort to 

revise Title 44, U.S. Code, Public Printing and 

Documents, the statute that governs Federal printing; the JCP has undertaken a major role in the 

process to update this law. GPO addressed some 

of the core issues during the oversight hearing. Of 

agencies will have the advantage of a cost-effective centralized printing procurement operation, 

Federal publications are disseminated to Federal 

depository libraries, and substantial savings occur. 

GPO provided comments to the JCP during the 

year on various proposed revisions. 

The Senate Committee on Rules and 

Administration held a hearing in April 1997 

regarding the proposed revisions to Title 44. GPO, 

in its testimony, supported the four revision objectives: (1) resolving the constitutional separation of 

powers issue; (2) establishing an effective compliance mechanism; (3) ensuring public access and 

protecting the Federal Depository Library Program 

(FDLP); and (4) dealing with new information technologies. In its testimony, GPO also expressed 

views opposing the transfer of the agency to the 

Executive Branch and other issues that would 

undermine GPO’s viability as an agency if transferred.The constitutional issue is not where GPO is 

located, but rather what is the appropriateness of 

the JCP’s control of Executive Branch and GPO 

operations.Transferring JCP’s authorities to the 

Public Printer would leave GPO’s operations 

intact, and continue to require that all Government 

printing be performed through GPO. 

The House Subcommittee on 

Government Management, Information, and 

Technology (Committee on Government Reform 

and Oversight), in May 1997, discussed GPO’s role 

in Federal information dissemination. GPO provided information on its support function, including 

its use of electronics to support a print-ondemand system located in the Senate Document 

Room that has reduced the requirement for printing extra copies of Senate documents for storage. 

This system is networked to Congressional databases resident at GPO. 

Federal agencies are turning more to GPO 

for assistance in the management of their publications and related information products through all 

stages of the information life cycle: the creation 

and/or collection of information, processing it into ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

critical importance is the lack of complete information about all Federal printing and publications 

activities and costs.A significant portion of printing bypasses the GPO, which can lead to higher 

printing costs to the taxpayer.The benefits of 

procuring printing through GPO are that Federal 

a product, dissemination of the product, use and 

storage of the product, and product disposition 

through archival management. Resources have 

been committed to assist agencies with the WWW 

and Internet services. GPO provides expert publishing services to support the increase in elec2
tronic publishing submissions from Federal agencies.The services include one-on-one desktop publishing consultation for correct file creation techniques; customer outreach by way of on-site digital publishing seminars; researching industry 

trends in digital publishing and disseminating pertinent information to agency editors/writers, printing personnel, project designers, publishers and 

information management personnel; and creating 

official publications and forms designed to make 

digital publishing more consistent, cost effective, 

and customer friendly. 

The Interagency Council on Printing 

and Publications Services regularly confers 

with the Public Printer on matters of importance 

to Federal agency printing and publishing issues. 

Throughout FY 1997, the Council met with representatives of the JCP, GPO, and other Federal agencies. Over 25 different agencies sent representatives to Council sessions throughout the year.The 

advice provided by the Council and other meeting 

participants included matters dealing with 

improved customer relations, communication of 

agency needs, Congressional activities, and information dissemination. 

The Public Printer and the Superintendent 

of Documents met twice with the Depository

Library Council, which advises GPO on issues 

relating to the public access to Government information through the FDLP.The Council consists of 

15 representatives of the Government information 

community, who serve for a term of 3 years.The 

Council recommended, and GPO adopted, the 

concept of a Collection Management Plan for 

electronic products within the Office of the 

Superintendent of Documents.The Council further endorsed the concept behind development 

of the Core Documents Collection, now available 

for free, permanent, public access via GPO

Access service.The Council praised GPO for creating the GILS application on the GPO Access 

system.This application provides a single point of 

access for users to search the records of 26 execupublic comments demonstrate that this centralized point of access is a valuable means of locating electronic Government information. 

In conjunction with the Spring 

Depository Library Council meeting, GPO conducted the Sixth Annual Federal Depository 

Library Conference,April 14-17, 1997, with over 

550 attendees and 50 speakers.The conference 

featured programs on many aspects of FDLP, had 

numerous speakers from Federal publishing agencies, had a focus group on GPO Access, and facilitated networking among depository librarians. 

GPO’s Library Programs Service (LPS) coordinated 

the Tenth Annual Interagency Depository Seminar 

held May 28-June 4, 1997. Sixty-five librarians with 

three or fewer years’ experience as documents 

librarians attended the seminar.This seminar is 

designed as “basic training” for new documents 

librarians.The Regional Librarians Conference, 

sponsored by GPO,August 11-13 in Minneapolis, 

brought together regional librarians and one representative from each state without a regional 

library within its border to this one-time program. 

The conference strengthened the ability of regional libraries to provide services and to improve 

their own performance as “field coordinators” for 

the conference in their service areas. 

The Public Printer, the Superintendent of 

Documents, and LPS staff attended and made presentations at the winter and summer conferences 

of the American Library Association (ALA). LPS 

staff also participated in ALA meetings in 

Maryland, Florida, and Nebraska. 

With the approval of the Chairman, JCP, 

the U.S. National Commission on Libraries 

and Information Science entered into an interagency agreement with GPO under which the 

Commission will conduct an assessment of electronic Government information products.The 

assessment will be used to help improve public 

access to Government information made available 

to the FDLP and the general public, and will assess 

the cost-effectiveness and usefulness of various ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

tive branch agencies. GPO was further praised for 

developing a partnership with the National 

Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to 

fulfill the Privacy Act provisions of the GILS mandate for all Federal agencies.The impressive user 

statistics for this application and the very positive 

electronic formats.The Commission is an independent executive branch agency with the responsibility to advise the President, Congress, State and 

local governments, and others on national and 

international policies and plans for library and 

information services. 

3
GPO continued its program to have consultants fill temporary positions within GPO’s LPS 

to work on projects relating to GPO’s transition to 

a more electronic FDLP. Incumbents in these positions assisted in the design, development, and 

enhancement of locator services in GPO’s suite of 

Pathway Services on the GPO/Superintendent of 

Documents’World Wide Web site. In addition, they 

coordinated FDLP activities with other Federal 

agencies responsible for dissemination of 

Government information products.The incumbents, who are generally drawn from the library 

community, also develop policies and procedures 

to facilitate the transition from a paper-based program to the electronic environment. 

GPO maintains close contact with the 

printing industry through its representatives. 

The industry’s input is essential for the successful 

operation of GPO’s printing procurement operations. GPO convened a seminar for Federal agency 

personnel featuring representatives of printing 

firms who discussed the capabilities of the industry in providing for the agencies’ information 

product needs.As with the libraries, GPO views its 

relationship with the printing industry as a partnership in which GPO works cooperatively to 

achieve the lowest possible cost for Government 

printing for the taxpayer. 

An effective liaison exists with the information industry through its representatives. One 

of the hallmarks of Government information is 

that it cannot be copyrighted, and GPO is a longstanding resource for the provision of 

Government information products to which various businesses can add value. Until the Copyright 

Revision Act of 1976, GPO’s statutes were the first 

in the Federal Government that contained a prohibition on copyrighting Government information 

products, and for years GPO has utilized its 

authority to sell reproducibles from the printing 

process as well as provide discounts for volume 

purchasers of Government publications to 

respond to the needs of information companies. 

GPO maintains communication with 

widely diverse information user groups, including 

the scientific and technical communities, academia, legal groups, public interest groups, and others, frequently receiving input and suggestions on 

ways to improve public access to Government 

information products through its programs. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

4
CHAPTER 2: 

Customer Satisfaction and Improved Services 

GPO is dedicated to producing, procuring, and disseminating Government information 

products in a wide range of formats. In GPO, the 

Government has a unique asset that combines a 

comprehensive range of conventional production 

and electronic processing services, procurement 

facilitation, and multi-format dissemination capabilities to support the information life cycle needs 

of Congress, Federal agencies, and the public. GPO 

conducts all of its services in a non-partisan, service-oriented environment that emphasizes the 

primacy of the customers’ requirements for timeliness, quality, security, and economy.Although 

GPO’s total workforce collectively provides services to benefit its customers, many organizational 

components maintain direct and close interaction 

with them in the fulfillment of mission requirements. GPO’s accomplishments in the area of customer satisfaction and improved services are 

described herewith. 

GPO’s Customer Services coordinates 

all aspects of the printing, binding, and distribution requirements of Congress and Federal agencies. Customer satisfaction continues to be its driving force, with efforts directed toward achieving 

improved customer relations through timely and 

accurate information, excellence in design and 

quality control services, and highly acclaimed 

interagency training courses. 

The Departmental Account 

Representative Division (DARD) provides individualized service to more than 140 Federal 

departments and agencies.This service is critical 

due to the loss of customer expertise through the 

decentralization of many agency printing operations.This activity was supplemented by a new 

program to send a Senior Account Representative 

to agencies to provide free on-site expertise.A 

DARD representative serves on the Technical 

Specifications Contract Integration Team in planning for the Government’s Census 2000. GPO will 

be responsible for the procurement of all printed 

products relating to the Census, including questionnaires, fact sheets, brochures, handbills, letters, 

cards, envelopes, forms, and posters. Of special 

note is the progress made in the creation of a 

more efficient database for electronic entry of 

incoming orders, including scanning and transmission via the Internet.The new system will have 

the capability of assigning jacket numbers and bar 

codes.A major milestone was reached in 

September 1997 when all fiscal year rider distribution information for FY 1998 was entered into the 

database.Automation of this information ensures 

more accurate billings by GPO’s Office of the 

Comptroller, and efficient deliveries by GPO’s 

contractors. Once this system is fully operational, 

it will allow GPO to more easily and quickly 

research questions regarding customer orders. 

The Typography and Design Division 

(T&D) provides graphic design, illustration, consultation, photographic, video, and quality control 

services to GPO and Federal Government customers.T&D has continued to serve the Federal 

community by solving an array of challenging 

publishing and electronic needs. An active participant in new high-tech design and illustrative 

applications,T&D has enhanced its marketability 

and cost-competitiveness through its continuing 

conversion to a computer-aided graphic design 

environment.

Another important ingredient of GPO’s 

Customer Services is the Institute for Federal 

Printing and Electronic Publishing.Acknowledging the increased emphasis on electronic publishing subjects, the Institute added the word 

“Electronic” to its title in FY 1997.The Institute 

held 33 training seminars during FY 1997 for 584 

individuals representing more than 50 Federal 

entities from all three branches of Government, 

and a few Government contractors.The Institute 

coordinates other activities to enhance the printing and publishing professions within the Federal 

Government.This year marked the 50th issue of 

“Tidbits from Trade Journals (and other sources)” 

which is faxed with class reminder announcements.These “Tidbits” provide customer agencies 

current information on technology, GPO services, 

and matters of general interest.A new “CD 

Technology” booklet was prepared describing 

GPO’s CD-ROM products and services. 

GPO’s Congressional Printing ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

Management Division coordinates the scheduling, printing, and distribution of Congressional 

printing and binding. Division personnel serve as 

printing liaison specialists to the committees, 

offices, and officials of Congress, providing assistance regarding the printing, binding, and elec5
tronic availability of the numerous products 

required to carry out the legislative activity and 

daily operations of Congress. Implementation of 

the Electronic Distribution System was completed 

during the year.This system allows the Division to 

generate a distribution list for congressional hearings, appropriation reports, laws, and Presidential 

Messages.An electronic distribution list for the 

Congressional Directory, Statutes at Large, and

the U.S. Code Supplement has facilitated GPO’s 

billing process. 

The Division encourages Congressional 

committees to use scanning capabilities to create 

encapsulated PostScript files in producing their 

publications, enabling GPO to provide for efficient 

and authentic publication.There are currently 49 

committees utilizing 114 systems capable of producing material using MICROCOMP, a GPO-developed composition program.There are about 36 

committees that lease printers capable of furnishing camera-ready copy to GPO. 

GPO’s Graphics Systems Development 

Division configured a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) 

server to enable data transfer between GPO and 

its clients.This service is available 24 hours a day, 

7 days a week. Currently there are 43 accounts on 

the system, with some accounts allowing multiple 

users.The use of this service has doubled during 

the fiscal year.A second server was implemented 

for use as a secure-type server where only selected users have access. 

The Division continues to manage the 

Digital Equipment Corporation’s (DEC) systems 

and networks for the Senate Office of Legislative 

Counsel, Office of the Federal Register, and the 

National Labor Relations Board, as well as those 

systems used in the GPO’s Production Department.The Division has the system administration 

and management responsibility of 19 DEC Alpha 

systems running the DEC Unix operating system 

as part of the GPO Access, one Alpha system 

with DEC Unix for the off-site storage facility 

located at Owensboro, Kentucky, and the WWW 

The Division installed an additional color 

scanner for CD-ROM production.A Windows 95 

system with a CD-ROM drive was installed for testing of CD-ROMs to make sure they will function 

properly on those systems before mastering is 

done. Currently, there are three monthly CD-ROM 

publications and several quarterly or annual publications in production.The workload using Adobe 

Acrobat has increased. 

The Electronic Systems Development 

Division has upgraded the public domain portion 

of the GPO network to meet the public demand 

for GPO’s online products. Routers used for 

connectivity to the Internet have also been 

upgraded.A dedicated server has been purchased 

and installed to better accommodate the needs of 

the Congress.Web hosting of other agencies and 

commissions is being accomplished through the 

use of the GPO-maintained name services and 

shared WWW and Wide Area Information Server 

(WAIS) servers. 

GPO’s Printing Procurement 

Department provides procurement services both 

centrally and regionally.The Central Office procurement function consists of three Divisions: (1) Term 

Contracts, (2) Purchase, and (3) Contract

Management.The Term Contracts Division procures printing requirements that are of a recurring 

nature.All term contracts and abstracts are now 

being advertised through the GPO Home Page.The 

Purchase Division acquires printing requirements 

through contracts established under sealed bidding 

and negotiated procurements, and which are not of 

a recurring nature. Contract Management provides printing contract administrative support. 

Following in the tradition of providing 

exemplary customer service, the Hampton 

Regional Printing Procurement Office has 

assigned one of its employees to the Department 

of Defense’s (DOD) Defense Automated Printing 

Service (DAPS) in Norfolk,VA. Since Hampton’s 

work volume is 85 percent Defense printing, this 

is an arrangement beneficial to both entities.The ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

server at GPO. During this period, nine new Alpha 

systems were set up and configured for use with 

the GPO Access, including two systems for the 

CBDNet and two systems for exclusive use of 

Congressional clients. 

Columbus Regional Printing Procurement Office 

wrote 50 term contracts that were either multi- or 

option-year contracts in addition to 70 term contracts which were solicited under the small purchase provision.These actions resulted in stream6
lined procurements, reduced costs, and more satisfied customers. 

The Office of Electronic Information 

Dissemination Services (OEIDS), within the 

Superintendent of Documents’ operations, was 

involved in new and proactive product development efforts with publishing agencies and many 

outreach efforts in FY 1997. OEIDS staff assisted 

agencies in fulfilling their service needs for the 

replication and dissemination of electronic information products produced, procured, and disseminated through GPO. 

Outreach work was performed by conducting GPO Access training classes and demonstrations nationwide.Additionally, GPO staff began 

“Train the Trainer” sessions with libraries from the 

Regional OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) 

Network Directors Advisory Committee to expand 

training opportunities on GPO Access. OEIDS 

Staff, working closely with the Superintendent of 

Documents Web Page Committee, released a new 

GPO Access homepage designed to provide users 

with easier and more efficient access to GPO’s 

online resources.The new homepage is available 

at the following Uniform Resource Locator (URL): 

http://www.access.gpo.gov/sudocs

GPO Access web pages were 

redesigned to be more intuitive to users, with 

easy to follow paths for locating Government 

information products. In addition to the homepage, several new “second level” pages allow 

users to quickly and conveniently access products and services.These pages are available as 

hot links from the new Superintendent of 

Documents page, with quick jumps to the most 

popular applications and databases. 

OEIDS continued to work closely with 

Federal agencies on the GILS initiative. Nearly 30 

Federal agencies have now mounted their GILS 

records on the GPO Access server. 

OEIDS managed the operation of the 

Federal Bulletin Board (FBB), which contains individual Federal agency files available through this 

self-service access to Government information in 

electronic format. 

During the year, OEIDS outreach activities 

continued to find eager publishing partners in 

many Federal agencies.While CD-ROM publishing 

continued at a constant pace and the hours 

required for GILS work steadied at a maintenance 

level, demand for GPO’s Web development and 

hosting services increased dramatically.This year 

GPO began offering to register and maintain special domain names for client agencies.This service 

proved extremely popular and all sites added this 

year took advantage of this new service option. 

OEIDS continued to receive many requests for 

GPO Access training classes and demonstrations. 

About 20 hands-on training classes and demonstrations of GPO Access were held for Federal depository librarians, Members of Congress, and the general public. 

GPO’s Library Programs Service made

progress in every area in moving toward a more 

electronic FDLP.This transition is guided by the FY 

1996 “Study to Identify Measures Necessary for a 

Successful Transition to a More Electronic Federal 

Depository Library Program.” Significant events in 

FY 1997 included the beginning of partnerships 

and agreements among GPO, other Government 

agencies, and depository libraries, for making available, producing, and permanently storing certain 

electronic Government products.These initial projects will provide the foundation on which future 

partnerships will be based. Permanent access initiatives included the “collection management” 

concept for GPO Access.

In a more electronic FDLP, the program 

will provide permanent public access to a remotely accessible electronic collection of Government 

information and will develop services that 

improve librarians’ abilities to manage the electronic program. In part, these goals are being 

accomplished through two kinds of partnerships: 

content and service.These partnerships share the 

common element of being formalized through ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

free electronic bulletin board service. By the end 

of FY 1997, the FBB had approximately 4,700 files 

representing more than 20 Federal agencies and 

organizations from all three branches of the 

Federal Government.This service enabled Federal 

agencies to provide the public with immediate, 

some type of agreement between GPO and the 

library or agency. Institutions in content partnerships host part of the FDLP Electronic Collection 

for free use by the public. Service partners offer 

services that assist documents librarians and GPO 

in the operation and administration of the FDLP. 

7
GPO coordinates these partnerships.The first 

example of the content partnership is the threeway effort with the University of Illinois-Chicago, 

the Department of State, and GPO.An agreement 

was reached among the three parties to let the 

University hold, for permanent access, electronic 

information products that migrate off the 

Department of State Web site.This agreement 

ensures adequate access, security, and preservation 

for permanent access to the research collection. 

In FY 1997, LPS worked with the 

Department of Energy’s Office of Scientific and 

Technical Information (OSTI) to make OSTI 

reports electronically accessible to depositories. 

An interagency agreement was developed 

between GPO and OSTI to allow depository 

libraries no-fee access to the 12,000-15,000 public 

domain reports produced annually by OSTI via a 

GPO Access link to the OSTI “Information 

Bridge”Web site. 

The Promotion and Advertising 

Branch assumed increased responsibility in the 

areas of outreach to publishing agencies, and new 

product acquisition and development.This Branch 

fostered closer communication among the Sales 

Program, the FDLP, and OEIDS, and moved more 

aggressively to acquire publications for the Sales 

Program, such as the Central Intelligence Agency’s 

World Factbook, which had been discontinued by 

the publishing agency. 

The Office of the Comptroller initiated

a new payment option for customers that allows 

them to maintain control of funds at the appropriation level and virtually eliminates the need for 

GPO invoices.With a simple and easy-to-use GPO 

Deposit Account, individual customers will have to 

process only a few payments each year, rather 

than hundreds of invoices.The payment option 

involves the following process: (1) send a requisition to GPO for a deposit account along with a 

check in the amount of the desired deposit, and 

an account will be opened with a speciallyassigned billing address code for use on future 

requisitions; (2) deposit funds as necessary to provide a sufficient account balance, and GPO will 

perform all bookkeeping services, including a 

statement of monthly transactions. For the customer’s convenience, information on payment 

invoices is accessible through the Internet. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

8
CHAPTER 3: 

Quality and Responsiveness in Delivery of GPO’s Products and Services 

GPO continues in its processes and procedures to provide both ink-on-paper and electronic products and services in consonance with 

customer demands.The tradition of high quality 

and responsiveness is at the forefront of GPO 

management action. GPO has placed a greater 

emphasis on improved quality through higher 

standards of performance, which has resulted in 

more responsive product and service delivery. 

In 1997, the Production Department 

produced 132 issues of the Congressional Record, 

compared to 196 issues in 1996.The Press and 

Binding Divisions, within the Production 

Department, met the 7.5 million passport books 

printing requirement of the State Department.This 

production run represented the largest request in 

State Department’s history. Continuing a long tradition of participation in Inaugural swearing-in 

ceremonies, GPO produced and procured a wide 

variety of materials to support the 1997 

Inauguration Ceremony under the direction of the 

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural 

Ceremonies. GPO also provided law enforcement 

and military personnel with electronic databases 

containing all versions of tickets and parking passes to be used for training purposes. 

Significant publications and projects, 

involving the Typography and Design Division 

(T&D) included the development of a digital version of the Joint Force Quarterly magazine, which 

has been loaded on the Joint Chiefs of Staff WWW 

site; Constantino Brumidi: Artist of the Capitol, a

comprehensive study of Brumidi’s works that decorate the Capitol that includes over 250 four-color 

images; and a new edition of History of the U.S. 

Capitol, updating the classic 1900/1903 work. Of 

special note was the book, The Chairmanship of 

the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for which two employees 

were honored with a letter of appreciation from 

the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

T & D created the 4-color process design 

for the cover of the United States Government 

Manual, which was a tribute to Jackie Robinson, 

legendary baseball player, as requested by the publisher, the Office of the Federal Register/National 

Archives and Records Administration. Special permission was given for the use of the 50th 

Anniversary logo of Jackie Robinson’s breaking of 

the color barrier in Major League Baseball, which 

was used in conjunction with an Archives’ image 

of Robinson as a Brooklyn Dodger. 

GPO’s Quality Control and Technical 

Department develops, coordinates, and monitors 

quality systems for products produced or procured 

by GPO; maintains a graphic arts chemical and 

physical testing laboratory; and an ink, adhesive 

and roller service production facility.Various 

employees serve on a number of interagency task 

groups, including the Interagency Committee on 

Standards Policy,Advisory Council on Paper 

Specifications, and the Interagency Metric 

Operating Committee.A Department representative is working with a task group from the Bureau 

of Census and the Rochester Institute of 

Technology Research Corporation to develop specifications for the printing requirements for the 

next generation Census equipment.The 

Department also participated in the passport 

photo digitization procurement group who developed the procurement request for new passport 

customization printers, which print digitized color, 

black-and-white photographs, and other machinereadable data directly into the passport book. 

The Congressional Record Index 

Office, under the direction of the JCP, creates an 

index and history of bills for the Congressional 

Record, as well as for the Senate Journal and

House Journal. In FY 1997, this Office indexed 

over 26,000 pages of the Congressional Record,

and tracked more than 5,568 bills in the History 

of Bills.The 1991 bound Congressional Record 

Index was released for press, and work began on 

the 1992 bound Index, and an index and history 

of bills were created for the Senate Journal and

the 1994 and 1995 House Journal.The Office produces a daily online Index which, along with the 

1992-1996 Indexes and the 1994-1997 History of 

Bills, was available via GPO Access.The 1994-

1997 Indexes were also made available through 

the Library of Congress’THOMAS online service. 

The Quality Assurance Section inspected 875 orders for compliance with specifications ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

and Quality Assurance Through Attributes Program 

(QATAP) standards. Section personnel performed 

173 press sheet inspections nationwide at contractors’ plants; conducted three sessions of the 

QATAP training program on principles and procedures; evaluated 504 contractor-submitted sam9
ples; performed 27 on-site production and quality 

audits; and performed 525 microfiche quality 

inspections.

In the Electronic Photocomposition 

Division, keyboard operators were provided 

extensive training to resolve production problems 

that occurred during the processing of the 

Commerce Business Daily.The result of this training and the interaction with the Graphics

System Development Division proved successful in solving the production problems.The keyboard operators who worked on this project 

received the Hammer Award given out by the Vice 

President of the United States. 

The Binding Division has requested and 

received approval from the JCP to acquire a specialized passport finishing and binding system.The 

estimated cost of this equipment, including site 

preparation and installation, is $3.6 million. Being 

considered for future purchase is a new automatic 

signature collation monitor to be installed on the 

Harris Adhesive Binders.This new equipment 

would detect any signatures missing or out of 

sequence, which is presently being done manually. 

During FY 1997, the Library Programs 

Service (LPS) had considerable interaction with 

depository libraries, including 55 on-site inspections. Self-studies submitted by 140 depositories 

were evaluated and brief reports, summarizing the 

strengths and weaknesses of the depository operations, were mailed. In addition, the 1997 Biennial 

Survey of Depository Libraries questionnaire was 

developed and distributed.Two new libraries were 

designated as depositories, while twelve voluntarily 

relinquished their depository status. As of 

September 30, 1997, there were 1,366 depository 

libraries. 

Office of Electronic Information 

Dissemination Services (OEIDS) manages the 

GPO Access.The quality service provided by the 

system has received much acclaim from both 

Government and private users. GPO Access averaged nearly 4 million retrievals per month during 

which represent each mouse click or change of 

web page.The databases with the most retrievals 

include: Code of Federal Regulations, Federal 

Register, Commerce Business Daily, and the 

United States Code. 

As a furtherance of GPO’s desire to 

improve office quality, the ability of customers to 

obtain GPO assistance, when needed, is deemed a 

very important goal. In this regard, the GPO

Access User Support Team is now available 

Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, 

except Federal holidays, to provide assistance to 

users.The team answers inquiries about GPO’s 

electronic products, provides assistance in searching for and locating Federal information products, 

and offers technical support for these products. 

This service is provided through telephone, e-mail, 

and faxed responses to users. On average, the 

team receives approximately 5,900 inquiries per 

month, including more than 4,000 telephone calls 

and over 1,800 e-mail messages. 

Questions or comments regarding the 

GPO Access service can be directed to the 

Internet e-mail address at gpoaccess@gpo.gov;

toll-free via telephone at 1-888-293-6498; by phone 

locally at 202-512-1530; or via fax at 202-512-1262. 

In FY 1997, there were a number of 

changes implemented in the way the 

Superintendent of Documents’ Documents

Control Branch manages its inventory.A review 

team was established to examine and approve recommendations to ride or reprint an information 

product.The product life cycle reduced to 18 

months a few years ago, was reduced to 12 months 

for most products. Several projects were initiated 

to assist in the determination of proper order levels.The holding cost criteria was reevaluated to 

reflect the current cost for maintaining a product 

in inventory.The policy on excess stock was 

rewritten to accommodate U.S. General Accounting 

Office’s recommendations.The staff worked with 

the Office of the Comptroller to establish a proposal for “firm estimates” to replace the traditional ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

FY 1997.These numbers are significant because a 

“retrieval” represents a file being transferred from 

one of the databases onto a local machine, as 

opposed to frequently reported “hits” statistics, 

printing and binding data in the billing system.This 

will allow for the pricing of inventory immediately 

and will ensure that we have a cost and a price 

when the stock is delivered. 

10
CHAPTER 4: 

Expanding the Availability of Government Information Computerized Databases 

GPO’s electronic technology capabilities, 

as well as staff expertise, are facilitating the reengineering of information products and processes to satisfy the changing information requirements of the Government and the public. GPO 

strongly supports the increased dissemination of 

Government information in electronic formats. 

Our online service, GPO Access, is one of the 

largest and favorite Federal sites on the Internet. 

In FY 1997, the number of online documents used 

and downloaded per month increased 226 percent to over 6.5 million items in September 1997, 

for a total of nearly 46,000,000 items retrieved 

during the year. 

The Graphics System Development 

Division continued to play a significant role in the 

development of electronic information dissemination services under GPO Access. Significant accomplishments included the creation of a system for 

producing the Commerce Business Daily electronically. Notices are now accepted electronically and 

made available on-line immediately. 

Significant progress has been made converting production databases to Standard 

Generalized Markup Language (SGML). Development of the SGML search capabilities continued.A 

Document Type Definition (DTD) and a 73-

megabyte SGML database of the Equal 

Employment Opportunity Commission’s decisions 

were received and indexed using OpenText.A 

“Technical Supplement” SGML database was created and indexed for Library Programs Service. 

Development required to enable the display of 

Portable Document Format (PDF) files resulting 

from OpenText searches has been completed and 

a large portion of the 104th Congress 

Congressional Record is now online on a test 

basis.The Code of Federal Regulations and the 

Extensions of Remarks in the Congressional 

Record are being produced from SGML data. 

The Electronic Photocomposition 

Division was also a major partner in the development and implementation of the CBDNet project. 

As a result of GPO’s on-line CBD service, agencies 

can now submit their own notices electronically, 

thus reducing the $18.00 manuscript charge per 

notice to a $5.00 electronic submission charge 

per notice.This change has led to significant savings for the Federal Government. 

The Division’s Unix systems are used to 

maintain its vast array of databases indexed with 

the WAIS software.This information, in both 

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information 

Interchange) and PDF formats, is made available 

free to Congress, all government agencies, and 

the general public through the WWW. GPO’s 

archival Unix systems are backed up in 

Owensboro, Kentucky. An important achievement 

was the increase in the number of databases 

available through the WWW and to WAIS clients. 

This year GPO added more titles and volumes of 

the CFR. At year-end GPO nearly completed its 

goal of having all CFR titles and volumes available online. Because of the heavy use of its systems, GPO expanded to 17 DEC Alpha 1000A 

servers dedicated to making databases available 

not only to the public, but also various countries 

around the world. 

Coordination among the Congressional 

Printing Management Division, the Production 

Department, and the Office of Electronic 

Information Dissemination Services has resulted in the online availability of numerous congressional products in either text or PDF format via 

GPO Access, including the Congressional Record,

Congressional Record Index, History of Bills,

Public Laws, Congressional Directory, United

States Code, House and Senate Business Calendars, 

and all versions of bills, reports, and documents that 

lend themselves to electronic dissemination. GPO 

also supplies the Congressional Record, bills, and 

reports in electronic format for the Library of 

Congress’THOMAS online service. 

OEIDS experienced rapid growth and 

improvements in FY 1997. GPO Access continued to be a popular source for electronic 

Government information.The many new databases 

that have been added to this free service, such as 

the CBDNet and a number of titles from the CFR, 

have led to a dramatic increase in usage of the 

GPO Access.The CFR, online via GPO Access,

was introduced in the fall of 1996 and is already ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

GPO’s most popular database. Efforts are being 

made to ensure that CFR volumes are added to 

GPO Access concurrent with the release of the 

paper editions.When revised, CFR volumes are 

added and prior editions will remain on GPO

Access as an historical set. 

11
12● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

GPO established an alliance last year with 

the Department of Commerce to make the 

CBDNet available online via GPO Access. GPO’s 

first year of handling all facets of the day-to-day 

operation of the CBD was very successful. 

CBDNet allows for the posting of notices electronically through the WWW, e-mail, and traditional manuscript formats.This online service provides 

free, real-time public access to the information 

contained in the CBD. Until CBDNet was created, 

the only official access to this important information was through a paid subscription to its printed 

version, or through free reference use of the printed copies distributed to depository libraries. Since 

its introduction in January 1997, retrievals of information from CBDNet have averaged 10.9 percent 

of the total GPO Access retrievals per month, 

consistently placing it as the second or third most 

popular of GPO’s computerized databases. 

The popularity of CBDNet is also apparent in the increasing number of electronic notice 

submissions. More and more agencies are seeing 

the tremendous financial advantage to directly 

submitting notices electronically and are abandoning the traditional manuscript method. For 

example, in its first month, CBDNet received 82 

percent of notice submissions electronically. By 

April 1997, that number rose to over 93 percent. 

As more agencies gain access to the Internet and 

realize the cost savings available to them, the 

number of electronic submissions is expected to 

increase further. 

LPS introduced its “Core Documents 

Collection.”The “Core Documents of U.S. 

Democracy:An Electronic Collection” went live in 

June 1997 and gave users direct online access to 

the basic Government documents that define our 

democratic society.This core group of current and 

historical U.S. Government publications is now 

available for free.Availability can be obtained 

through GPO Access @ http://www.access.

gpo.gov/su_docs/dpos/coredocs.html 

LPS continued to develop applications for 

the FDLP Administration Page on GPO Access as

the principal channel for official communications 

for the FDLP. Depository Library Council Web pages 

were added in 1997. Included are the dates of and 

minutes from its meetings as well as its mission, history, and a list of current and former members. 

The most successful new administrative 

online service in 1997 was the development and 

implementation of the “Amendment to Item 

Selections” form.The 1998 Annual Update Cycle 

was completed in July 1997. Nearly 65,000 transactions were performed by over 1,000 libraries on 

the “Amendment to Item Selections” on the FDLP 

Administration Page. 

In FY 1997, a change was made to the 

Browse Electronic Titles page.All titles are now 

entered in a comprehensive list organized in 

alphabetical order by agency and sub-agency.The 

original single page has now been split into many 

pages, thus reducing the time required to pull up 

a page. Retention of titles on the “New Additions” 

page increased from one week to four weeks. 

The Item Lister, which created an online 

list of a depository library’s item number selection 

profile, was launched during FY 1997 and has 

proven to be a very popular product. Located on 

the FDLP Administration home page on the WWW, 

the Item Lister reflects the depository library’s 

item selection profile in the latest update to the 

Depository Distribution Information System, and 

allows a library to download a copy of its selections.The application has already saved time and 

money, as LPS no longer needs to annually print 

out each library’s profile for the update cycle. 

Libraries can pull down this information from the 

Web site as needed. 

In January 1997, LPS began uploading 

shipping lists to the FBB.At the same time, in 

cooperation with the University of TexasArlington, and the State University of New YorkBuffalo, all shipping lists are now available via the 

WWW. Members of the depository library community have long requested electronic access to 

shipping lists. 

Electronic versions of significant GPO 

publications about the FDLP were added to the 

FDLP Web site, including ongoing issues of 

Administrative Notes and Administrative Notes 

Technical Supplement. Pathway Services are available on the Internet via the GPO Access Web 

site.The URL is http://www.access.gpo.gov/

su_docs/aces/aces760.html

Services which assist users in locating 

Government information products on the Internet 

continued to expand during FY 1997.The Pathway 
Indexer was indexing as many as 150,000 pages at 

one point. However, the Indexer has been placed 

in maintenance mode awaiting the implementation of the Advanced Search Facility.The Advanced 

Search Facility, a software procurement funded by 

the Commerce Department, is expected to provide sophisticated Internet information discovery 

capabilities.A “Search the Federal Government” 

page was created to supplement the Pathway 

Indexer by linking to the GovBot and agency-specific search engines.The page is also linked to the 

Superintendent of Documents home page. 

The Browse Topics page currently has 

138 of the 157 topics finished and updated regularly.Thirty-four of the completed topics have 

been prepared by 29 volunteers from the depository library community.A Browse Federal Agencies 

page has been added through a service partnership with Louisiana State University.This site is 

based on the agency entries in the United States 

Government Manual and links users to agency 

Internet sites.This “service partnership” demonstrates how leveraging the skills of the depository 

library community can enhance FDLP services. 

The URL is http://www.access.gpo.gov/

su_docs/dpos/agencies.html

The transition to a more electronic FDLP 

is proceeding in tandem with agency development of information products in electronic media. 

The number of tangible electronic products, virtually all CD-ROM titles, continues to grow in the 

FDLP. In 1997, 741 electronic titles were distributed to depository libraries. New CD-ROM products include USAPat Facsimile Images of United 

States Patents, the Federal Acquisition Regulation 

CD-ROM, and the World Factbook on CD-ROM. 

Online titles available in the FDLP electronic collection increased by 15,432 in FY 1997, 

compared to the distribution of 44,820 titles in 

print medium to depository libraries.Cumulatively, the number of electronic information 

products on GPO servers and agency websites 

amount to 78,309 titles at the end of FY 1997. 

Two online services continued to be quite popular with the Federal depository libraries. Over 800 

libraries are currently registered to access the 

STAT-USA databases via the WWW, and a new 

online service, CenStats, became available for 

depository access at no charge to the library. 

Beginning in March 1997, patrons were able to 

access the paid CenStats database from workstations in the depository libraries. Census did not 

limit access to the database to one user at a 

time, but allowed multiple users as long as the 

patron is located in the library when accessing 

the database. 

During FY 1997, several new Internet 

applications were developed with the assistance 

of GPO’s Office of Information Resources 

Management (OIRM). One application now 

allows Federal depository libraries to access the 

Internet to enter their own selections and deletions for publications they wish to receive or discontinue.This information updates GPO’s systems 

to preclude publications from going to a library 

that no longer wants them.The system change 

also permits any library to observe the publications they or other libraries selected. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

13
CHAPTER 5: 

Enhancing Information Technology Investments to Provide Better Service 

GPO, as an information provider, is 

expanding its services in today’s burgeoning information technology arena. GPO is preparing for 

future changes today in its operating environment 

to ensure a better tomorrow for its customers, 

employees, and other stakeholders. Managers and 

employees are facing new and challenging 

demands. New technology is arising. In the meanwhile, GPO continues to transform its operating 

environment dedicated to traditional print technologies to an integrated information-processing 

operation distinguished by the electronic creation, 

replication, and dissemination of information. New 

systems and procedures are being developed to 

fulfill our mission in an effective and economical 

manner. In FY 1997, significant new processes 

were initiated to include the following. 

OEIDS led streamlining efforts on the 

GPO Access homepage and secondary Web pages 

to improve access to Federal Government information.They used feedback received through user 

surveys and in-depth focus group discussions with 

Federal depository librarians, Congressional staff, 

and the general public.The GPO Access User

Support Team continued to serve as a vital link to 

the user community, responding to inquiries on a 

daily basis. 

On December 11, 1996, Northrop 

Grumman Corporation was awarded a contract to 

procure and integrate hardware and software for 

GPO’s Integrated Processing System (IPS). IPS is a 

fully integrated on-line real-time system for processing sales orders, inquiries, and complaints. It 

replaces some 18 batch-oriented mainframe applications. IPS employs state-of-the-art imaging to 

record mail orders, centralized automated customer 

and inventory files, and radio frequency technologies for warehouse picking. It resides on a dedicated International Business Machines (IBM) AS400 

mini-computer.The goals of IPS are to provide 

world-class customer service and to reduce processing times from days or weeks to a day or less. 

During the year, the Documents

ment of training teams to instruct employees in the 

new system.These training teams are developing 

written procedures and training manuals.Actual 

training of employees has already started as the 

new system is being put in place.These teams have 

also taken on the responsibility for developing the 

data formats, reason codes for a large number of 

processes, form letters and other output product 

design as well as developing the procedures for 

how employees are actually going to use the system.Another of the major make-ready projects was 

the standardization of 140,000 mail list addresses. 

All these addresses had to be modified to fit a standard format that the new system will accept. 

LPS’s electronic transition staff is responsible for identifying, assessing, and implementing 

information technology solutions for the transition of the FDLP to a more electronic program. 

Once developed, these solutions are to be integrated into line operations. Permanent public 

access will be provided under the authority of 

the GPO Electronic Information Access 

Enhancement Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-40), 

and planning for GPO Access storage will be 

done in the context of a GPO Collection 

Management Plan. In effect, GPO is building an 

FDLP Electronic Collection, which consists of 

remotely accessible agency electronic 

Government information products, core legislative and regulatory GPO Access products which 

will reside permanently on GPO servers, and 

other products either maintained by GPO or by 

other institutions with which GPO has established formal agreements. 

The Cataloging and Indexing Branch 

received more than 34,000 pieces of work and 

processed more than 31,000 pieces.The Branch’s 

computer workstations are now part of a Local 

Area Network environment and have network 

access to such useful tools as Library of Congress’ 

“Cataloger’s Desktop.” Catalogers also now have 

workstation access to other Documents’ systems 

and are now able to obtain specialized locally-pro- ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

Technical Support Group and the Documents

Sales Service were mainly involved with the 

implementation of IPS to support sales operations. 

Among the many implementation projects was the 

development of ways to convert current data 

bases to the new system as well as the developduced information needed for cataloging records. 

There will be long-term operating benefits with 

this new networked environment. Major attention 

has also been devoted to Internet-related cataloging initiatives. 

14
At the present time, the GPO Web site edition of the Monthly Catalog contains about 87,000 

records that represent titles cataloged since 1994. 

Of these records, about 2,300 contain URL-related 

data. Most GPO Monthly Catalog Web site records 

with URLs provide hot-linked access to publications. Interest in services to provide continued 

electronic access to titles represented by Internetrelated Monthly Catalog records has led to consideration of the use of Persistent Uniform Resource 

Locators (PURLs) in Monthly Catalog records to 

support such services. Such consideration 

includes testing current PURL software in GPO’s 

environment for GPO applications and continued 

consultation with OCLC as it considers development of a basic link-checking function for potential integration with its freely available PURL 

resolver software. Once available, we anticipate 

using enhanced PURL resolver software as part of 

our cataloging and locator services. 

Each issue of the CD-ROM edition of the 

Monthly Catalog now contains approximately 

30,000 records cumulated since 1996 and 

includes the Periodicals Supplements for 1996 

and 1997.This version of the Monthly Catalog 

has been enhanced by a new interface that 

makes the product more user friendly and by features that enable users to simultaneously search 

more databases than had been possible with the 

original software. 

During FY 1997, the Bibliographic

Systems Branch has been involved in the planning and preparations for the new IPS.The 

automation of sales record creation and maintenance has allowed the Branch staff to devote 

more time to data conversion, training and customer service. Internet and fax-on-demand have 

exposed the finding aids produced by the Branch 

to many more potential customers.This has led to 

an increase in research and reference requests 

from customers. 

As of September 30, 1997, the 

Publications Reference File (PRF) contained 

through OEIDS, approximately 140 CD-ROMs, 70 

diskettes, and 40 videotapes.The Internet version 

of the PRF is monitored daily and order buttons 

were added to individual publication records on 

the website.This system enhancement allows 

GPO customers to easily order sales products 

directly from the website.With the beginning of 

FY 1998, the PRF was renamed the Sales Product 

Catalog.This new name clarifies its distinction 

from the Internet version of the “Catalog of 

Government Publications”, formally known as the 

“Monthly Catalog.”The Sales Product Catalog website is generating numerous research requests 

from overseas. 

The Production Department received 

approval in July 1997 from the JCP to procure 

computer-to-plate (CTP) equipment to replace 

some of the current labor-intensive plate making 

processes. CTP technology makes it possible to 

send PostScript text and image files directly to 

automated plate making devices.This technology 

eliminates the need for film negatives and the conventional processes of imposing the negatives and 

making offset plates over several years. GPO 

intends to implement CTP technology on its core 

printing jobs, such as the Congressional Record,

Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations,

and patents-related publications. GPO expects to 

reduce the cost of such printing jobs. Printing 

industry averages estimate such cost reductions in 

the range of 20-35 percent of conventional processing costs. Compared to the traditional process, 

CTP imaging entails a fully electronic process and 

has many advantages in addition to eliminating 

film negatives and its resultant chemical waste disposal.This new technology promotes faster press 

makereadies, reduces paper waste on press, maximizes press “uptime,” and addresses customer 

demands for faster prepress turnaround. 

The JCP approved the procurement of a 

new state-of-the-art automated passport line for 

the Binding Division. Due to this new line, the 

State Department will be assured of continued ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

20,555 records.The on-line version of the PRF 

also contains approximately 3,000 records for 

publications sold through the Congressional 

Sales Office. Of this number, approximately 

1,800 of these titles are in stock.The on-line version contains records for 250 products sold 

service from the GPO.The present passport line 

runs a mix of 24-page and 48-page Military, 

Official, Diplomatic, Foreign Service, and Visa 

pages.This workload mix will allow the new line 

to be used to produce the State Department’s 

Travel Document Issuance System books. GPO’s 

15
16

bindery has had to work excessive overtime to 

maintain a reserve of books needed to meet daily 

requirements.The new passport equipment will 

eliminate the overtime requirement, will increase 

product quality and quantity, and will ensure 

timely delivery.. 

Extensive work has begun by the 

Electronic Systems Development Division in

replacing existing local area networks throughout 

GPO with a Windows New Technology (NT) network operating system.This consolidation of networking environment will not only enhance 

employee communication and operating efficiencies, but also will allow greater access to external 

parties through the Internet.At the end of FY 

1997, approximately 1,000 users were operating 

under Windows NT with an expected 1,500 new 

users being added in 1998. 

The System Support Section, within the 

Printing Procurement Department, installed a 

microcomputer-based Local Area Network/Wide 

Area Network automation system in two sections of 

the Term Contracts Division. Computers were also 

installed in the Seattle and Los Angeles Regional

Printing Procurement Offices, the San Diego 

Satellite Office, the Transportation Management 

and Scheduling Sections, the Contract

Management Division, and the Procurement 

Analysis and Review Staff.The Section further 

coordinated efforts with the Production 

Department to have specifications broadcast on the 

Internet for the San Diego and Los Angeles offices. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997
CHAPTER 6: 

An Effective Underlying Support Operation Ensures Quality Service 

GPO, like any successful business enterprise, has a strong support system to service its 

revenue-producing operations and customers. 

GPO’s support system is comparable to those in 

most Federal agencies.The services delivered by 

the system are numerous, and provide a strong 

base for the revenue operations to rely upon. 

GPO’s support system consists of legislative liaison, personnel programs and practices, 

labor-management relations, contractual services, 

computer support, financial management and 

budgeting, auditing and investigative services, 

health, safety, and environmental services, legal 

counsel, employee discrimination complaint processing, and building and equipment maintenance 

and repair. 

The Office of Congressional, 

Legislative, and Public Affairs, continued its 

support activities for the Office of the Public 

Printer throughout FY 1997.Tasks included the 

preparation of statements and speeches required 

for Congressional hearings and other testimony. 

The Public Printer delivered testimony before the 

House and Senate Appropriations’ Subcommittees, 

the House Subcommittee on Government 

Information, Management, and Technology, and the 

JCP. In addition, the Office monitored progress on 

the legislative reform of Title 44 and hosted nearly 

800 visitors representing foreign, educational, 

technical, and administrative organizations. 

The Labor and Employee Relations 

Service was able to negotiate new supplemental 

agreements with two unions.The new agreements reflect most recent law and are more in 

tune with the current needs of not only GPO, but 

the employees.The Service handled fifty grievances at the third step and fifteen unfair labor 

practice charges, none of which resulted in the 

issuance of a complaint by the Federal Labor 

Relations Authority.This support office is also 

responsible for the coordination of the GPO’s 

Blood Drive and the results of this effort continue 

to be one of the agency’s most successful community outreach efforts. 

The Office of Personnel initiated its 

Internet presence on GPO’s home page, which 

now provides the full text of select vacancy 

announcements.A new database system was put 

in place for the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program. 

This system has enabled the staff to keep track of 

a large number of paper documents, produce ondemand reports, and to provide a variety of automated correspondence.About 250 leave donor 

requests to 22 recipients were processed. 

Personnel has expanded its Internet 

usage and is changing from “Personnet” to 

“Cyberfeds” in order to access and research laws, 

regulations, Comptroller General decisions, etc. 

The Personal Computer Lab was upgraded and 

reconfigured with Windows 95 and Windows NT 

operating systems. Courses are now given in system operation and administration, in Windows 

software, particularly Word Perfect and Office 97, 

and in mainframe applications. 

There were about 2,100 instances of 

training for GPO employees, including 1,408 attendees at 39 different courses taught on-site by outside instructors and 17 taught by GPO employees. 

The remainder went to 154 off-site courses. 

Mandatory training for all employees was given on 

the Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace 

Programs.The programs were videotaped for use 

in the field offices.Apprenticeship and craft-related 

training programs continued in the Binding, Press, 

and Electronic Photocomposition Divisions, with 

42 apprentices nearing graduation. 

A Voluntary Early Retirement Program was 

offered throughout the Agency from November 1, 

1996, through September 30, 1997. Fifty-nine 

applications were received of which 48 were 

approved for retirement, 6 were disapproved, and 

5 withdrew. Scheduled retirement planning seminars had over 150 attendees. 

The Occupational Health and 

Environmental Services (OHES) implemented a 

number of initiatives to include violence prevention, emergency preparedness, accident and injury 

reduction, and waste reduction. Extensive efforts 

were undertaken to assist GPO organizations to 

more efficiently comply with environmental regulations, reduce workers’ compensation costs, and 

limit employee exposure to infectious risks in ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

their work environment. 

OHES provided extensive technical 

advice and guidance to a variety of GPO organizations on diverse issues.Among this assistance was 

a wide range of personnel selection related items, 

including structured interviewed questions, work 

17
behavior checklists, rating scales, interviewer 

script, training, and pilot tests for a variety of GPO 

job titles, including the Equal Employment 

Manager, the Inspector General, the Fill-in Bindery 

Group Chief, and Documents’ Supervisory 

Inventory Management Specialist. In an effort to 

improve the validity of all future personnel selections in GPO, an Interviewer’s Guide for 

Conducting Selection Interviews was developed. 

OHES further spent considerable time to 

help prevent accidents, illnesses, drug and alcohol 

and mental health problems. GPO’s medical staff 

administered 1,167 influenza vaccinations for 

GPO employees and continued its efforts with 

tuberculosis testing. Other sponsored OHES 

events included the Tenth Annual Health Fair, 

World AIDS Day, and Federal Fitness Day. OHES 

established a regular meeting schedule with 

Labor and Employee Relations Service to

address significant issues related to reducing 

injuries and illnesses and the resulting costs of 

workers’ compensation. 

Environmental activities included the 

submission of a detailed application to the 

District of Columbia for Clean Air operating permits for GPO press equipment, painting operations, gasoline dispensing, and the coordination of 

the continuing successful compliance with the 

Clean Water Act. GPO has maintained its wastewater stream within acceptable limits.The 

District of Columbia Government took GPO off 

its list of facilities requiring a discharge permit. 

Because of GPO’s ground water remediation program, GPO saved several hundred-thousand dollars in remediation costs. 

OHES responded to recent changes in 

the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act 

requirements for the removal and disposal of 

mercury-vapor containing lamps. In lieu of disposing lamps in the landfill and being subject to 

Superfund Amendment cleanup costs, it was 

determined to be in the best interest of GPO to 

dispose of them through a licensed recycling conare provided sufficient notice to protect their 

lives. Facilities Engineering Division is maintaining the fire detection system to ensure proper 

operation and notification.This effort reduced the 

number of emergency responses to fire alarms 

from 60 in FY 1996 to 15 in FY 1997. 

The Office of Administrative Support 

provides physical and personnel security, protective services, and automated information systems 

security; and administers programs on mail management, pay parking, copiers, directives and 

notices, paperwork and records management, subscriptions, travel management, and internal printing. During FY 1997, an automated system and 

related equipment for a new Photo Imaging 

Identification System was acquired and installed. 

This system represents the state-of-the-art photo 

imaging at half the cost of the old system.A security services contract for GPO’s leased parking lots 

was issued and is now in operation. 

The Office of Inspector General is

responsible for preventing and detecting fraud, 

waste, and abuse as well as promoting economy, 

efficiency, and effectiveness in GPO’s programs 

and operations.The Office of Investigations 

opened 69 cases and closed 98 cases during the 

year. Nine were referred to the Department of 

Justice for criminal prosecution, and four cases 

were referred for civil prosecution. Investigative 

savings to the Government exceeded $464,000. 

The Office of Audits issued nine audit reports 

which questioned costs totaling about $70,000. 

The Office of General Counsel represents GPO in all legal matters both internally and 

in forums outside the agency.This included cases 

and matters before the Merit Systems Protection 

Board, Equal Employment Opportunity 

Commission, General Accounting Office, and GPO’s 

Board of Contract Appeals. In addition to legal representation, the General Counsel responded to 

Freedom of Information Act requests, processed 

garnishment notices, and handled all other collection actions filed against GPO employees. ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

tractor. Low mercury containing lamps, that are 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliant, are being procured. 

The GPO Fire Marshal has successfully 

revised our fire alarm procedures.These procedures ensure that all employees in an affected area 

The Engineering Service provided support services to all GPO departments as well as 

maintained the integrity of Central Office building 

structures and local warehouses. In recent years, 

its workload averages about 35 Maintenance Job 

Orders and 20,000 Maintenance Service Calls. 

18
Some major projects included the overhauling of 

an offset press, installing a pneumatic tube system, 

replacing rain leaders and windows, installing a 

new vacuum system to assist in dust control, and 

performing additional work on the new 

Congressional Record presses. 

The Office of Equal Employment 

Opportunity (EEO) provides advice to the Public 

Printer in establishing, maintaining, and carrying 

out an effective EEO program, which includes the 

affirmative employment program, complaints 

counseling and processing, and the special emphasis program.The latter contains the Federal 

Women’s Program, the Hispanic Employment 

Program, the Disability Employment Program, and 

the Community Outreach Program. In the Summer 

Youth Employment Program, 15 youths were 

afforded the opportunity to receive practical work 

experience. GPO’s adopted schools are Woodson 

Senior High School and Sousa Junior High School. 

During FY 1997, 404 employees were counseled, 

of which 18 formal discrimination complaints 

were filed. 

The Office of Planning evaluates major 

capital investment proposals and was instrumental 

in the submission of documentation to the JCP on 

two significant investments, specifically, the CTP 

system and a new computer mainframe. Both 

requests have been approved for GPO action.The 

latter is critical if many of GPO mainframe systems 

are to be Year 2000 compliant. 

The Office of Information Resources 

Management (OIRM) provides information management services to GPO organizations and performs feasibility studies to determine the need 

for GPO-wide information systems and programs. 

OIRM designs, develops, and maintains agency 

data processing, office automation, local and 

wide area networks, and telecommunications systems. A new regional procurement office system 

is in its early stages of development and expansion. Captured data on this system is batched 

daily and applied to OIRM’s mainframe-based 

Procurement Control Information System.This 

new regional system is currently operating in 

three regional offices. 

OIRM continues its revisions to GPO’s 

payroll and personnel systems to meet the needs 

of management.A new personal computer-based 

system now tracks and reports on workers’ compensation case information. GPO will be implementing an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) in 

FY 1998.A pilot AWS project was initiated in the 

Denver Printing Procurement Office and

OIRM programmed the necessary changes to 

allow employees to use an AWS arrangement. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

19
CHAPTER 7: 

Recogniton of GPO’s Organizations and Employees for Quality Service 

The CBDNet is the result of a strategic 

alliance between the Department of Commerce 

and GPO. GPO’s employees unique ability to bring 

together a variety of technological, procurement, 

dissemination, and support capabilities in a combined package of services now makes the CBD 

readily accessible over the Internet.The Internetbased URL component of the new CBD on the 

WWW is http://cbdnet.access.gpo.gov.

The CBDNet has been extraordinarily 

well received by participating Government agencies and the user community, and was awarded an 

Association for Federal Information Resources 

Management (AFFIRM) Leadership Award. 

The National Performance Review, under 

the leadership of the Vice President, presented 

GPO’s CBDNet Team with its prestigious Hammer 

Award for outstanding accomplishments in creating CBDNet and making this publication available 

free of charge to the public via GPO Access.The 

Team consisted of over 100 employees (Appendix 

V) from the following GPO organizations—Office 

of the Comptroller, Quality Systems Division, 

Electronic Photocomposition Division, 

Graphics System Development Division, 

Office of Electronic Information 

Dissemination Services, Office of Planning, 

Production Department, Electronic Systems 

Development Division, Printing Procurement 

Department, Quality Control and Technical 

Department, Documents Sales Service, 

Library Programs Service, Office of Budget, 

and the Institute of Federal Printing and 

Electronic Publishing. 

GPO Access, administered by OEIDS,

was chosen as a select site by the editors of the 

Dow Jones Business Directory and has been 

included in the National Research Foundation’s 

Small Business Innovative Research Internet 

Resources Catalog.The GPO Access Web Site has 

also been included in the National Research 

Foundation’s Small Business Innovative Research 

Internet Resources Catalog.The Weekly 

GILS site as one of its Top Five Web Sites for a 

certain period of time during FY 1997. GPO 

received the AFFIRM Leadership award for creating a single point of entry or access to all components of the GILS. 

During FY 1997, representatives from the 

National Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA) and the National Archives of Canada visited GPO to gain information about methods and 

procedures that were employed by the Office of 

Administrative Support to develop GPO’s 

Comprehensive Records Schedule. NARA commended GPO for the approach used in the schedule development, which it cited as one of the best 

in the Federal Government. 

Of special note was a DOD’s book, The 

Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for 

which two T & D employees, Janice Sterling and 

Charlie Jernigan, were honored with letters of 

appreciation, along with a copy of the book, from 

the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.The letter 

praised them for their dedication and attention to 

details during the design and production of the 

latest edition of the book. T & D was also requested by the U.S. Customs Service to create various 

training items for a special financial conference. 

GPO employee, Nicholas Freda proposed the 

theme for the conference,“Puzzled Where You Fit 

In?” and, with an extremely tight delivery date, 

developed the puzzle props to assist in the delivery of a very successful training exercise, with the 

added benefit of a very satisfied customer. On 

April 18, 1997, he was honored with the presentation of a plaque of appreciation by the U.S. 

Customs Service. 

The Department of Agriculture’s National 

Agricultural Statistics Service recognized GPO 

employee, Lawrence Grantham, of the Graphics

Systems Development Division, who played a 

significant role in the 1997 Agricultural Statistics 

publication. Mr. Grantham was acknowledged for 

his “extra effort and dedication” on the project. 

The second-term Inauguration Ceremony ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

Compilation of Presidential Documents and

GPO’s “Core Documents of U.S. Democracy: An 

Electronic Collection”, now available on GPO

Access, have been chosen as selections for the 

Scout Report for Social Sciences. Harcourt Brace 

Professional Publishing selected the GPO Access 

for President William J. Clinton and Vice President 

Albert Gore, Jr. was held at the U.S. Capitol on 

January 20, 1997.Voluminous material was produced for this event, including invitation packages, directional signs, parking passes, tickets, 

envelopes, maps, and a program and song sheet. 

20
The Public Printer praised the outstanding effort 

at the time, and wishes again to repeat the accolade that “once again the men and women of the 

Government Printing Office have displayed their 

ability to efficiently provide a myriad of products 

under limited time restraints and with detailed 

requirements.This type of effort is only an extension of the fine work they do each day in support 

of our Government.” 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

21
 II 

Operating and Financial 

Other Significant Indicators 

Figures (page 28 to 38) 

PART

Performance Measures and 
24● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

OPERATING PERFORMANCE MEASURES 

Congressional Record Delivery 

The Congressional Record is an extremely important tool and product of the legislative 

process, and is a large part of GPO’s mission. GPO 

has established a delivery deadline to Congress of 

9:00 a.m. the following day, provided GPO 

receives copy by midnight, regardless of whether 

the Senate or the House of Representatives is in 

session. GPO’s actual on-time delivery rate was 

73.9 percent in FY 1997, compared with 78.6 percent in FY 1996. 

Overtime Management 

GPO minimizes the use of overtime. In FY 

1997, overtime hours decreased to 185,000 hours 

from 238,000 hours in FY 1996, or a decrease of 

22.3 percent.The cost of overtime in FY 1997 

decreased by $1.6 million during this period. GPO 

was successful in achieving its goal in FY 1997, as 

actual overtime hours worked were well below 

the upper limit of 333,000 overtime hours. 

Production Chargeable Hours 

Chargeable hours decreased to 882,000 in 

FY 1997 from 955,000 in FY 1996, a decrease of 

73,000 hours or 7.6 percent.The results for FY 

1997 met GPO’s goal of equaling or exceeding the 

chargeable hours necessary to achieve break-even 

operations. 

On-Time Delivery of Procured Products 

The Printing Procurement 

Department contracted with commercial printing firms to ship 192,000 jobs in FY 1997 compared with 180,000 jobs in FY 1996. For FY 1997, 

GPO’s goal was to have at least 95 percent of procured printing orders delivered on time and a 

quality acceptance rate of at least 99 percent. GPO 

attained a 94.9 percent on-time delivery rate and a 

99.2 percent quality acceptance rate. 

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES 

Cash Management 

Payment Performance — In FY 1997, GPO continued its strong payment performance by taking 

prompt payment discounts when it was to the 

Government’s advantage. GPO’s total purchased 

printing expense for FY 1997 was $445.5 million 

after deducting prompt payment discounts of $6.7 

million.The resultant 1.5 percent of discounts 

taken to net purchased printing exceeded GPO’s 

goal of 1.4 percent. 

Discounts lost decreased to $127,000 in 

FY 1997 from $193,000 in FY 1996.The percentages of discounts lost to discounts offered were 

1.9 percent and 2.5 percent in FY 1997 and FY 

1996, respectively. GPO achieved its goal for FY 

1997, which was a maximum of 2.5 percent. 

Electronic Payments — The use of electronic 

funds transfer (EFT) payments resulted in a savings for GPO and the Department of Treasury 

because paper checks did not have to be produced and processed. In FY 1997, approximately 

20,900 monthly payments, or 86 percent, of all 

GPO payments were made by EFT, compared with 

21,500 monthly payments, or 85 percent of all 

payments in FY 1996. GPO’s FY 1997 goal of 

increasing the percentage of EFT payments to 

total payments was met. 

Debt Management — In FY 1997, GPO’s Federal 

receivables, billed to Federal agencies, amounted 

to $680.4 million for printing and binding services. Of this amount, $392.8 million, or 57.7 percent, was collected using the Department of the 

Treasury’s On-Line Payment and Collection 

(OPAC) system. In FY 1997, GPO’s average monthly receivables, more than 90 days overdue, were 

$11.1 million, or 30.8 percent of the monthly average of outstanding receivables.The Department of 

Defense’s (DOD) account at GPO, with an average 

monthly balance more than 90 days overdue of 

$9.8 million, or 88.3 percent of all of GPO’s delinquent receivables, was by far GPO’s largest delinquent account.At the end of FY 1997, DOD owed 

GPO $4.8 million that was between 31 and 60 

days overdue, $1.8 million that was between 61 

and 90 days overdue, and $9.8 million that was 

more than 90 days overdue. 

The DOD’s slow payment process results 

from procedures requiring that all GPO invoices 

pass through duplicate review processes before 

payment is initiated; also, DOD does not use the 

OPAC system.The Defense Automated Printing 

Service (DAPS) bills its customers who review 

GPO’s invoices prior to paying DAPS.After DAPS 

has been paid, GPO’s invoices are sent to Defense 
Finance and Accounting Service where they are 

reviewed a second time before GPO is paid.This 

additional layer of DOD administration has had a 

sustained negative impact on GPO’s ability to collect from DOD since the inception of DPS/DAPS 

in October 1992. 

GPO has been working with DOD management to resolve this problem, including batching invoices to DAPS. GPO is working with DOD 

to establish deposit accounts or credit cards as a 

means of receiving payment from DAPS. GPO is 

also encouraging DOD to use the OPAC system in 

conjunction with deposit accounts. 

OTHER SIGNIFICANT INDICATORS 

GPO experienced a consolidated net 

income of nearly $7.6 million in FY 1997, compared with a $16.9 million loss in FY 1996.This 

represents the first year with net income since FY 

1990.A significant portion of FY 1997 net income 

is attributable to the recovery of printing costs 

from Congress and the Depository Library 

Program for work performed in prior years. 

GPO’s Office of Budget adjusted the 

scale of prices upward by an average of 13 percent to assure the proper recovery of cost. For 

years, GPO was unable to recover the full cost of 

printing due to a Congressionally mandated freeze 

on GPO’s internal printing plant rates. Congress 

had appropriated sufficient funds to cover all the 

cost but GPO was precluded from billing the total 

cost due to the freeze. In FY 1997, GPO was able 

to bill for the prior years’ work, which totaled 

$12.8 million. Since recovery of the full cost was 

not assured in prior years, the associated revenue 

was not accrued in those years and, accordingly, 

the recovered funds are reflected as part of current year income. 

GPO’s overall total revenue from all 

sources has been declining in recent years. Sources 

include the Congress, Federal agencies, publications sales from the general public, reimbursable 

services, and miscellaneous revenues.To compenare inclusive of the effect of the four intervening 

employee pay adjustments of different types. 

Full-time equivalent staffing has declined 

1,162 from 4,761 to 3,599, a drop of nearly 25 percent.As GPO transitions into the electronic information age, traditional craft employment has experienced a 27.5 percent reduction. Blue-collar workers have diminished to a level below 2,000 for the 

second consecutive year. Since FY 1993, journeymen craftsmen have declined 330 or about 50 percent. In FY 1997, the number of white- and bluecollar workers was approximately equal.The trend 

over the last five years has been toward more 

white-collar workers, which aligns with the overall 

transition occurring in the nature of the work.Two 

out of every three employees who separated during this five-year period have been either production or administrative support employees. 

GPO’s internal printing operations generated revenue of $198.0 million, slightly less than 

the five-year annual revenue average of about 

$199.5 million or less than one percent, despite 

significant workload volume decreases. Each year 

since FY 1993, central office work orders received 

have declined from a high of 33,000 in FY 1993 to 

a low of 19,700 in FY 1997, a drop of 40 percent. 

During this period, Congressional orders 

decreased about 32 percent, although the percentage of internal printing work for the Congress 

increased from 70 percent to 80 percent of total 

in-house production. The Press Division, whose

major work includes the printing of the Congressional Record and the Federal Register, saw its volume output drop from 9.2 billion equivalent production units to 4.7 billion, a decrease of nearly 50 

percent. New presses were acquired several years 

ago to enhance the efficiency and quality of printing these two publications.The press runs for the 

Congressional Record and the Federal Register 

have declined to about 9,500 and 22,500, respectively. In FY 1993, press runs were 18,900 and 

32,700 for these publications. 

GPO’s internal printing also includes the ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

sate for less revenue, GPO has made significant 

strides in reducing its workforce and operating 

costs through normal separations, early retirements, and employee buyouts. In FY 1993, GPO’s 

personnel compensation and benefit cost totaled 

$235.8 million; in FY 1997, $207.4 million, a reduction of $28.4 million or 12 percent.The latest costs 

production of postcards and passports.About 296.5 

million postcards and 7.5 million passports were 

produced in FY 1997.These two products account 

for about $8.0 million annually. Postcard production 

has been relatively constant in the last few years; 

while passports have grown significantly. 

GPO administers an effective, economical, 

and efficient printing procurement program using 

25
26● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

the services of private sector printers. Procurement revenue has varied over the last five years. In 

FY 1997, revenue fell to $488.3 million, representing the first year since FY 1983 that revenue has 

been below $500 million.The principal revenue 

sources for this program are Executive Branch 

agencies. Many of these agencies have been 

procuring their printing from sources other than 

GPO, which had an adverse effect on GPO’s workload. GPO work orders have declined from 

278,800 in FY 1993 to 197,800 in FY 1997, a 

drop of nearly 30 percent. A shift in the number 

of procurement orders has occurred with 

regional offices now accounting for 70 percent 

of total printing contracts compared to 60 percent in FY 1993. Only four offices, St. Louis, 

Seattle, San Antonio, and San Diego, have a 

workload at least equal to or greater than in FY 

1993. From a procurement revenue perspective, 

the same shift has occurred. Regional offices 

now account for about 40 percent of total revenue, whereas in FY 1993, it earned less than 30 

percent of total revenue. 

GPO’s Office of the Superintendent of 

Documents includes the distribution of publications to Federal depository libraries and the sale 

of products to the public. Revenues from both 

operations amounted to $98.2 million in FY 1997, 

compared with $101.8 million the previous year, 

and $110.3 million in FY 1993. 

Funding for the depository libraries has 

remained relatively constant, except in FY 1995, 

when additional funds were provided to initiate 

an extensive new electronic information dissemination program. In response to GPO Access legislation, the Congress provided the financial means 

to assist in program planning and implementation. 

The Sales Program has seen a continuing 

decline in revenue, down $13.8 million from the 

FY 1993 level.This involves a central office mail 

and telephone order operation, sales of consumer 

type publications from Pueblo, CO, and a network 

of 24 bookstores in major cities around the country. Bookstore sales represent about 20 percent of 

the program revenue.Titles available for sale have 

decreased from 16,000 in FY 1993 to 11,900 in FY 

1997.This decline was caused by various reasons—less titles being printed, conversion to electronic products and online documents obtained 

through the Internet, and an improved inventory 

management activity. Of significance is the fact 

that many former subscribers to publications are 

obtaining their products or requirements from the 

free GPO Access online program. 

Paid subscribers have declined from 

about 650,000 in FY 1993 to 438,000 in FY 1997, 

a reduction of 212,000 or 33 percent. Overall publications sold have decreased by 43 percent since 

FY 1993 with the most significant decrease in 

Federal Register publications, which have 

dropped by 3.3 million or nearly 55 percent. From 

the introduction of GPO Access in FY 1994, 

online retrievals of the Federal Register have escalated during the ensuing period.The number of 

retrievals was about 2.0 million in FY 1995; 12.0 

million in FY 1996; and 20.0 million in FY 1997. 

Current forecast expects this number to reach 30 

million in FY 1998. GPO has had to maintain a reasonable balance in sales activities with what is 

now available online. 

Although bookstore revenue has been relatively constant due to increased publication 

prices and larger dollar orders, customers have 

been less frequent with current customer count 

reduced from 330,000 in FY 1993 to 197,000 in 

FY 1997. In the Washington, DC area, since FY 

1993, bookstore orders have decreased 50 percent, while in the field bookstores, the decrease 

has averaged about 38 percent. 

The FDLP is seeing a great transition 

from publications to electronic information with 

the advent of GPO’s electronic access program in 

June 1994. In FY 1997, actual retrievals reached 

the level of about 3.8 million per month.The availability of free access, initiated in December 1995, 

has led to a major increase in retrievals.There are 

now 70 online databases involving 20 Federal 

agencies now available for downloading information.Tangible electronic products, which principally included copies of CD-ROMs and magnetic 

tapes in FY 1993 (before GPO Access), represented only .7 percent of the program copy distribution; today, they represent nearly 3 percent. But 

now there is more access via the Internet since 

the mix includes online databases. 
P A R T II: 

Figures

Figure 1 

Consolidated Revenues 

(in Millions of Dollars) 

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

0

400

200

600

800

1000

Fiscal Year 

Figure 2 

Consolidated Net Income/Loss 

Percent of cost recovered 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

0

40

20

60

80

100

Cost Recovered Income/Loss

Fiscal Year 

28
Figure 3 

GPO In-plant Press Output 

Equivalent Units Produced 

1993 1997 1994 1995 1996

0

(Billions)

2

4

6

8

10

Fiscal Year 

Figure 4 

Production Department 

Orders Processed 

(in Thousands) 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Fiscal Year 

Congressional Departmental Plant 

29
Figure 5 

Printing Procurement Program 

Orders Processed 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0

1993 

Regional 

Figure 6 

(in Thousands) 

1994 1995 1996 1997 

Fiscal Year 

Central 

Superintendent of Documents 

GPO Access 

(in Thousands) 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

140 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 

Fiscal Year 

Titles Available 

30
16

Figure 7 

Superintendent of Documents 

Sales Program Workload (in Thousands) 1200 

1000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0

1993 

Subscription Orders 

Figure 8 

1994 1995 1996 1997 

Bookstore Orders Mail Orders 

Superintendent of Documents 

Federal Depositor y Librar y Distribution 

Paper & Fiche in Millions Electronic (000's) 350 

300 

250 

10 

200 

8 

150 

100 

14 

12 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

50 2 

0 0 

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 

Fiscal Year 

PaperCopies Microfiche Copies Electronic Copies 

31 4

6
Figure 9 

Congressional Hearings 

Original Pages Produced 

(In Thousands) 

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

0

100

200

300

400

500

Fiscal Year 

Figure 10 

Bills, Resolutions & Amendments 

Original Pages Produced 

(in Thousands) 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

1993 1997 1994 1995 1996

0

50

100

150

200

Fiscal Year 

32
Figure 11 

Congressional Record Pages 

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

(In Thousands) 

0

1 0

2 0

3 0

4 0

5 0

Fiscal Year 

Figure 12 

Congressional Record 

Copies (Thousands) Retrievals (Millions) 20 3 

15 

2 

10 

1 

5 

0

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

0 

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 

Fiscal Year 

Daily Copies Printed Online Retrievals 

33
34 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

B 

1200 

1000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

United States 

Retrievals ~~~~~~~~----------~~~~_L~~~~700 

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 

Fiscal Year 

D Copies Distributed 1:3 Online Retrievals 

Note: Distributed through the Superintendent of Document~ 

Figure 14 

Code of ••floral Regulations 

Copies (Thousands) Retrievals (Millions) ~~~------~--------------------~-----+10 

1993 199.4 1995 1996 1997 

Fiscal Year 

D Copies • Online Retrievals 

Note: Distributed through the Superintendent of Document~ 
Figure 15 

Commerce Business Daily 

Subscriptions (Thousands) Retrievals (Millions) 25 5 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0

1993 1994 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0

1995 1996 1997 

Fiscal Year 

Online Retrievals 

Note: Distributed through the Superintendent of Documents 

Subscriptions

Figure 16 

Federal Register 

Subscriptions (Thousands) Retrievals (Millions) 25 25 

20 20 

15 15 

10 10 

5 5 

0 0

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 

Fiscal Year 

Subscriptions Online Retrievals 

Note: Distributed through the Superintendent of Documents 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

35
Figure 17 

Postcards

Produced

(in Millions) 

1993 1997 1994 1995 1996

0

100

200

300

400

500

Fiscal Year 

Figure 18 

Passpor ts 

Produced

(in Millions) 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

1993 1997 1994 1995 1996

0

2

4

6

8

Fiscal Year 

36
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

0

1,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

Fiscal Year 

Figure 19 

GPO Staffing Levels 

(On Board as of September 30) 

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

Figure 20 

GPO Staffing Mix 

White Collar vs Blue Collar 

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

White Collar Blue Collar 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

37

0

500
Figure 21

GPO FTE Levels 

1993 1997 1994 1995 1996

0

1,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

Fiscal Year 

Figure 22

GPO Personnel Expense 

Compensation & Benefits 

(in Millions of Dollars) 

1993 1997 1994 1995 1996

0

50

100

150

200

300

250

Fiscal Year 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

38
Appendix I: 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

40

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP 

2001 M Street. N.W 

Washington. DC 20036 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT 

The Public Printer: 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of the United States Government 

Printing Office (the GPO) as of September 30, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of 

revenues and expenses and cash flows for the year then ended. We have also examined 

management's assertions, included in the accompanying statement of assurance to us dated June 

12, 1998, regarding the effectiveness of the GPO's internal controls over financial reporting that 

were in place as of September 30, 1997. The objective of our audit was to express an opinion on 

the fair presentation of the GPO's consolidated financial statements. The objective of our 

examination of management's assertions regarding internal controls over fmancial reporting was 

to express an opinion on management's assertions. In connection with our audit, we also tested 

the GPO's compliance with certain provisions of applicable laws and regulations. 

In our opinion: 

• The GPO's consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 

1997, are presented fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with generally accepted 

accounting principles. 

• The GPO management has fairly stated, in all material respects, its assertions that internal 

controls in place as of September 30, 1997, provide reasonable assurance that assets were 

safeguarded against loss from unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition; that controls were 

effective in assuring that transactions were executed in accordance with laws governing the 

use of budget authority and with other laws and regulations that have a direct and material 

effect on the financiaJ statements; and, that transactions were properly recorded, processed. 

and summarized to permit the preparation of reliable fmancial statements and to maintain 

accountability for assets. 

We noted no instances of reportable noncompliance with laws and regulations we tested. 

Our conclusions and the scope of our work are discussed in more detail below. 

OPINION ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of the GPO as of September 30, 

1997, and the related consolidated statements of revenues and expenses and cash flows for the 

year then ended. These consolidated statements are the responsibility of the GPO's management. 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated statements based on our audit. 
41 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

In our opinion, the accompanying 1997 consolidated financial statements present fairly. in all 

material respects, the financial position of the United States Government Printing Office as of 

September 30, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in 

conformity with generaJly accepted accounting principles. 

The GPO's consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30. 199.6. presented 

for comparative purposes, were not audited, and accordingly, we do not express an opinion on 

them. 

Our audit was performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the GPO's consolidated 

financial statements taken as a whole. The consolidating and supplemental information on pages 

30 through 39 are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the 

basic financial statements. This information has not been subjected to the auditing procedures 

applied in our audit of the fiscal year 1997 consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, 

we express no opinion on it 

The information contained in the performance measures section has not been audited and, 

accordingly, we express no opinion on it. 

OPINION ON MANAGEMENT'S ASSERTIONS ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF 

INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

We have examined management's assertions, included in its statement of assurance to us dated 

June 12, 1998, that internal controls designed by management provide reasonable, but not 

absolute, assurance that as of September 30, 1997, the following objectives were met: 

• assets were safeguarded against loss from unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition; 

• transactions were executed in accordance with laws governing the use of budget authority 

and with other laws and regulations that have a direct and material effect on the fmancial 

statements~ and 

• transactions were properly recorded, processed, and summarized to permit the preparation of 

reliable financial statements and maintain accountability for assets. 

Although internal controls should be improved as discussed below, in our optmon, 

management's assertions that internal controls in place as of September 30, 1997, provide 

reasonable assurance that assets were safeguarded against loss from unauthorized acquisition, use 

or disposition; that controls were effective in assuring material compliance with laws governing 

the use of budget authority and with laws and regulations that had a direct and material effect on 

the fmancial statements; and that transactions were properly recorded, processed, and 

summarized to permit the preparation of reliable financial statements and to maintain 

accountability for assets, are fairly stated in all material respects, based upon criteria established 

under OMB Circular A-123, Management Accountability and Control (Revised, June 1995 ). 
42 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

Reportable conditions involve matters coming to our attention relating to significant deficiencies 

in the design or operation of the internal controls that, in our judgment. could adversely affect the 

GPO's ability to record. process. summarize. and report financial data consistent with the 

assertions of management in the financial statements. A material weakness is a reportable 

condition that precludes the entity's internal controls from providing reasonable assurance that 

material misstatements in the financ ial statements will be prevented or detected on a timely basis. 

We noted certain matters involving the internal controls over financial reporting that we consider 

to be reportable conditions Wlder standards established by the American Institute of Certified 

Public Accountants. 

Our consideration of internal controls would not necessarily disclose all internal control matters 

that might be reportable conditions and. accordingly, would not necessarily disclose all 

reportable conditions that are also considered to be material weaknesses as defined above. 

Deficiencies in the design and or operations of the GPO's EDP general controls are considered a 

reportable condition. This condition has been previously reported to management in prior years' 

audit reports. 

The reportable condition on the GPO's EDP general controls relates to the following areas: 

• Logical Access 

- We noted instances where access controls require modification. Access controls should 

provide reasonable assurance that computer resources (data files, application programs, 

and computer.related facilities and equipment) are protected against unauthorized 

modification, disclosure, loss, or impairment. These controls include controls over 

physical access to computer resources, and controls that prevent unauthorized access to 

sensitive files. 

Examples of weaknesses noted include: 

- Adequate segregation of duties is lacking in the administration of mainframe security 

and the controls of application changes. 

- Certain vulnerabilities exist with respect to unauthorized access to systems. 

• Application Change Control and Systems Development 

- We noted instances where controls over the modification of application software 

programs are deficient. These controls should be designed to ensure that only authorized 

programs and modifications are implemented. Without proper controls, there is a risk 

that security features could be inadvertently or deliberately omitted or "turned off'' or that 

processing irregularities or malicious code could be introduced. 

Examples of weaknesses noted include: 

- Lack of adequate change request and approval documentation 

- Lack of centralized coordination of program changes 

- No formal approval of, or requirement to utilize, the draft System Development Life 

Cycle methodology. 

• Service Continuity 

Losing the capability to process, r~trieve, and protect information maintained 

electronically can significantly impact an agency's ability to accomplish its mission. For 
43 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

this reason. an agency should have ( 1) procedures in place to protect information 

resources and minimizes the risk of unplanned interruptions and (2) a plan to recover 

critical operations should interruptions occur. We noted that inadequate contingency and 

back-up planning exists for the financial management and text processing EDP systems. 

There is no fonnal written contingency plan for systems and business operations. and 

production application backups are not rotated off-site. 

• Entity-Wide Security Program 

We noted that there are several areas regarding a security program that are inadequate. 

The program should establish a framework for assessing risk, developing and 

implementing effective security procedures, and monitoring the effectiveness of these 

procedures. Without a well designed program, security controls may be inadequate; 

responsibilities may be unclear, misunderstood, and improperly implemented; and 

controls may be inconsistently applied. 

Examples of weaknesses noted include: 

- There is no up-to-date comprehensive data security plan, policies and procedures, or 

an information technology strategic plan. 

- Comprehensive risk assessments are not performed on a periodic basis. 

- Employee background investigations are missing or out-of-date. 

- There is no information technology steering committee. 

We recommend that the GPO develop a formal action plan to review and revise its EDP general 

controls. This plan should address each of the four areas discussed above as well as other areas 

that impact the general EDP control environment, set forth appropriate corrective action steps, 

assign responsibilities to employees, and establish target completion dates for each action. This 

plan should be adopted by top management of the GPO and provide for periodic reviews of 

progress towards achievement of corrective actions. 

This condition was considered in determining the nature. timing, and extent of the procedures to 

be performed in our audit of the GPO's consolidated financial statements as of and for the year 

ended September 30, 1997. 

We also noted other matters involving the internal controls and their operation that we do not 

consider to be reportable conditions. These matters include comments relating to the significant 

risks and potential impact of possible Year 2000-induced information system failures of core 

business processes at the GPO. and our assessment of the current inadequacy of management's 

remediation plans to address the adverse effects of the Year 2000 issue. These matters, along 

with further technical details and related recommendations of the reportable condition will be 

reported to the GPO's management in a separate letter. 
44 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS 

As part of obtaining reasonable assunmce about whether the GPO's consolidated financial 

statements are free of material misstatement. we perfonned tests of its compliance with certain 

provisions of laws and regulations, noncompliance with which couJd have a direct and material 

effect on the determination of financial statement amounts. However, providing an opinion on 

compliance with those provisions was not an objective of our audit and, accordingly, we do not 

express such an opinion. The results of our tests disclosed no instances of noncompliance that are 

required to be reported Wlder generally accepted auditing standards. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Management's Respo111ibillty. Management is responsible for: 

• Preparing the consolidated financial statements and supplemental schedules referred to above 

in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, and for preparing the 

performance measures; 

• Maintaining adequate internal controls designed to fulfill control objectives; and 

• Complying with applicable laws and regulations. 

Auditors, Respoasibility. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated 

financial statements as of September 30, 1997, based on our audit. Standards, identified below, 

require that we plan and perfonn the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 

consolidated fmancial statements are ftee of material misstatement. 

We are also responsible for expressing an opinion. based on our examination, on whether 

management's assertions regarding the effectiveness of internaJ controls are fairly stated. in all 

material respects. based on criteria established under OMB Circular A·123. Management 

Accountability and Control (Revised, June 1995). 

As pan of obtaining re~.sonable assurance about whether the consolidated fmancial statements 

are free of material miss1atement, we were also responsible for reporting any instances of 

material noncompliance with certain provisions of laws and regulations. 

To fulfill these responsibilities, we: 

• Examined, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the 

consolidated financial statements; 

• Assessed the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by GPO 

management; 

• Evaluated the overall fmanc:ial statement presentation; 

• Assessed control risk in order to determine our auditing procedures for the purpose of 

expressing our opinion on the consolidated fmancial statements; 
45 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

• Obtained an unders1anding of the internal controls over financial reponing: 

• Obtained an underslanding of the internal controls related to perfonnance measures reponed 

in the Overview of the GPO's Annual Financial Repon: 

• Assessed the design of perfonna.u:e measure «;ontrols and w~ther they had been placed in 

operation; 

• Tested and evaluated the design and operating effec:tivencss of relevant internal controls over 

significant cycles, classes of transactions. and account balances; 

• Tested compliance with certain provisions of Jaws and regulations that may materially affect 

the financial statements; and 

• Perfonned such other procedures as we considered necessary in the cin::umstanccs. 

Because of inherent limitations in intemal controls. fraud may occur and not be detected. Also 

projections of any evaluation of internal controls over financial reponing to future periods are 

subject to the risk that the internal control procedures may become inadequate because of 

changes in conditions. or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may 

deteriorate. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with genetally accepted auditing standards. and 

Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Those 

standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 

the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test 

basis. evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also 

includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 

management. as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We conducted 

our examination of management's assertions regarding the effectiveness of the GPO's internal 

controls over financial reponing in place as of September 30, 1997. in accordance with standards 

established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. We believe that our audit 

and examination provide a reasonable basis for our opinions. 

Distributioa. This rcpon is intended solely for the information and use of the Public Printer. the 

Joint Committee on Printing, and the GPO management, and should not be used for any other 

purpose. However, this repon is a matter of public record and its distribution is not limited. 

AGENCY COMMENTS AND EVALUATION 

GPO management is preparing a comprehensive new instruction to address the reponable 

condition regarding EDP general controls. 

June 12. 1998 

Washington, D.C. 
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Appendix II: 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidated Balance Sheets 

As of September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

Assets

Current Assets 

Funds with U.S.Treasury (Note 2D) 

Accounts receivable, net (Note 4) 

Inventories, net (Note 2E) 

Prepaid expenses 

Total current assets 

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Notes 2F & 5) 

Land and buildings 

Equipment and building improvements 

Total property, plant, and equipment 

Less:Accumulated depreciation and amortization 

Net property, plant, and equipment 

Total assets 

1996

1997 (Unaudited)

$173,155 $157,080

143,151) 156,256

23,480) 26,219

202 347

339,988 339,902

18,633 18,633

175,729) 167,787

194,362) 186,420

(121,601) (114,608)

72,761) 71,812

$412,749 $411,714

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

46
U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidated Balance Sheets 

As of September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

Liabilities and Equity of the U.S. Government 

1996

1997 (Unaudited)

Current Liabilities 

Accounts payable and 

accrued expenses (Note 6) $ 84,778 $ 80,274 

Deferred revenue (Note 7) 29,480 37,294

Accrued annual leave (Note 2G) 11,270 11,070

Total current liabilities 125,528 128,638

Other Liabilities 

Workers’ compensation 

liability (Notes 2J and 8) 31,772 27,537

Total other liabilities 31,772 27,537

Total liabilities 157,300 156,175

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) 

Equity of the U.S. Government 

Revolving Fund (Note 10) 198,880 191,832

Appropriated Funds (Note 11) 56,569 63,707

Total equity of the U.S. government 255,449 255,539

Total liabilities and equity of the 

U.S. government $412,749 $411,714

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

47
)% )

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

% )%

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidated Statements of Revenues and Expenses 

For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1996

1997 (Unaudited)

Percent of Percent of 

Amount Revenues Amount Revenues 

Revenues

Printing and binding $572,106 75.9% $631,582) 77.2%

Sales of publications 70,324 9.3 70,470) 8.6

Appropriations 107,020 14.2 112,052) 13.7

Reimbursements 4,850 0.6 4,425) 0.5

Total revenues 754,300 100.0 818,529) 100.0

Expenses

Printing and reproduction 427,343 56.8 491,289) 60.0

Personnel compensation and benefits 207,371 27.5 207,376) 25.4

Supplies and materials 41,811 5.5 49,056) 6.0

Rents, communications, and utilities 30,486 4.0 35,180) 4.3

Publications sold 18,175 2.4 22,163) 2.7

Depreciation and amortization 8,477 1.1 8,208) 1.0

Other services 4,974 0.7 8,483) 1.0

Surplus publications 2,509 0.3 8,710) 1.1

Travel and transportation 5,585 0.7 4,975) 0.6

Total expenses 746,731 99.0 835,440) 102.1

Net Income (Loss) $ 7,569 1.0% $(16,911) (2.1)% 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

48
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U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

For the Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1996

1997 (Unaudited)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities 

Net income (loss) $ 7,569 $ (16,911) 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash 

used in operating activities: 

Depreciation and amortization 8,477) 8,208

Depreciation expense funded from appropriated capital (444) (444)

Gain on disposal of property, plant, and equipment (11) (86)

Changes in assets and liabilities: 

(Increase) decrease in assets— 

Accounts receivable 13,106) 13,859

Inventories 2,739) 6,958

Prepaid expenses 145) (82)

Increase (decrease) in liabilities— 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses 4,503) 938

Deferred revenue (7,814) (1,173)

Accrued annual leave 200) (154)

Workers’ compensation liability 4,235) 2,622

Total adjustments 25,136) 30,646

Net cash provided by operating activities 32,705 13,735

Cash Flows from Investing Activities 

Capital expenditures (9,570) (4,445)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment 78) 167

Net cash provided by operating activities (9,492) (4,278)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities 

Increase in unexpended appropriations 309) 333

Funds returned to U.S.Treasury from: 

Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation (7,447) —)

Salaries and Expenses Appropriation —) (789)

Net cash used in financing activities (7,138) (456)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Funds with U.S. Treasury 16,075 9,001

Funds with U.S. Treasury, beginning of year 157,080 148,079

Funds with U.S. Treasury, end of year $173,155 $157,080 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

49
U.S. Government Printing Office

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

September 30, 1997 and (Unaudited) 1996 

1. ORGANIZATION: 

The U.S. Government Printing Office 

(GPO) was established by the public printing and 

documents statutes of Title 44 of the U.S. Code. 

Congress enacted this legislation to provide to the 

Federal government an economic and efficient 

means for the production and procurement of 

congressional and agency printing and binding, 

and for the dissemination of information to the 

public.The Public Printer, appointed by the 

President of the United States with the advice and 

consent of the U.S. Senate, oversees the operations 

of GPO. GPO discharges its responsibilities 

through the operation of a Revolving Fund and 

congressional appropriations. 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

A. Basis of Accounting

The accompanying consolidated financial 

statements are prepared on the accrual basis of 

accounting in accordance with generally accepted 

accounting principles. 

B. Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial 

statements of GPO include the accounts of all 

funds under GPO control that have been established and are maintained to account for the 

resources of GPO.All significant intra-agency balances and transactions have been eliminated in 

consolidation. Revenue and expense eliminations 

for the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, 

consisted of the following services. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1997 1996 

In addition to the above, there is an elimination within the In-house Printing Program of 

revenues and expenses for services and other 

internal transactions (e.g., internal-use forms, electronic repairs) provided to and by the In-house 

Printing Operations.This elimination was 

$5,264,000 and $4,402,000 for the years ended 

September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 

Also provided are consolidating and supplemental unaudited schedules that present GPO’s 

financial position, results of operations, and cash 

flows by fund type and by program within each 

fund. GPO operations are financed through the 

operation of a Revolving Fund and a General 

Fund. Interfund transactions and balances are 

eliminated in consolidation. 

Revolving Fund accounts are established by law 

to finance a continuing cycle of operations with 

receipts derived from operations.These accounts 

are used to finance two major GPO programs: 

Printing and Binding Operations and Sales of 

Publications Operations. 

Printing and Binding Operations’ accounts 

record transactions related to printing and binding, and distribution services. Sales of Publications 

Operations’ accounts are used to record transactions related to the sales of publications and their 

distribution to the public. 

General Fund accounts record financial transactions arising under annual congressional appropriations under two major programs: the Salaries and 

Expenses Appropriation and the Congressional 

Printing and Binding Appropriation. 

The Salaries and Expenses Appropriation 

account records transactions for expenses 

incurred by the Superintendent of Documents for 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

depository library distributions, international 

Printing and reproduction 

Data processing 

Miscellaneous

Total 

$113,944 $122,212 

2,878 2,029 

3,418 1,692 

$120,240 $125,933 

exchange distributions, other statutory distribution of publications, and for the cataloging and 

indexing of government publications. 

The Congressional Printing and Binding 

Appropriation account is used to record printing 

50
and binding performed for Congress and for printing and binding publications authorized by law to 

be distributed without charge to recipients. 

To the extent feasible, general and administrative expenses have been allocated among the 

various expense categories based on the estimated 

level of effort associated with each program. 

C. Revenue Recognition and Expended 

Appropriations 

In-house Printing and Binding—By

law, GPO must be reimbursed by the party 

requesting its services for all printing and binding 

work. Consequently, all Revolving Fund revenues 

from in-house printing and binding work (work 

not commercially procured) are recognized as the 

work is performed by GPO. 

The fiscal year 1997 total GPO and inhouse printing revenue includes $12.8 million of 

revenue from unexpended appropriations in prior 

years.The $12.8 million represents the recovery of 

costs of performing work for the Congress during 

fiscal years 1994 and 1995 totaling $11.5 million, 

and for Depository Libraries during fiscal years 

1994, 1995, and 1996 totaling $1.3 million.These 

funds had been appropriated and obligated but 

were not billed and collected at that time due to a 

restriction on increasing GPO prices, as required 

by law. 

Commercially Procured Printing and 

Binding—Revolving Fund revenues from commercially procured printing and binding are recognized on the date the contract requirements 

are fulfilled, which is generally the date of shipment by the commercial contractor to the 

requesting agency. 

Distributing and Selling Publications—

Revolving Fund revenues from distributing and 

selling publications are recognized when the publications have been shipped or when the services 

have been performed. 

Deferred Revenues—Deferred revenues 

result from the receipt of customer remittances for 

products or services that will be delivered or provided in the future. Deferred revenues are received 

from several sources which include: deferred subscription revenue, customer deposits—held on 

account, customer deposits—unfilled orders, and 

advanced billings to Federal agencies. 

The deferred subscription revenue is 

received for products such as the Congressional 

Record, the Federal Register, and the Commerce 

Business Daily. Customer deposits—held on 

account represents amounts received from customers for deposit in pre-established accounts to 

provide the customer the convenience of sending 

periodic payments to pay for publications 

ordered, rather than remitting payments for every 

item ordered.These are used by bookdealers, and 

other customers who order on a frequent basis. 

The category, customer deposits—unfilled orders 

represents funds received for publications not 

available for immediate shipment.The revenue for 

these categories is recognized at the time the 

products (subscriptions, publications, etc.) are 

delivered. 

Finally, advance billings to Federal agencies are advance payments made by agencies to 

cover the cost of producing large printing orders. 

This revenue is recognized as work is completed. 

D. Funds with U.S. Treasury 

Funds with U.S.Treasury represent all 

unexpended balances in GPO’s accounts with the 

Department of the Treasury.A breakdown of items 

included in this balance as of September 30, 1997 

and 1996 follows. In 1997, the U.S. General 

Accounting Office (GAO) defined restricted funds 

with U.S.Treasury for GPO as funds with U.S. 

Treasury held for customer deposit accounts and 

employees accrued salaries and annual leave and 

cannot be used other than for those specific purposes. GPO had restricted funds with U.S.Treasury 

Appropriation Revenues—Appro- of $28.7 million and $28.3 million at September ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

priation revenues are recorded when the qualifying 

expenses are incurred.The amount of appropriations expended and the programs funded by appropriations are presented in Note 11A. Unexpended 

appropriations are recorded as a component of 

Equity of U.S. Government (see Note 11B). 

30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 

All appropriated funds were either 

expended or obligated at September 30, 1997 

and 1996 (see Note 11). Obligated and unobligated appropriation balances are canceled after 

5 years. 

51
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(Dollars in thousands) 

1997 1996

Revolving fund $106,114 $89,132

Appropriations: 

1993 1,521 3,872

1994 4,181 12,808

1995 8,836 15,456

1996 10,030 35,028

1997 41,848 —

Total appropriations 66,416 67,164

On-hand and in-transit 625 784

Total $173,155 $157,080

E. Inventories

Inventories of publications held for sale 

are valued at the lower of cost, using the weighted 

average cost method, or market, and are shown 

net of an allowance for surplus publications.The 

allowance for surplus publications is established 

for the estimated value of potentially obsolete or 

excess publications held in inventory. 

Paper, materials, and supplies inventory 

includes the cost of production material (e.g., 

blank paper, spare parts, ink, and book cloth), as 

well as the cost of administrative-use supplies.This 

inventory is valued at the lower of cost, using the 

weighted moving average cost method, or market, 

net of an allowance for materials and supplies 

obsolescence.There is no provision for paper 

obsolescence due to the frequency of use.The 

components of inventories as of September 30, 

1997 and 1996, are as follows. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1997 1996

Publications for sale $10,523 $12,771

Allowance for surplus 

publications (2,526) (4,263)

Publication for sale, net 7,997 8,508

Paper 7,281 9,456

Materials and supplies 9,949 10,134

Allowance for obsolescence (1,747) (1,879)

Paper, materials, and 

supplies, net 15,483 17,711

Inventories, net $23,480 $26,219

F. Property, Plant, and Equipment 

Property and equipment purchases and 

additions are valued at cost. Printing equipment 

transferred to GPO from other Federal agencies 

is valued in accordance with JCP Regulation 

Number 26, Government Printing and Binding 

Regulations. This valuation approximates historical net cost. 

Major alterations and renovations are capitalized while normal maintenance and repair costs 

are expensed as incurred. 

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is calculated on a straight-line 

basis over their respective estimated useful lives. 

The range of estimated useful lives of GPO assets 

is as follows. 

Estimated

Category Useful Life 

Buildings and improvements 42 to 50 years 

Plant machinery and equipment 5 to 20 years 

Office machinery and equipment 5 years 

Computer hardware 5 years 

Computer software 3 years 

Furniture and fixtures 5 years 

Vehicles 3 to 6 years 

Leasehold improvements are amortized 

over the lesser of their useful lives or lease terms. 

G. Annual, Sick, and Other Types of Leave 

Annual leave is accrued as a liability when 

earned, and the liability reduced when leave is 

used. Each year the annual leave liability is adjusted to reflect current pay rates.At September 30, 

1997, the liability for accrued annual leave was 

$11,270,000 compared with $11,070,000 at 

September 30, 1996. 

Sick leave and other types of non-vested 

leave are expensed when taken.There is no limit on 

the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated, 

and no payment is made for unused sick leave. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

H. Accounting for Intra-agency Activities

Other Federal agencies make financial 

decisions and report certain financial matters on 

behalf of the entire Federal government, including 

matters in which individual agencies may be an 

indirect party. Federal agencies are required to 

52
record or report only those financial matters for 

which they are directly responsible (GAO’s 

Policies and Procedures Manual for Guidance of 

Federal Agencies, Title 2,“Accounting”). Financial 

matters maintained or reported by other Federal 

agencies in which GPO is indirectly involved 

include employee benefit plans (see Note 3) and 

certain legal situations (see Note 9C). 

I. Statements of Cash Flows

The statements of cash flows identify 

cash receipts and payments and classify them into 

operating, investing, and financing activities.The 

disclosure of this information is intended to help 

assess the ability of GPO to generate funds from 

current operations, to identify financing acquired 

from outside sources, and to identify the major 

nonoperating (investing) uses of funds. For purposes of these statements, cash is considered to 

be Funds with U.S.Treasury, as defined in Note 2D. 

J. Workers’ Compensation Liability (WCL) 

The WCL is the estimated liability for 

future compensation and medical benefits that 

GPO is or will be obligated to pay. GPO discounted 

the value of estimated future payments to reflect 

the time value of money and increased future payments for estimated cost of living adjustments and 

consumer price index increases.The probability of 

future payments were based on historical benefit 

payment patterns combined with current information related to individual benefit claims. 

K. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements 

requires management to make estimates and 

assumptions that affect the reported amount of 

assets and liabilities, as well as the disclosure of 

contingent assets and liabilities at the date of 

the financial statements, and the amount of revenues and expenses reported during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these 

estimates.

L. Reclassification of Fiscal Year 1996 Balances 

consistently with the fiscal year 1997 financial 

statements.

3. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS:

GPO funds a portion of pension contributions for its employees under the Civil Service 

Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal 

Employees Retirement System (FERS), and also 

makes payroll deductions from employees for their 

pension contribution. GPO is not required to disclose the unfunded pension liability and postemployment benefits relative to its employees as 

discussed in Note 3D below.The U.S. Office of 

Personnel Management is responsible for government-wide reporting of FERS and CSRS assets, 

accumulated plan benefits, and unfunded liabilities. 

A. Civil Service Retirement System 

The majority of GPO’s employees were 

covered by the CSRS, a defined benefit plan, during fiscal years ending September 30, 1997 and 

1996.Total GPO matching contributions (7.5 percent for Congressional Record indexers, investigators, and law officers, and 7 percent for all other 

employees covered under this plan) to CSRS for 

all eligible employees were approximately $8.4 

million and $8.7 million for the years ended 

September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 

B. Federal Employees Retirement System 

On January 1, 1987 the FERS, a defined 

contribution plan, commenced pursuant to 

Public Law 99-335. Employees hired after 

December 31, 1983 were automatically covered 

by FERS and Social Security, while employees 

hired prior to January 1, 1984, were able to 

choose between joining this plan or remaining in 

CSRS. Unlike CSRS, FERS offers the Federal 

Government’s Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which 

requires GPO to contribute 1 percent of an 

enrolled employee’s base pay, and additionally to 

match voluntary employee contributions up to 4 

percent of base pay. 

For the years ended September 30, 1997 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

and 1996, total GPO (employer) contributions to 

Certain reclassifications have been made FERS (16.9 percent for Congressional Record 

to fiscal year 1996 balances to present them indexers, 24.3 percent for investigators and law 

53
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● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

officers, and 11.4 percent for all other employees 

covered under this plan) were $4.6 million and 

$4.5 million, respectively.Additional contributions 

of GPO’s share to the TSP for the years ended 

September 30, 1997 and 1996, totaled $1.5 million 

in each year. 

C. Social Security System

GPO also makes matching contributions 

to the Social Security Administration (SSA) under 

the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). 

For employees covered by FERS, GPO contributes 

matching amounts of 6.2 percent of gross pay (up 

to $65,400) to SSA’s Old-Age, Survivors, and 

Disability Insurance (OASDI) Program. 

Additionally, GPO makes matching contributions 

for all employees of 1.45 percent of gross pay to 

SSA’s Medicare Hospital Insurance Program. 

Payments to these programs for the years ended 

September 30, 1997 and 1996, totaled $5.3 million 

and $5.2 million, respectively. 

D. Pension and Other Post-Employment

Benefits Provided by Others 

Statement of Federal Accounting 

Standards No. 5,Accounting for Liabilities of the 

Federal Government, requires federal agencies that 

follow Federal Accounting Standards to recognize 

their share of the “normal cost” of pension and 

other post-employment benefits provided by others.To the extent that normal cost exceeds current contribution, the standard requires recognizing additional expense offset by an imputed 

financing source revenue. 

As a legislative branch agency, GPO has 

elected to prepare its financial statements on the 

basis of generally accepted accounting principles 

rather than federal accounting standards and 

accordingly has reflected only the current cost 

of these programs in its financial statements since 

OPM is responsible for funding the normal cost 

component.

4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

Accounts receivable as of September 30, 

1997 and 1996, consisted of the following. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1997 1996

Federal agencies: 

Unbilled completed work $107,445 $100,222

Unbilled work in process 18,357 12,625

Billed completed work 16,400 42,674

Subtotal 142,202 155,521

Other receivables: 

The public 1,735 1,526

GPO employees 1,029 1,057

Subtotal 2,764 2,583

Total accounts 

receivable 144,966 158,104

Allowance for doubtful 

accounts (1,815) (1,848)

Total accounts 

receivable, net $143,151 $156,256

The majority of GPO’s accounts receivable are due from other Federal agencies. Unbilled 

completed work results from the delivery of 

goods or the performance of services for which 

bills have not been prepared. At September 30, 

1997, this balance included: unbilled commercial 

printing of $52.4 million; unbilled paper mill-tocustomer agency shipments of $875,000; finished 

work in the process of being billed of $45.4 million; and finished work for which invoices have 

not been prepared of $8.8 million. 

Unbilled work in process represents the 

amount of work performed on customer orders as 

of September 30, 1997 and 1996, that by law must 

be reimbursed by GPO customers. 

Employees’ accounts receivable for fiscal 

year 1997 includes $949,000 and $80,000 owed 

by current and former employees, respectively, 

who were advanced annual and sick leave. Leave 

indebtedness for current employees will be repaid 

by these employees in biweekly installments or by 

other GPO employees on their behalf, through the 

donated leave program. 

54
5. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT: 

Property, plant, and equipment as of September 30, 1997 and 1996 consisted of the following. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

Accumulated 1997 1996

Acquisition Depreciation Net Net

Value & Amortization Book Value Book Value 

Land $ 9,977 $ — $ 9,977 $ 9,977 

Buildings 8,656 8,656 — —

Building improvements 55,033 34,651 20,382 22,248

Leasehold improvements 1,267 929 338 336

Plant machinery and equipment 80,811 55,751 25,060 27,697

Office machinery and equipment 17,296 12,381 4,915 3,407

Computer software 12,999 5,538 7,461 3,440

Furniture and fixtures 2,623 880 1,743 1,812

Vehicles 3,276 2,815 461 446

Capital improvements in process — — — —

Software development in process 2,424 — 2,424 2,449

Total $194,362 $121,601 $72,761 $71,812

6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED 

EXPENSES:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses 

were composed of the following as of September 

30, 1997 and 1996. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1997 1996

Accounts payable: 

Commercial printing $50,630 $48,294

U.S. Government agencies 17,805 15,868

Other 6,512 6,583

Total accounts payable 74,947 70,745

Accrued salaries and wages 9,032 8,727

State and local payroll taxes 799 802

Total accounts payable and 

accrued expenses $84,778 $80,274

7. DEFERRED REVENUE:

As of September 30, 1997 and 1996, 

deferred revenue consisted of the following. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1997 1996

Deferred subscription revenue $16,175 $18,101

Customer deposits—held on 

accounts 7,883 7,725

Customer deposits—unfilled 

orders 1,433 2,813

Advanced billings to Federal 

agencies 3,989 8,655

Total $29,480 $37,294

Customer deposits for printing and binding represent amounts received in advance from 

Federal agencies to cover future printing requirements.This is $526,000 of the $7.9 million from 

customer deposits held on accounts. At the time ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

a customer cancels a subscription or closes a 

deposit account, the customer’s unused account 

balance is refunded. 

55
8. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ASSUMPTIONS 

FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LIABILITY 

(WCL):

Projected annual benefit payments have 

been discounted to present value using the Office 

of Management and Budget’s economic assumptions for 10-year Treasury notes and bonds. 

Interest rate assumptions utilized for discounting 

purposes in 1997 were as follows: 1998, 6.24%; 

1999, 5.82%; 2000, 5.60%; 2001, 5.45%; 2002 and 

thereafter, 5.40%. 

Wage inflation factors (cost of living 

adjustment or COLA) and medical inflation factors 

(consumer price index medical or CPIm) were 

used to calculate the estimated future compensation and medical payments. Retention rates were 

developed using data provided by the Department 

of Labor to estimate the claims that would continue being paid in the future.The retention rate of 

92.75% was applied to current claims in addition 

to future COLAs and CPIms.The COLAs and 

CPIms used in the calculation were: 

2000 and 

1998 1999 thereafter 

COLA 2.4% 2.6% 2.5%

CPIm 4.0% 4.1% 4.1%

The future payments were estimated over 

the life expectancy of each claimant.The life expectancy rates were based on annuity tables prepared by the Internal Revenue Service and used 

to estimate the expected remaining life of federal 

retirees for determining reportable taxable 

pension benefits. 

The WCL is approximately $31.8 million 

and $27.5 million at September 30, 1997 and 

1996, respectively. 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

A. Operating Leases 

ing leases by type, which have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one 

year, follows. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

Fiscal Year Warehouse Office Retail Total 

1998 $2,260 $ 434 $240 $2,934

1999 2,203 363 234 2,800

2000 1,576 248 211 2,035

2001 214 175 130 519

2002 — 115 53 168

2003 and beyond — — — — 

Total minimum 

lease payments $6,253 $1,335 $868 $8,456 

Rent expenses for the years ended 

September 30, 1997 and 1996, were $6,099,000 

and $6,550,000, respectively. 

B. Commitments

Some of GPO’s orders for goods and services have been placed, but have not been delivered at fiscal year-end.Total undelivered orders for 

all GPO activities were approximately $111.5 million and $108.6 million as of September 30, 1997 

and 1996, respectively. 

C. Contingencies

GPO is a party to various administrative 

proceedings, legal actions, and claims brought by 

or against it. In the opinion of GPO management 

and legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of these 

proceedings, actions, and claims will not materially 

affect the financial position or results of operations of GPO. 

Occasionally, GPO may be the named 

party, but another agency may administer and litigate the case.Amounts to be paid under any decision, settlement, or award pertaining thereto may 

be funded by those agencies. In most cases, tort 

claims are administered and resolved by the U.S. 

Department of Justice, and any amounts necessary 

for resolution are obtained from a Special 

●

As of September 30, 1997, GPO was com- Judgment Fund maintained by the Department of 

GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

mitted to various non-cancelable operating leases 

primarily covering warehouse, office, and retail 

space. Some of these leases contain escalation 

clauses and renewal options. A schedule of future 

minimum rental payments required under operatthe Treasury.Amounts paid from this fund on 

behalf of the GPO were $131,000 and $80,000 for 

the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, 

respectively, and are not reflected in the GPO’s 

consolidated financial statements. 

56
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10. REVOLVING FUND: 

A. Cumulative Results of Operations

Cumulative results of operations for the 

Revolving Fund include net operating results since 

its inception, reduced by funds returned to the 

Department of the Treasury by legislative rescissions, and by transfers to other Federal agencies. 

B. Invested Capital

Invested Capital represents Federal government resources directly appropriated to GPO by 

Congress to invest in GPO assets, primarily: land, 

buildings, equipment, and working capital. 

The Revolving Fund was established in 

1953 with appropriated funds of $33.8 million, 

and buildings and land with a fair market value of 

C. Summary of Revolving Fund Activity

$415,000. Subsequently, Congress provided additional funding to GPO for working capital ($58 

million since 1953) and land and other improvements ($17.5 million since 1971). 

Increases to Invested Capital are also 

recorded when printing equipment is donated to 

GPO. Invested Capital is reduced over the useful life 

of the donated asset or when retired.The net book 

value of assets donated to GPO from other agencies 

was $273,000 and $349,000 in fiscal years ending 

September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 

GPO received $12.9 million of Revolving 

Fund appropriations during the 1970’s for an airconditioning system which was recorded as 

Invested Capital. Invested Capital is reduced annually by $444,000 to reflect the air-conditioning 

system’s depreciation. 

Below is a summary of activity for the Revolving Fund portion of Equity of U.S. Government in 

fiscal years ending September 30, 1997 and 1996. See Note 11 for Appropriated Funds summary. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

Cumulative 

Results of Total 

Operations Invested Capital Revolving Fund 

Revolving Fund balance, September 30, 1995 $108,012) $101,208 $209,220

Donated equipment, net (see Note 10) — (33) (33)

Reclassification to transfer depreciation 

expense for air-conditioning system — (444) (444)

Net loss for fiscal year ending 

September 30, 1996 (16,911) — (16,911)

Revolving Fund balance, September 30, 1996 91,101 100,731) 191,832)

Donated equipment, net (see Note 10) — (77) (77)

Reclassification to transfer depreciation 

expense for air-conditioning system — (444) (444)

Net income for fiscal year ending 

September 30, 1997 7,569 —) 7,569)

Revolving Fund balance, September 30, 1997 $ 98,670 $100,210) $198,880)

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

57
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● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

11. APPROPRIATED FUNDS: 

A. Expended Appropriations 

Total appropriations initially made available for fiscal years ending September 30, 1997 

and 1996, were $81,669,000 and $83,770,000 for 

Congressional Printing and Binding, and 

$29,077,000 and $30,307,000 for Salaries and 

Expenses of the Superintendent of Documents, 

respectively. 

Expended appropriations for program 

operations for the years ending September 30, 

1997 and 1996, were as follows. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1997 1996 

Congressional printing and binding: 

Congressional Record products $ 23,559) $ 26,817)

Miscellaneous publications and 

printing and binding 20,703) 18,458)

Hearings 15,400) 11,178)

Bills,resolutions,and amendments 10,138) 11,279)

Details to Congress 2,225) 3,107)

Other 10,517) 11,567)

Total congressional printing 

and binding 82,542) 82,406)

Salaries and expenses: 

Depository library distribution 23,986) 27,119)

Cataloging and indexing 3,112 3,186)

By-law distribution 458) 505)

International exchange 340) 528)

Total salaries and expenses 27,896) 31,338)

Total expended appropriations $110,438) $113,744

Reconciliation of expended 

appropriations to the consolidated 

statements of revenues and expenses: 

Total expended appropriations $110,438) $113,744

Eliminations (Intra-agency) (3,418) (1,692) 

Consolidated revenues from 

appropriations $107,020) $112,052

B. Unexpended Appropriations 

As of September 30, 1997, GPO had unexpended appropriations that were obligated for 

Salaries and Expenses and Congressional Printing 

and Binding services of $21,916,000 and 

$34,653,000, respectively. At September 30, 1996, 

these amounts were $20,734,000 and 

$42,973,000, respectively. 

12. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS: 

The Refectory Cafe, Ltd. (RCL), a non-profit corporation chartered in the District of 

Columbia in 1985, operated the GPO Cafeteria 

(Cafeteria) until November 18, 1994.The members 

of the Board of Directors of the RCL, who were 

appointed by a former Public Printer, were the 

current Public Printer, the former Deputy Public 

Printer, and one senior-level GPO manager. 

From its incorporation through 

November 18, 1994, the Cafeteria sustained cumulative losses of approximately $600,000. In fiscal 

year 1995, GPO paid approximately $100,000 to 

satisfy the RCL’s creditors, as the Cafeteria was 

unable to meet these obligations. In fiscal year 

ending September 30, 1997, GPO and 

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 

the RCL’s Pension Plan trustee, settled with all 

vested former Cafeteria employees.After liquidation of the Pension, $140,000 was deposited in 

the GPO Revolving Fund to offset GPO’s expenditures in fiscal years 1995 and earlier. 

13. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK: 

The GPO’s financial instruments, none of 

which are held for trading purposes, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts 

receivable, and accounts payable at September 30, 

1997 and 1996.The GPO estimates that the fair 

value of financial instruments at September 30, 

1997 and 1996, to be carrying value.The GPO 

cash and cash equivalents are held by the U.S. 

Treasury; accounts receivable are primarily due 

from various U.S. Government agencies; and the 

accounts payable are primarily due to various 

commercial vendors. 

58
14. MAJOR CUSTOMERS:

GPO’s primary customers are Federal agencies. Revenues from those customers representing 

10% or more of GPO’s revenues are as follows. 

(Dollars in thousands) 

1997 1996

Amount Percent Amount Percent 

Department of 

Defense $156,618 20.8% $177,710 21.7% 

Department of 

U.S.Treasury $88,024 11.7% $130,432 15.9% 

Congress $75,368 10.0% $82,122 10.0% 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

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● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidating Balance Sheet by Fund Type 

As of September 30, 1997 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited)

Revolving Fund General Fund 

Congressional 

Printing Sales of Salaries and Printing Total 

and Binding Publications Expenses and Binding Before 

Operations Operations Appropriation Appropriation Eliminations Eliminations Consolidated

Assets

Current Assets 

Funds with U.S.Treasury $ 76,733) $30,006 $24,305 $42,111 $ 173,155 $ — $ 173,155 

Accounts receivable, net: 

From other Federal agencies 155,824) 2,477 387 — 158,688 (17,872) 140,816

From the public 960) 394 — — 1,354 — 1,354)

From GPO employees 982 — — — 982 — 982

Inventories: 

Publications for sale, net —) 7,996 — — 7,996 — 7,996)

Paper 7,281) — — — 7,281 — 7,281)

Materials and supplies, net 8,202) — — — 8,202 — 8,202)

Prepaid expenses 202) — — — 202 — 202

Total current assets 250,184) 40,873 24,692 42,111 357,860 (17,872) 339,988)

Property, Plant, and Equipment 

Land and buildings 18,633) — — — 18,633 — 18,633)

Building improvements 55,033) — — — 55,033 — 55,033)

Leasehold improvements 1,267) — — — 1,267 — 1,267)

Plant machinery and equipment 80,811) — — — 80,811 — 80,811)

Office machinery and equipment 17,296) — — — 17,296 — 17,296)

Computer software 12,999) — — — 12,999 — 12,999)

Furniture and fixtures 2,623) — — — 2,623 — 2,623)

Vehicles 3,276) — — — 3,276 — 3,276)

Capital improvements in process —) — — —— ——

Software development in process 2,424 — — — 2,424 — 2,424)

Less:Accumulated depreciation and 

amortization (121,601) — — — (121,601) — (121,601)

Net property, plant, and equipment 72,761) — — — 72,761 —- 72,761)

Total assets $ 322,945) $40,873 $24,692 $42,111 $ 430,621 $(17,872) $ 412,749) 60
U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidating Balance Sheet by Fund Type 

As of September 30, 1997 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited)

Revolving Fund General Fund 

Congressional 

Printing Sales of Salaries and Printing Total 

and Binding Publications Expenses and Binding Before 

Operations Operations Appropriation Appropriation Eliminations Eliminations Consolidated

Liabilities and Equity of the U.S. Government 

Current Liabilities 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 85,297 $ 7,119 

Deferred revenue 4,503 24,977 

Accrued annual leave 11,270 — 

$ 2,776 $ 7,458 $102,650 $(17,872) $ 84,778 

— — 29,480 — 29,480 

— — 11,270 — 11,270 

Total current liabilities 101,070 32,096 2,776 7,458 143,400 (17,872) 125,528

Other Liabilities 

Workers’ compensation liability 31,772 — — — 31,772 — 31,772

Total other liabilities 31,772 — — — 31,772 — 31,772

Total liabilities 132,842 32,096 2,776 7,458 175,172 (17,872) 157,300

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) 

Equity of the U.S. Government 

Revolving fund 190,103 8,777 — — 198,880 — 198,880 

Appropriated funds — — 21,916 34,653 56,569 — 56,569 

Total equity of the U.S. Government 190,103 8,777 21,916 34,653 255,449 — 255,449 

Total liabilities and equity of the U.S. Government $322,945 $40,873 $24,692 $42,111 $430,621 $(17,872) $412,749 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 61
● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidating Schedule of Revenues and Expenses by Fund Type 

For the Year Ended September 30, 1997 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited) 

Revolving Fund General Fund 

Congressional 

Printing Sales of Salaries and Printing Total 

and Binding Publications Expenses and Binding Before 

Operations Operations Appropriation Appropriation Eliminations Eliminations Consolidated

Revenues

Printing and Binding $688,928 

Sales of Publications — 

Appropriations — 

Reimbursements — 

$ — $ — $ — $688,928 $(116,822) $572,106 

70,324 — — 70,324 — 70,324 

— 27,896 82,542 110,438 (3,418) 107,020 

4,850 — — 4,850 — 4,850 

Total Revenues 688,928 75,174 27,896 82,542 874,540 (120,240) 754,300

Expenses

Printing and reproduction 445,517 573 12,654 82,542 541,286 (113,944) 427,342

Personnel compensation and benefits 169,063 31,986 8,630 — 209,679 (2,307) 207,372

Supplies and materials 39,897 1,533 508 — 41,938 (127) 41,811

Rents, communications, and utilities 15,099 14,239 1,517 — 30,855 (369) 30,486

Publications sold — 18,175 — — 18,175 — 18,175

Depreciation and amortization 6,867 1,214 396 — 8,477 — 8,477

Other services 4,187 1,385 2,895 — 8,467 (3,493) 4,974

Surplus publications — 2,509 — — 2,509 — 2,509

Travel and transportation 2,283 2,006 1,296 — 5,585 — 5,585

Total Expenses 682,913 73,620 27,896 82,542 866,971 (120,240) 746,731

Net Income $ 6,015 $ 1,554 $ — $ — $ 7,569 $ — $ 7,569 62
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U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidating Schedule of Cash Flows by Fund Type 

As of September 30, 1997 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited)

Revolving Fund General Fund 

Printing Sales of Salaries and 

and Binding Publications Expenses 

Operations Operations Appropriation 

Congressional 

Printing Total 

and Binding Before 

Appropriation Eliminations Eliminations Consolidated 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities 

Net Income 

Adjustments to net income: 

Depreciation and amortization 

Depreciation expense funded from appropriated capital 

Gain on disposal of property, plant, and equipment 

Changes in assets and liabilities: 

(Increase) decrease in assetsAccounts receivable 

Inventories 

Prepaid expenses 

Increase (decrease) in liabilitiesAccounts payable and accrued expenses 

Deferred revenue 

Accrued annual leave 

Workers’ compensation liability 

$ 6,015) $ 1,554 

8,477)

(444)

(11)

7,986)

2,229)

145)

4,000

(4,140)

200

4,235

—

—

—)

(598)

510

—

(168)

(3,674)

—

—

$ — 

—

—

—

(46)

—

—

(736)

—

—

—

$ — 

—

—

—

—

—

—

7,172

—

—

—

$ 7,569 $ — $ 7,569 

8,477

(444)

(11)

7,342

2,739

145

10,268

(7,814)

200

4,235

—

—

—

5,764

—

—

(5,764)

—

—

—

8,477)

(444)

(11)

13,106)

2,739)

145

4,503

(7,814)

200

4,235

Total adjustments 22,677) (3,930) (782) 7,172) 25,136 — 25,136)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 28,692) (2,376) (782) 7,172) 32,705 — 32,705)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities 

Capital expenditures (9,570) — — — (9,570) — (9,570) 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment 78) — — — 78 — 78)

Net cash used in investing activities (9,492) —) — — (9,492) — (9,492) 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities 

Increase in unexpended appropriations —)

Funds returned to U.S.Treasury from: 

Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation —) 

Salaries and Expenses Appropriation — 

— 1,181) (873) 309 — 309)

— — (7,447) (7,447) — (7,447) 

—— — — — —

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities —) — 1,181) (8,320) (7,138) — (7,138) 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Funds with U.S. Treasury 19,200) (2,376) 399) (1,148) 16,075) — 16,075)

Funds with U.S. Treasury, beginning of year 57,535 32,382 23,904) 43,259) 157,080 — 157,080)

Funds with U.S. Treasury, end of year $76,735) $30,006 $24,303) $42,111) $173,155 $ — $173,155 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 63
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●64

GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Supplemental Schedule of Appropriated Funds 

For Years Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited) 

Salaries Congressional Total 

and Printing and General Fund 

Expenses Binding

Appropriation Appropriation 1997 1996

Appropriations, beginning of year (on cash basis) $23,907 $43,258 $ 67,165) $ 65,549 

Funds Provided—Appropriations 29,077 81,669 110,746) 114,077

Total funds available 52,984) 124,927 177,911) 179,626

Funds Applied 

Obligated appropriations: 

Current year 19,059 49,839 68,898 79,049

Prior years 9,620 25,530 35,150) 32,623

Funds returned to U.S.Treasury — 7,447 7,447) 789

Total funds applied 28,679 82,816 111,495) 112,461

Appropriations, end of year (on cash basis) 24,305 42,111 66,416 67,165

Adjustments

Intra-agency accounts receivable 387 — 387 341

Intra-agency accounts payable (2,776) (7,458) (10,234) (3,799)

Appropriations, end of year (on accrual basis) $21,916 $34,653 $ 56,569) $ 63,707 
)

) )

) )

) )

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

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)

)

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Supplemental Schedule of Balance Sheets for Revolving Fund 

As of September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited) 

Printing and Binding Sales of Publications Total Revolving Fund Total Revolving Fund 

Operations Operations 1997 1996

Before Elimin- Before Elimin1997 1996 1997 1996 Eliminations ations Consolidated Eliminations ations Consolidated 

Assets

Current Assets 

Funds with U.S.Treasury $ 76,733) $57,534) 

Accounts receivable 157,766 165,750) 

Inventories 15,483 17,712) 

Prepaid expenses 202) 347 

$30,006 $32,381 $106,739 $ — $106,739 $ 89,915 $ — $ 89,915 

2,871 2,273 160,637 (17,873) 142,764 168,023 (12,108) 155,915 

7,996 8,507 23,479 — 23,479 26,219 — 26,219 

— — 202 — 202 347 — 347 

Total current assets 250,184) 241,343) 40,873 43,161 291,057 (17,873) 273,184 284,504 (12,108) 272,396 

Property, Plant, and Equipment 

Land and buildings 

Building improvements 

Leasehold improvements 

Plant machinery and equipment 

Office machinery and equipment 

Computer software 

Furniture and fixtures 

Vehicles 

Capital improvements in process 

Software development in process 

Less:Accumulated depreciation 

and amortization 

18,633)

55,033)

1,267)

80,811)

17,296)

12,999)

2,623)

3,276)

—)

2,424

(121,601)

18,633)

54,915)

1,298)

82,758)

15,088)

7,258)

2,439)

1,582)

—

2,449

(114,608)

— — 18,633 

— — 55,033 

— — 1,267 

— — 80,811 

— — 17,296 

— — 12,999 

— — 2,623 

— — 3,276 

— — — 

— — 2,424 

— — (121,601) 

— 18,633 

— 55,033 

— 1,267 

— 80,811 

— 17,296 

— 12,999 

— 2,623 

— 3,276 

— —

— 2,424 

— (121,601) 

18,633

54,915

1,298

82,758

15,088

7,258

2,439

1,582

—

2,449

(114,608)

— 18,633 

— 54,915 

— 1,298 

— 82,758 

— 15,088 

— 7,258 

— 2,439 

— 1,582 

— — 

— 2,449 

— (114,608) 

Net property, plant, and equipment 72,761) 71,812) — — 72,761 — 72,761 71,812 — 71,812 

Total assets $322,945) $313,155 $40,873 $43,161 $363,818 $(17,873) $345,945 $356,316 $(12,108) $344,208 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 65
● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Supplemental Schedule of Balance Sheets for Revolving Fund 

As of September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited) 

Printing and Binding Sales of Publications Total Revolving Fund Total Revolving Fund 

Operations Operations 1997 1996

Before Elimin- Before Elimin1997 1996 1997 1996 Eliminations ations Consolidated Eliminations ations Consolidated 

Liabilities and Equity of the 

U.S. Government 

Current Liabilities 

Account payable and 

accrued expenses $ 85,297 $ 81,296 $ 7,119 $ 7,287 $ 92,416 $ (17,873) $ 74,543 $88,583 $(12,108) $ 76,475 

Deferred revenue 4,503 8,644 24,977 28,650 29,480 — 29,480 37,294 — 37,294 

Accrued annual leave 11,270 11,070 — — 11,270 — 11,270 11,070 — 11,070 

Total current liabilities 101,070 101,010 32,096 35,937 133,166 (17,873) 115,293 136,947 (12,108) 124,839

Other Liabilities 

Workers’ compensation liability 31,772 27,537 — — 31,772 — 31,772 27,537 — 27,537

Total current liabilities 31,772 27,537 — — 31,772 — 31,772 27,537 — 27,537

Total liabilities 132,842 128,547 32,096 35,937 164,938 (17,873) 147,065 164,484 (12,108) 152,376

Equity of the U.S. Government 

Revolving fund 190,103 184,608 8,777 7,224 198,880 — 198,880 191,832 — 191,832 

Appropriated funds — — — — — — — — — — 

Total equity of the 

U.S. Government 190,103 184,608 8,777 7,224 198,880 — 198,880 191,832 — 191,832

Total liabilities and equity of 

the U.S. Government $322,945 $313,155 $40,873 $43,161 $363,818 $ (17,873) $345,945 $356,316 $(12,108) $344,208 66
) )

)

)

)

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Consolidating Schedule of Revenues and Expenses by Major Program 

For the Years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited) 

Printing Information Congressional Total GPO 

and Binding Dissemination Printing Before 

Operations Operations and Binding Other Operations Eliminations Eliminations Total GPO 

1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 

Revenues:

Printing and binding $670,694 $733,700 $ — $ — $ — $ — 

Sales of blank paper 15,221 16,605 — — — — 

Sales of waste and scrap 378 777 — — — — 

Sales of publications — — 70,324 70,470 — — 

Appropriations — — 27,896 31,338 82,542 82,406 

Reimbursements — — 4,850 4,425 — — 

$2,635 $4,741 $673,329 $738,441 $(116,822) $(124,241) $556,507 $614,200 

— — 15,221 16,605 — — 15,221 16,605)

— — 378 777 — — 378 777 

— — 70,324 70,470 — — 70,324 70,470)

— — 110,438 113,744 (3,418) (1,692) 107,020 112,052)

— — 4,850 4,425 — — 4,850 4,425)

Total revenues 686,293 751,082 103,070 106,233 82,542 82,406 2,635 4,741 874,540 944,462 (120,240) (125,933)) 754,300 818,529

Expenses:

Printing and reproduction 445,517 513,452 13,228 17,643 82,542 82,406 — — 541,287 613,501 (113,944) (122,212) 427,343 491,289)

Personnel compensation 

and benefits 168,692 170,062 40,615 38,450 — — 371 492 209,678 209,004 (2,307) (1,628) 207,371 207,376)

Supplies and materials 39,872 46,709 2,041 2,402 — — 25 31 41,938 49,142 (127) (86) 41,811 49,056)

Rents, communications, 

and utilities 14,412 17,512 15,756 17,219 — — 687 710 30,855 35,441 (369) (261) 30,486 35,180)

Publications sold — — 18,175 22,163 — — — — 18,175 22,163 — — 18,175 22,163)

Depreciation and amortization 6,236 5,449 1,610 2,145 — — 631 614 8,477 8,208 — — 8,477 8,208)

Other services 3,788 3,813 4,280 4,267 — — 399 2,149 8,467 10,229 (3,493) (1,746) 4,974 8,483)

Surplus publications — — 2,509 8,710 — — — — 2,509 8,710 — — 2,509 8,710)

Travel and transportation 2,283 2,493 3,302 2,482 — — — — 5,585 4,975 — — 5,585 4,975)

Total expenses 680,800 759,490 101,516 115,481 82,542 82,406 2,113 3,996 866,971 961,373 (120,240) (125,933) 746,731 835,440)

Net Income (Loss) $ 5,493 $ (8,408) $1,554 $(9,248) $ — $ — $ 522 $ 745 $ 7,569 $(16,911) $ — $ — $ 7,569 $(16,911)

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 67
● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Supplemental Schedule of Revenues and Expenses for Printing and Binding Operations 

For the Years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited) 

Total Printing and Binding 

Total In-House Printing Purchased Printing Operations 

Plant Printing 

Operations Regional Printing Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent 

of of of of of of

1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 Revenues 1996 Revenues 1997 Revenues 1996 Revenues 1997 Revenues 1996 Revenues 

Revenues

Printing and binding $180,266 $170,996 $2,171 $ 3,081 $182,437 92 $174,077 91 $488,257 100 $559,623 100 $670,694 98 $733,700 98

Sales of blank paper 15,221 16,605 — — 15,221 8 16,605 9 — — — — 15,221 2 16,605 2 

Sales of waste and scrap 378 777 — — 378 — 777 — — — — — 378 — 777 — 

Total revenues 195,865 188,378 2,171 3,081 198,036 100 191,459 100 488,257 100 559,623 100 686,293 100 751,082 100

Expenses

Printing and reproduction — — — — — — — — 445,517 92 513,452 92 445,517 65 513,452 69

Personnel compensation and 

benefits 133,241 134,630 1,595 2,811 134,836 68 137,441 71 33,856 7 32,621 6 168,692 25 170,062 22

Supplies and material 38,297 44,819 539 848 38,836 20 45,667 24 1,036 — 1,042 — 39,872 6 46,709 6

Rents, communications, and 

utilities 6,234 6,758 370 1,023 6,604 3 7,781 4 7,808 2 9,731 2 14,412 2 17,512 2

Depreciation and amortization 5,759 4,940 107 207 5,866 3 5,147 3 370 — 302 — 6,236 1 5,449 1

Other services 3,029 3,103 56 151 3,085 2 3,254 2 703 — 559 — 3,788 1 3,813 1

Travel and transportation 798 697 65 58 863 — 755 — 1,420 — 1,738 — 2,283 — 2,493 —

Total expenses 187,358 194,947 2,732 5,098 190,090 96 200,045 104 490,710 101 559,445 100 680,800 99 759,490 101

Net Income (Loss) $ 8,507 $ (6,569) $ (561) $(2,017) $ 7,946 4 $ (8,586) (4) $ (2,453) (1) $ 178 — $ 5,493 1 $ (8,408) (1) 68
U.S. Government Printing Office 

Supplemental Schedule of Revenues and Expenses for Information Dissemination 

For the Years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 

(Dollars in thousands) 

(Unaudited) 

Sales of Publications Programs Agency Distribution Services Salaries and Expenses Programs Total Information Dissemination 

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent 

of of of of of of of of

1997 Revenues 1996 Revenues 1997 Revenues 1996 Revenues 1997 Revenues 1996 Revenues 1997 Revenues 1996 Revenues 

Revenues

Sales of publications $70,324 100 $70,470 100 $ — — $ — — $ — — $ — — $70,324 68 $ 70,470 67 

Appropriations — — — — — — — — 27,896 100 31,338 100 27,896 27 31,338 29 

Reimbursements — — — — 4,850 100 4,425 100 — — — — 4,850 5 4,425 4 

Total revenues 70,324 100 70,470 100 4,850 100 4,425 100 27,896 100 31,338 100 103,070 100 106,233 100

Expenses

Printing and reproduction 429 1 465 1 144 3 97 2 12,654 45 17,081 55 13,227 13 17,643 17

Personnel compensation 

and benefits 29,495 41 28,776 42 2,491 51 2,269 51 8,630 32 7,405 23 40,616 39 38,450 37

Supplies and materials 1,411 2 1,756 2 122 3 155 4 508 2 491 2 2,041 2 2,402 2

Rents, communications, 

and utilities 12,179 16 13,773 20 2,060 43 1,964 45 1,517 5 1,482 5 15,756 15 17,219 16

Publications sold 18,175 25 22,163 31 — — — — — — — — 18,175 18 22,163 21

Depreciation and amortization 1,110 2 852 1 104 2 80 2 396 1 1,213 4 1,610 2 2,145 2

Other services 1,263 2 1,190 2 122 3 142 3 2,895 10 2,935 9 4,280 4 4,267 4

Surplus publications 2,509 4 8,710 12 — — — — — — — — 2,509 2 8,710 8

Travel and transportation 1,960 3 1,693 2 46 1 58 1 1,296 5 731 2 3,302 3 2,482 2

Total expenses 68,531 97 79,378 113 5,089 105 4,765 108 27,896 100 31,338 100 101,516 98 115,481 109 

Net Income (Loss) $ 1,793 3 $ (8,908) (13) $ (239) (5) $ (340) (8) — — — — $ 1,554 2 $ (9,248) (9) 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997 69
Appendix III: 

Public Printer’s Assertion Letter on Internal Controls 

70● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC PRINTER 

June 12, 1998 

United States Government Priming Office 

Washington, DC 20401 

KPMG Peat Harwick LLP 

2001 M Street NW . washington, DC 20036 

Dear Sir/Madam: 

In connection with your examination of our assertion regarding internal controls over financial reporting of the U.S. Government 

Printing Office (GPO), as of September 30, 1997, we make the 

following representations: 

1. GPO's managers are responsible for ensuring the existence and 

effective operation of an internal controls over the day -today operations, which are reflected in financial reporting that includes the operation of a Revolving Fund and two 

separate Congressional appropriation accounts. 

2 . Management has evaluated the effectiveness of internal 

controls over financial reporting for the aforementioned 

entity as of September 30, 1997, as part of the evaluation 

performed using the guidance of Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-123 (Revised, June 1995) , "Management Accountability and Control." Based on that 

evaluation, management believes that, as of September 30, 

1997, GPO maintained effective internal controls over 

tinancial reporting, the objectives of which are to provide 

management with reasonable, but not absolute assurance that: 

• Assets were safeguarded against loss from unauthorized 

acquisition, use or disposition; 

• Transactions were executed in accordance with laws . governing the use of budget authority and with other laws 

and regulations that have a direct and material effect on 

the financial statements; and , 
71 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

• Transactions were properly recorded, processed, and 

surrunarized to permit t.he preparation of reliable 

financial statements and maintain accountability for 

assets. 

There have been no changes subsequent to September 30, 1997, that 

would significantly affect internal controls over financial 

reporting. 

Sincerely, 

~;z~ MICHAEL F. DiMARIO 

Public Printer 
 IV 

Abbreviations and Special 

Recognition

PART
APPENDIX IV: 

Abbreviations

ALA

American Library Association 

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange 

AFFIRM

Association for Federal Information Resources 

Management 

AWS 

Alternative Work Schedules 

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations 

CBD

Commerce Business Daily 

CBDNet

Commerce Business Daily on the Internet 

CD-ROM 

Compact Disc-Read Only Memory 

CTP

Computer-to-Plate

DAPS 

Defense Automated Printing Service 

DOD

Department of Defense 

DARD 

Departmental Account Representative Division 

DEC

Digital Equipment Corporation 

DTD

Document Type Definition 

EFT

Electronic Funds Transfer 

EPA 

Environmental Protection Agency 

EEO

Equal Employment Opportunity 

FBB

Federal Bulletin Board 

FDLP

Federal Depository Library Program 

GPO

Government Printing Office 

IPS

Integrated Processing System 

JCP

Joint Committee on Printing 

JNCI

Journal of the National Cancer Institute 

LPS

Library Programs Service 

NASA 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NARA 

National Archives and Records Administration 

NT

New Technology 

OHES

Occupational Health and Environmental Services 

OEIDS

Office of Electronic Information Dissemination Services 

OIRM

Office of Information Resources Management 

OPAC 

On-Line Payment and Collection 

OSTI

Office of Scientific and Technical Information 

OCLC

Online Computer Library Center, Inc. 

PURL

Persistent Uniform Resource Locator 

PDF

Portable Document Format 

PRF

Publications Reference File 

QATAP 

Quality Assurance Through Attributes Program 

SGML

Standard Generalized Markup Language 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

FTP

File Transfer Protocol 

FY

Fiscal Year 

GILS

Government Information Locator Service 

T&D

Typography and Design Division 

URL

Uniform Resource Locator 

WAIS 

Wide Area Information Server 

WWW

World Wide Web 

74
APPENDIX V: 

National Performance Review 

GPO 1997 HAMMER AWARD RECIPIENTS - CBDNet PROJECT

Albritton,Azalea Gant,Alan W. Nepi,Thomas E. 

Anderson, Michael Giannini, Paul J. Oates, Norman 

Arneson, Meredith L. Grasso, Richard Jr. Olds, Manny 

Atkinson, Clifton L. Graves, Patricia Palmer, Steven R. 

Austin, Jack Grennon,William J. Perlman, Gerald L. 

Austin, Raymond Guy,William M. Petrasek, Robert A. 

Baker, Brian Haught, Kathy Randall-Scott, Christine 

Barlow, Paul J. Hipsley, Robert L. Reeves, Joel E. 

Barnes,Terri R. Hix, Jim Rickett, James E. 

Barrante,Anthony F. Holmes, Clifton N. Jr. Ries,Victoria A. 

Bartosz, Donald Holmes, Mary Robinson, Hugo 

Belton, Beverly Holstein, R. Bruce Rollert, Donald 

Blakley, Maureen Huber,Theresa L. Rosa, Renee 

Blocker, Byron C. Johnson, Barbara Satterwhite, Diana 

Boesch,William L. Jr. Kaloz,Antoinette J. Schmidt, Martin 

Bohman, Joe Kelley,Wayne P. Schutte, Lois 

Boyd, Frank J. Key, Robin Schwenk, Robert E. 

Brown, DuWayne Kulnis, Daniel J. Simms, Charles 

Byers, James H. Kunz, Elizabeth A. Simms, Holly 

Cameron, James T. Ladd, Donald L. Smith, D. Lynn 

Chacon, Herman Leeds, Richard Jr. Smith, Johnie 

Chapman, John D. Lloyd, Connie Smith,Thomas 

Cheaves, Margo Lomascolo, John Spatz, Paul 

Contee, Melissa Long, Linda Sumpter, Geraldine 

Copley, Kevin D. Love,Alfred Thoman, L. Joseph 

Davis, Richard G. Luhn, Donald Thomas, Donna 

Duncan, Russell A. MacBride, Douglas R. Todd, John 

Echino, George E. Malina, June Turner, Karen 

Edmonds, Esther Martin, Earl D. Turney, David 

Emery, Michael C. Massey, Charlotte L. Ullrich, Mary 

Engle, Gilbert J. McCoy,Aaron L. Vance, June 

Evans, Linda W. Meade, Clyde B. Wilkins, Robin 

Evans,Thomas C. III Mehlberg, Martin H. Wittek, Mari 

Foote, Leonard W. Minter, Sheron W. Wright, Frank 

Frierson, Robert M. Jr. Morton, Roy W. Young, Dannie E. Sr. 

Fuller,Arthur L. Jr. Nagle, Marlene B. 

● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

75
PART V: 

Index

a

Access, GPO, 3, 6, 7, 8-12, 14, 20, 26, 30-31 

Homepage, 7 

Administrative Support, Office of, 18, 20 

Advanced Service Facility, 13 

Agreement, interagency, 3, 8 

Agricultural Statistics (1997), 20 

Agriculture, Department of, 20 

Alcohol-Free Workplace Program, 17 

Alternative Work Schedule, 19 

Amendment to Item Selections, 12 

American Library Association, 3 

American Standard Code for Information Interchange,11 

Association for Federal Information Resources 

Management Leadership Award, 20 

b

Bibliographic Systems Branch, 15 

Biennial Survey of Depository Libraries (1997), 10 

Binding Division, 9-10, 15 

Bookstores 

Orders, 26 

Revenue, 26 

Budget, Office of, 20, 25 

c 

Cash Management, 24 

Catalog of Government Publications, 

(Internet version), 15 

Cataloging and Indexing Branch, 14 

CBDNet, 6, 11-12, 20 

WWW Uniform Resource Locator, 20 

Census, Bureau of, 9 

Census 2000,5 

Civil Service Retirement System, 53 

Clean Water Act, 18 

Clinton,William J. (President), 20 

Code of Federal Regulations, 10-11, 15 

Collection Management Plan, 3, 14 

Columbus Regional Procurement Office, 6 

Commerce Business Daily, 10-11, 51 

Commerce, Department of, 13 

Alliance, 13 

Congressional Printing Management Division, 5 

Congressional Record, 9, 11, 15, 19, 51, 53 

Delivery, 24 

Congressional Record Index, 9, 11 

Congressional Record Index Office, 9 

Congressional Sales Office, 15 

Constantino Brumidi,9 

Consultants, 4 

Consumer Price Index Medical, 56 

Contract Management Division, 6, 16 

Core Documents Collection, 3, 12 

Core Documents of U.S. Democracy: An 

Electronic Collection, 12, 20 

WWW Uniform Resource Locator, 12 

Cost of Living Adjustments, 53, 56 

Customer Services, 5 

d 

Debt Management, 24 

Defense Automated Printing Service, 6 

Defense, Department of, 6, 20, 59 

Denver Regional Printing and Procurement 

Office, 19 

Departmental Account Representative 

Division, 5 

Deposit Account, GPO, 8, 51, 55 

Depository Distribution Information System, 12 

Depository Library Council, 3, 12 

DiMario, Michael F. (Public Printer), v 

Document Type Definition, 11 

Documents Control Branch, 10 

Documents Sales Service, 14, 20 

Documents Technical Support Group, 14 

Drug-Free Workplace Program, 17 

e 

Electronic Distribution System, 6 

Electronic Information Dissemination 

Services, Office of, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 20 

Electronic Photocomposition Division, 10, 11, 17, 20 

Electronic Systems Development Division, 6 

Electronic Transition Staff, 14 

Energy, Department of, 8 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

Community Outreach, 17, 19 

Comprehensive Records Schedule, 20 

Comptroller, Office of the, 5, 8 

Computer-to-Plate, 15 

Congressional Directory, 6, 11 

Congressional, Legislative, and Public Affairs, Office of, 17 

Engineering Services, 18 

Environmental Protection Agency, 18 

Equal Employment Opportunity, Office of , 19 

f

Facilities Engineering Division, 18 

78
Federal Bulletin Board, 7 

Federal Depository Library Conference, 3 

Federal Depository Library Program, 

2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 

Federal Employees Retirement System, 53 

Federal Register, 10, 15, 51 

Federal Register, Office of the, 6, 9 

File Transfer Protocol, 6 

Financial Statements 

Consolidated, 46-49 

Notes, 50-59 

Supplemental Schedules, 60-69 

Fire Marshal, 18 

Freda, Nicholas, 20 

g 

General Accounting Office, 51, 53 

General Counsel, Office of the, 18 

Gore,Albert Jr. (Vice-President), 20 

Government Information Locator Service 

3, 7, 20 

GPO Electronic Information Access 

Enhancement Act of 1993, v, 14 

Grantham, Lawrence, 20 

Graphics Systems Development Division, 6, 20 

Ground Water Remediation Program, 18 

h 

Hammer Awards, 10, 20 

Recipients, 75 

Hampton Regional Procurement Office, 6 

History of Bills, 9, 11 

History of the U.S. Capitol, 13 

House Journal,9 

House Subcommittee on Government, Management, and 

Information Technology, 2, 17 

House Subcommittee on Legislative 

Appropriation, 2 

Inauguration Ceremony, 9, 20 

Independent Auditors’ Report, 40-45 

Information Resources Management, Office of, 13, 19 

j 

Jernigan, Charlie, 20 

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural 

Ceremonies, 9 

Joint Committee on Printing, 2, 3, 9, 10, 15.17, 19 

Joint Force Quarterly,9 

k-l 

Labor and Employee Relations Service, 17-18 

Library of Congress, 9, 11, 14 

Library Programs Service, 7 

Los Angeles Regional Procurement Office, 16 

Louisiana State University, 13 

WWW Uniform Resource Locator, 13 

m 

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 58 

MICROCOMP, 6 

Monthly Catalog , GPO, 15 

n 

National Agricultural Statistical Service, 20 

National Archives and Records Administration, 3, 9, 20 

National Archives of Canada, 20 

National Commission on Libraries and Information 

Science, 3 

National Labor Relations Board, 6 

National Performance Review, 20 

Northrop Grumman Corporation, 14 

o 

Occupational Health and Environmental Service, 17 

Office of Personnel Management, 53 

Office of Scientific and Technical Information, 8 

Old-Aged, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, 54 

Online Computer Library Center, 7 

Overtime, 15 

Owensboro, KT, 6 

p 

Partnerships, content and service, 7, 8 

Passport production, 9, 10, 15,36 ● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

Inspector General, Office of the, 18 

Institute of Federal Printing and Electronic Publishing, 5 

Integrated Processing System, 14 

Interagency Council on Printing and Publishing, 3 

Interviewer’s Guide for Conducting Selection 

Interviews, 18 

Item Lister, 12 

Pathway Indexer, 13 

Pathway Services, 4, 12 

WWW Uniform Resource Locator, 12 

Persistent Uniform Resource Locator, 15 

Personnel Compensation and Benefit Cost, 38 

Personnel, Office of, 17 

Photo Imaging System, 18 

79

i
● GPO ANNUAL REPORT 1997

Planning, Office of, 19-20 

Portable Document Format, 11 

Press Division, 9, 17 

Print-On-Demand system, 2 

Printing Procurement Department, 6, 16, 20 

Procurement Analysis and Review Staff, 16 

Production Department, 6, 9, 11, 15, 16, 20 

Promotion and Advertising Branch, 8 

Publications Reference File, 15 

Public Printer, v, 2, 3, 17, 19,21, 50, 58 

Publishing services, 2 

Purchase Division, 6 

q 

Quality Assurance Section, 9 

Quality Assurance Through Attributes Program, 9 

Quality Control and Technical Department, 9, 20 

Quality Systems Division, 20 

r 

Refectory Cafe, Ltd., 58 

Robinson, Jackie, 9 

Rochester Institute of Technology, 9 

s 

Sales Product Catalog, 15 

Sales Program, 8 

San Diego Satellite Printing Procurement Office, 16 

Seattle Printing Procurement Office, 16 

Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, 2 

Senate Journal, 9 

Senate Office of Legislative Counsel, 6 

Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch 

Appropriations, 2 

Significant Accounting Policies, 50 

Social Security Administration, 54 

Sousa Junior High School, 19 

Special Judgment Fund, 56 

Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), 11 

State, Department of, 8-9, 15 

State University of New York — Buffalo, 12 

Statutes at Large, 6 

Sterling, Janice, 20 

Summer Youth Employment Program, 19 

Superintendent of Documents, 3-9, 10, 13, 23, 58 

System Support Section, 16 

t 

Technical Specifications Contract Integration Team, 5 

Term Contract Division, 6 

The Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 9, 20 

Title 44, U.S. Code, Public Printing and Documents, 

2, 17, 50 

THOMAS (Library of Congress), 9, 11 

Thrift Savings Plan, 53 

Transportation Management and Scheduling Sections, 16 

Treasury, Department of, 51 

Typography and Design Division, 5, 9, 20 

u

U.S. Code, 6

U.S. Code Supplement,6 

User Support Team (GPO Access), 14 

U.S. National Commission on Libraries and 

Information Science, 3 

United States Government Manual, 9, 13 

University of Illinois-Chicago, 8 

University of Texas-Arlington, 12 

v 

Voluntary Early Retirement Program, 17 

Voluntary Leave Transfer Program, 17 

w 

Web Page Committee, 7 

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Papers, 20 

Wide Area Information Server, 6 

Windows NT, 16-17 

Woodson Senior High School, 19 

Workers’ Compensation Liability, 53, 56 

World FactBook, 8, 13 

World Wide Web, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 20 

xyz 

Year 2000, 19 

80