U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE, 732 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC 20401-0001 | 202.512.1800

 Form Updates FAQ

Why were these forms revised?

■ National Security — To improve GPO

processes concerning handling classified

and sensitive but unclassified materials,

in addition to other instances regarding

the handling of Personally Identifiable

Information (PII).

■ Customer Focus — To improve the

billing processes by collecting more

comprehensive billing information up

front.

■ Changing Technology — To update the

printing specification section based on

current technologies.

Ordering Instructions are being provided as 

guidance material that will assist form users 

in accurately describing their print-related 

requirements.

The SF-1 states “Previous Editions 

Not Useable”. Does that mean that I 

cannot use an older version?

That line is standard GSA language on the 

standard forms. GPO is encouraging all 

agencies to switch to the new forms. New 

required fields have been added to the 

SF-1. If an old form is received and the 

required information is not included on the 

request, GPO will have to contact the 

agency to acquire the appropriate 

information. This could slow down the 

processing of your job.

Why is this a paper-based process?

GPO is in the process of developing an online work flow for order placement. 

Agencies will be notified when this system 

is launched.

What is the Line of Accounting (LOA) 

used for?

Agencies use the LOA to meet their own 

requirements. It is not required by GPO. If 

you would like accounting identification 

information to appear on your IPAC bill, it 

can be entered into the LOA field.

I have two different Line of

Accountings (LOAs). Where do I put 

the second one?

One LOA can be entered into the indicated 

box. A comment should be made in the 

box that an additional LOA is located in the 

Additional Information space.

What does it mean if I check the 

“Rush” block? What constitutes a 

rush order?

Any SF-1 that indicates that it is a Rush 

will be given priority over other customer 

orders, no matter what the schedule is. 

For this priority service, a 16% surcharge 

will be added to the first $350,000, with 

any excess amount above the ceiling being 

assessed a 2% surcharge, plus a $15 

handling charge.

Where can I get instructions for filling

out each form field?

You can download a set of instructions 

from the GPO Web site at https://

www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/

agency/services-for-agencies/guidesand-instructions. A video tutorial will also

be available at that link. 

If I need help filling out the new SF-1 

who do I call?

An agency may call the National Account 

Managers, the Central Office Team or 

Regional Office who will be administrating 

their work, or the office of the in-house 

service that you require. You can find the 

appropriate contact information at https://

www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/

agency/services-for-agencies/

procurement-services-teams. 

“Estimate (For GPO Use Only)” — Do 

I need to provide an estimate for this 

or is it for GPO use only?

This space is for GPO only. 

If the “Estimate” block is not for 

agency estimates, where should our 

estimate appear?

If you would like to put an estimate on the 

SF-1, it should go in the Additional 

Information block.

Is the Treasury Account Symbol (TAS)

required?

All Central Accounting Reporting System 

(CARS) reporting agencies are required to 

provide a TAS-BETC, assigned by 

Treasury, for each order submitted to 

GPO. As a CARS reporter, your TASBETC was provided to your financial 

department during registration. Your 

finance department should be prepared to 

provide the required TAS-BETC 

information for your agency. 

On the SPA Work Order, “Contractor 

Total Quote”, is this the contractor’s 

price plus GPO surcharge and 

handling fee?

No. This is the total quote given by the 

contractor at time of award. GPO will add 

the surcharge and handling fee when 

billing the agency. The contractor will also 

give the cost of any Superintendent of 

Documents rider copies so that 

GPO will know exactly what to charge 

Superintendent of Documents.

What if I don’t have enough space

to describe my order in “Additional

Information”?

A Supplemental Information page has

been designed to capture that information.

Certain publication identifiers from the face

of the form will automatically populate the

Supplemental Information page in order

to identify the specifications should the

second page get separated from the job

and to reduce keying errors.

Who is authorized to sign the SF-1?

The SF-1 must be signed by a person who 

is authorized by their agency to 

obligate funds on behalf of their agency. 

Agency authorization must be on file at 

GPO. For more information go to https://

www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/

agency/circular-letters/signatureauthorization-for-departments-andagencies-submitting-printing-andbinding-requisitions-to-gpo.

Will GPO accept digital signatures?

Yes, GPO will accept electronic 

signatures. Please see https://

www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/

agency/circular-letters/signatureauthorization-for-departments-andagencies-submitting-printing-andbinding-requisitions-to-gpo.