Summary: In the past few years, GAO has recommended that government printing operations be improved in the areas of: service to the public; pricing of publications sold to the public; management of agency printing plants; and management of regional printing procurement offices. In accordance with these recommendations, the Government Printing Office and other agencies have implemented many changes; printing costs have been reduced, and productivity has increased.
The procurement process for many orders has been shortened. Sales revenues now exceed costs. Greater use by several agencies of regional printing procurement has reduced costs and increased productivity. Interagency groups are currently studying how printing can best be done in certain geographical areas. Customer service has been greatly speeded up, and inventory and quality control have been much improved. Regional procurement offices now provide better service to federal agencies than they did in 1974; for instance, in the contractor selection and billing processes.
