What is the Federal Citizen Information Center?
The Federal Citizen Information Center [FCIC] brings together an array of U.S. Government information and services and makes them accessible to the public. This information is made available on the Internet, via e-mail, in print, or over the telephone.
Originally established within the General Services Administration [GSA] by Executive order on October 26, 1970, to help Federal departments and agencies promote and distribute printed consumer information, FCIC has evolved and consolidated a variety of complementary functions to augment the original print and media channels through which it informed the public.
On January 28, 2000, the FCIC assumed responsibility for the operations of the Federal Information Center [FIC] program. The FIC program was established within the General Services Administration in 1966, and was formalized by Public Law 95-491 in 1980. The program's purpose is to provide the public with direct information about all aspects of Federal programs, regulations, and services. To accomplish this mission, contractual services are used to respond to public inquiries via the nationwide toll-free National Contact Center.
On June 30, 2002, FCIC assumed operational control of the FirstGov.gov website, the official portal of the U.S. Government, and became a critical part of GSA's newly established Office of Citizen Services and Communications. This Office brings together all of GSA's citizen-centered programs. The new Office serves as a central Federal gateway for citizens, businesses, other governments, and the media to easily obtain information and services from the Government. On March 31, 2003, FCIC began accepting e-mail and fax inquiries from the public through the FirstGov.gov website and responds to them at its National Contact Center. FirstGov.gov was recently renamed USA.gov.
Public Law 98-63, enacted July 30, 1983, established a revolving fund for the FCIC. Under this fund, FCIC activities are financed from the following: annual appropriations from the general funds of the Treasury, reimbursements from agencies for distribution of publications and contact center services, user fees collected from the public, and any other income incident to FCIC activities. All are available as authorized in appropriation acts without regard to fiscal year limitations.
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What resources do you have for teachers?
We pulled together a variety of print and online resources for middle and high school teachers on a new Free for Teachers page.
Print publications, lesson plans, and posters help students learn how to find useful government information, making them smarter consumers and citizens.
Our partner site, Kids.gov has a new Educator's section. Need a lesson plan on Internet safety? Want a fun activity about the American presidency? Or how about a new web resource on conservation? There�s something for every classroom at Kids.gov.
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How can I make
suggestions (publications, Website improvements, ordering processes,
etc.)?
To make suggestions about our services, please e-mail us or write to
us at:
Federal Citizen Information Center (XCC)
GSA, Rm. G-142
1800 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20405
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