GSA # 9966

July 23, 2002
Contact: Ed Larkin (202) 501-1231
edwin.larkin@gsa.gov

Washington, DC - GSA Administrator Stephen Perry announced today the creation of the U.S. General Services new Office of Citizen Services and Communications (OCSC). Perry said this move is closely tied to President Bush's management agenda which calls for making government more citizen-centered, results-oriented and expands the use of Internet technology for e-government. Additionally, the new initiative will streamline the way citizens will have access to information about government services.

"The new Office of Citizen Services and Communications opens the way for the public to interact with government by creating a single front door to the services and information they require in the medium they prefer," Administrator Perry said.

Resources from the Office of Communications, Federal Consumer Information Center (FCIC), Office of Intergovernmental Solutions, the Office of Information Technology as well as the Office of FirstGov operations in the Office of Governmentwide Policy are being consolidated into the newly established OCSC.

"The need to provide the American people with fast, accurate and easy to use information about government services and activities has been steadily accelerating," Perry said. "The Office of Citizen Services and Communications streamlines the way citizens, businesses, state and local governments, and the media can get the information they need regarding the federal government on the web, over the telephone, and in print -- and soon via e-mail and fax -- more efficiently and effectively."

The new OCSC websites provide the public with information in direct, simple language that is convenient and easy to use. By searching millions of federal, state and local government web pages, these sites get citizens what they want when they want it. OCSC also offers citizens the opportunity to call toll-free 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636) and get the same federal information. And to get information in print, citizens can write for the free Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo 81009. The catalog features hundreds of low-cost federal publications on everything from housing and car buying to health and financial questions.

With the new office, emergency services will also be more readily available. "Our goal is to swap red tape for a red carpet that will allow Americans to step up and get the information they need," Mary Joy Jameson, new Associate Administrator for the Office of Citizen Services and Communication, said.