GSA #10427

December 4, 2007
Contact:  Lindsey Willis, (202) 501-1231
lindsey.willis@gsa.gov    
 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced today USA Services has won the prestigious President’s Quality Award for Management Excellence. 

“President Bush’s Management Agenda challenged federal agencies to use technology to provide information from Washington when citizens want it, not just when Washington wants to give it to them,” said GSA Administrator Lurita Doan.  “Winning this award shows we have met this challenge, led the way to simpler access to official information and services, and strengthened the bond between citizens and their government.”

USA Services is a Presidential E-Government initiative managed by GSA’s Office of Citizen Services and Communications (OCSC).

The President’s Quality Award is the highest award given to Executive Branch agencies for management excellence.  Established in 1988 to recognize excellence in quality and productivity, the award was redesigned in 2002 to recognize federal agencies that best achieve the objectives of the President’s Management Agenda.

The award recognizes GSA’s leadership in the area of “Expanded Electronic Government.”  Through multiple communication and outreach channels, OCSC directly delivers vital government information and services to citizens, while providing leadership in improving citizen response levels government-wide.  In fiscal year 2007, USA Services achieved 222 million contacts with citizens, making government information and services available through three primary channels:  USA.gov, the official Web portal of the U.S. government, the National Contact Center at 1 (800) FED INFO, and the nationwide print publication program based in Pueblo, Colo.  USA Services’ innovative communication channels with the public include email, Web chat, RSS feeds and GovGab.gov, the recently launched government blog. Also, in fiscal year 2007, USA Services released its first nationwide public service advertising campaign in Spanish, as a companion to the ongoing annual promotion of USA.gov and 1 (800) FED INFO.

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Founded in 1949, GSA serves as a centralized procurement and property management agency for the federal government.  GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government’s total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 208,000 vehicles.  GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 425 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services. GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and E-Gov travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.

Did You Know? USA.gov had 222 million citizen contacts in fiscal year 2007.