Summary

With the emergence of various electronic technologies, the traditional definitions of printing and duplicating have become blurred. As a result, the framework of laws and regulations used to manage government publishing has become outdated. Because outdated definitions drive federal publishing decisions--rather than sound business practices that stress cost-effectiveness and customer service--agencies are confused about how best to manage their publishing activities. Moreover, the federal government's two largest printers, the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the Defense Printing Service (DPS), are operating with excess capacity. In fiscal year 1993, GPO reported revenues of $817 million and DPS reported revenues of $403 million. Both GPO and DPS are challenged with managing current operations under existing laws, regulations, and guidance, while planning future operations that respond to the rapid technological change. Both are experiencing operating losses as a result of diminishing workloads and excess capacity. Some DPS practices are inconsistent with applicable laws, regulations, and congressional guidance. For example, DPS has procured some printing work that should have gone to GPO, has filled a small amount of printing orders for non-DOD agencies, and has acquired duplicating equipment without certification from the Joint Committee on Printing or the Public Printer of the United States.

GAO found that: (1) the laws and regulations used to manage government publishing operations are outdated; (2) the two largest government printing entities are operating with excess capacity and experiencing operating losses and diminishing workloads; (3) these entities are challenged with managing current operations under existing laws while planning future operations that respond to rapid technological change; (4) certain DPS practices are inconsistent with applicable laws and congressional guidance; and (5) the publishing entities' future operational plans are largely dependent on the outcome of proposals to revise existing legislation.