-Do opportunities exist to eliminate waste and inefficient use of public funds? -Are funds being spent legally and is accounting for them accurate?

—Are programs achieving desired results, or are changes needed in Government policies or management? -Are there better ways of accomplishing each program's objectives at lower costs?

-What emerging or key issues should the Congress consider?

Accounting and Financial Management Policy The Office helps ensure that the Congress has available for its use current, accurate, and complete financial management data. To do this, GAO: -prescribes accounting principles and standards for the executive branch;

-advises other Federa! agencies on fiscal and related policies and procedures; and

-prescribes standards for auditing and evaluating government programs.

In addition, the Comptroller General, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget develop standardized information and data processing systems. This includes standard terminology, definitions, classifications, and codes for fiscal, budgetary, and program-related data and information.

Legal Services The Office provides various legal services to the Congress. In response to inquiries from committees and Members, the Comptroller General provides advice on legal issues involving Government programs and activities. GAO is also available to assist in drafting legislation and reviewing legislative proposals before the Congress. In addition, GAO reviews and reports to the Congress on proposed rescissions and deferrals of Government funds.

Other legal services include resolving bid protests that challenge Government contract awards, assisting Government agencies in interpreting the laws

governing the expenditure of public funds, and adjudicating claims for and against the Government.

In addition, GAO has a staff of trained investigators who conduct special investigations and assist auditors and evaluators when they encounter possible criminal and civil misconduct. When warranted, GAO refers the results of its investigations to the Department of Justice and other law enforcement authorities.

Reporting Authorities The Office offers a range of products to communicate the results of its work. The type of product depends on the assignment's objectives and the needs of the intended user. Product types include testimony, oral briefings, and written reports. All of GAO's unclassified reports are available to the public. However, GAO will honor a requester's desire to withhold release of a report for up to 30 days. The report will be made public automatically following the requester's release or public disclosure of the report's contents.

A list of GAO reports issued or released during the previous month is furnished monthly to Congress, committees, and Members. Copies of GAO reports are furnished to interested congressional parties; Federal, State, local, and foreign governments; members of the press; college faculty, students, and libraries; and nonprofit organizations. Copies of unclassified reports are available from the U.S. General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 6015, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Phone, 202275-6241. The first five copies of each report are free; additional copies are $2 each. There is a 25-percent discount on orders of 100 or more copies mailed to a single address. Orders must be prepaid by cash or by check or money order made out to the Superintendent of Documents.

The Government Printing Office (GPO) began operations in accordance with Congressional Joint Resolution 25 of June 23, 1860. The activities of the Government Printing Office are outlined and defined in the act of October 22, 1968, as amended (44 U.S.C. 101 et seq.).

The congressional Joint Committee on Printing serves in an oversight capacity for the Government Printing Office. The Public Printer, who serves as the head of the agency, is required by law to be a practical printer versed in the art of bookbinding and is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Activities

The Government Printing Office executes orders for printing and binding placed by Congress and the departments and establishments of the Federal Government. It furnishes blank paper, inks, and similar supplies to all governmental activities on order. It prepares catalogs and distributes and sells Government publications.

The Office invites bids from commercial suppliers on a wide variety of printing and binding services, awards and administers contracts, and maintains liaison between ordering agencies and contractors.

Printing and binding processes used are electronic photocomposition; linotype and hand composition; letterpress printing and photopolymer platemaking; offset photography, stripping, platemaking, and press; and manual and machine bookbinding.

The Office sells through mail orders and Government bookstores approximately 20,000 different publications that originate in various Government agencies and administers the depository library program through which selected Government publications are made available in libraries throughout the country.

Sources of Information

Contracts Printing and binding enterprises should direct inquiries to the Manager, Printing Procurement

Department, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20401 (phone, 202–
275-2265), or contact the GPO Regional
Printing Procurement Office in the
following cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,
Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Hampton,
VA, Los Angeles, New York,
Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Francisco, or
Seattle.

Suppliers of paper and kindred products; printing and binding equipment, related parts, and supplies; purchasers of scrap or surplus printing and binding equipment, waste, and salvage materials; and freight carriers should contact the Director of Materials Management, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401. Phone,

202-275-2701.

The booklet How To Do Business with the Government Printing Office, A Guide for Contractors is available on request from any of the regional procurement offices mentioned. Employment Office of Personnel Management registers are used in filling administrative, technical, and clerical positions. Inquiries should be directed to the Chief, Employment Branch, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401. Phone, 202-275-2951. Publications Orders and inquiries concerning publications for sale by the Government Printing Office should be directed to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Phone, 202783-3238.

To keep abreast of Government publications, the public is offered listings of varying scope.

The GPO Sales Publications Reference File (PRF) provides author, title, and subject access to Government publications available for sale through the Superintendent of Documents. Issued in biweekly magnetic tape and bimonthly microfiche editions, it is available for purchase from the Superintendent of Documents.

The Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications is the most comprehensive listing of Government publications issued by Federal

departments and agencies. It is available