Subject: Government Printing Office (GPO) Waivers	Number:

8-01
Distribution:

ARS: PAOs

AFM

COs	Date:

May 14, 1999	This Replaces:

N/A

Background	Questions sometimes arise concerning the role of the procurement
official, in assuring that an appropriate GPO waiver is obtained	before a procurement action is taken for printing requirements, that are not done by or through the Government Printing Office.

Policy Guidance	AGAR Subpart 408.8 specifically states that "the contracting officer shall verify that the requisite approval (waiver) has been received by the publication liaison officer or requisitioner." In addition, "the approval shall be maintained in the contract file."

For your information, requisitioners can request a waiver directly	from their cognizant Regional GPO Printing and Procurement	Office for printing needs up to $1,000. If the printing estimate
exceeds $1,000, then all requests for GPO approval, must go
directly to the USDA's Office of Communications, who will then	submit the request to the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP). The	Office of Communications has no approval authority; however	they will obtain the approval/disapproval from the JCP and then	forward it back to the requisitioner.

It is not the responsibility of procurement personnel to obtain these approvals or waivers for printing requirements. These approvals	are required to be included in the AD-700 and the statement of	work before the procurement staff can determine that the
requirement is complete and "ready" for procurement action.
Policy on printing requirements is contained in REE P&P 151.1- ARS.

If the purchase card is used, the file must contain the appropriate approval documentation.

PAOs must distribute to locations.

Action Required by REE	Assure that the requisitioner has provided the necessary approval Contracting Officers	when submitting their printing requirement that requests it not be
done through GPO.

If you have any questions on this, please contact your cognizant	Area Procurement Officer to obtain proper guidance.

PPD Point of Contact	Policy Branch, PPD 301-504-1725

Approved:	/s/

Richard G. Irwin, Director

Procurement and Property Division