FAR 8.802—Policy.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 8.802 states the basic policy for federal printing and related items. It explains when government printing must be done by or through the Government Publishing Office (GPO), the limited exceptions to that rule, and the requirement for agencies to designate a central printing authority. It also requires contracting officers to get approval from that central printing authority before buying printing or related services, including composition, platemaking, presswork, binding, and micrographics when used as a substitute for printing. In addition, the section addresses the special statutory rules for paper and envelopes: in the District of Columbia, the Public Printer may furnish certain paper and envelopes in common use, and those items may not be acquired any other way; outside the District of Columbia, Executive agencies must requisition stocked paper and envelopes from GSA under the applicable property management procedures. In practice, this section is about controlling how agencies obtain printing-related products and services, ensuring compliance with statutory printing authorities, and preventing unauthorized procurement channels.
Key Rules
GPO is the default source
Government printing must be done by or through the Government Publishing Office unless a statutory exception applies. This makes GPO the normal channel for federal printing and places the burden on agencies to use it unless they can fit within one of the listed exceptions.
Limited exceptions apply
Printing may be obtained outside GPO only when GPO cannot provide the service, when the work is done in an agency field printing plant, when it is acquired from allotments for contract field printing, or when another statute specifically authorizes a different method. These exceptions are narrow and must be supported by the applicable legal authority.
Central printing authority approval required
Each agency head must designate a central printing authority, which may serve as the liaison with the Joint Committee on Printing and the Public Printer. Contracting officers must obtain that authority’s approval before contracting for covered printing items or related production services.
Approval covers related production services
The approval requirement is not limited to finished printed products. It also applies to composition, platemaking, presswork, binding, and micrographics when micrographics is used as a substitute for printing.
Special rule for paper and envelopes in D.C.
Under 44 U.S.C. 1121, the Public Printer may acquire and furnish certain paper and envelopes in common use by multiple federal organizations in the District of Columbia, and those items may not be acquired in any other manner. Agencies in the District must use this channel when the items are covered by the statute.
GSA requisitioning outside D.C.
For Executive agencies outside the District of Columbia, paper and envelopes stocked by GSA must be requisitioned from GSA under the applicable Federal Property Management Regulations procedures. Agencies cannot bypass the GSA supply process for those stocked items.
Responsibilities
Agency Head
Designate a central printing authority for the agency. Ensure the agency has an internal approval and liaison structure for printing matters consistent with statutory and FAR requirements.
Central Printing Authority
Act as the agency’s approval point for printing-related procurements and may serve as liaison with the Joint Committee on Printing and the Public Printer. Review and approve or disapprove proposed contracting actions for covered printing items and related services.
Contracting Officer
Obtain approval from the designated central printing authority before contracting for printing items or related services covered by this section, whether the procurement is direct or bundled with other supplies or services. Ensure the acquisition route complies with GPO, GSA, or other statutory requirements.
Government Publishing Office (GPO) / Public Printer
Provide government printing when required by statute and furnish paper and envelopes in the District of Columbia when authorized under 44 U.S.C. 1121. Determine when GPO cannot provide a printing service under the statutory exception.
General Services Administration (GSA)
Stock and furnish paper and envelopes for Executive agencies outside the District of Columbia, and process requisitions in accordance with the applicable property management procedures.
Executive Agencies
Use the required printing and supply channels, including GPO, agency field printing plants, GSA requisitions, or other authorized statutory methods. Do not acquire covered paper and envelopes through unauthorized sources.
Practical Implications
Before buying anything that looks like printing, check whether it falls within the statutory definition in FAR 8.801 and whether central printing authority approval is required.
Do not assume that bundling printing with another supply or service avoids the rule; the approval requirement applies even when printing is acquired indirectly through another contract.
Watch for the narrow exceptions to GPO use. If an exception is claimed, the file should clearly document the legal basis and why the exception applies.
Paper and envelopes are not ordinary office supplies under this section. In the District of Columbia, covered items must come through the Public Printer; outside D.C., stocked items must be requisitioned from GSA.
A common compliance mistake is treating micrographics as outside the printing rules. When micrographics is used as a substitute for printing, it is subject to the same approval requirement.
Contracting officers should coordinate early with the agency’s central printing authority to avoid delays, improper solicitations, or awards that cannot be used because the required approval was not obtained.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Government printing must be done by or through the Government Publishing Office (GPO) ( 44 U.S.C. 501 ), unless- (1) The GPO cannot provide the printing service ( 44 U.S.C. 504 ); (2) The printing is done in field printing plants operated by an executive agency ( 44 U.S.C. 501(2) ); (3) The printing is acquired by an executive agency from allotments for contract field printing ( 44 U.S.C. 501(2) ); or (4) The printing is specifically authorized by statute to be done other than by the GPO. (b) The head of each agency shall designate a central printing authority; that central printing authority may serve as the liaison with the Congressional Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) and the Public Printer on matters related to printing. Contracting officers shall obtain approval from their designated central printing authority before contracting in any manner, whether directly or through contracts for other supplies or services, for the items defined in 8.801 and for composition, platemaking, presswork, binding, and micrographics (when used as a substitute for printing). (c) (1) Further, 44 U.S.C.1121 provides that the Public Printer may acquire and furnish paper and envelopes (excluding envelopes printed in the course of manufacture) in common use by two or more Government departments, establishments, or services within the District of Columbia, and provides for reimbursement of the Public Printer from available appropriations or funds. Paper and envelopes that are furnished by the Public Printer may not be acquired in any other manner. (2) Paper and envelopes for use by Executive agencies outside the District of Columbia and stocked by GSA shall be requisitioned from GSA in accordance with the procedures listed in Federal Property Management Regulations (FPMR) 41 CFR part 101 , subpart 101-26.3.