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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 8: Required Sources of Supplies and Services › Subpart 8.8

FAR 8.802 Policy.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section states that Government printing must generally be done by or through the Government Publishing Office (GPO), with limited exceptions. It also requires agencies to designate a central printing authority and for contracting officers to get approval from that authority before contracting for printing-related items. Additionally, it restricts how certain paper and envelopes can be acquired.

Applies to: Government agencies and their contracting officers

What it requires

  • Ensure Government printing is done by or through the GPO unless an exception applies.
  • Designate a central printing authority.
  • Obtain approval from the designated central printing authority before contracting for items defined in 8.801 and for composition, platemaking, presswork, binding, and micrographics (when used as a substitute for printing).
  • Requisition paper and envelopes for use by Executive agencies outside the District of Columbia and stocked by GSA from GSA in accordance with FPMR 41 CFR part 101, subpart 101-26.3.

Key terms: Government Publishing Office (GPO) · central printing authority · Congressional Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) · Public Printer · field printing plants

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The 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.

Sections it refers to

← 8.801 Definitions. · 8.1100 Scope of subpart. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 8

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 8.802 Policy · SpendQuery