During fiscal year 2007, the Federal Citizen Information Center had more than 222 million citizen touchpoints through a variety of channels including USA.gov and other websites, the National Contact Center program, distribution of printed materials through Pueblo, CO, as well as e-mail and web chat inquiries and subscription mailings. In support of these efforts, FCIC prepared and distributed 4 editions of the Consumer Information Catalog, maintained and enhanced the websites, produced and distributed a new edition of the Consumer Action Handbook along with the first Spanish language edition, prepared and distributed news releases and public service announcements to broadcast and print outlets, continued to distribute consumer publications nationwide, and continued to respond to citizen inquiries through a toll-free contact center and e-mail from the public directed to USA.gov.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Maintains a nationwide toll-free contact center to respond to telephone and e-mail inquiries from the general public regarding Federal programs or activities.
Maintains several websites including USA.gov, pueblo.gsa.gov kids.gov, and consumeraction.gov.
USA.gov is the official Internet portal to all U. S. government information and services.
It is the most comprehensive place available online for U. S. government information and services, including federal grants and loans.
The Pueblo site provides access to the full text of hundreds of the most helpful and popular federal documents and links to thousands of useful federal and private sector sites.
Provides a quarterly catalog of selected government and private sector publications of consumer interest in English.
Publishes the Consumer Action Handbook, which helps the public find the best source for solving consumer problems.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
General public.
Beneficiary Eligibility
General public.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
For responses to questions about the Federal government, call the Federal Citizen Information Center at 1 (800) FED INFO (333-4636) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Recorded responses to the most popular topics are always available. For access to federal government information online or to e-mail an inquiry about government services, visit USA.gov. For printed materials, visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov to read or order publications online, or call 1-888-8-PUEBLO (878-3256), or write to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009. To subscribe to free e-mail newsletters, visit USA.gov or to subscribe to the free quarterly Catalog, visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov.
Award Procedures
None.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Executive Order 11566, October 26, 1970; Public Law 95-491, 40 U.S.C. 751.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
47-4549-0-3-376.
Obigations
(Salaries and expenses) FY 07 $14,789,000; FY 08 $17,328,000; and FY 09 est $36,558,000 for FCIC. (Note: In addition to these amounts, other Federal agencies and private sector entities pay the cost of reimbursing the Government Printing Office for distribution of free consumer publications from Pueblo, Colorado and for providing contact center services. These costs are as follows: FY 07 $13,890,000; FY 08 est $10,167,000 ; and FY 09 est $10,450,000. Public Law 98-63 established a revolving fund for the Consumer Information Center (CIC). Under this fund, FCIC activities are financed from the following: Annual appropriations from the general funds of the Treasury, reimbursements from agencies for distribution of publications and contact center services, user fees collected from the public, gifts to defray the cost of printing, publishing, and distributing informational and educational materials and any other income incident to FCIC activities. All are available as authorized in appropriation acts without regard to fiscal year limitations.).
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
With a few exceptions, services and printed materials obtained through the Federal Citizen Information Center are free to the public. Some government publications listed in the Catalog are offered for sale at prices indicated and there is a user fee of $2.00 per total order when ordering free publications through the Catalog via telephone or mail.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Director, Federal Citizen Information Center, General Services Administration, 1800 F Street, NW (XCC) Washington, DC 20405. Telephone: (202)501-1794.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
Getting Out and Staying Out, co-founded by Tony Smith of the VSA Consulting Group, works to reduce recidivism rate among men at Rikers Island, New York City. The recidivism rate significantly dropped from 60-plus percent to under 20 percent, with more than a thousand men over a span of eight years.