GAO Frequently Asked Questions

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About GAO

Electronic Access Information

Printed Copy Order Info

GAO's Month in Review

GAO Reference Guides

GAO Research Service

Suggestions/Comments

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Electronic Access Information

The GAO now makes electronic files of released reports available. To retrieve GAO reports as FULL TEXT ASCII or PDF (Portable Document Format) electronic files from Government Printing Office (GPO) Access via a WAIS (Wide Area Information Search) database.

FULL TEXT AND GRAPHICS

  1. Via WWW Home Page
  2. Go to: GAO Home Page
  3. Select Reports and Testimony then select either:
  4. Recently Issued Reports or Search for GAO Reports
  5. perform prompted search for document(s). For example, a KEYWORD search on a subject: "Welfare Reform", OR a search on the REPORT NUMBER field: HEHS-98-62 (MUST use quotes) NOTE: Be sure to hit SUBMIT button to process search.
  6. download or mail the file(s) to yourself.

See Helpful Hints and WAIS Manual files for more information on searching techniques. For additional access options or questions on using the GPO system, contact GPO at their Help Desk or call 202-512-1530.

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GAO's Daybook

The GAO Daybook is a daily listing of released GAO reports and testimony; it is posted to the home page every business day.

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GAO's Daybook via Mailing List

GAO now has a mailing list service for a daily electronic posting of the GAO Daybook

The GAO Daybook mailing list is a distribution-only list. Subscribers automatically receive two e-mail messages each business day. The GAO Daybook is released at approximately 1:00 pm EST.

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GAO'S Daybook via FAX

GAO's Daybook is available by FAX, also. The automated voice menu number is: 202-512-6000 - Option #3

You can use a touch tone telephone to access a menu system to request GAO Daybooks - via FAX - 24 hours a day. You only need your FAX number and a touch tone telephone for this service. There is no charge for this service.

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Comptroller General Decisions

The full-text of Comptroller General Decisions can be accessed via GAO's Home Page. Files are available in a HTML format and a PDF format.

Decisions released in the past 60 days can be found in the "Recently Issued" section. Older decisions can be located by searching via the WAIS database.

For further details, go to Comptroller General Decisions.

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Comptroller General Decisions via Mailing List

The Comptroller General Decisions mailing list is a "distribution-only" list. Subscribers to the Decisions mailing list automatically receive ONLY one e-mail message each business day. Subscribers can NOT post messages to this list. Select to subscribe to the Comptroller General Decisions mailing list.

Permanent, Stable Links to GAO Documents

Stable, permanent URL links to GAO documents are now possible. A URL Demonstration Page has been established containing examples and underlying code.

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Portable Document Files (PDF)

Icons provide links to Portable Document Format (PDF) PDF icon] versions of the full text of a GAO document. Free readers for PDF files and more information about PDF are available from Adobe Systems, Inc. For for further information on how to download the PDF viewer and configure your browser, please visit:

For help using Acrobat, see Adobe Acrobat Reader Tips.

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Printed Copy Order Information

The first printed copy of each document is FREE of charge. Additional copies are $2.00 each.

Checks and credit cards are accepted. Checks or money orders should be made out to the Superintendent of Documents, when necessary. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are discounted 25%.

To order by mail send the report number accompanied by your payment to:

U.S. Government Accountability Office
P.O. Box 37050
Washington, DC 20013

Orders may also abe placed by calling (202)512-6000 or by using fax number (202)512-6061 or TDD (202)512-2537).

You may also order by E-Mail.

Please include the report number and complete postal mailing information in your request.

Telephone requests can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During non-business hours, leave a voice mail message with complete information, including the report number and postal mailing information.

Copies may also be picked up at the GAO headquarters at:

Room 1100
700 4th St. NW
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Washington, DC

We are one block from the Judiciary Square Metro Red Line station. Use the "F" Street exit and go to the corner of 4th & G St, NW. Click here for a Map.

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Customer ID/Account Numbers

The customer ID number (or account number) is the eight-digit number above your name on a GAO mailing label. ID numbers may be obtained by being added to the mailing list for the GAO Month in Review. For subscription details, see GAO's Month in Review.

ID numbers are preferred when ordering documents so that we can expedite processing. However, it is NOT necessary to have an ID number when ordering GAO documents.

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Ordering of Printed Copies online

Printed copies of GAO reports (to be delivered by U.S. Postal Service mail) can be ordered online by using a World Wide Web form. This requires a forms and tables- capable browser.

Users without web access or without a forms and tables-capable browser may order printed copies of GAO reports (to be delivered by U.S. Postal Service mail) using e-mail. E-mail orders MUST be placed using an electronic form.

To receive an order form automatically, e-mail: Order Form

Completed order forms should be e-mailed to: Orders

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GAO's Month in Review

The monthly catalog of reports and testimonies, "Month in Review", includes abstracts of the items issued that month, arranged by subject.

The most current issue of GAO's "Month in Review" is listed on the Reports and Testimony page. Back issues of GAO's "Month in Review" are listed on the GAO WAIS Document Database. (See Electronic Access Information)

For a FREE mail subscription to GAO's "Month in Review", please send a request via one of numbers or addresses cited in Printed Copy Order Info. You may retreive an Order Form via e-mail. At the bottom of the form, delete the "Report Number" fields and type:

Subscribe Monthly Catalog - List #0004

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GAO Reference Guides

GAO Annual Index

GAO Abstracts and Index of Reports and Testimony: Fiscal Years 1998, 1997, and 1996

The electronic cumulative indexes to publications provide an excellent overview of the U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) work during FY 1998 and FY 1997. They allows the user to browse by subject, category, or title.

GAO/OIMC/OPA-97-1A and 1B is a two volume set summarizing more than 1,000 reports issued between October of 1995 and September 1996. To order a free copy, see the printed copy order information section.

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GAO Thesaurus

GAO Thesaurus (GAO/OIMC-95-1) January, 1995

The Third Edition of the GAO Thesaurus lists more than 3,600 terms which are used to index GAO documents and retrieve information from the GAO documents data base. The thesaurus is divided into three parts: an alphabetical thesaurus of subject terms; a keyword out of context (KWOC) index; and a section containing microthesauri for selected subject areas.

To order a free copy, see printed copy order information.

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Comptroller General's 1997 Annual Report

Comptroller General's 1997 Annual Report

Activate this link to view or download the PDF file.

GAO reported on its audit activities for fiscal year (FY) 1997. GAO:

  • discussed its priority review areas and summarized its major accomplishments on issues including:
  • budget and deficit reductions
  • government efficiency and accountability
  • high risk programs
  • financial and information management
  • trends that affect budget and oversight capabilities
  • highlighted reports and testimonies issued during FY 1997;
  • gave an overview of GAO operations and financial management; and
  • presented its FY 1997 financial statements and independent auditor reports.

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GAO Research Service

In order to service your GAO document order in a timely manner, please have the complete document number available. For example, GGD-98-98.

The publications cited above (GAO Daybook, GAO Month in Review, and GAO Annual Index) or the WAIS database can be of assistance in locating specific documents.

If you are still unable to locate the information you require, GAO has limited research available. Research requests may be made by filling out a Web form (requires a forms and HTML 3.0 tables-capable web browser). Research requests can also be placed by e-mail, telephone, FAX, mail, or in person to the numbers and addresses cited above in the printed copy order information section.

For research via e-mail, please send your research request to: Orders with "RESEARCH" in the SUBJECT line. A bibliography will be e-mailed in approximately 3 business days. We do not fill research requests by e-mailing specific documents. Please see Electronic Access Information for details on downloading files.

When requesting research services, please be as specific as possible. Dates, specific subject matter, relevant agencies and programs are all helpful in determining which GAO report will best meet your information needs. A bibliography will be sent to you, along with an order form.

Please contact GPO for all assistance regarding the WAIS database and query matters. See electronic access information.

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Suggestions/Comments

GAO is very interested in your feedback on products and services. We welcome your suggestions to improve our services. Because of the volume of inquiries, we are unable to respond to each suggestion individually. However, we can assure you that all comments posted will be read and passed on to the appropriate GAO office.

Please forward comments and suggestions to: contact@gao.gov

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