CBD PRINTING FEE FOR NOTICES Beginning October 1, 1995, the Commerce Business Daily (CBD) will be required to charge all organizations a fee for printing notices in the CBD. The amount will be $18 for any notice. Background: The CBD is the public notification medium by which Federal contracting activities announce proposed procurement actions, contract awards, and other information. In addition, prime contractors, foreign governments, and some non-profit organizations may publish notices in the CBD. For approximately 45 years the CBD has provided free printing services. During this period, printing expenses were paid with appropriated funds. Beginning in FY 1996, appropriations will no longer be provided. Instead, originating offices will be charged a flat rate of $18 per notice. The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), Office of Comptroller, will assume responsibility for the delivery of invoices and collection of payments. Originating offices that fail to make their payments by the required due date, to the GPO's Office of Comptroller will have their service suspended. This means that they will not have their notices published in the CBD. Even if the notices are received by the CBD in the correct format as specified in FAR Subpart 5.2. Testing Period: A test period of two to three months prior to October 1 will be conducted. The test period will consist of (1) Creating and delivering billings to the originating offices (no payment will be required); (2) Getting their feedback and making any necessary adjusts to the billing system. For Further Information Contact: Norman Meltzer or Jennifer Philbrick, Department of Commerce, Assistance Secretary for Administration, Office of Administrative Services, Office of Administrative Operations on (202) 482-0632.

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