The GPO Contracts with R R Donnelley & Sons to Print 1.5 Billion Documents for the 2020 U.S. Census

Lest there be any doubt about the persistence of printing on paper in the digital era, in July 2019 the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) awarded the contract for printing 1.5 billion paper census forms, letters, and other mailings for the 2020 US Census to R. R. Donnelley & Sons, of Chicago, following a competitive procurement process. The value of the contract was $114,557.201.27.

"GPO’s nationwide print procurement program provides significant economic opportunities for private sector companies to expand their business by providing services to Federal agency customers on a national level. Nearly 75% of all printing ordered by Federal agencies from GPO is performed by private sector firms working under contract with the agency. GPO typically awards contracts to about 700 printing contractors a year. Nearly 10,000 companies are registered to do business with the agency, using GPO as their one-stop shop for print contract opportunities. GPO's long-standing relationship with the private sector dates back to the 1940s."