Title 44, Public Printing and DocumentsRelease 119-102
§515 Default of Contractor; New Contracts and Purchase in Open Market
Title 44 › CHAPTER 5 — PRODUCTION AND PROCUREMENT OF PRINTING AND BINDING › § 515
Summary
If a contractor defaults, the Director of the Government Publishing Office must notify the Joint Committee on Printing. Under the Committee’s direction, the Director must either give a new contract to the lowest, best, responsible bidder from the rejected bids or advertise for new proposals under sections 509–517. While that is settled, he may buy needed paper on the open market at the lowest market price.
Full Legal Text
Title 44, §515
Public Printing and Documents, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
If a contractor fails to comply with his contract, the Director of the Government Publishing Office shall report the default to the Joint Committee on Printing, and under its direction, enter into a new contract with the lowest, best, and most responsible bidder for the interest of the Government among those whose proposals were rejected at the last opening of bids, or he shall advertise for new proposals, under the regulations provided by section 509–517 of this title. During the interval that may thus occur he may, under the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing, purchase in open market, at the lowest market price, paper necessary for the public printing.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., § 11 (Jan. 12, 1895, ch. 23, § 9, 28 Stat. 602; Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 163, § 6, 39 Stat. 1121).
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2014—Pub. L. 113–235 substituted “Director of the Government Publishing Office” for “Public Printer”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
44 U.S.C. § 515
Title 44, Public Printing and Documents
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102