Book-buying made easy for feds

With the federal government spending nearly $70 million on books and publications in the past fiscal year, Fatbrain.com Inc. saw a market worth exploring.

Fatbrain.com, an online seller of professional and technical books, announced Tuesday that it has been added to the General Services Administration schedule for books and other information resources.

Government employees in military and civilian agencies will be able to access Fatbrain.com's selection of books and training materials online under the multiple-award schedule.

"The service streamlines all of the publishing of materials and gets them online so they can be printed out," said a company spokesman.

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of barnesandnnoble.com LLC. Fatbrain.com carries business and technology publications, including those from the Government Printing Office, and accepts purchase cards, blanket purchase agreements, purchase orders and basic ordering agreements.

Government employees will be able to search, browse and buy materials online covering subjects ranging from computers and the Internet to engineering and science.

"Our success and experience in working with corporations has allowed us to do business in the government market," said Dennis Capovilla, president and chief executive officer at Fatbrain.com. "Our General Services Administration endorsement is a clear sign that the government recognizes the value of providing employees information and materials they need."