The Government Printing Office announced Wednesday that it has tapped the Dallas-based Staubach Co. — a real-estate advisory firm founded by former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach — to assist in its search for a new headquarters building.

Public Printer Bruce James revealed in February that the agency would look to vacate the North Capitol Street site it has occupied since 1860, citing the high cost of maintaining the current 1.5 million-square-foot facility.

[IMGCAP(1)] “Today the Government Printing Office is one step closer to saving taxpayers an estimated $35 million dollars a year,” James said in a statement Wednesday. “That is because we are making great progress towards realizing an innovative project that would redevelop the GPO’s historic structures and in turn allow the agency to relocate from an aging multi-story building to a new, modern and efficient facility.”

A new headquarters has yet to be identified, but James has said the printing agency will likely stay within the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. GPO officials hope to have the facility ready for use by December 2007.

The Staubach Co. also will advise GPO on the redevelopment of its existing facility, which James has suggested could be renovated for commercial use.

— Jennifer Yachnin