U.S. GSA Sets Round 3 For Office Supplies Strategic Sourcing

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U.S. GSA Sets Round 3 For Office Supplies Strategic Sourcing
By Jason Miller
The General Services Administration is taking on the bulk buying of office supplies for a third time. Late Friday, it released the request for proposals for OS3 under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative.

            

The solicitation is for four categories of office supplies: general office supplies, paper, toner/ink and GSA On-the-Go, which is a lowest price, technically acceptable section requiring expedited delivery of the order within four hours in the top 10 metro areas by population.

GSA expects to make as many as 21 awards under the contract, which is estimated to be worth $1.25 billion over five years.

The agency said it expects OS3 to save the government $65 million annually on administrative costs plus an additional $90 million in annual savings captured through lower prices.

"The new model, which eliminates an acquisition level of contracting (i.e. the BPAs) is designed to leverage industry purchasing volume power and dynamic pricing capabilities to the maximum extent, will increase internal efficiencies and our effectiveness in supporting customer requirements, will increase small business opportunity while lowering government costs and will increase savings to customer agencies and ultimately, the taxpayer," GSA wrote in the solicitation.

GSA said it improved OS3 over OS2 by increasing the number of awardees to 21 from 15 reduced data reporting requirements and no longer requires companies to use the price reduction clause.

The current office supplies contract expires in May. GSA said agencies are expected to spend more than $800 million on OS2 by the time it ends.

Proposals are due March 17.

U.S. GSA Sets Round 3 For Office Supplies Strategic Sourcing
By Jason Miller
The General Services Administration is taking on the bulk buying of office supplies for a third time. Late Friday, it released the request for proposals for OS3 under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative.

            

The solicitation is for four categories of office supplies: general office supplies, paper, toner/ink and GSA On-the-Go, which is a lowest price, technically acceptable section requiring expedited delivery of the order within four hours in the top 10 metro areas by population.

GSA expects to make as many as 21 awards under the contract, which is estimated to be worth $1.25 billion over five years.

The agency said it expects OS3 to save the government $65 million annually on administrative costs plus an additional $90 million in annual savings captured through lower prices.

"The new model, which eliminates an acquisition level of contracting (i.e. the BPAs) is designed to leverage industry purchasing volume power and dynamic pricing capabilities to the maximum extent, will increase internal efficiencies and our effectiveness in supporting customer requirements, will increase small business opportunity while lowering government costs and will increase savings to customer agencies and ultimately, the taxpayer," GSA wrote in the solicitation.

GSA said it improved OS3 over OS2 by increasing the number of awardees to 21 from 15 reduced data reporting requirements and no longer requires companies to use the price reduction clause.

The current office supplies contract expires in May. GSA said agencies are expected to spend more than $800 million on OS2 by the time it ends.

Proposals are due March 17.

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February 4, 2014 at 10:56 AM