DRIVING SAVINGS BY MAXIMIZING PRIVATE SECTOR PROCUREMENT 

Three studies completed by different groups in 1993, 2002, and 2008 show that printing competitively procured from the private sector saves the government at least 28% over typical or median pricing.  Savings when printing competitively procured versus government in-house printing are similar.  In actuality, the savings is significantly more, because government accounting methodologies often do not take into account normal business overhead, such as building space, electricity, and salaries of administrators and management personnel.  In addition, the first huge savings to the taxpayer comes when a government agency that buys its printing does not purchase  expensive traditional and/or digital printing presses.  We have seen situations where government agencies alleged costs for printing actually exclude the initial cost of the equipment or depreciation of the equipment, because it was purchased or leased in a prior fiscal year.  Taking everything together, the savings by using existing private sector printers who are ready, willing and able to provide top quality printed products to federal government agencies is nothing short of remarkable. 

Of course, every business, including government agencies, needs to have in-house copying machines to support their immediate needs.  That is where the government’s involvement in printing should end. 

With same day service for many jobs and one day turnaround for many more, small and medium sized printers all over the country can meet the government’s needs for quick turnaround printed materials.  Taxpayers’ funds do not need to be used to buy equipment, and maintain buildings and staff—merely to duplicate private sector capabilities.