April 18, 2012

New agreement that begins May 1 consolidates choices, reduces prices for key items

OLYMPIA – A new office supplies contract for state government that begins May 1 reduces costs by 21 percent over the previous agreement, a savings of $2.976 million annually.

To increase efficiency and reduce costs, this contract provides a standard product list of about 3,600 of the most commonly used office supplies, ink and toner cartridges and copy paper. This is reduction from the previous list of 60,000 items that were available.

Highlights include:

• Ink pens reduced from 1,000 to 184 and an average 20 percent price cut.
• Paper choices reduced from 426 to 116 and an average 6 percent price cut.
• Toner and ink cartridges reduced from 1,200 to 198 and an average 35 percent price cut.
• Increased availability of environmentally friendly products, including 100 percent recycled paper made in Washington by Georgia-Pacific at its plant in Camas.

Even with the consolidation of products, state agency customers will still have a wide selection of the most used office supplies. The competitively bid contract is split between Office Depot – office supplies and paper – and Office Pal, which will provide toner and ink products.

This contract will replace the current state office supply contract. It also offers secure web-based online ordering and payment with delivery within 48 hours from the suppliers.

All state agencies, local governments and participating colleges and universities can use the contract.

Among its many duties, Enterprise Services manages a wide range of contracts.

Contact:
Jim Erskine, Communications Office
(360) 407-9212
jim.erskine@des.wa.gov