Delivering Work on Time is Critical to Succeeding with U. S. Government Printing Office (GPO) e-LYNXX Senior Vice President Deborah Snider explains why it is esssential for private sector printers to be on time with GPO work.
The number one reason why private sector printers fall out of good graces with the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) is that they are reported and recorded as late on jobs. If the resulting report indicates an out-of-compliance rating of as little as 5% (one job late by 8 hours out of 10 jobs delivered on time yields a 10% out-of-compliance rating), the offending printer is tagged by GPO as out-of-compliance. This is a major blemish on the printer’s record eliminating chances to be awarded additional projects out of the more than $425 million in work that GPO awards each year to the private sector.
Of course, some delays are unavoidable. Some may even be caused by government actions. No matter what the cause, it is incumbent upon the printer to resolve whatever is at issue as quickly as possible with GPO contract administrators. This is best done working with experienced, skilled and savvy government print experts that have the know-how to assist printers to meet schedule expectations and commitments, while cutting through red tape to resolve issues not of the printer’s making.
GPO contract administrators keep careful track of each project’s on-time delivery requirements and watch each printer’s delivery compliance across all awarded projects. Sometimes government records are inaccurate due to a printer’s lack of proactive follow-through when details were missed or incorrectly reported or recorded. Making sure government records are clear and accurate is fundamental to having a positive relationship with GPO contract administrators. Salesmanship by the printer in an attempt to rectify problems may work in the commercial print market but is not appropriate or welcomed at GPO.
While GPO maintains the on-time delivery records, it is the responsibility of each GPO printer to make sure its individual records are accurate. The first step is to get a copy of the GPO report. Knowing where and how to get the report is essential. Each report displays a three-month snapshot of the printer's work. The second step is to check the report for accuracy. Knowing how to respond and to whom is key.
If GPO refuses to award a printer work, it is up to the printer to find out the reason. If it is due to the printer being out-of-compliance, then the printer must spring into action. In addition to obtaining a copy of the report and examining it, the printer must respond in writing precisely explaining the circumstances of any late work, attaching evidence acceptable to the GPO refuting any erroneous information, and explaining why and how future awarded projects will be properly handled. It is also a good idea to alert all GPO procurement offices of the details of this written submission. However, this does not always rectify the out-of-compliance issues.
Unfortunately, being out-of-compliance focuses the printer under a magnifying glass, with each little infringement of the specifications causing increasing concern about the printer’s ability to follow directions and to meet specification requirements. Often the solution is to bench the printer for a minimum of
