GPO SPA Program

U.S. GPO Simplified Purchase Agreement

Each GPO regional office has developed a network of pre-approved vendors that provide small, quick turn-around services directly to Federal government agencies.

PubCom's training and consulting services are currently listed on 2 SPAs:

• Washington, DC SPA: PO # 95844
• Seattle, WA SPA: PO # R2495

How SPA works.

Each vendor, such as PubCom, becomes authorized by GPO to sell services or products directly to its government agency clients.

It's "simplified" because there is no need to go through a lengthy procurement process or contracts.

You simply order with us directly (and fill out GPO's SPA paperwork on your end). We provide the service, we process a small bit of paperwork to verify that it was provided, and then we bill GPO directly, not your agency. And GPO will then bill your agency through its normal channels (IPAC statements, deposit accounts, or credit card).

If the purchase is less than $1,000, the agency SPA purchaser calls any of the SPA vendors directly, negotiates prices, defines deliverables, and places the order with a GPO Work Order. No prerequisites, pre-approvals, competitive bids, contracts, nadda. It's that simple.

If the purchase is $1,000 or more, the agency purchaser must contact at least 3 SPA vendors for competitive bids.

Many of PubCom's services are under these limits, such as training classes, small consulting assignments, graphic design projects, and template design.

Some SPA FAQs.

1. Only authorized purchasers can use GPO SPA. Each agency, division, regional office, or branch authorizes employees to use the SPA.
   
   If you're not already registered to use the SPA, you’ll need to contact someone at your agency to do the purchasing for you or become authorized by GPO to use the SPA. Contact your regional GPO office to learn who already is an authorized SPA purchaser, which vendors are on their SPA, or how you can become an authorized SPA purchaser.
   www.gpo.gov/customers/offices.htm
2. Each agency sets the spending limit for each SPA purchaser, usually $2,500, $3,000 and up to $10,000.
3. Vendors like PubCom bill GPO directly for the services, not your agency.
4. GPO bills your agency through IPAC statements, deposit accounts, or credit card.
5. Authorized purchasers can use the SPA only at the regional office where they are registered. However, purchasers can easily register with any of GPO's regional offices, and not just the one they normally use for print procurement.
   
6. SPA vendors like PubCom register with each regional GPO office. Currently we are on the Washington, DC and Seattle, WA SPAs. Let us know if you'd like us to be on your GPO regional office's SPA.

Some services PubCom can provide via a SPA.

Only services related to printing and publishing are covered by the GPO SPA. That includes electronic publishing, Acrobat PDFs, websites, and Section 508 accessibility.

• Training classes, seminars, and custom training.
• Templates for Section 508 compliant publications and websites.
• Contract language to insert into your outsourcing contracts to ensure your vendors provide Section 508-compliant deliverables or press-quality files.
• Define and write technical standards and guidelines for your agency's publishing-related documents.
• Technical specifications for workflow, hardware, software, and other technologies for publishing systems.

Don't see what you need here?

Just drop us a note at info@pubcom.com and we'll work with you to procure the service you need.

Tools & Links

Check out PubCom's resources and tools compiled just for Federal Government agencies.

Visit GPO's SPA website for more information.

Or contact your regional GPO office to learn how you can become an authorized SPA purchaser.