Almost 40 printing companies met with government agencies and other contractors to discuss the Federal print buying plan on 4 June at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.
The roll call of printers at the event included representatives from Bluestar, Geon, PMP and Canprint.
The event was “a huge success” with around 300 in attendance, said Hank Jongen, general manager, human services portfolio, who is leading the implementation of the tender program.
“[The event was] a short formal session where Centrelink presented the main characteristics of the tender program, followed by an extended morning tea for one-and-a-half hours where contractors and agencies were able to meet each other.
“There were 60 display tables where contractors were able to display brochures, banners and run presentations,” added Jongen.
One printer in attendance was Look Print’s David Leach, who told ProPrint the event was “very productive”.
“The format was very friendly and transparent. It was very open. It was predominantly casual and at the same time, it gave everybody an opportunity to meet and discuss opportunities,” said Leach.
He said that the amount of work Look Print has been doing via the tender program was increasing, adding that “the hardest part has been letting the buyers know how we might be able to help them”.
Leach said the meet-and-greet event would help with this.
Canprint operations manager Scott Wright said: ” It was a good idea and it was well put on. It was something that was definitely needed to give everyone an idea about it was all going to work.”
He added that it “put a lot of people’s minds at ease” to know that relationships were still an important part of the procurement plan.
The strategy has come under attack in the past for limiting the number of suppliers who could do public sector work, as well as being only about price.
The plan was first unveiled in December last year, with 78 suppliers named on the Print Production panel.
Some 27 government agencies have now signed up to the arrangement. The latest participating agencies to join are:
· Attorney-General’s Department
· Austrade
· Australian Communications and Media Authority
· Australian National Audit Office
· Australian Organ and Tissue Authority
· CRS Australia
· Department of Defence
· Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations
· Department of Veterans’ affairs
· Museum of Australian Democracy and Old Parliament House
Click here for the full list of participating agencies.
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