Since the program was set up 18 months ago, the panel of printers has swelled from 78 to 101, servicing 33 government agencies. A government spokesperson said numbers may increase again when the tender is re-opened tomorrow, but that it was too early to tell for sure.
Daniel Hodgson, print procurement manager at the Department of Human Services, said the program has gone from strength to strength.
“The program has gone very well and delivered significantly streamlined administrative burdens for both industry and government,” he said.
“Government agencies no longer have to run individual, duplicated tender processes to establish their own lists of printers, and printing companies no longer have to respond to multiple, similar list-level tenders.”
Hodgson noted that the 33 government agencies using the panel see “great benefit” in the system. He added that the program had worked particularly well for smaller agencies, which might not have in-house buying resources.
Hodgson said printers on the panel were also reaping the benefits.
“The response from printers has been very positive [with printers stating] that the arrangements are beneficial for them and that the program is run professionally and fairly,” he said.
“This positive industry reaction is evident in the fact that 20% more printers responded to the tender in 2010 than in 2009.”
However, two approved printers told ProPrint that the process of having to reapply for the tender each time was time-consuming.
Printers also gave mixed reactions to the Department of Human Services recent ‘meet and greet’ trade fair.
The Department of Human Services was quick to respond to the criticisms, saying the event had been of benefit to printers.
One supplier at the event was John Mansfield, sales executive at Central Coast-based print management company E-Bisprint. He said: “We had a fantastic day and generated some great leads. I think it was extremely beneficial for suppliers and buyers alike.
“I’m really looking forward to partnering with some of the agencies to streamline their promotional requirements,” he added.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter
