Second quarter 2009 U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) numbers show improvement in workflow to private sector printers compared to the first quarter of this year and the fourth quarter of last year. However, industry concerns continue to grow about the lack of work being awarded to the private sector at a time when indications are federal government agencies are ordering more print than ever through the GPO. Some of the reasons for increased print demands from Capitol Hill include new administration print requirements, preparing for major legislation such as healthcare reform and gearing up for the 2010 census.
The number of print suppliers obtaining GPO work between April and June 2009 was 1,182 compared to 1,112 during the first quarter of 2009. The value of the work awarded during the second quarter of 2009 was more than $106.83 million compared to more than $77.77 million for the first quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the GPO awarded work valued at more than $105.29 million to 1,263 private sector printers.
“While the numbers look better for the second quarter compared to the first quarter, private sector printers continue to be concerned about the long-term trend—one that shows a significant drop in the amount of GPO work awarded to the private sector,” said Deborah Snider, senior vice president of Government Print Management, a division of e-LYNXX Corporation. “Today, private sector printers vie for about $420 million of GPO work each year, but that number was more than over half a billion dollars in 1992. Any decrease in GPO workflow to private sector printers is a problem because it undermines the quality work and competitive pricing that the private sector has historically provided to the GPO.”
For more information, visit www.e-lynxx.com.
- People:
- Deborah Snider
- Places:
- Capitol Hill