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Acquisition Policy Flash! 14-03

Reminder!

Acquisition of Printing and Related Supplies

Purpose:  To inform the VA Acquisition Workforce of policy outlined in FAR subpart 8.8, Acquisition of Printing and Related Supplies, VAAR 8.801, Acquisition of Printing and Related Supplies, 44 U.S.C. 1121, Paper and envelopes for Government agencies in the District of Columbia, 44 U.S.C. 501 Public Printing and Documents, 44 U.S.C. 502, Public Printing and Documents, 44 U.S.C. 503, Printing in Veteran's Hospital and OMB Circular A-123, Management's Responsibility for Internal Controls.

Dated:  April 30, 2014

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Sections Impacted:  FAR subpart 8.8, Acquisition of Printing and Related Supplies.

Effective Date:  Immediately

Background:  VA closed its sole Federal printing plant in 1984, and since then the agency has been primarily engaged in field duplicating activities and a limited number of printing operations (44 U.S.C. 503, Printing in Veterans’ Hospital).  Printing includes the processes of composition, plate-making, presswork, duplicating, silk screen processes, binding, microform and the end items of such processes.  These printing operations will be established or discontinued only by direction of the Under Secretary for Health with the advance approval of VA’s Deputy Secretary and the Chairman, Congressional Joint Committee on Printing (JCP).  VA’s printing operations are decentralized to field stations (e.g., VA medical centers) meeting their requirements either through internal printing and duplicating activities or through regional printing procurement offices of the United States Government Printing Office (GPO).  VA Central Office (VACO) fulfills its printing needs through GPO.  As authorized by Title 44 of the U.S.C, the GPO is the printer for the Federal government.  All printing, binding and blank-book work for executive departments will be procured through GPO (Washington, D.C.) or through the regional printing procurement field facilities nearest to the organization obtaining printing, unless specific exceptions apply.

As provided in Title 44 U.S.C., VA’s printing, binding and duplication requirements will be completed through GPO, unless:

  • The printing is a class of work the JCP considers urgent or necessary to be done elsewhere.
  • It is an individual printing order costing not more than $1,000, if the work is not of a continuing or repetitive nature, and as certified by the Public Printer if the work is included in a class of work which cannot be provided more economically through GPO.
  • Printing from other sources is specifically authorized by law.

In accordance with Public Law 102-392, VACO printing requests will be submitted to the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL) Publication Services Division for processing using VA Form 7700, Requests for Reproduction Services.  Field activities must also procure all printing either through Publication Services Division or from a Regional GPO Printing and Procurement Office.  Additionally, when appropriated funds are used for the printing and binding of VA publications, subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. 103 and 501, the printed product will not be made available to any private publisher for initial publication without the approval of the JCP.

VA field stations may procure their own printing needs without going through GPO if the printing meets the Title 44 exemption criteria listed above and the GPO Public Printer certifies in writing that an exception is granted prior to procuring printing needs outside of the GPO.

Action Required:  Effective immediately, contracting officers shall comply with FAR subpart 8.8, Acquisition of Printing and Related Supplies, VAAR 8.801, Acquisition of Printing and Related Supplies, 44 U.S.C. 1121, Paper and envelopes for Government agencies in the District of Columbia, 44 U.S.C. 501, Public Printing and Documents, 44 U.S.C. 502, Public Printing and Documents, 44 U.S.C. 503, Printing in Veteran’s Hospital and OMB Circular A123, Management’s Responsibility for Internal Controls.

Additional Information:  Questions or concerns should be addressed to the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (003A), Procurement Policy and Warrant Management Service (003A2A) at (202) 632-5288 or va.procurement.policy@va.gov.

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