OMB Printing Proposal Is Controversial

"Currently, a small printer must go through the GPO or a private bid service to gain access to government work," notes Cooper. The proposals to use the FedBizOpps Website would, effectively "liberate those contracts for small printers."

But DiMario argues that the proposed system would also decrease the availability of contract opportunities. Under the OMB's proposed changes, federal agency personnel could use credit cards to make non-competitive purchases up to $2,500. More than 80 percent of all orders procured by the GPO are valued at $2,500 or less. Also, those jobs valued at more than $25,000 would be subjected to competition from NAFTA trading partners. Whereas contracts made available under the print procurement system is subject to the "Buy American Act."