MEMORANDUM

On November 6, 2003, we had the pleasure of announcing the award of an Agency-wide Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to Corporate Express for “Green” Office Supplies. We now take great pleasure in announcing the BPA pilot, and informing you of additional details for full implementation of the program.

Effective March 8, 2004, we will begin using the BPA on a pilot basis at all EPA HQ facilities. As of that date, HQ Purchase Cardholders should begin placing all office supply orders with Corporate Express. We intend to make the use of this BPA mandatory Agency-wide as of September 30, 2004. Full participation in this program is necessary to ensure that the Agency will be able to reduce atmospheric emissions, reduce materials going to landfills, save energy and improve the overall health and well being of our employees and customers, as well as derive maximum savings from the lower pricing.

Purchase Cardholders will be able to access the Corporate Express web-based ordering system via EPA’s intranet home page (http://intranet.epa.gov), using the new “Order Office Supplies” link under “Agency Services”. This link will take you to the www.epasuppplies.com page, where you can register for the Corporate Express system and use it to order office supplies.

A training tutorial on the system is also available via this page. The “Order Office Supplies” link has a non-cardholders option as well, which will enable EPA employees without purchase cards to select office supplies, and forward their request via email to their cognizant Cardholder for purchasing.

Corporate Express has agreed to provide us with several means of support including: a help desk for users (1-888-CETODAY); a vendor fair at the EPA Cafeteria on March 9-10 (11 AM - 2 PM); and training classes in the Ronald Reagan Building B-3 Level Grants Conference Room on March 30-31 (8-10AM, 10AM-Noon, and 1-3PM). At the fair and classes, demonstrations of the ordering system will be given, and samples of office supplies available through the BPA will be displayed.

For additional information, contact Karen Richardson, EPA Purchase Card Team, at richardson.karen@epa.gov or (202) 564-4378, or send an email message to the PC Team at OARM-OAM-PURCHASE_CARD_TEAM to sign up for the class.

Thank you for your cooperation and participation in this new program for purchasing Green Office Supplies. We feel confident and proud that this program will generate significant environmental benefits and savings to EPA.