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 are now delighted to announce full implementation of the program. On March 8, 2004, we launched the BPA pilot at all EPA Headquarters facilities. After two months of successful Headquarters implementation, we are ready to make the BPA available Agency-wide.

Effective May 17, 2004, all Cardholders are strongly encouraged to begin placing orders with the Corporate Express BPA. Use of the BPA will become mandatory on October 1, 2004. Using the BPA to buy “green” provides each of us with an opportunity to help the Agency do its part in reducing atmospheric emissions, saving energy, and reducing materials that go into landfills, while at the same time save money through lower prices.

Purchase Cardholders will be able to access the Corporate Express Web-based ordering system via the 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
http://www.epasupplies.com page, where you can register for the Corporate Express system and order office supplies. A training tutorial on the system is also available via this page. The “Order Office Supplies” link has a non-cardholder 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.

Thanks to customer feedback, the Headquarters pilot phase allowed us to make valuable, time saving improvements. We enhanced the on-line ordering system, addressed some delivery challenges and added some additional office supplies. Products that have been added include various toner/ink jet cartridges, tent cards, and 8.5x14, 11x17 and colored copy paper. Additional functionality has been added to the employee browse feature to allow employees to add to a shopping cart and forward it to their purchase cardholder. This function also provides for an approval routing process specific to an employee’s organization. To view the details of this new function, please visit http://epasupplies.com/approvalgroupsv2/appgroupnew.cfm on which we share experiences to demonstrate our commitment to you and to stretching ourselves as an Agency and a leader in the march to placing green office supplies on every desktop.

Attached is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the BPA. Also, Corporate Express provides customer support through a help desk for users (1-888-CETODAY). For additional information, contact Karen Richardson on 202-564-4378 or via e-mail at richardson.karen@epa.gov. You may also use the purchase card team’s group e-mail address at OARM-OAM-PURCHASE_CARD_TEAM.

Thank you for your cooperation and participation in this new program for purchasing green office supplies. We are confident that this program will generate significant environmental benefits and savings of which we all can be proud.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the BPA for Green Office Supplies

1. Why can’t I purchase the exact same office supply items that I currently use?

The BPA was awarded based on Corporate Express’s ability to provide “Green Office Supplies.” This means that the products available to you are “essentially the same” as the name brand product that you are using today. The items available on the BPA have been scrutinized to ensure they fulfill both the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) for buying recycled-content products and the Executive Order 13101 mandate to purchase environmentally preferable products (EPP). In many cases, the product criteria exceed the current Federal mandates for recycled content. The EPA wants to be at the forefront of this movement, and your compliance with using these “Green Office Supplies” will make the EPA a leader in federal supply purchasing.

2. What is the easiest way to search for an item on-line?

There is a shopping list function available on the web site that will have approximately 250 of the most commonly used office supplies (pens, pencils, paperclips, et cetera) arranged by category. It is suggested that you look for items that meet your needs here first. If you cannot find an item that is “essentially the same” as the brand named item, then you can use the wider search functionality offered at http://www.epasupplies.com

3. What do I do when I can’t locate toner cartridges on the BPA for my printer?

Corporate Express has provided a full assortment of remanufactured toner cartridges for most printers that are in service at the EPA. If no remanufactured toner is currently available, then the original equipment toner cartridge is included on the BPA.

The easiest way to search for your toner is to use the “Accessory Finder” function on E-Way. Simply indicate that you are looking for “Printers, Laser” under the device type, then select your printer manufacturer, and finally the model number of your printer. The toner cartridge available on the BPA will then show up on the screen. Your search is now complete. From here you can click on the item for further information or simply “Add to Cart” to purchase this item.

4. What do I do if I just can’t find the supply item that I’m looking for?

The first step is to determine if there is a product available on the BPA that is “essentially the same” as the product that you are looking for. If so, place your order for that item since it complies with the terms of the BPA.

If no product fits your need, your next step is to contact Karen Richardson on (202) 564-4378 or via e-mail at richardson.karen@epa.gov. You will be asked to provide the item number and description of what it is you need. Karen will then coordinate with Corporate Express to see if a similar “green” product is available to be added to the BPA. Our intention is not to dilute the green mandate set forth in the BPA. We will add products that are brought to our attention that fit within the green criteria or when a valid business reason exists to add this item of supply. Remember, our goal is to be on the cutting edge of Executive Order 13101, CPG and EPP regulations and going to another supplier will not assure EPA’s compliance with these laws and regulations.

5. What is the expectation for deliveries on the BPA?

As long as Corporate Express receives an order by 2 pm, your office supply order will ship for delivery the next business day. It would be wise to order your supplies when the need arises, and not wait until it becomes an emergency situation. While most EPA users of the BPA have received next day delivery, there have been some instances of a delayed delivery due to security concerns.

6. Can I buy paper through the BPA?

Yes! EPA has now made it easier for you to place your orders for paper. There are several copy papers that are available on the BPA including color copy paper. The standard 8 ½ x 11 white copy paper exceeds the Federal mandates for paper. It is made of 100% post consumer waste, and is processed chlorine free! The color papers on the BPA also meets the current requirement of 30% post consumer content and there are 6 colors available (yellow, blue, green, buff, pink and gold).

7. If I order toner cartridges through this BPA will I be required to provide the quarterly RCRA report?

As long as the only item you are reporting on the RCRA report is toner cartridges, you will not be required to continue this report. Corporate Express will provide the Agency with reports for any items purchased via the BPA.