by Brianna Crandall — August 25, 2014—The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) recently announced 18 blanket purchase agreements for a new strategic sourcing solution designed to help facilities and procurement professionals at federal agencies purchase janitorial and sanitation (jansan) supplies at discounted prices that are reportedly an average 15.9 percent lower than standard government pricing.
FAS Commissioner Tom Sharpe says, “GSA’s role as government’s buyer is to help federal agencies acquire commonly purchased items at bulk prices. This is about smart shopping. The consolidation of purchasing under blanket purchase agreements will help save taxpayer dollars and support our small business partners, positively impacting agency budgets and improving the bottom line for selected small businesses and suppliers.”
Key facts
With the federal government spending approximately $1.2 billion annually on jansan products, this solution supports the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) and the Obama Administration’s goal of cutting $40 billion a year from procurement spending. In the first year alone, based on an estimated savings of 14 percent, GSA can help to save the government $8 million, and in future years, based on increased usage, the savings can rise to $20 million.
The jansan procurement was created based on agency customer requirements and incorporates feedback obtained through a transparent dialogue between GSA and the supplier as well small business communities.
GSA is currently facilitating the development of 10 new strategic sourcing solutions. FSSI began in 2005 under the direction of the Office of Management and Budget. Today, GSA’s strategic sourcing program includes more than 20 agencies (military and civilian) that have collaborated to develop common procurement vehicles that offer greater discounts, provide improved management, and represent best practices.
Sustainable sourcing
All jansan BPA holders are offering green products in compliance with the government’s sustainable acquisition policies. Products such as biobased cleaners and paper products (bathroom tissue, paper towels and facial tissue) with stated minimum post-consumer content were mandatory requirements.
GSA is also encouraging or requiring green practices from jansan vendors, including carbon and sustainability reports as well as line-item data on sales of the most efficient and sustainable products.
For more information, visit GSA’s Interact and Janitorial and Sanitation Supplies (JanSan) Web sites.
