M1991-11 Government Printing Policy Guidelines

Guidelines for printing jobs need to be further clarified, additional to Premier's Memorandum No. 90-31. As reported in the Public Service Notices of December 1990 (page 5), the State Contracts Control Board has made a policy decision regarding the general purchase of goods and acquisition of services up to $1,000 in value. The policy states that a general exemption has been granted to all departments to arrange the acquisition of 'not-in stock' and 'not-on-contract' items up to a value not exceeding $1,000 without the invitation of quotations. It should be noted that this policy relates also to printing, subject to the following conditions: Rates being considered reasonable and the rates being consistent with normal market rates for items of a like nature. Requirements not being split into components nor a succession of orders for the same goods or services for the purpose of enabling the item/service to be obtained under the provisions of this exemption.Regular reviews being undertaken, including the random invitation and documentation of three quotations at appropriate time intervals, to ensure that the exemption is being exercised in the most effective and efficient manner. Therefore, departments wishing to arrange printing jobs up to $1,000 may do so without obtaining comparative quotations. However, three quotations are still necessary for work over $1,000 but less than $30,000 in accordance with Memorandum 90-31. It would be appreciated if you could arrange to bring details of the above to the notice of all appropriate sections of your administration. R G Humphry Director-General Updated May 2004: This memoranda has been superseded by State Contracts Control Board Printing Delegation (Department of Commerce)