United States Department of Agriculture
Research, Education and Economics

ARS * CSREES * ERS * NASS

Bulletin

USDA awarded a National Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to Boise Office Solutions for office supplies, furniture, and technology items. This BPA includes one-stop shopping for office supplies available from the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act Program and commercial sources. In addition to offering quality products and services at reasonable prices (up to 19% off GSA Advantage pricing), this BPA helps create jobs and training opportunities for persons with disabilities. USDA is a strong supporter for increasing employment under the JWOD Program and will set agency goals to increase participation in building job opportunities.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) mandates that agencies satisfy requirements for supplies/services through required sources listed in order of precedence in FAR Part 8. JWOD is higher on the source priority list than commercial sources and even General Services Administration (GSA) sources that are commonly used. Supplies offered by the JWOD Program should always be purchased before considering commercial or GSA sources. To assist in this effort, the BPA automatically manages JWOD purchasing by substituting an appropriate JWOD product for a commercial item. Ultimately, this will help the REE agencies in meeting future JWOD goals that the Department intends to establish. In order to get credit for purchases under this BPA it is important that card holders follow the correct registration procedures described in this Bulletin.

The BPA offers several advantages, such as:

• The option of placing orders conveniently by telephone, fax, and the Internet.
  
  
• Buyers receive quality products and services at reasonable prices.
  
  
• There are over 600 JWOD products available for next-day delivery.
  
  
• Competition and other procurement issues have been addressed.
  
  
• BPA automatically manages JWOD purchasing by substituting an appropriate JWOD product for a commercial item.

Every REE purchase card holder is encouraged to use the BPA. Boise has designed a quick and easy system to assist you in registering to obtain your Personal Ordering Profile and Internet Ordering Information. This information is available from USDA's Acquisition Toolkit. The instructions are also listed below:

1. Contact Boise's Federal Customer Service at 888-505-FEDS (3337) to obtain your 10-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) and personal ordering profile (consignee). When prompted, press the "0" key to direct your call to the Customer Service Department. The PIN is used to place orders by telephone or fax. The personal ordering profile (consignee) number is used to place orders via the Internet.
   

   1. The customer service representative will guide you through the registration process.  Give the customer service representative the USDA account number (428469) and your full name, agency abbreviation/organizational level, building number, room number, full street address, city, state, zip code, telephone number, fax number, and  e-mail address. Your 10-digit PIN is specific to your name.
      
      
   2. Your personal ordering profile (consignee) is usually the state where your office is located and the last 4 digits of your telephone number, e.g., NV4100 (Nevada), MD1702 (Maryland). Please inform the customer service representative that you will be paying by credit card.
      
      
   3. To place orders via the Internet, follow instructions in step #3.
      
      
2. Access “USDA's Acquisition Toolkit” at http://www.usda.gov/procurement/toolkit. Once in the “Toolkit” click on “USDA Departmental BPA for Office Supplies (USDA Employees Only).” The information is located in the column on the left. This will bring you to USDA's Boise Solution Center. At this site, click on “Procedures,” print the document, and retain for later use. The “Procedures” document provides detailed information on the specifics of the BPA between USDA and Boise. The document also explains the JWOD Program and defines the process for setting up a non-Internet account and an account with Boise via the Internet.
   
   
3. At the USDA Boise Solution Center and after obtaining your personal ordering profile (consignee), click on “BCOP.com Registration” (4^th item down). A form will appear for your use in establishing an Internet account. Fill out this form thoroughly and include all information for shipping and tracking purposes, i.e., Delivery Information (include room or suite number), Contact Information, etc., under the “Personal Information, Agency Name” block, and include the following information per agency:
   
   ARS: Agency/Area/Location/Division/Office, e.g., ARS/BA/ANRI/LPSI/ etc.
   CSREES/ERS: Agency/Division/Office, e.g., CSREES/SERD/HEP Waterfront
   NASS: Agency/State/Division/Office, e.g., NASS/VA SSO
   
   See Enclosure 1 for a sample of how to complete the form. Upon completion of the form, click “Submit” to send the form. Boise Registration personnel will then enter your information in the Internet Ordering System and a Username and Password will be generated. All pertinent “account” and “ship to” information, plus the Internet Username and Password, will be returned to you via e-mail at the e-mail address stated on the registration form. After submitting or updating your information, print a copy of the confirmation for your file.
   
   
4. Please be advised that if you already have established an account with Boise prior to this Bulletin, you need to update the “Personal Information” to ensure that the appropriate agency information is attached to your account to capture your agency's participation insupporting JWOD. This can be done by forwarding an e-mail to Christopher H. Magee, Federal Account Executive, at chris.magee@boiseoffice.com. Boise will provide a quarterly report on the total JWOD usage in terms of dollars for each agency.
   
   
5. Return to the USDA Boise Solution Center and print the “Online Catalog and Ordering” document. This document guides you through the Internet ordering process.

Questions concerning this information may be directed to Linda Wilson of the Policy Branch, Procurement and Property Division, on 301-504-1733.

LARRY R. CULLUMBER
Director
Procurement and Property Division

Enclosure