**GAO-05-368**                      Published: Apr 29, 2005. Publicly Released: Apr 29, 2005.                  

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## Highlights

For over 125 years, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), within the Department of the Treasury, has relied on a single contractor to supply the paper for U.S. currency. Such a long-term contracting relationship could contribute to higher costs and other risks. Another federal agency that relied on a single contractor, the U.S. Mint, decided to obtain a second supplier for coin metal. In solicitations for currency paper contracts in 1999 and 2003, BEP took steps to address barriers to competition that GAO had identified in 1998 through a survey of paper manufacturers. This report updates GAO's 1998 report using data from a second survey. It addresses (1) the changes BEP made to encourage competition and the results of its efforts, (2) the steps BEP took to ensure that it paid fair and reasonable prices, and (3) the analysis BEP has done of the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a second supplier.

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## Topics

Government Operations

Competitive advantageCompetitive procurementCost analysisCurrency and coinageFederal procurementManufacturing contractsPrices and pricingSurveysU.S. CurrencySolicitations