A primary concern was whether Virginia firms received an adequate share of State printing contracts. The Virginia Public Procurement Act was enacted in 1982 to regulate the acquisition of goods and services by State and local government agencies. DPS is responsible for most aspects of procurement, for printing as well as other goods and services. It establishes the State s procurement procedures within the framework of the procurement act. Further, it is generally responsible for all purchases requiring the use of competitive sealed bidding, one of five methods available for procuring goods and services.
Most printing work procured by State agencies is purchased from firms located in Virginia.
DPS could improve the process, however, by increasing access to all printers and adjusting other procurement practices. The printing industry contributes significant economic benefits to the Commonwealth. Printing and publishing is the fifth largest manufacturing industry in Virginia in terms of gross state product. In addition, the printing industry employed more than 37,500 Virginians in 1997. Agencies that spent the most on printing tended to be universities and agencies with extensive contact with the general public, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles.