The Simply Smarter Blog

It’s no secret that RFPs are time consuming. In fact, according to a 2023 RFP Trends & Benchmarks Report, writing an RFP response takes an average of 32 hours to complete – and writing it is only half the battle. Even those who benefit from their purchasing department's hard work know the laborious hours that go into vetting vendors and getting a piece of technology into their school or office. But if you're a school, government agency, or non-profit, here's some great news: you can buy technology from a national contract with pre-negotiated pricing! One such national contract is Sourcewell, a cooperative purchasing contract for education, government, and non-profits, that streamlines procurement, saving both time and money – and who doesn’t need more of those?

So you are about to sign a contract with a service provider for a new copier. Imagine a scene from an old Western movie: except that instead of two gunslingers, you and your imaging reseller are standing on either side of the negotiation table, ready to strike a deal. While it might not be as dramatic as a showdown at high noon, preparing is still important.

Signing a copier contract does not have to feel like a high-stakes duel. With the right questions, you can confidently ensure you are getting a fair and beneficial deal for your office. 

Read on for the six most essential questions to ask your service provider when signing a printer contract.

Today’s government marketplace has changed.  Budgets are constrained and staffing is reduced.  To fill this void, government, education, and nonprofit organizations are turning to cooperative purchasing to obtain the goods and services they need without the hassle and aggravation of sending projects out for bid.