ACUP in the Sunshine State

The RFP can also become a part of the final agreement, which can offset many of the boilerplate terms of some vendor agreements. Further, the RFP provides a format for the institution to specify required performance factors.

Chambers identified seven areas that need to be addressed to maximize the effectiveness of an RFP:

1. 
Instructions and vendor responsibilities
2. 
Background, problem description and expectations
3. Schedule
4. Evaluation process
5. Award and implementation
6. Institutional terms and conditions
7. 
Specifications (including device specifications, service/maintenance, administrative, technology, cost-per-copy and billing)

On the last full day of ACUP, attendees rode buses to Sunken Gardens, a botanical garden in St. Petersburg. In this green setting, Vic Barkin spoke about sustainability issues and urged in-plants to be more environmentally responsible. He listed 10 things in-plants can do to make an impact:

1. 
Be/get in compliance with all regulatory agencies.
2. 
Promote high recycled content paper and two-sided printing.
3. 
Promote certified paper; get FSC certified.
4. 
Recycle everything (paper, packaging, PCs, supplies, food).
5. 
Let your vendors and subcontractors know you want “green.”
6. 
Investigate, test and implement low VOC/HAP products.
7. 
Discuss “green” options with your clients.
8. 
Get an energy audit; calculate your carbon footprint.
9. 
Adopt a cause (charities, adopt-a-highway, plant-a-tree, etc.).
10. 
Track, report, market, promote and publicize your efforts.

The conference wrapped up with a tour of the St. Petersburg Times printing facility, followed by a dinner at the hotel.