Are you and your family planning to drive to a holiday get-together this year? As we begin the busiest travel season of the year, the Georgia Department of Administrative Services’ Risk Management Division offers some simple tips to help make your drive to spend time with family and friends a smooth one, so you can arrive at your destination safely and without incident.

• Check behind vehicles before moving
• Maintain a safe distance between vehicles
• Make sure your vehicle is in good repair
• Reduce speed, especially during inclement weather
• If you drink, don’t drive
• Always use safety belts and child safety seats
• Plan your trip – Give yourself plenty of time and schedule rest stops and activities for small children
• Leave an itinerary with a friend so that someone will know where you are
• Keep your cell phone charged
• Don’t overload your vehicle or obstruct your view with luggage and/or packages
• Avoid eating heavy meals right before driving, as this can lead to sleepiness
• Get a good night’s sleep before traveling

In case you encounter inclement weather, carry an emergency kit that contains:

• First-aid supplies
• Blankets
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Flares
• A shovel
• Quick-energy foods, nutrition bars, or dried fruits and nuts and water
• Sand, salt or cat litter for traction

After weighing the business needs and feedback of State administrative and financial managers, Georgia’s Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) has announced a new statewide contract for general office supplies, paper and toner with Staples Contract and Commercial, Inc. Based on the State’s analysis of over 900 of its most frequently purchased office supply items, the new contract is estimated to save state and local entities 17% on average, compared to the State’s previous office supply contracts.

All state, city, county, and K-12 public entities can take advantage of the discounts and other benefits of this statewide contract. State and local employees will experience faster, easier and friendlier service with the following statewide contract benefits:

• The ability to order office supplies via Team Georgia Marketplace™, P-card Marketplace™, StaplesAdvantage.com, Phone, or Fax
• Free next-day business delivery
• Access to over 50,000 office supplies items
• State contract pricing available in Staples retail stores for same day purchases
• Efficient return process for all “non-custom” items
• Discounts up to 75 percent off list price
• Green-based products
• End-user training
• Staples account management

State employees can use purchasing cards (P-Cards) to conduct simple, secure, and cost-effective orders through the state’s enterprise eProcurement system: Team Georgia Marketplace™. Local Georgia government entities can place orders through the state’s P-Card Marketplace™ or StaplesAdvantage.com, Staples’ official online ordering platform. State issued P-Card holders may also take advantage of contract pricing by visiting Staples’ vast network of retail locations.

About DOAS:
DOAS provides business solutions to Georgia’s state and local governments, suppliers, nonprofit organizations and the general public. The State Purchasing Division of DOAS serves as the centralized procurement function for state of Georgia government entities. Statewide contracts are established by State Purchasing for the benefit of government entities throughout Georgia. By leveraging statewide purchasing power, a variety of high-quality goods and services are provided conveniently at below-market rates.

Office Supply Contract inquiries can be sent to Marcus Rahming, Associate Category Manager: marcus.rahming@doas.ga.gov