Shore side units will have new support when ordering printers through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the deadline for compliance has been extended.
Revised ordering process
Going forward, units will no longer need to initiate the ordering process directly with the DLA. Instead, designated Coast Guard representatives from the Multifunction Device Project (MFD) Team will schedule, facilitate, support, and track unit orders placed through the DLA. The deadline to transition into the DLA system has been extended through September 2023.
MFD team members will begin contacting units or parent commands directly in February to develop a transition plan and schedule. Units should select a unit resource manager (URM), preferably someone with procurement experience. The resource manager will work with the MFD Project Team and a DLA customer relations specialist to assess requirements, establish device allowance limits, and submit a procurement package.
Two years ago, the service announced a plan to transition all shore units to using the DLA to procure printing services and multi-function printing devices to reduce costs and improve the Coast Guard’s cybersecurity posture through better configuration management by scaling back the number of different printers on the network. Challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including supply chain shortages, impacted the transition.
Units with more immediate or emerging needs for printing services and equipment can contact the MFD Project Team now at C5ISC-SMB-UCPL-DESK-MFD@uscg.mil for guidance.
What about cutters?
Cutters are not required to transition to the DLA, but the DLA has various options for devices with support, like unlimited toner, through their Shipboard Multifunction Copier Program (SMCP), which may be worth considering.
Cutters in need of new printing devices and services may also contact the MFD Project Team at C5ISC-SMB-UCPL-DESK-MFD@uscg.mil for guidance.
Keep an eye on annual ordering deadlines
The DLA has specific ordering windows recurring each year for leased and purchased devices. Units with existing contracts expiring soon or an emerging need for printing services should consider these windows and contact the MFD Project Team:
Shore unit leases: Oct. 1 through June 15 each year
Shore unit and Cutter device purchases: Oct. 1 through Aug. 1 each year
As of Feb. 16, 2022, dates reflected in the Implementation of Managed Print Services for Multifunction Devices Phase II – SITREP 1 ALCOAST 056/22 are incorrect. Please reference dates in the MyCG article.
Resources:
- Implementation of Managed Print Services for Multifunction Devices Phase II – SITREP 1 ALCOAST 056/22 (CAC required to access)
- MFD Portal Page https://cglink.uscg.mil/MFDs (CaC required to access)
- Implementation of Managed Print Services for Multifunction Devices Phase II ALCOAST 043/20 (CaC required to access)