What's your GPC doing for you?

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- As the end of Fiscal Year 2011 approaches, units can be seen scrambling to squeeze every penny until Abraham Lincoln weeps. Government purchase cards are burning up with last-minute purchases.

"With today's high ops temp and urgent requirements, GPC helps," said Christal Jackson, plans and programs flight chief for the 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron Plans and Programs Flight chief. "Without these cards, units would have to get contracts for everything they can use the GPC for. It's a great time saver for everyone, even though sometimes it can be a little complicated, especially at the end of the fiscal year."

So before you whipout the GPC at the Commando Store, make sure you know the do's and don'ts for GPC purchases? Here are some quick tips:

DO

- review list of unauthorized purchases before you shop

- consider environmental protection and small businesses when shopping around

- coordinate with the base training office before purchasing any education and training requirements

- coordinate with base civil engineering before obtaining any construction requirements

- use mandatory sources [Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program/ability one (LCI store)]; Defense Automated Printing Service - printing; and Network-Centric Solutions - computer equipment, for example.

- obtain three vendor quotes when authorized to order up to $25,000 off of a pre-priced contract

- do obtain verification for items more than $500 or considered pilferable regardless of value (digital camera, cell phone, fax machine, etc.)

DON'T

- purchase information technology equipment without submitting a request through the project, workflow, requirements & resource (PWRR) system for 1st Special Operations Communications Squadron coordination

- go over your limit ($3,000 for commodities & $2,500 for services unless authorized to order up to $25,000 from pre-priced contract)

- go over the $2,000 micro-purchase limit for construction, ever!

- split purchases to stay underneath the micro-purchase threshold

- let the vendor charge you taxes on purchases

- let anyone else use your government purchase card

"This is the time when mistakes are more often made because people rush to get their money spent," said Tony Taylor, GPC team member. "Take a minute to make sure you're following regulations when you use your GPC for end of fiscal year purchases."

For more information, call (850) 884-6611.