Industry Report: 15 April 1997  ompetition from federal and state prisons is nothing new for the office supplies and office furniture industries. But that doesn't mean we have to like it. And it certainly doesn't mean we can't try to create a far more level playing field in the marketplace than exists today.
That's why BPIA is a proud member of the Competition in Contracting Act Coalition, an organization that brings together manufacturers, dealers and associations from many different industries to support efforts in Congress aimed at putting an end to the unfair preferences the federal prison manufacturing system has enjoyed for so many years. It's why, too, you'll find an ad from the Coalition elsewhere in this issue, urging you to join us. Legislation was introduced in the Senate last month aimed at abolishing the virtual monopoly over government contracts currently enjoyed by Federal Prison Industries. The bill would strip Federal Prison Industries of its required source designation, meaning FPI products will be forced to compete on the open market. Despite challenges both from the private sector and from Congress and the White House, FPI officials have sought repeatedly in recent years to expand their operations (witness FPI's decision at the end of last year to expand its output of case goods by almost $40 million a year). Passage of legislation to rein in the FPI's ambitious expansion plans is long overdue. And its chances of successful passage will be helped considerably by the number of businesses and individuals who lend their support through the Coalition. Working together we can make a difference on the prison industries issue. Please complete the form on page 8, fax it into the Coalition at (616) 285-3765 and let your voice be heard on this important issue today.
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