DLA Document Services FAQ
Who is DLA Document Services?
DLA Document Services provides professional printing, copying, duplicating, scanning, imaging, document conversion, CD-ROM, and web services to the Defense Department and the Federal Executive Branch. We manage over 50,000 office copiers and multifunction devices for our customers. We have been performing digital document conversion since 1987. Through 2002, DLA Document Services was responsible for converting over 125 million pages of paper documents, engineering drawings, aperture cards, microfiche, and microfilm to digital formats. Virtually every type of document or data continues to be transformed by DLA Document Services . We strive to be the technology leader in Office Automation.
Who may DLA Document Services perform services for?
By law, DLA Document Services may only perform services for official Department of Defense (DOD) activities including DOD Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentalities (DOD NAFIs), other Federal agencies under the Economy Act, and DOD contractors that are authorized by law and listed on Appendix A of DLA Document Services Instruction 7201.1, Authorized Customers of DLA Document Services and Acceptable Payment Mehtods (February 27, 2004).
May DLA Document Services perform services for government contractors?
In general, DLA Document Services is not authorized to perform services for private concerns such as government contractors. However, there may be limited occasions when the law authorizes DLA Document Services to perform services for certain DOD contractors in support of an underlying DOD contract. Those DOD contractors that DLA Document Services may perform services for are listed on Appendix A of DLA Document Services Instruction 7201.1, Authorized Customers of DLA Document Services and Acceptable Payment Methods (February 27, 2004). For more information contact the DLA Document Services Customer Information Center at 1-877-327-7223.
Why should I do business with DLA Document Services ?
We've been in the business of fast, reliable, and cost-effective copying, laser printing, & document conversion since 1949. DLA Document Services has streamlined its customers’ work processes and substantially reduced their costs using the latest technologies for digital and hardcopy output. DLA Document Services is located on over 250 military bases and Federal Buildings providing easy access for our customers. DLA Document Services was the first Federal Government agency to accept the Government Commercial Purchase Card and continues to advance its use.
What level of quality can I expect from DLA Document Services ?
In 1996, DLA Document Services had a professional consulting firm perform a baseline Customer Satisfaction Survey. Our overall satisfaction rating was 85%. Since then, we have implemented all their suggested recommendations. We now perform semi-annual surveys that reveal that since 1999, DLA Document Services maintains over 92% satisfaction.
How do I do business with DLA Document Services ?
Find your local DLA Document Services location under "Locations", contact your local office and talk to a Customer Service Rep. You can find the locations and phone numbers via our Webpage or by calling Toll free, 1-877-DAPS-CAN or (1-877-327-7226).
How do I pay for services?
DLA Document Services is limited to accepting payment using the following methods:
- Federal Government Funding Documents (e.g., DD Form 448)
- An official Government Purchase Card (GPC). GPC's state "For Official U.S. Government Purchases Only" on the front.
- The International Payment and Collection System (IPAC).
- U.S. treasury Check.
However, cashiers check or checks written against the account of an approved customer made payable to "U.S. treasury" may be accepted but only from those customers on the Local DLA Document Services facility's written list of DOD NAFIs and Authorized Non-Federal Customers who cannot pay using the normal methods. Orders by Authorized Non-Federal Customers must be "Pre-Paid" (i.e., payment in the full amount of the order must be presented at the time the order is placed).
How do I submit a job request?
Contact your nearest DLA Document Services facility, DLA Document Services Office Group, or Customer Account Manager for information about submitting a job request. Contact information is provided in the Locations section and in the Contact DLA Document Services section of this webpage. You can submit job requests directly to DLA Document Services by using DAPSOnline. You can place your order anywhere, anytime using DAPSOnline.
Can I get work from any DLA Document Services location or should I go to my local DLA Document Services center?
For your convenience, you can deal with the DLA Document Services location nearest you. If they are unable to do the job, they will either send it to another DLA Document Services facility nearby, or contract it out commercially. Either way, the job will be delivered back to you. Or, you can submit your work online via the Internet by using our DAPSOnline service.
Do all locations provide all DLA Document Services products and services offered by DLA Document Services?
All locations have access to all products and services, even if they're not produced at that particular location. With the customer’s consent, jobs can be sent to the DLA Document Services locations where they will be produced most economically.
I'm overseas, how can I find my local DLA Document Services office?
DLA Document Services has offices outside the continental United States including several countries in Asia and Europe. Click "Locations" and enter your state or country.
How can I get work done by DLA Document Services if I’m overseas?
We’re in over twenty countries. Go to the "Location" link and search on a country, state or city. Or call our Toll-free Help Line 1-877-DAPS-CAN.
Where can I find information about DLA Document Services digital product offerings?
Click on "Capabilities Information". This is rather comprehensive.
I'm a DoD agency. Can I go directly to a commercial printer?
No. Offset printing requirements must be sent to the Government Printing Office via DLA Document Services. According to the DoD Directive 5330.3, document automation services, such as scanning, conversion, CD-ROM, Web services, etc. must be sent to DLA Document Services.
I'm a Federal/non-DoD agency. Can I go directly to a commercial printer?
Your offset printing requirements must be sent directly to the Government Printing Office. However, DLA Document Services offers value-added document automation services, such as scanning, conversion, CD-ROM, Web services, etc. Contact DLA Document Services for your next document automation requirement.
Can I use my Government Commercial Purchase Card to purchase printing services from a commercial vendor?
No. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 13.301) states, "The card may be used only for purchases that are otherwise authorized by law or regulation." FAR 8.802(b) states, "The head of each agency shall designate a central printing authority; that central printing authority may serve as the liaison with the Congressional Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) and the Public Printer on matters related to printing. Contracting officers shall obtain approval from their designated central printing authority before contracting in any manner, whether directly or through contracts for supplies or services, for the items defined in 8.801 and for composition, plate making, presswork, binding, and micrographics (when used as a substitute for printing)." DLA Document Services is the central printing authority for the DoD.
Where can I find information about online ordering?
DAPSOnline is our web based solution for ordering DLA Document Services' services and is designed for use by the Federal government. Following the user friendly instructions, you can: designate your job specifications, submit your document file, and receive a cost estimate prior to finalizing your order. Access DAPSOnline from the main page by clicking on the DAPSOnline Logo or for more information, look up DAPSOnline from the Capabilities Portfolio page.
Which is more expensive, converting to CD-ROM from paper or from digital files?
Converting to CD from digital files is less expensive. With hard copy, there is a scan charge. With the digital file, the document is ready to convert.
Is it more expensive to print from digital files or hardcopy?
Output from digital files is more cost effective. An added value of printing from digital files is that each page output is an original, so there is no degradation in quality. DLA Document Services provides a number of conversion solutions for a wide range of document automation needs.
Does DLA Document Services charge for advice for specific conversion work?
DLA Document Services is happy to provide advisory services to help facilitate our customers’ needs. Only when requirement for analysis is extensive, would DLA Document Services requiring a negotiated fee to recover its costs for in-depth consultation services.
Can DLA Document Services recommend paper to digital conversion specialists in my area?
Find your local DLA Document Services office and ask our knowledgeable Customer Service Representative. DLA Document Services has literally millions of pages of conversion experience. DLA Document Services has also established contracts with conversion industry leaders to assist us in serving customer conversion needs. Either way, you’ll get the highest quality at the best price.
Where can I find information about office equipment management?
DLA Document Services provides copying, duplicating, networked printing, scanning and faxing solutions. With Blanket Purchase Agreements against Government Services Agency Federal Supply Service, DLA Document Services has many commercial partners with whom we team to provide a full range of cost-per-copy, lease and purchase options for customer office automation needs. We manage over 50,000 copiers and multifunction devices. For more information, contact your DLA Document Services Office group EMS program manager.
Where can I find my account information?
Click on ‘Billing’, then ‘DWAS on the web’. You will get information about DWAS on the Web.
When I use my Government Commercial Purchase Card, will I get billed when the work is ordered or when it is delivered?
For work done in-house, DLA Document Services invoices its customers upon completion and delivery of the product or service rendered. For products contracted through GPO, DLA Document Services invoices its customers as soon as the billing is submitted by GPO and generally invoiced during the month the production was performed.
Where can I find information about DLA Document Services’ awards?
Click ‘Awards’ and see what great things DLA Document Services has done for our customers.
Where can I find information about DLA Document Services sponsored conferences and events?
Click the ‘Events’ link.