| Show local division offices handle U S government purchasing big washington how can a business man sell seh to the government approximately 2500 government purchasing agencies purchase some different articles indeed the government buys some quantities of almost everything produced in this country the magnitude of the government purchasing setup set up especially in this grave emergency when first emphasis is necessarily placed upon defense equipment for the elpa expanding d army and navy and tor for great britain tends to confuse many manufacturers rs who desire to operate cooperate co per cent actually government purchases are made on a very simple formula the specifications are not complicated in fact the biggest buyer in the world uncle sam has the simplest system of purchasing supplies equipment and services the system functions something like a large mail order house except that where the latter sells to thousands the government buys from thousands the initial venture of selling to the government will of course present some new problems none of these problems however are necessarily complicated in order to help manufacturers rs solve them jesse jones secretary of commerce early in his administration set up a service and information office staffed with men who have had years of service in government and have recently completed months of intensive study of the purchase systems of each governmental ern mental office write fr for information consequently the service and information office is equipped to inform manufacturers whom they should contact and exactly how to do so A manufacturer who desires to operate cooperate co with the government in the present emergency and lacks specific information as to how to proceed is invited to apply to this unit room 1060 department of commerce washington D C the effectiveness of the assistance re rendered n by the office is demonstrated by the large number of telegrams and letters of appreciation which it has received many manufacturers apparently have felt that if they desire to transact business with the government they must either come to washington in person or employ somebody familiar with government purchasing methods the service and information office strongly urges manufacturers not to come to washington at least until they have carried on preliminary negotiations by mail with the purchasing agency that handles their particular products they are advised not to employ outsiders on a commission or other basis |
