[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/photocopier1.jpg” caption=”Photocopier suppliers will attend an open house on Jan. 9 in CIBC Hall. File photo.”]The Fleet Copier Steering Committee is in the midst of an intensive process to replace the University's photocopier fleet.

A campus-wide photocopier use survey was completed by more than 2,700 staff, faculty and students. The Great McMaster Photocopier Hunt helped tally and locate copiers currently on campus.

If you haven't identified your equipment yet, please do so as soon as possible by accessing the Copier Survey on the printsmart.mcmaster.ca website. If you have already submitted the survey, please revisit the page and identify the best time to change your equipment (see last question).

A 57-page Request For Proposal (RFP) was posted Nov. 22 with submissions from respondents due Dec. 17. As a result of the RFP, the Steering Committee has seven proposals in hand. Following an analysis of the proposals, up to four will be short-listed based on their merits.

On Jan. 9, the short-listed suppliers will attend an open house in CIBC Hall, 3rd floor, MUSC from noon to 4 p.m. to demonstrate their products. The McMaster community is invited to attend. Jot down your thoughts and impressions of what you see. We will also announce the winners of our draws from employee and student participants of our photocopier use survey ($50 Titles Bookstore gift certificates) and the Great McMaster Photocopier Hunt (digital camera).

During the open house, the suppliers will meet with selected members of the Steering Committee, the Working Committee and McMaster Management to formally present and further explain their submissions.

After the open house, your comments, the results of the proposals and demonstrations will be put through the comparative process and the week of Jan. 14 will see the results finalized. The contract will be awarded Jan. 22 and will officially take effect Feb. 1.

The Committee thanks those who have helped with this initiative.

For more information and survey results, please visit the printsmart.mcmaster.ca website.