What is the primary purpose of the Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card?

The primary purpose of the Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card is to streamline purchasing for government activities. This approach promotes efficiency by allowing authorized users to make small purchases directly, thereby reducing the administrative burden often associated with traditional procurement methods. Streamlining the purchasing process enhances speed and flexibility, enabling government personnel to acquire goods and services quickly and effectively, which is essential for meeting operational needs.

While reducing costs and serving as a backup for contracts could be considered secondary benefits of a streamlined procurement process, the focus of the GPC program is primarily on enhancing the ease and efficiency of purchasing. The intention is not solely about cost reduction or replacement of contracts, but rather about improving the overall purchasing experience for government activities.