DAPS offers myriad of services to base customers

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lisa Spilinek
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Some office printing tasks' requirements outdistance the capabilities of the standard office printer. Creating large, color laminated posters is impossible without the right equipment. 

While it is possible to print multiple copies of a lengthy Air Force Instruction on almost any printer, the time it takes to complete this task can vary widely based on the printer. Collating and binding these pages may require skills and materials that aren't available in the office.

Department of Defense personnel with lengthy, complicated or unusual printing needs should know that help is available. 

The Document Automation and Production Service was created for such tasks, said Ed Ezekian, DAPS Philadelphia Office Group Customer Account manager. 

Support Agreement A47050 5006001, which exists between the Air Force and DAPS, states, "DAPS shall serve as the consolidated organization for printing and high-speed, high-volume duplicating and as the preferred provider of document conversion and automation services. 

"DAPS will commercially procure printed media when agreed to be more cost effective than in-house production," the Support Agreement states. 

DAPS is a Defense Logistics Agency field activity that has been serving the DoD since 1949. While many associate DAPS with printing, the agency actually offers DoD customers a portfolio of capabilities including producing customized printing, binding, paper, document conversion and engraving, according to the DAPS Web site, www.daps.dla.mil. 

Electronic Document Management services, including document scanning and conversion, digital storage and web hosting, now constitute DAPS' largest business segment, Mr. Ezekian said. 

"As a service provider, we recognize that cost-effective responsiveness, along with guaranteed security, is what differentiates DAPS from non-government competitors." 

What further sets DAPS apart from some competitors is a dedication to being environmentally conscious. DAPS initiated using recycled paper in 1997, Mr. Ezekian said. 

There are 191 DAPS offices worldwide that provide support to all military branches. 

The nearest office to Hanscom is located in Boston in the Barnes Building at 495 Summer Street, but customers don't need to drive to the city to place an order. Base customers can call Stan Dickens, DAPS Boston facility resident manager, at (617) 753-3095 to arrange pick ups and deliveries to Hanscom offices. 

The DAPS' Boston facility is open from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Some orders can also be placed virtually by accessing the DAPS Web site. 

Mr. Dickens said he visits Hanscom at least two times per week. Visits are coordinated with customer needs. Since "prompt and courteous service" is the focus of the DAPS Boston facility, Mr. Dickens said most jobs are completed in three days. 

Mr. Dickens said he can work with most types of files, but PDFs yield the best results because they translate well between computers. 

While traditional printing jobs can be accomplished at the Boston facility, those requiring special equipment need to be sent to the DAPS Newport, R.I., or Philadelphia facilities. These jobs, however, can be coordinated through the Boston DAPS facility as well. 

In addition to checking out the DAPS Web site, Hanscom personnel wanting to know more about using DAPS can call Bill Hunter, 66th Mission Support Group Communication and Information Systems Support, at (781) 377-8610.