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Government Procurement Card (GPC)

What is GPC?

The Government Procurement Card (GPC), a Visa Purchasing Card, was a Government Initiative introduced in 1997 to increase efficiency in the purchasing process within Civil Central Government. It enables Departments to streamline purchasing practices and reduce their associated costs. In most respects GPC works in the same way as a personal Visa Card.

How is GPC used within DCA?

The card is the DCA preferred payment method for low value, high volume goods and services, which are deemed to be consumed at the point of purchase/delivery Suppliers are encouraged to accept payment via GPC wherever possible.

Benefits of GPC

To DCA:

Reduction in the number of invoices received
Reduction in staff time involved in purchasing and payment process
Helps meet prompt payment targets

To Suppliers

Cardholders have access to both local and national suppliers
Orders can be placed over the telephone / internet etc.
Payment is made to suppliers approximately four days from point of purchase, rather than the standard of within 30 days from acceptance of delivery of goods.

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