HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-24-2008-4oORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 24, 2008
Action Agenda
Item No. ~- -
SUBJECT: Authorization to Purchase Office Furniture and Telephone System for New 911
Center through NC State Contract
DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Central Srvcs. PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pam Jones (919) 245-2652
PURPOSE: To consider authorizing the Purchasing Director to effect furniture purchases and
the purchase of a new telephone system for the new Emergency Services offices located at the
Meadowlands.
BACKGROUND: Completion of the Emergency Services offices in the Meadowlands location
is anticipated for sometime in late-August 2008. Furnishings, equipment and the phone system
for the new facility need to be ordered during the Board's summer break to ensure timely
delivery for the facility's opening. As the Board is aware, the North Carolina State Contract is a
method of cooperative purchasing that allows state and local government agencies to purchase
many items such as furniture and telephone equipment through competitively bid contracts.
These contracts take advantage of volume discounts much greater than a County would
experience by bidding individually. While the furnishings and phone system for the facility will
be purchased through this type of pre-established contract, the total purchase amounts will
exceed the $20,000 signature authority of the Purchasing Director and therefore must be
authorized by the Board. This action requests the Board authorize the Purchasing Director to
effect these purchases.
The Board will continue discussions about the possible divestiture of County properties,
including the current Emergency Services offices on New Hope Church Road, later this year.
The new Emergency Services Director has identified potential uses for the current facility which
may compel the Board to continue ownership and operation of the site. Emergency Services
has requested the current office equipment and the existing phone system be left intact at the
current site to support future activities should the Board choose to do so. Much of the furniture
was not intended for relocation from the old to the new facility anyway and the additional cost
for a new phone system should be relatively inexpensive. The action proposed through this
abstract will generally upfit the new center with new furnishings and will provide a new phone
system.
2
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Estimated costs for furniture and the phone system are $30,000 and
$50,000 respectively. Funding is available through the current Capital Investment Plan. These
expenditures do not meet the criteria for funding from E-911 Emergency funds.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Purchasing
Director to effect furniture and telephone equipment as may be needed at the 911 Center
through State Contract vendors and to execute the needed paperwork.