Accept the Lowest and Best Bid Submitted by Various Vendors - Invitation to Bid #4924-HM Hand and Platform Trucks (Business Division)

This bid was prepared at the request of Custodial Operations to establish fixed pricing for hand and platform trucks. This award is made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders meeting specifications. The award recommendation is as follows: Item 1 (Standard Hand Truck) and Item 7 (Discount for Balance of Line Hand and Platform Trucks) - Payless Equipment Corporation, Item 2 (Hand Truck/Platform Truck), Item 3 (Platform Truck), Item 4 (Hand Truck with Telescopic Handle) and Item 5 (Hide-a-way Hand Truck) - Storage & Handling Equipment, Inc., and Item 6 (Desk Dolly) - Shiffler Equipment Sales, Inc. This recommendation has been reviewed by the Manager of Custodial Operations. To ensure fair and open competition, the District utilizes an online vendor registration system to notify potential bidders of opportunities. Through this system, four bidders responded. A more detailed review of specifications can be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Department.

As stated in OPPAGA report: "Efficient purchasing and warehousing require that management processes be in place to ensure that supplies, equipment, and services vital to the school’s education mission are purchased from a competitive source, in the right quantity, delivered timely to the correct location, and stored in a secure location. These criteria should be met for each purchase without sacrificing quality."

These items are, or will be, included in the General Fund or Capital Outlay Budget in an amount not to exceed $35,000.

Contract administration or evaluation is performed by the Project Manager (end user) and Purchasing Agent, who function as a team. Reviews are conducted face to face, typically quarterly, or by utilizing an online vendor performance report. Prior to soliciting a new contract, the Contract Administration team must first give consideration to the specifications and supporting data of the expiring contract.