HCPS FL Logo Business
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, February 28, 2012
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Recommendation Regarding the Purchase of Freight Services from Academic Asset Management, Inc.--Sole-Source Provider (Business Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Academic Asset Management (AAM) is considered a sole-source vendor.  All single source posting requirements prescribed in the Florida Department of Education rule 6A-1.012 have been adhered to; therefore, AAM is considered exempt from the bidding process.

AAM performs a unique service and acts as a freight forwarder or forwarding agent, organizing and arranging textbook shipments from publishers to school districts and universities.  AAM is a third party agent or logistics provider that dispatches shipments via common carriers and notifies all publishers of shipment arrangements, tracks all shipments, and provides proof of delivery.

AAM currently provides a guaranteed fee (4.8 percent) that represents a percent to total cost of product.  It should be noted that normally the products shipped are exempt from the bidding process, but Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) chooses to use this program to save money on freight cost.  AAM has exclusive freight rights, on behalf of HCPS, with more than 70 of our textbook vendors and has saved the district over $134,000 during the most recent 12-month period.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
•Â Align financial resources to support the district’s strategic goals
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds are available for freight expenditures in the General Fund.
EVALUATION
N/A
SUBMITTED BY:  Kenneth E. Gerhart, Senior Procurement Officer, Procurement Department
Jean Bowman   Gretchen Saunders
General Manager, Procurement Department
(813) 272-4374
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 5.08
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20120228_494 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.08