Agenda - 06-24-2008-4o - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE 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.