Government Procurement articles from August 2003

Government Procurement archives from August 2003

Happy anniversary!(Frisch Findings)(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... October 1993 marked the launch of Government PROcurement Journal (GPRO), a magazine for the government purchasing professional. GPRO was the culmination of nearly 18 months of research and investigation by Government Product News and the...

Purchasers strike a balance with best value procurement: weighing factors other than cost helps purchasers reap immeasurable benefits.(Best Value)
August 1, 2003... John Ruskin, a 19th century art critic and social commentator, once said, "It's unwise to pay too much, but it's also unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes...

City's software solution empowers E-Business: in Tacoma, WA, "America's No. 1 Wired City," officials are charging ahead with a $50 million project to enhance financial functions, procurement processes, and citizen services.(E-Government Innovations)
August 1, 2003... At first glance, the city of Tacoma, WA, flaunts a pristine setting, amid a scenic backdrop of majestic Mount Rainier and the saltwater shores of Puget Sound. Beneath a sprawling, picturesque exterior, the city's grounds are connected by a...

10 trends that have revolutionized the procurement world 1993-2003: informing the purchasing professional for a decade.
August 1, 2003... In celebration of 10 years of the evolving public-sector procurement profession and Government Procurement Journal, we present the following decade of change. Find the entire articles online in the Trends Archive at www.govpro.com. 1993...

Advisory Board explores procurement promises and pitfalls.(Editorial Board)(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... Once again, we were very happy to welcome the Government Procurement Editorial Advisory Board back to our offices. This year, we chose to expand the board to seven public-sector procurement professionals representing a wide range of entities,...

How to overcome organizational indifference.(Organizational Indifference)
August 1, 2003... We hear the phrases every day: "That's not my job," "I can't help you; talk to my boss, "That's just how we do things around here," "Someone else was supposed to do that." Such phrases are the warning signs of organizational indifference. ...

Interoperability: communicating in a crisis.(Homeland Security)
August 1, 2003... The events of September 11, 2001, brought to light the woeful inadequacies of the emergency communication systems in the United States. With the threat of new terrorist acts a reality, it is critical for first responders to be coordinated and...

Distribution center is the toast of liquor control boards.(Distribution Update)
August 1, 2003... Facing mounting public pressure to either meet rapidly growing order complexity with an outdated order-fulfillment system, or be forced to privatize liquor distribution, the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) elected to meet this...

Multi-agency group seeks to increase Internet security.(Internet Security)
August 1, 2003... Imagine a procurement process in which all vendors are required to use a standard interface when dealing with myriad government agencies and offices. Imagine issuing purchas orders and no longer having to adapt to multiple identity provisioning...

Public-sector purchasers head to Austin for annual roundup: hip, high-tech capital of Texas welcomes the National Purchasing Institute's 35th Annual Conference and Products Exposition.
August 1, 2003... Strategically located within 200 miles of Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, Austin, TX, boasts a trifecta of attributes that help make this dynamic city of over a half million residents the business star of the Lone Star State. Austin is...

Rugged hand tools break up compacted ground.(grounds and landscaping)
August 1, 2003... Groundbreakers XT Series hand tools come with choice of hickory or fiberglass handles. Rugged tools include sledges, picks, mattocks, splitting mauls, wedges, tampers, and wrecking bars. Line includes 15 models of picks and mattocks....

Cutting-edge landscaping tool requires no snipping.(grounds and landscaping)
August 1, 2003... Oly-Ola Sales, Inc., Villa Park, IL; 800-334-4647; www.olyola.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Herbicide works in wet or dry settings without harming wildlife.(grounds and landscaping)
August 1, 2003... In addition to dry locations, Garlon 3A herbicide may be applied to emerged weeds, woody plants, vine, and brush in standing water or on banks and shores of ponds, lakes, or streams. Formula boasts no fishing, swimming, or domestic livestock...

Towable turf vacuum grooms grounds in a single pass.(grounds and landscaping)
August 1, 2003... Self-contained, towable Goossen turf vac boasts single-pass cleaning. Offers 25-hp. Kohler gas engine, 7-cu.-yd. hopper, 24-in.-dia. opening, wide high flow fan, and hydraulic hopper dump. Also features 60- by 17-in. -dia. counter-rotating...

Walk-behind aerator digs deep without add-on weights.(grounds and landscaping)
August 1, 2003... Compact, lightweight Rock Solid Plugr Model PL400R turf aerator has cam shaft and engine-driven reciprocating tines for deep penetration into soil without add-on weights or water drums. Wide, stable base allows 90 [degrees] turns and...

Humane spikes keep birds from ruling roosts in public spaces.(grounds and landscaping)
August 1, 2003... Bird Spike 2000 prevents birds from landing and roosting, eliminating unsightly bird droppings and potential health hazards. Spikes are made of UV.-resistant, nonconductive polycarbonate. Available in a variety of colors, including crystal...

Vegetation blankets promote fast grass germination.(grounds and landscaping)
August 1, 2003... Futerra Vegetation Blanket weighs 50% less than excelsior blankets, yet absorbs 3 times more water. Requires minimal installation time. Promotes fast germination. Biodegradable blanket is made of a combination of wood fiber and crimped,...

Tough loader eliminates rainy day downtime.(grounds and landscaping)
August 1, 2003... Cat 257 Vertical Lift Multi Terrain Loader features suspended track undercarriage, which allows use in broader range of applications than wheeled skid-steer loaders. Rubber track undercarriage transfers machine weight to ground through 24...

Statewide surplus equipment initiative saves taxpayers' money.(News)
August 1, 2003... A new surplus property collection program will be implemented throughout all Connecticut state agencies. The initiative, called "Got Stuff?", will round up excess and underutilized property and equipment inventories in state government. The...

Army program to streamline critical acquisitions.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Data Systems Analysts, Inc., an information technology solutions company, is a member of the winning Northrop Grumman team selected as one of eight prime contractors for the Rapid Response (R2) Contract under the U.S. Army's...

Four join Pennsylvania Dept. of General Services.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Secretary Donald T. Cunningham has hired four private-sector leaders to drive new management initiatives for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of General Services. They are: John M. Troxel, Chief Procurement Officer and Director,...

Bill mandates purchase of biobased products.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 directs federal agencies to purchase more biobased products, according to guidelines being developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Initially, the USDA will identify 11...

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected SORB 33 arsenic removal technology and Bayoxide E33 media for use at six of 12 demonstration sites in the EPA's National Arsenic Treatment Demonstration Project.

Severn trent services submitted proposals for six EPA demonstration sites.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Severn Trent Services submitted proposals for six EPA demonstration sites. Adedge Technologies, Inc., Severn Trent Services' exclusive partner for providing arsenic removal systems to the small water systems market, also submitted proposals for...

The Virginia port authority has awarded RILEEN Innovative Technologies, Inc.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Virginia Port Authority has awarded RILEEN Innovative Technologies, Inc., a contract to develop a portable, multi-modal biometric system to identify and monitor crew members aboard cargo ships docked at the ports. The system captures...

SI International, Inc., announces that it has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to support the U.S. Department of State for Information Technology Professional Services.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... SI International, Inc., announces that it has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to support the U.S. Department of State for Information Technology Professional Services. Under the BPA, the company will design, develop, and perform...

IR Recognition Systems announced that Chesterfield County (VA) has implemented the company's Hand Reader to provide off-hours access at the county's main administration building.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... IR Recognition Systems announced that Chesterfield County (VA) has implemented the company's Hand Reader to provide off-hours access at the county's main administration building. HandReaders positively authenticate users by the shape and size...

Optimus Corp. announces that it has been awarded a technology contract from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to run call center operations for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service (TAIS), valued at approximately $2.9 million.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Optimus Corp. announces that it has been awarded a technology contract from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to run call center operations for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service (TAIS), valued...

Solectria Corp. announces that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center, Natick, MA, to fabricate two next-generation Self Powered Environmental Support Systems (SP-ESS).(Contracts)
August 1, 2003... Solectria Corp. announces that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center, Natick, MA, to fabricate two next-generation Self Powered Environmental Support Systems (SP-ESS). The SPESS will be integrated with the...

Systems Alliance, Inc., announces that the City of Rockville, MD, will use its Site Executive.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Systems Alliance Inc., announces that the City of Rockville, MD, will use its Site Executive to update and maintain the city's Web properties. The city will use Site Executives Web content management solution to provide information and...

M/A-COM, Inc., a business unit of Tyco Electronics and manufacturer of critical radio systems deployed around the world, signed a $25.7 million contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to install a new 800 MHz.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... M/A-COM, Inc., a business unit of Tyco Electronics and manufacturer of critical radio systems deployed around the world, signed a $25.7 million contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to install a new 800 MHz. voice...

Department of Environmental Resources Management.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Department of Enviromental Resources Management (DERM) in Florida's Miami-Dade County has awarded Accela a $4 million dollar contract designed to streamline its services and preserve Florida's environment. The company's Automation software...

ClearCube Technology has installed more than 200 PC blades.(Contracts)
August 1, 2003... ClearCube Technology has installed more than 200 PC blades at the Lackland Air Force Base in the Air Force Security Forces Center. The ClearCube solution takes computers off users' desks, shrinks them to a PC Blade, centralizes the blades...

The City of Kansas City, MO, has awarded Maximus.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The City of Kansas City, MO, has awarded Maximus a contract to lead and manage the implementation and system integration efforts of its PeopleSoft software applications. Maximus will provide project management, business process...

IES Interactive Training, provider of use-of-force training products.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... IES Interactive Training, provider of use-of-force training products that develop judgment and decision-making skills for law enforcement, military, and government professionals, announces that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has...

Hamilton County (OH) will go online with the second phase of its $30 million communications system from Motorola, and for the first time, make communications possible among all public safety agencies in the county and in neighboring jurisdictions.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Hamilton County (OH) will go online with the second phase of its $30 million communications system from Motorola, and for the first time, make communications possible among all public safety agencies in the county and in neighboring...

Mitchell Humphrey, a St. Louis-based developer of accounting software solutions, announces the addition of the City of Winston-Salem, NC, as a new accounting software client.(Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Mitchell Humphrey, a St. Louis-based developer of accounting software solutions, announces the addition of the City of Winston-Salem, NC, as a new accounting software client. The city has implemented FMS II General Ledger, Accounts Payable,...

Trinity Consultants.(GSA Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Trinity Consultants has been awarded a Federal Supply Schedule contract with the General Services Administration (GSA). Under the contract, the GSA includes Trinity on its list of contractors who offer environmental services to federal...

The Home Depot.(GSA Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Home Depot, a supplier of building, repair, and maintenance products, announces that it has been awarded a GSA schedule contract. The Home Depot Government Solutions Group will help meet the needs of the federal and military purchasers who...

Section 508 resources.(Resources)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires access to electronic and information technology procured by federal agencies. The federal law requires that everything from web sites and multi-media productions to telecommunications, kiosks,...

Wonder-full warehousing.(Common Sense)
August 1, 2003... Despite the move to E-commerce and all the advantages and enhancements it brings, there are still millions of taxpayer dollars invested in government stock shelves and surplus-property warehouses all over the country. Government employees are...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
August 1, 2003... Correction: June 2003 Common Sense, "Procurement: America's "Blind Spot", " state and local spending levels are approximately $1 trillion. Editor's Note: Beau Grant, CPPO, is a master instructor for the National Institute of Governmental...