AGENDA #4b

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:      Authorization to Join Cooperative Purchasing Agreement

 

DATE:            May 8, 2006

 

 

PURPOSE

 

The attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to execute a cooperative purchasing agreement with other local government units to purchase technology products and services from the City of Jacksonville’s agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The City Council of Jacksonville, N. C., has approved a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement between the City and any other Local Government Unit desiring to purchase from the City's contract with Cisco Systems (City of Jacksonville Resolution (2004-43)). Each Local Government Unit must first have approval from their governing board to join the Cooperative Purchasing Agreement and then join the Agreement. This makes these Local Government Units eligible to buy from the Cisco Contract for the two-year term. The statutory authority for the local government to enter into the Cooperative Agreement is N.C.G.S.160A-461.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The Town uses technology equipment for networking and telecommunications from a variety of vendors including Cisco Systems, Inc. As we prepare to upgrade existing equipment and acquire equipment for the Town Operations Center, we anticipate a need to purchase some additional Cisco equipment. The State does not have a contract with Cisco Systems, Inc. and thus purchase prices must be negotiated through third-party resellers.

 

The City of Jacksonville’s contract provides an excellent process to purchase equipment by providing pre-negotiated prices and terms that are equivalent to other State purchasing contracts. The contract has been in place since August 2004, and has been utilized by a number of North Carolina cities and counties. Joining the Cooperative Purchasing Agreement places no obligation on the Town to purchase any type or amount of equipment.

 

A copy of the Cooperative Purchasing Agreement and Local Government Unit Certificate used to join the agreement are attached.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Town Manager to enter into a cooperative purchasing agreement with other local government units to purchase technology products and services through the City of Jacksonville’s agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.      Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (p. 4).

2.      Local Government Unit Certificate (p. 5).