Brevard commissioners approve expanded sole-source, single-source and cooperative purchasing list despite concerns about vendor lock-in

Brevard County commissioners on Aug. 26 approved a standing list authorizing county departments to utilize sole-source and single-source distributors, and to purchase through intergovernmental cooperatives or piggyback contracts when found to be the most economical method.

The request (F-18) directed county departments and Central Services to proceed when vendor verification and public advertisement show no other source exists; it also authorized the county manager or designee to execute resulting contracts subject to review by the county attorney, risk management and purchasing. The clerk recorded the vote as: Commissioner Delaney — yes; Vice Chair Goodson — yes; Commissioner Atkinson — yes; Commissioner Altman — yes; Chairman Feltner — yes.

Why it matters: the approved list standardizes equipment and vendor relationships for multiple departments, including Public Works, Fire Rescue, Solid Waste and Utilities, and includes items ranging from SAP financial-system licenses and air-conditioning warranties to helicopter engine parts and mosquito control chemicals. Staff said the list is reverified annually and that sole-source requests are advertised on the county's Vendorlink platform to confirm exclusivity.

Commissioner Altman expressed concern that some manufacturers effectively create closed ecosystems — proprietary parts and high maintenance prices that lock buyers into long-term dependence. He asked staff to flag vendors whose business models reduce competition so procurement can remain flexible and responsive to new technologies.

Staff and several commissioners noted that approving the list does not obligate purchases; departments will only use piggybacks or sole-source arrangements when they are demonstrably the most economical or the only available choice. Commissioners were told individual vendors can be pulled from the list and brought back to the board for reconsideration.

Quotes:
"If there's an item that you would like to be pulled from this list, we can pull it and come back to the board," Kathy, the presenter, said.
"More and more ... they're sticking with OEM stuff more and more because the frustration of having it not fit, it just isn't worth it," Chairman Feltner said, explaining part of the rationale for standardized, OEM-specified procurement.

Ending: The board approved the measure 5-0. Commissioners asked staff to continue monitoring vendor market changes and to return specific items for board review where competition or new technologies suggest a better procurement approach.