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Purchasing updates: translation-vendor pilot, prison-industry procurement and interest in 3D printing
Summary
Purchasing Director Brett Hutchins reported a Lionbridge pilot for translation services, procurement options with Iowa Prison Industries in Anamosa, and agreed to explore supervisors’ suggestion to expand use of a county 3D printer to reduce small-parts costs.
Brett Hutchins, Linn County’s purchasing director, told supervisors the purchasing office is on budget, fully staffed and continuing work on strategic KPIs for green procurement. He reviewed recent bids and purchases for multiple departments.
Hutchins said the county has been piloting the state-awarded translation vendor Lionbridge with Public Health and that, if the pilot proves satisfactory, the county could offer the vendor countywide to consolidate translation services.
He also described a tour of Iowa Prison Industries in Anamosa; staff learned the operation had shifted some production lines and added new items (including air filters and trash bags) that the county’s facilities and secondary-roads departments might consider purchasing pending pricing and quality checks.
A supervisor asked whether the county could expand in-house 3D printing after citing a $400 saved by the auditor's office using a 3D-printed part. Hutchins said he could follow up after the election and provide usage and vendor data.
The Board took the items as information; no procurement commitments were approved at the meeting.
