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Commission advances $1.21M Staples office-furniture contract amid MWBE participation debate
Summary
County purchasing recommended a $1,212,906.67 contract award to Staples after a sealed bid; commissioners debated breaking large commodity contracts into smaller scopes to allow LOSB/MWBE participation and the committee advanced the award (8–2).
Committee members recommended approval of a multi-department contract to purchase general office furniture from Staples Contract and Commercial LLC (not to exceed $1,212,906.67). Purchasing staff said the solicitation was a sealed bid, evaluated on discount percentage, and Staples was the recommended awardee.
"There was a sealed bid put out for this and it was requested on 06/27/2024... the department recommended that the bid be awarded to Staples... due to them having the highest percentage of discounts," said James Gloucester, administrative purchasing. Several commissioners — most vocally Commissioner Thornton — urged the county to identify ways to break large commodity contracts into smaller, more accessible scopes so local and minority vendors can compete; EOC staff said they are studying opportunities to break commodities where feasible, but noted furniture contracts can be harder to split without losing bulk discounts. The committee voted 8 ayes to 2 nos to recommend the award.
Purchasing and EOC staff said previous versions of this contract included a minority subcontractor that could not reach terms with Staples; they reiterated that contracting and goals-setting earlier in the procurement process are the most effective levers to increase local participation.
