At the last SFD board meeting,  a citizen questioned the reasons for SFD staff not to follow the 3 bid rule when it suggested a Performance-Based Contract with Trane. I can see why someone in the private sector would question that process. Whenever possible, it is common practice for government agencies to go piggy-back on State bids. Every jurisdiction’s purchasing procedures will allow that jurisdiction to benefit from another jurisdiction’s bid as long as the specifications are the same and that they follow a bidding process as rigorous as the jurisdiction making the purchase. The State of Arizona follows very strict purchasing guidelines when going out to bid. When another jurisdiction/district needs to make a purchase, it is very cost effective and practical for them to piggy-back with the State’s bid. By doing so, they know that they are getting the best possible price, they save the cost for advertising, staff time and are confident that proper bidding procedures were followed in the purchase. That’s how jurisdictions purchase police cars, fire trucks, Kevlar vests and guns for the police departments, turnout coats, boots and breathing apparatus for the fire departments. It would be irresponsible for any jurisdiction not to follow these purchasing procedures. SFD Business Director, Karen Daines, is to be commended for taking the opportunity to save money for the district. As a former municipal finance director and SFD taxpayer I would be thoroughly opposed to wasting money on an unnecessary bid process.

Abe Koniarsky    akon1979@esedona.net