COMMITTEE ON LABOR
MINUTES
JULY 31, 2000
GUESTS: COMMISSIONER ANTHONY LANDI, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER RALPH BUTLER, MICHAEL CIRCOSTA (DPW)
OTHERS: ETTERE; BILL RANDOLPH, LIDDON NORMAN (CE OFFICE)
The meeting was called to order at 12:20 p.m.
MINUTES:
Chair Mosiello stated that Commissioner Anthony Landi, Department of Public Works (DPW), is here to discuss the County’s bidding process and its outreach to local contractors. This is a follow-up to prior Committee discussions. Chair Mosiello stated that he had contacted Kathie Davidson (Cty. Atty’s office) to discuss the “Come do Business with Us” Seminar Series to see if outreach efforts could be extended to a wider range of contractors. These seminars were being set up in various cities in Westchester County; and although open to all contractors, minority and women-owned businesses were being specifically targeted.
¨ All contracts must be publicly bid.
¨ Contractors may contact DPW directly at any time to set up a meeting where they can learn the County’s bidding process. DPW will even show them how to appropriately fill out the paperwork. The Board of Acquisition & Contract (A&C) is also very helpful.
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¨ Procurement Policy guidelines:
Ø $0 - $20K (Short form process). There is still a bidding process but it’s not as formal.
Ø Anything over $20K must be publicly bid and must be approved by the Board of A&C.
Ø Anything over $50K has the same process but Wicks’ Law guidelines go into effect.
¨ DPW advertises in a number of ways: Journal News; Dodge Report and Brown’s Letters (both industry subscriptions); Internet;
Westworks (A program where DPW will e-mail notices on projects every week) or they can be mailed out for a $1.00/week.
¨ Advertisements include a phone number for a contact person in DPW, states that they may obtain a copy of the proposal in Room 102 ($100 deposit – which is refunded upon return of proposal) and advises them of a date bids must be submitted by to the Board of A&C.
¨ Pre-bid site inspections are also available. This gives contractors a chance to check out the site and ask any questions they may have.
¨ Sealed bids are then opened publicly every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in Room 102.
¨ Bids are then reviewed by DPW and the Board of A&C. A&C will then contact a contractor if there have any informalities or mistakes in their bids and assist them in correcting them.
¨ Reference checks then begin on the lowest bidders to make sure that they meet the qualifications and preconditions of a project.
¨ A resolution awarding the contract to a specific contractor is then submitted for approval by the Board of A&C.
Chair Mosiello asked if they find that the same contractors are submitting bids. Commissioner Landi commented that the large, thick booklets “first time” contractors review before submitting a bid are very intimidating but that it becomes easier with every bid they offer.
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Legislator Wishnie commended Commissioner Landi and Mr. Butler for their tremendous effort in “getting the word out” on the County’s bidding process. He feels that they have always been open to new suggestions and continue to constantly improve awareness.
Legislator Wishnie made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:45 p.m. and was seconded by Legislator Ryan.