TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to execute all documents allowing the City of Long Beach to participate in the Houston-Galveston Area Council Buy (HGACBuy) Program, for the cooperative purchase of Homeland Security-related goods and services, on an as-needed basis. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Houston-Galveston Area County Buy (HGACBuy) Program is a unit of local government, which is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, and has been in existence for approximately 30 years. The HGACBuy specializes in high dollar, capital-intensive products and services that require technical, detailed specifications and extensive professional skills to evaluate bid responses, primarily in areas such as public safety, public works and communications. The HGACBuy Program allows government agencies and non-profit organizations to utilize its high-volume library of cooperative agreements and provides access to valuable purchasing discounts, which results in expedited procurement and the associated costs of administering a competitive bid process is reduced, if not eliminated. All of HGACBuy's contracts are competitively bid and offer the best available pricing.
The City is continually looking for ways to efficiently purchase Homeland Security-related items that are federal and/or state grant-funded, in order to meet stringent deadlines and comply with procurement requirements. The resources supplied through HGACBuy will reduce the City's operating costs to bid out these items, provide cost-effective product pricing and, most importantly, ensure a competitive procurement process was conducted. At this time, authorization to participate in the HGACBuy Program on an as-needed basis is being requested.
In 2004, the City Council, in an effort to expedite the procurement process, enacted Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) Section 2.84.010, granting purchasing authority to the City Manager for Homeland Security grant-funded purchases up to $500,000. Orders generated through HGACBuy will be subject to LBMC Section 2.84.010, and if orders exceed $500,000, City Council approval will be requested.
The City Charter Section 1802 provides an alternative procurement method by permitting the City to purchase or otherwise obtain services, supplies, materials, equipment and labor with other governmental agencies by purchasing under their contracts on a voluntary and selective basis when authorized by a Resolution of the City Council.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on December 1, 2011 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on November 30, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on January 24, 2012 to expedite the participation in this program to purchase Homeland Security-related items.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no annual membership dues required to become a member or to make purchases through the HGACBuy Program. There is no fiscal impact or local job impact associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL BUY PROGRAM (HGACBUY) FOR THE COOPERATIVE PURCHASE OF HOMELAND SECURITY RELATED GOODS AND SERVICES
Respectfully Submitted,
JOHN GROSS
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT/CFO
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER