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PURCHASE SAVINGS IDEAS
By WILLIAM T. SUNLEY, Engineer of Local Roads and Streets
Credits to: Terry Burke, Project Development Engineer
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In today's economy local governments are finding it
more difficult to stretch their tax dollars. Large dollar
items, such as equipment, are usually the first to be cut
during the budget process. Services such as police protection and street repairs must still be provided — even
in the face of a shrinking budget dollar.
The State of Illinois offers two programs that may
help local agencies realize lower prices in the purchase
of equipment. Those programs are: 1) Joint Purchasing
through the Department of Central Management Services, and 2) the Illinois Department of Transportation's Used Equipment and Vehicle Sales.
JOINT PURCHASING
The 76th General Assembly gave authorization to
governmental bodies to purchase from State contracts.
There are two primary advantages of joint purchasing;
first, is reduced prices from volume buying; and second, is a savings in manpower by eliminating the need
to write and upgrade specifications, process bids, and
award contracts.
This program is administered by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, Procurement Services Division. There are over 60 contracts
available to governmental bodies. These range from
adding machines to data processing furniture, fire extinguishers to passenger vehicles, police vehicles to
tires, and light duty trucks to water coolers. Some items
may not fit local government needs but others may be
very beneficial. Local agencies may elect to participate
in the savings offered by purchasing items covered by
the State contracts, some of which can still be obtained
from vendors you may be currently patronizing, utilizing the State contract prices.
There are three items that are covered by one-time
specific purchase contracts. In order to participate in
these purchases, the local government must submit the
intended needs to the State within a predetermined
time frame prior to bidding. Rock salt and traffic paint
(including glass beads) requirements should be forwarded to the CMS Procurement Services Division
within the time frame specified. Additionally, heavy
duty trucks may be purchased during a limited period.
It is important to note, however, that agencies wishing
to purchase heavy duty trucks may only purchase those
trucks specified by IDOT.
Since 1976, many local agencies have taken advantage of this program. Even if your agency has previously taken part in this program, it may be worthwhile to take the time to find out what new items may
be available. To find out more about the State of Illinois
Joint Purchasing Program, write to the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, Procurement
Services Division, 801 Stratton Office Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706 or call Ms. Tracy Wurth at 217-785-
3900.
IDOT USED EQUIPMENT
AND VEHICLE SALES
This program is offered through the Illinois Department of Transportation. Each year IDOT takes
bids on used light-weight vehicles (pick-ups, automobiles, etc.), heavy vehicles (dump trucks, etc.),
March 1991 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 13
and, equipment (tractors, loaders, etc.). IDOT has been offering local governments the chance to purchase,
through sealed bids, used vehicles since 1986 and used
equipment since 1989. The program annually offers
approximately 400 vehicles for sale. The local governments have utilized the program by initially purchasing
31 percent of the available vehicles in 1986 up to 67
percent in 1990. Also, of the approximately 100 pieces
of equipment offered annually, local agencies purchased 52 percent in 1989 and 74 percent in 1990.
The light-weight vehicle sale is held in April with the
list of available vehicles being sent out to local governments in March of each year. The equipment sale is
usually held in June or July with the list being sent out in
May of each year. The heavy vehicle sale is held in
August with the list being sent out in July of each year.
The list states the make and model of the vehicle or
equipment, where it is located, the condition, the minimum bid required, and a contact person. Interested
agencies may inspect the vehicle or equipment before
submitting a bid.
Local agencies that request to be placed on the
mailing list will receive the list of available equipment
and vehicles each year. The agency will remain on the
mailing list until they request to be removed. In order to
get on the mailing list for either the vehicle or the
equipment sale, write to the Illinois Department of
Transportation, Equipment Coordinator, 2300 South
Dirksen Parkway, Room 216, Springfield, Illinois 62764
or call Jim Thompson at 217-782-0804 (vehicle) or
Wayne Reincke at 217-785-7365 (equipment). •
Page 14 / Illinois Municipal Review / March 1991
