COD trustees want to go local for purchases
College of DuPage trustees want the Glen Ellyn school to think local whenever possible when it comes to purchases.
Trustee Kory Atkinson raised the issue Thursday when it came time for the generally routine approval of a copier paper supplier for the year. His question: Why go with the Missouri firm -- even though the lowest bidder for the contract -- when another bidder is in the area?
When the college asked for companies to submit estimates for the paper, it did not include in the specifications that any provider be within a geographic area, board attorney Ken Florey explained. Additionally, bidding laws require that geographic requirements be relevant to the contract, which in the case of the paper, they were not, he said.
But trustees wondered whether it was possible to look more closely at trying to find instances where they can use local businesses. Trustee Joseph T. Snyder recommended they try to use DuPage County firms whenever they're able.
Florey said the college can't put such specific restrictions into bid requests, but it can require contractors to be within a certain mile radius, and only if it's relevant. A copier repair contract, for example, would be problematic if the company was based out of state because quick response is an issue.
The school does put such requirements in some of its contracts when it's fairly obvious, such as in a case with repairs, but doesn't do it in every instance because it's not applicable, explained Tom Ryan, vice president for academic affairs.
Trustees, though, asked that staff members take a close look at every instance when they're preparing a contract request to see if they can use local firms and include a geographic requirement.
"I'll take investing $24,000 in my community ... as long as it's legal," Trustee Mark Nowak said.
Trustee Kathy Wessel, however, expressed concerns about the request to look at every new potential contract that way, particularly when the school already considers such a requirement in obvious cases.
"I feel we're continually making more work for the administration rather than less," she said.