NORTH JERSEY NIGP CHAPTER #7 - MINUTES

PAST MINUTES ARE POSTED BELOW

NORTHERN NEW JERSEY NIGP
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING – December 14, 2017
MADELINES ON VOSSELLER, BOUND BROOK, NEW JERSEY

The meeting was called to order at 10:03 A.M. by President James Jorgenson.
After the flag salute, a moment of silence was observed.  New guests were welcomed and self-introductions were made by the attendees.
There was a joint motion to approve both the Treasurers Report (Beginning Balance $7,726.07, Ending Balance $7,472.01) and the previous meeting’s minutes which had been posted to the website. The motion was approved.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Kathleen McKenzie Cupano, Assistant Director Center for Government Services, Rutgers Continuing Studies
Registration for Fall 2017 courses is up 17%.  The Spring 2018 brochure has been printed and is now available.  Brochures for the Annual Forum held in May will be available soon.  The keynote speaker will be Jim McQueeny. 

Brian Gallagher, Promotional Sales Specialist, NJ Dept. of Corrections
Mr. Gallagher was previously with the Department of Purchase and Property.   He advised the attendees that if they needed any information in regard to NJ Start, to please see him after his presentation for names of personnel who would be able to assist with any NJ Start inquires.
He is now the Promotional Sales Specialist for the NJ Department of Corrections (DEPTCOR).   This division uses inmate labor to manufacture goods and provide services that that are available for sale to state agencies, counties, and municipalities. 
Their mission is to educate, train and provide marketable skills to the inmates and at the same time provide a well-priced product.  
Their business units are as follows:
Metal Fabrication, Wood/Concrete, Printing & Graphics, Signs & Decals, Bakery, Bed & Bedding, Clothing/Apparel/Footwear, and Furniture and Office Systems.   Their offerings include;

• Wood and Concrete Division produces sheds, tables, beach walks and park benches.
• Printing and Graphics make envelopes, NCR forms, and labels
• Seating, Furniture and Office Systems unit-you can buy disassembled furniture and DEPTCOR will install it.   

• Signs & Labels makes street signs, decals & nameplates.
• Clothing, Footwear and Janitorial make safety vests, work boots, & T shirts.

There are 700 inmates employed, making 30 to 90 cents an hour.    It is a good social mission which reduces recidivism and at the same time provides a cost savings to the taxpayer. 
Contact Brian Gallagher (Brian.Gallagher@doc.nj.gov) or David Belowick for more information regarding DEPTCOR. Remember that a good reason to utilize DEPTCOR for purchasing is that they are both competitive and compliant,

James Jorgensen, President
NEW BUSINESS:  Apryl Roach and Francis Decibus were nominated to serve as Executive Board members for the 2018-2019 term. The President also appointed Gail Catania and Harry Cevallos to serve as Board Members.

Joseph A. Valenti, LLC, Governmental Purchasing Educator
Mr. Valenti presented a legislative review to the members, During the 2016/17 legislative session there were 160 bills that directly or indirectly affected procurement.  All will be reintroduced in the upcoming session.  This legislative session will likely be more labor oriented since there is a Democratic majority.      Some bills and topics highlighted were:
S693-Design Build Contracts: The Bridgeton Prison and the Atlantic City Tunnel were built under the design/build concept.  He noted that the AC Tunnel which is only 2 miles long took 4 ½ years to build.  Under this scenario, the contractor runs the show.  It will not impact school boards. 
S728/A1118-the objective is to make the Pay to Play and Prevailing wage amount thresholds equivalent. Prevailing wage is due to be set again in 2019
S3409/A5071- are backed by the UCTA and concern changes in construction contracts; implements a new “change condition” or “change directive”process which is unique from the current change order process in effect. 
A2220- Authorizes local units of government to use electronic procurement technology for goods and services, construction and property sales.
A4932-Electronic bidding Construction Act-shall use if project value exceeds $5 million.
Procurement Cards: Also discussed were the various issues that have been raised concerning the use of Procurement Cards and his belief that a Local Finance Notice should be issued regarding this subject.   
Cooperative Pricing Systems: Vendors are getting smarter and expect a reasonable amount of their goods or services to be purchased when they offer their pricing through a cooperative.  Can estimates be made binding?  This issue has risen in contracts for asphalt and rock salt.

OLD BUSINESS:
The President thanked the current Executive Officers and Jane Foti and Francis Decibus for their support and for volunteering their services. 
He extended his wishes for a Happy Holiday to all the members

Respectfully Submitted,      Mary Richers