Recommend approval to procure playground equipment from GameTime c/o Dominica Recreation Products, Inc. in the amount of $120,837.92.

This SPLOST-funded playground is part of the development of Summerside Park located nearby Clinch Street in Aldermanic District 5. The purchase includes a shaded play system with slides and a climbing apparatus to replace an existing play system. The purchase also includes playground equipment for the new Summerside Park, including a play system with slides and a climbing apparatus, swings, a merry-go-round, mulch safety surface, a plastic border system to enclose the play area, four benches, two trash receptacles, and four picnic tables.

The method of procurement used for this purchase was a request for proposal issued by Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, N.C., as part of the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. U.S. Communities is a purchasing cooperative that provides procurement resources and solutions to local and state government agencies, K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations at the contractor’s lowest available government pricing. Third party audits are performed on all contracts and benchmarking analyses conducted to ensure ongoing value. U.S. Communities adheres to a stringent competitive selection process for all contracts offered through the program. Lead governmental agencies issue the competitive solicitations and oversee the evaluation, award, and contractual process.

Cooperative purchasing is authorized as an appropriate procurement method in Division 10 Section 4-4152 of the City of Savannah’s Purchasing Ordinance.

Proposals were received on March 16, 2017. An evaluation selection team comprised of representatives from Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, Fairfax County VA schools, Davis, CA United schools, and the city of Los Angeles, CA reviewed and scored the proposals. A contract was awarded by Charlotte-Mecklenburg County and a master agreement with U.S. Communities was signed for a five-year period with two two-year renewal options on May 8, 2017. Pricing is based on a 24% discount from list for equipment with an additional 10% discounted for volumes over $75,000.00.

Approval