Welcome Good People:
EVERYTHING you could possibly want to know about "Preferred Vendors", "Sole Source", "Proprietary Specifications", and other methods of excluding competition to guarantee predetermined outcomes. In other words : "BID RIGGING". Who does it, and how.
Publicly Funded Projects are spending money earned by OTHERS, and subject to independent third party oversight.
Roofing and roofing services are the most expensive items of any school maintenance budget, and why "Predatory Sales Models" attack the soft underbelly of government administrators who in reality, have no power
I provide this data to protect taxpayers from KNOWN, ORGANIZED, and PUBLICLY DOCUMENTED Scams perpetrated upon schools across all of North America..
I am not affiliated with any Manufacturer, Distributor, Consultant, or Contractor, and am wholly responsible for content. If you feel I've made a factual, documented error, you will send the concern to me. I'll review, and make a correction if necessasry.
RobertRSolomon@aol.com
Competitive Public Bidding:
“Publicly Funded Roofing and
Roofing Services"
By: Robert R. Solomon
NOTE: Retired
2003, do not solicit, nor accept, compensation, or personal
advancement of any kind.
Onward:
The roofing discipline has a steadfast position
against "Exclusion" of fair competition in publicly funded projects. See support documents.
We do not seek, nor support, "Exclusion"
often found in purchasing cooperatives through "Line Item",
"Sole Source", “JOC”, "Proprietary Specifications"
(unnecessarily restrictive), and "Preferred Vendors".
The discipline believes we should have an opportunity to bid on public projects
funded by our own tax dollars.
"Fair Competition" is circumvented by
purchasing cooperatives, and their operatives. They are not competitive
in the private market, and therefore not competitive in the public
market.
We abhor the "Predatory Sales Models" that advertise "We handle
it all", or "Partnering" with government agencies. The
outcomes are predetermined by naming only ONE manufacturer.
No government agency may give even the slightest
hint of favoritism, and it exposes our schools to unnecessary
suit.
Many examples of this exist, and all one has to do is type "School Roofing
Scam" into your browser, and the same on YouTube. You will find no
shortage of investigative reports there.
Please notice the reports feature two
manufacturers: Tremco (aka WTI), and Garland. It is not our desire to
"Exclude" these manufacturers, but ADD fair competition, in the form
of major, financially sound, competitive, material manufacturers.
Firestone, GAF, Johns Manville and Carlisle
Syntec, Sika Sarnafil are a few, but we have many fine examples of
"Honorable" manufacturers. All backed by billions of dollars in
assets, and strong underwriting capability.
It is the taxpayer, our schools, and our children,
we fight for. In the absence of fair competition, schools are paying a
"Premium", upwards of 50% (or more), and receiving no additional
benefit. School maintenance budgets are being decimated by this
organized exclusion policy.
The bulk of that money (25%) goes straight into a "Salesman's"
pocket, and then an average of 2% to the purchasing cooperative. By this
arrangement, the taxpayer dollar is immediately reduced to 73 cents, and
nothing to show for it.
Frankly, even if removing, or adjusting, the
sales "Commissions", you would still overpay by a large sum.
We do not wish to disrupt commerce, but to make sure
the money reaches its intended purpose. Please note that when I refer to
"Bidders", I mean "Responsible Bidders" who meet a STANDARD of criteria:
This would include financial requirements, and in
most cases, protecting the taxpayers with a "Performance and Payment
Bond" above projects with a minimum of $25,000.00 - $50,000.00.
Protecting the taxpayer from default,
or expenditure of additional monies.
We know that all projects must provide
"Serviceability", and "Value". "Cheap" does
not equal "Value" by the way. This may be remedied through
independent, third party oversight, and specifications that are
"Inclusive". We bid to a "Standard", NOT to a Manufacturer.
The following data has taken years to compile, but knowing I've helped someone in a bind, makes it worthwhile.
Take a moment to throw a glass of ice water in your face and wake up.
All Set? Here is the Public Record
The DOJ
fined Tremco (RPM) $61,000,000.00 for the abuse of GSA contracts:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/rpm-international-inc-and-tremco-inc-pay-nearly-61-million-failing-provide-government
---------------------------------
Another
example, eloquently described by the State of New Jersey, here:
http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/Roofing_Report.pdf
------------------------
ROOFING SCAM -
OHIO.wmv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGPNJxK1ZRQ
-----------------------------
News 2
I-Team: Garland
ROOFING SCAM - NEW JERSEY.wmv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWwb3UNn0V0
-------------------------------------
----------------------------------
ROOFING SCAM - NEW JERSEY:
http://www.nysun.com/national/legislators-mayors-arrested-in-new-jersey-bribery/62077/
--------------------------
Ron Solomon ON
Oklahoma News 9
“Oklahoma Schools
Accused of Wasting Taxpayer Dollars”:
https://www.news9.com/story/5e35afab83eff40362bec06e/oklahoma-school-districts-accused-of-wasting-tax-dollars
------------------------
“DOJ
Fines Tremco $61,000,000.00”
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/rpm-international-inc-and-tremco-inc-pay-nearly-61-million-failing-provide-government
----------------------
From Casetext: Smarter Legal
Research
Sec. & Exch. Comm'n v. RPM Int'l, Inc.
https://casetext.com/case/sec-exch-commn-v-rpm-intl-inc-2
-----------------------------------------
SEC Fraud Case Singled Out Global Company's
Chief Lawyer, Compliance Officer
The
Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that the GC failed to disclose key
facts about a Justice Department probe of RPM international Inc., a $5.5
billion global coatings, sealants and buildings materials company.
By Phillip Bantz | December 29, 2020 at 02:11 PM
https://www.law.com/corpcounsel/2020/12/29/sec-fraud-case-singled-out-global-companys-chief-lawyer-compliance-officer/?slreturn=20210308205304
Shut Out: New Jersey Strikes Down Suspicious Bidding.
http://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/shut-out-new-jersey-strikes-down-suspicious-bidding
---------------------------------------
An architect,
manufacturer and roofing contractors discuss proprietary specifications:
https://www.professionalroofing.net/Articles/In-their-opinions--10-02-2002/147
---------------------------------------
NK school board
approves Vinland roof replacement
------------------------------------
Garland
Consent Decree in Bid Rigging Case:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmmGoJ_czAvpalwqeGNLVlFm1N8Ly-_7f0v9pKKeheIFMQ-hIY1dOk8_lZSKcEre1InJrAL9XmInVC3ffs-s4AhAZBqe1BZ4URCkNQJ7hsS7J_bWeSOHW3daECHUMPPb_QbH5viTiOr4/s1600-h/Garland+Consent+Order+page+1+001
------------------------------
“State
Could Punish School District:”
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/state-could-punish-district/article_bcbb1c19-a4e5-5707-8ab8-97d647a0e690.html
-------------------------------
CV
school district settles lawsuit with Carlisle SynTec Systems employees:
https://wikiroof.blogspot.com/search/label/Carlisle%20breaks%20up%20Co-Op%20scam
------------------------
Garland's
lobbyist, promoting the school roofing scam.
--------------------------------------------------
Schools paying millions too much for
new roofs
CONSTRUCTION
Noncompetitive process raises price of school roofs
---------------------------------------------
"VA Official admits to 64 Counts of Construction Bribery"
https://wikiroof.blogspot.com/2014/05/va-official-admits-to-64-counts-of.html
-------------------------------------------
"TCPN, Tremco, and Taxpayers"
https://wikiroof.blogspot.com/2013/11/tcpn-tremco-and-taxpayers.html
APS Changing Roofing Specs; Officials Hope To
Save District Money
By Russell Contreras
Journal Staff Writer
Albuquerque
https://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/288320metro01-14-05.htm
-----------------------------------------
Eloquently
described by the State of New Jersey, here:
http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/Roofing_Report.pdf
------------------------
Critics Say APS Roofing Costs Sky-High
http://www.stopthewarmachine.org/events/jan18pdf.pdf
-------------------
“The Fix Is In”
At least that's what Janet Campbell claimed about
construction bids at UCSF, where she soon found herself out of a job
By Peter ByrneWednesday,
Feb 26 2003
http://www.sfweekly.com/2003-02-26/news/the-fix-is-in/
-------------------------------------------
Public School Roofing Projects
1999
A
statewide investigation of public school roof construction projects revealed
widespread waste and abuse, including conflicts of interest, subversion of
public contracting, improper labor practices and inadequate oversight that
place the safety of school children in jeopardy and cost New Jersey taxpayers
millions of dollars each year.
The
Commission aired the preliminary findings of its investigation during a two-day
public hearing in December.
http://www.state.nj.us/sci/school.shtm
-----------------------
Investigations
of Improper Activities by State Employees: February 2007 Through June 2007 September
2007 Report I2007-2
https://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/I2007-2.pdf
And:
http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/I2003-2.pdf
----------------------
California State Assembly
Committee on Accountability and
Administrative Review
http://aaar.assembly.ca.gov/20102011hearings
June 30, 2010
Protecting Taxpayers Dollars through Public Bidding:
9:00 a.m. - State Capitol, Room 437
·
06/30/10 - Agenda [pdf]
·
06/30/10 - Background [pdf]
·
Recommendations [pdf]
·
Exhibits A-F [pdf]
Major
position papers:
IIBEC
Position Statement on Procurement – Support Document.
https://iibec.org/advocacy/policy-and-position-statements/
Procurement – June 21, 2012
IIBEC supports public policies,
requirements, and administrative procedures in public procurement processes
that mandate the open selection of goods, services, and construction contracts
on the basis of qualifications; and it opposes such procurement on the sole
basis of fees, costs, and/or proprietary specifications.
IIBEC
Position Statement on Procurement – Support Document
National
Roofing Contractors Association
https://nrca.net/RoofingNews/nrca-issues-action-alert-regarding-reverse-auction-legislation.3-4-2020.8401/Details/Story
NRCA issues Action Alert regarding reverse auction legislation
“There is broad consensus the
use of reverse auctions for federal construction procurement is detrimental to
the roofing industry. Allowing reverse auctions in construction and design
procurement is ineffective because they fail to properly allocate risk; make it
more difficult for small and disadvantaged businesses to be awarded a bid; and
inhibit the competitive bidding process.
The Construction Consensus
Procurement Improvement Act of 2019 (S. 1434 / H.R. 5644) is legislation to
prohibit the use of reverse auctions in federal construction procurement.
NRCA is encouraging its
members to urge their legislators to support the legislation, which will benefit
roofing companies, ensure the quality of procurements for federal construction
projects and protect taxpayers.
For
more information or to take action and email your legislators, visit the NRCA
Grassroots Advocacy Network at:” roofingadvocacy.nrca.net.
-----------------------------------------------------
City of Long Beach
Re: JOC – Gordian Group
https://buildinginformationmanagement.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/long-beach-job-order-contract-audit.pdf
---------------------------------
Pennsylvania
Low slope Roofing assessment August 17, 2010
Carlisle
Construction Materials Pennsylvania Roofing Study AEPA Purchasing Cooperatives
Analysis of Tremco Line Item Contracts 2005‐2010
https://responsibleprocurements.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Ducker-Carlisle-Reports-PA-vs-AEPA-Tremco-costs.pdf
Ducker-Carlisle Report
When taking the money away from an argument, all that's left is
the truth. That remains at the
forefront of my mind, do my very best to bring only documented TRUTH. Nothing
else will do.
These Public Roofing Scams are decimating school maintenance
budgets across North America.
My Brothers and Sisters of the roofing discipline have every right to compete
for their own tax dollars, and not be shut out.
Oklahoma Representative Jason Murphey is a hero to the
taxpayers.
http://www.hd31.org/blog.php?title=An-Example-of-Legalized-Corruption
We in construction trades do not want
preferential treatment, but fair competition.
The only thing stopping it is "Purchasing
Cooperatives", and administrators who are either uninformed, or corrupt.
MUCH RESPECT to Rep. Murphey for standing up for
us, and taxpayers across this country.
http://www.hd31.org/blog.php?title=An-Example-of-Legalized-Corruption
An Example of Legalized Corruption
Jason Murphey's Blog.
POSTS FROM REPRESENTATIVE MURPHEY's BLOG
An
Example of Legalized Corruption
By: Jason Murphey | Sunday, December 8th, 2013 05:10:04
PM |
Almost one
year ago, Senator Clark Jolley asked me to assist him in bringing an end to what
appeared to be a practice of legalized corruption. Having worked with Jolley on
numerous modernization and efficiency measures, I have learned to pay close
attention to his concerns. He frequently proposes cost saving and efficiency
reforms, and his proposals are taken very seriously by the Legislature. Jolley
had received reports from whistleblowers who exposed extremely disturbing
abuses and he wanted to work on legislation to stop the practice.
Jolley's request started an intense one-year saga to remedy one of the worst
abuses of the taxpayer dollar that I have seen. That saga continues to this
day.
Let me tell you about this horrific abuse known as sole-source specing.
Voters within a school district or municipality approve a massive bond issue calling
for the construction of new buildings without realizing they have just
contributed to legalized corruption. Flush with cash, the benefiting governing
board hires design professionals to specify which materials are to be used in
the new project.
The designers present the governing board with grandiose plans that highlight
the inclusion of expensive features. It's all too easy for gullible board
members to approve these plans because they are after all spending other
peoples' money. These designers then draw the specifications so tightly that
only one supplier can provide the expensive features. In this way, competition
is eliminated and the supplier can charge exponentially more than would
otherwise be paid because the competitive bidding process has been eliminated.
In some cases, the project designer may actually allow the sales engineer for a
product manufacturer to write the specification so that only that one product
qualifies.
Sole-source specing has long-term implications.
More: http://www.hd31.org/blog.php?title=An-Example-of-Legalized-Corruption
Copyright ©
State Representative Jason Murphey, 2012
2300 N. Lincoln BLVD, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105 - (405) 557-7350
Jason.Murphey@okhouse.gov - @JWMurphey
-------------------------------
Schools are paying around 40%-50% MORE through Purchasing Cooperatives
(rotten to the core) using ONLY Garland, or Tremco, as they isolate, and
exclude everyone else. We are talking about competing for your own tax
dollars, and livelihood.
Price gouging on school projects
must stop
HELEN HARDY PIERCE | Commentary
May 26, 2017
https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columnists/price-gouging-on-school-projects-must-stop/article_45cc362e-4178-11e7-aba9-930567d283b9.html
The most
Honorable and achieved person in all of roofing is, in my experience: Ms.
Helene Hardy Pierce of GAF. She is a big
part of why GAF is an “Honorable Firm”, and trusted by every contractor in this
country. I cannot overemphasize her achievement, and importance.
Excerpt:
“School districts in Pennsylvania
have been victims of a very expensive waste of taxpayer money for the past
decade or more.
Certainly they can save money
when they use cooperative purchasing for items like pencils and computers. But
since at least 2005, our schools have lost millions of dollars when they
purchased roofing through this kind of system.
Like their counterparts across
the commonwealth, Lancaster-area school districts have overpaid for roofing
projects. Fortunately, there is movement in Harrisburg to address this
scandalous misuse of tax dollars.
This is a national problem, and
it is very serious in Pennsylvania. Schools have been victimized by cooperative
purchasing schemes that have cost taxpayers in excess of $100 million.
How is it that school districts
have been paying twice as much they should for roofing projects?
A survey by Ducker Worldwide
found that Pennsylvania schools that purchased roofs through the Association of
Educational Purchasing Agencies drastically overpaid for roofing projects.
According to the Ducker study, from 2005 to 2010, schools spent $100 million
more than they would have spent through public competitive bidding. You can
find the survey, as well as studies in other states, at bit.ly/ProcurementSurvey.
This wasted money could have
purchased 33 million school lunches for low-income students, or 100,000 school
computers.”
Continued….
------------------------------
If anyone ever has an issue (factually) with anything here,
please be kind enough to bring it to my attention. I will retract, or
modify the statement. Please understand that here, I do not offer
'Opinion". I will respectfully request you furnish public record to
support any discord.
My Friends across the globe, I am so thankful, and appreciative, for your
valuable time spent with me here. To date, almost 400,000 visitors, and am
humbled that anyone cares one bit about what I have to say.
I pray that you reject negativity in all forms, and always remember to keep
looking "UP".
It's much deeper than all this, but you'll be well served to stay away from Tremco, Garland, and all Purchasing Cooperatives.
Administrator "Ease" , and "We handle it all", is a combination for grotesque overspending. If you want to take a chance, prepare yourself for the State Auditor's inquiry.
Use the search box and insert words like: purchasing cooperative, fair competition, Tremco, Garland. and most of all "Predatory Sales Models".
NOTE: Retired 2003, do not solicit, nor accept, compensation, or personal advancement of any kind. Siimply put: I don't BUY, nor SELL things.
I'm the only one who has absolutely no reason to deceive you. My job is to be honest, and earn your trust. I will help anyone who asks for help.
Respect,
Robert
R. "Ron" Solomon
RobertRSolomon@@aol.com
Public
Roofing Oversight
Public
Procurement Analyst
State Certified CCC
1325620
Licensed Roofing Consultant
