I've been very busy lately with "Proprietary Specifications, and "Preferred Vendors" in public works. Sadly, I lost a mentor, and dear friend, Mr. Bob Lyons. Mr. Lyons was the first, and only 2 time President of RCI. Much respect to Mr. Lyons, and I will miss him terribly.
Downtown Tampa:
Carnival Cruise Lines out of Port Tampa:
Just trying to give you a sense of where I come from.
Today, I will share (to do your own research) more details about the U.S. Communities, Garland, SCAM. Fake pricing (actually NO pricing) on U.S. Communities website. NONE.
I've asked U.S. Communities Mr. David Kidd to furnish the "Competitive" pricing 6 times. Still no answer, and no pricing. What does that tell you?
For those of you who care more about public record, than hearsay, I am providing the following for anyone who is shut out by these thieves of school money. Be sure to check out the line about "Salesman's Compensation". Cobb County, Georgia is a den of criminals who organize this theft FOR U.S. Communities, and Garland.
NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM U.S. COMMUNITIES, OR GARLAND! YOU WILL GET RIPPED OFF EVERY TIME.
Garland is all about ripping off schools, and other public works. Garland peels 27% off your tax dollar to pay the Cooperative 2%, and the Garland Salesman gets 25%! Cobb County MAKES SURE to include it in their verbiage.
For anyone who is sick of these scammers, or shut out of huge territories, here you go:
Here are some links on US Communities/Garland scam:
US Communities News and Events- note sponsorship of events and
production of webinars:
US Communities complimentary “Strategic Sourcing Summits”
Cobb County Purchasing Department is listed as “Lead Agency” for
roofing on US Communities website and appears to solicit the nationwide roofing
contract
US Communities website states “No User Fees – no costs or fees to
participate”, but reading the Cobb County/US Communities agreement please note
on page 56 of the pdf item 5.1 under Administration Agreement in this contract
and share 5% of their fee with Cobb County Purchasing:
“5.1 Administrative Fees. Supplier shall pay to U.S. Communities a monthly
administrative fee based upon the total sales price of all purchases shipped
and billed pursuant to the Master Agreement, excluding taxes, in the amount of
two percent (2%) of aggregate purchases made during each calendar month
(individually and collectively, “Administrative Fees”). Supplier’s annual sales
shall be measured on a calendar year basis. All Administrative Fees shall be
payable in U.S. Dollars and shall be made by wire to U.S. Communities, or its
designee or trustee as may be directed in writing by U.S. Communities.
Administrative Fees shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days of the end
of each calendar month for purchases shipped and billed during such calendar
month. U.S. Communities
agrees to pay to Lead Public Agency five percent (5%) of all Administrative
Fees received from Supplier to help offset Lead Public Agency’s costs
incurred in connection with managing the Master Agreement nationally.”
There are also provisions in the vendor agreement that appear to
be more applicable to an organization that is trying to maximize sales vs. a
cooperative that is trying to save its users money, such as:
“(d) Sales Commitment. Supplier shall market the Master Agreement
through Supplier’s sales force or dealer network that is properly trained,
engaged and committed to offering the Master Agreement as Supplier’s primary
offering to Public Agencies. Supplier’s
sales force compensation and incentives shall be greater than or equal to the
compensation and incentives earned under other contracts to Public Agencies.”
Cobb County is listed on US Communities Advisory Board:
Another whistleblower case involving procurement through
cooperative:
Interesting article about an association that has come out against
sole-source contracting due to the above case:
I threw in a couple of photos of my city so your eyeballs didn't fall out.
My friends, this scourge is unapologetic when it comes to stealing your tax dollars, and they do it with an accomplice: Purchasing Cooperatives.
I welcome you to my LinkedIn Group (5,000 Members): Roof Consultant's Alliance. I write a lot there, and hopefully, some of it is useful in your pursuit of fairness.
Reject negativity in all forms, and always remember to keep looking "UP".
Respect.
Robert R. "Ron" Solomon
Director, Roof Consultant's Alliance
Public Procurement Analyst
CCC 1325620
Tampa, Florida
