"Predatory Sales Model in Roofing, and Purchasing Cooperatives".

Friends:

This is about:

NOTE: Retired 2003, do not solicit nor accept compensation or personal advancement of any kind.

On this site, you can access the "search" box for words like:

Taxpayer,  School Roofing Scam, Tremco, Garland, Purchsing Cooperative, school maintenance budgets, etc.  There are 170 posts all told.  They are accompanied by a link for source reference.

We have a right to compete for our own tax dollars.  Not have a single manufacturer "mandated" to us.  This forces us to go hungry, or play a dangerous game of defrauding taxpayers.  We know better.

Show me ANY Purchasing Cooperative that offers roofing, and I'll expose the fake competition. 

NOTE:  It will feature either Garland, or Tremco.

Two firms that nobody uses on private projects. 

We use competitive firms like GAF, Johns Manville, Carlisle, Firestone, Sika Sarnafil, etc.

Tell Tremco or Garland you are asking for several quotes, and watch them run away at top speed.   It doesn't fit the "Predatory Sales Model", and they'll move on.  They WILL NOT BID against other manufacturers.

"Bidding Manufacturers" is wrong.  Roofing Contractors bid to a "Standard", not a specific manufacturer.  That would be "Bid Rigging".

We are the ROOFERS, and you are Public Administrators.  I can't reasonably expect an administrator to be a specialist in construction trades any more than I am a Public Administrator.

"Competition" is absent in all Purchasing Cooperatives who "sell" roofing.  They get paid a "commission", and have no incentive to compete.

Intentionally, they use the highest priced material through a "Predatory Sales Model".  You will see Tremco, and Garland as the main perpetrators.

If you have a question, or feel like I need correction, please write to me directly, or add it to "Comments" at the bottom of each page.  ALL comments are welcomed, and I leave them up for public view.

Reject negativity in all forms, and always remember to keep looking "UP".

Respect.

Robert R. Solomon
Public Procurement Analyst
State Certified  CCC1325620
Licensed Roofing Consultant
RobertRSolomo@aol.com

Purchasing Cooperative "Roofing Scam":

Friends: 

I don't know if this "Roofing Scam" is interesting, but it is very real.  The reason purchasing cooperatives ONLY include Roofing, and no other trades!!  Fascinating.  I guess we roofers can have the "leftovers" after the cooperative and government get done with the isolation, and bid rigging. 

Below, you will see actual contract documents, and verbiage.  Here, I do not consider emotion, but rather "measurable units".  It is a stark existence, but feel someone has to stand up, and guess I'm "It".

Simply put:  NEVER buy a roof through a purchasing cooperative.  You will be paying 50%-100% MORE, and receive an "average' roof at best.  Garland, and Tremco are the main culprits, and while everyone in roofing knows the scam, they are afraid.  I have no such inhibition, and and can eliminate the "retribution" aspect.  In other words, I get to play the "Bad Guy" 24 hours a day. 

There is not an administrator in this country that can justify such overspending.

The DOJ busted Tremco fosr $61,000,000.00, and now facing charges from the SEC.  The SEC is suing Tremco, ANDT their attorney (a big stockholder).  SEC is demanding a jury trial for both.  Two minutes of research will reveal the scam in infinite detail.  Also, look for Janet Campbell "School Roofing Scam".  Brilliant stuff.  Respect.

It is WRONG to steal from schools, and I don't like people who do it.  A personal problem I'm afraid.

For those of you keeping score, dig this:

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Here are some links on US Communities

US Communities News and Events- note sponsorship of events and production of webinars:

http://www.uscommunities.org/news-events/?q=r-naco15

US Communities complimentary “Strategic Sourcing Summits”

http://www.uscommunities.org/news-events/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

https://www.uscommunities.org/fileadmin/hb/usc/Suppliers/Garland/ITB_14-5903.pdf

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:

https://www.uscommunities.org/about/advisory-board/

Another whistleblower case involving procurement through cooperative:

http://www.whistleblowerattorneys-blog.com/2015/01/office-depot-settles-false-claims-act-allegations-long-running-pattern-government-contracting-fraud.html

http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/tag/u-s-communities/

http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/office-depot-pay-68-5-million-settle-false-claims-charge/

http://usacomplaints.com/miscellaneous/495729-steve-hamill-hb-capital-resources-us-communities-california-communities-complaints-reviews.html

Interesting article about an association that has come out against sole-source contracting due to the above case:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/10105652/nopa-calls-upon-local-governments-to-end-sole-source-contracting

Joe Tommie is Cobb County's Purchasing Director, and he's out filming commercials for Garland on the taxpayer's dime.  Smells rotten, because it is.

I depend upon the GREED of others, and watch them move like plodding dinosaurs.  All I have to do is remember how important money is to them, and can figure it out from there.  Super predictable.  

I will be spending more time with you here, and offer a "Table of Contents' to make searches easier.

Reject negativity in all forms, and always remember to keep looking "UP" 

I am very thankful for the time you spend with me here, and we are making progress.  

Respect.

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon

Director, Roof Consultant's Alliance (5,000 members)

Public Procurement Analyst

CCC 1325620

RobertRSolomon@aol.com

Garland Roofing Materials: "Sell by FEAR"

I will take a brief respite from TCPN and their unusually rabid support of Tremco in public works.  They know what they're doing is wrong, and so do I.  The Pechacek name permeates TCPN, and will stun you with how it's all "connected".

So, it's time for more TCPN/Tremco research, and will share the results at a later date. 

In the interim, Garland Co. can "tag out" with them :

Garland Roofing Materials:  "Sell by FEAR"

NOTE:  Retired 2003, do not solicit nor accept compensation, or personal advancement of any kind.

The following information was graciously provided by:

 http://schoolroofingscam.blogspot.com/

If you want to see the damage being done to our schools through "predatory sales models", Ms. Campbell's site is the reference standard.  Once again, I will acknowledge her very long difficult journey to bring truth into light.

There is a HUGE difference between the Private Market versus Public Market.  Procurement laws are in place to PROTECT taxpayers in the Public Market.  The government doesn't own anything. The taxpayers (we the people) own buildings and their contents.  Therefore, great consideration must be given to competition for our taxpayer dollars.  Subject to all local, state, and federal LAW.

All participants in any transaction appear in public record.  They are therefore susceptible to inquiry.

A Private owner is free of such oversight.  They earned that money and right to spend it without oversight.  

Again, thank you to Ms. Campbell.


Garland's view:  (click to enlarge)

  

That's about as "Point Blank" as it gets folks.  "Sell by Fear" damn the taxpayers.

Please note that in 2011, Garland's top salesman (New Jersey) "Sold" $5,400,000.00, and received 25% commission on that number.

 .

If that doesn't grab you, nothing will. 

I know, let's see how a Garland Representative describes his job:

This is directly from an application I received (05-10-2013)

“The Garland Company"

"As a consultant for The Garland Company, I developed relationships with high-end, governmental, educational, and municipal clients to assist them in managing their roof assets.

The Garland Company is a premium roofing manufacturer that values the relationship-based sales approach.

After a three week immersive training program, I was charged with completing inspections and forensic roof evaluations for companies and clients like: Lockheed Martin, The Dallas County Community College District, The City of Dallas, The City of Mesquite, Raytheon, Texas Instruments, Dell, Air Liquide and others of similar merit.

As part of my duties I worked closely with architects, designers, and specifiers to ensure that The Garland Company’s line of products was the only roofing manufacturer named in the specification or offered to the client.

OUTRAGEOUS!

Upon completing the design phase, I would solicit bids from qualified, local roofing contractors to perform the work under my consult and supervision.

Design Build Solutions - The Garland Company

Design Build Solutions is The Garland Company's design and construction arm. Prior to 2006, it was a vastly underused entity created to control specifications through the bid process. However, once awarded The US Communities Buying Co-Operative Contract in 2006, I saw a massive opportunity to do much more than control specifications.

I began marketing and actively soliciting projects to be designed and built by DBS all over Texas.

Working mostly on military contracts, I marketed our design capabilities to The Office of The Surgeon General, The Army Core of Engineers, and The Office of Veterans' Affairs.

Most of our projects were small, multi-family base housing and medical center upgrades. As DBS was not "completely" set up to handle large, multi-disciplinary bids, I solicited bids, evaluated sub-contractors, and engaged in buy-out and VE process with subs and owners.

Soon, it became necessary to create budgetary checks and balances. I implemented a customized version of a project management software created for me by Podio and created and managed construction budgets using Quickbooks Contractor Suite.

A change in Garland's Scope of WOrk under The US Communities Contract lead them to steer me away from Design-Build projects. As I had created valuable relationships in the industry, I chose to start XXXXXXXX  with a group of like-minded construction professionals to continue pursuing larger contracts and to branch further into the private sector”.

THAT is what Garland thinks of you as taxpayers.  SELL AT ALL COST.

I wonder how much "benefit" the taxpayers, and school districts of New Jersey received to justify paying one man well over $1,000,000.00 in one year?  Keep in mind that Garland also marked up materials, therefore making their profits on top of the $5,400,000.00.

In the roofing discipline, it is rare to mention Garland, where Tremco isn't immediately followed.  The sales models funnel money to purchasing cooperatives and in return they are claimed "competitive".  THEY AREN'T.

My concern is for school districts and administrators, who are being unnecessarily exposed to suit by following promises of a "salesman".  

Please avoid "Exclusionary" or "Preferred Vendor" situations. They are clearly against the law, which may unknowingly include YOU when the topic arises.

"Pre-Compete" is a LIE.  You may "Pre-Compete" on Post-It notes, but not complex construction projects with many variables like "hidden damages".  NO roofer on earth will disagree with that comment.

If one were to include (in my humble opinion) an HONORABLE manufacturer such as GAF, Carlisle Syntec, Johns Manville, or Firestone, you will be assured of a true "Competitive" number.  I stake my reputation on that.

Garland and Tremco despise competition.  If you throw in one of the manufacturers listed above, they will immediately move on to another unsuspecting "target".  I guarantee that GAF, Carlisle Syntec, Johns Manville and Firestone will beat the pants off Garland or Tremco every single time on a competitively bid project. 

Why should the Public (especially schools) suffer as purchasing cooperatives manipulate, interpret, and rearrange local, state, and federal procurement law?

My best suggestion is to write purchase orders to manufacturers who fight hard, but fight FAIR.  For goodness' sake, at least include them on a bid list.  Garland will not compete.  They can't, and even say so on their own website.  Garland says Administrators 'have a right to choose", and that's absurd.

Administrators may not give even the slightest hint of favoritism.

Respect to:

Garland, nor Tremco can compete, nor will compete against mainstream manufacturers and that's a fact.  Don't believe me?  Tell your Garland (or Tremco) Rep you'd like to get a quote from them as well as one of the above.  Sheer panic will set in, and if they can't change your mind, they will walk away from the project.

Remember: they are battling the idea of losing a 25% commission, and to them are in the middle of a nightmare.

Our schools are suffering at the hands of purchasing cooperatives with false claims.

Thank you for spending valuable time with me here . I am humbled that you care.

Reject negativity in all forms, and always remember to keep looking "UP".

NOTE:  Retired 2003, do not solicit nor accept compensation, or personal advancement of any kind.

Respect,

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon

Public Procurement Analyst

Director, Roof Consultant's Alliance

(5,000 Members Worldwide)

CCC 1325620 (Florida)

RobertRSolomon@aol.com