Friends:
In the 7 years I've spent with you here, have made great progress for "Fair Competition" in the bidding process for publicly funded projects. I am of the opinion that you have a right to compete for your own tax dollars, and not be ruled by government "mandates".
The government has a method of choosing "Winners', and "Losers", and this comes in the form of "Purchasing Cooperatives". Surprised? "Ron, I thought Purchasing Cooperatives "Save you money because they buy in bulk", Or, "Our vast negotiating power saves you money". Both are false, and I can prove it to you through public record, and common sense.
Let us establish that if you are not competitive in the private market, you are not competitive in the public market. Fair enough?
Purchasing Cooperatives are essentially "Commissioned Salesmen", and have absolutely NO incentive to compete. In fact, the more something costs, the more commission (typically 2% of the contract amount) they make.
The Cooperative obfuscates the truth through methods of bidding that are impossible to calculate. One method is "Line Item" bidding, where the bidders fill out many pages of highly detailed individual items. Then, they cherry pick ONE of those "Line Items" favorable to their "Preferred Vendor". Voila!, mission accomplished.
It is IMPOSSIBLE to estimate a roof, and provide a hard bid through "Line Items", and not one estimator in any country will refute that statement.
ROOFING is the costliest item of any school maintenance budget. ROOFING is also the ONLY TRADE Purchasing Cooperatives" offer. Is it starting to add up for you? If they tried this with any other trade (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrician, etc.) they would RIOT!
Roofs purchased through Cooperatives cost an average of 40% MORE than by a "Mainstream Manufacturers (GAF, Firestone, Johns Manville, Carlisle, Barrett, etc) and local roof consultant.
The two primary culprits of this deception are Tremco AKA Waterproofing Technologies, and Republic Powdered Metals RPM. The other is Garland Ind. and their metals division IMETCO.
For the sake of discussion will call them Tremco, and Garland. Private owners do not use them because they are grotesquely overpriced, and average roofs at best. It is a complete SCAM.
Please don't take my word for it, and type "School Roofing Scam" into your browser. Then, do the same thing on YouTube. You will find no shortage of investigative reports on them there.
Friends, every word I say is backed by public record, and I do not share "Opinions".
Tremco was fined $61,000,000.00 by the DOJ for abusing GSA contracts. The schools they defrauded got NOTHING.
Tremco, and their attorney are now being sued by the SEC who are insisting on a jury trial.
See: http://www.durabilityanddesign.com/news/?fuseaction=view&id=15485
See: https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2016/comp23639.pdf
For Garland: (State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation):
http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/Roofing_Report.pdf
U.S. Communities illustrates the problem in a big way here:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/US-Communities-Government-Purchasing-Alliance/nationwide/Cooperative-Government-Purchasing-US-Communities-the-truth-behind-a-national-scam-All-478352
Cooperative Government Purchasing - U.S. Communities the truth behind a national scam! All States, Counties And Cities: Nationwide
Garland is the "Preferred Vendor" of U.S Communities (another fraud), and pays a 5% "Commission" to the County Commission of Cobb County, Georgia. As a result, this "Lie" is spread throughout the USA.
Salesmen" talk administrators into believing this lie, and expose them to great public scrutiny, They also decimate school maintenance budgets. NEVER is it okay to call out one manufacturer on a public project. That is collusion, and bid rigging. That "Salesman" is getting a 25% "Commission" for misleading you, and cares not about your career as an administrator.
Since we're talking about "Commissions", let's add up what the public is getting for their money. Cooperative gets 2%, Salesman gets 25%, so your tax dollar just turned into 73 cents and nothing to show for it. Mainstream manufacturers do not pay commissions to salesmen to "get over" on you.
If Tremco, and Garland, were so "Competitive", why doesn't WalMart, Target, or any other retailer use them? Because they're not stupid, and using their own money, that's why.
U.S. Communities shills for Garland, and TCPN shills for Tremco. Completely absent moral, decency, or care for the schools, and taxpayers they defraud. These purchasing cooperatives actually have seminars on hot to avoid "competitive bidding'. I find it disgraceful, and you should too.
If you don't value our schools, the taxpayers, and their children, you should at least value your job, and freedom, I've been through this many, many times, and seen the damage it does. We will continue the discussion in my next post where I will provide links, and break down their "sales points" into plain English.
I am very thankful for the time you spend with me here, and happy to revise any statements I've made that are factually incorrect. I can't argue your "emotion", but I can argue "fact".
The next post will be a real "scorcher", so please stand by.
NOTE: Retired 2003, do not solicit nor accept compensation or personal advancement of any kind.
Reject negativity in all forms, and always remember to keep looking "UP"
Respect.
Robert R. Solomon
Director, Roof Consultant's Alliance
Public Procurement Analyst
CCC 1325620
RobertRSolomon@aol.com
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Friday, October 7, 2016
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:
.
Here are some links on US Communities
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:
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
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
RPM (Tremco) Facing SEC Fraud Case.
Thank you to the wonderful people at Durability + Des8ign.
http://www.durabilityanddesign.com/news/?fuseaction=view&id=15485
Note the SEC is demanding a jury trial.
This is going to get ugly, and not long after the DOJ fined them $61,000,000.00 for abusing GSA contracts. If Tremco fell of the earth's surface tomorrow, nobody would miss them.
Purchasing Cooperatives who enable them are just as responsible, and I hope they get a good "Wut Fer" as well.
| Color + Design | Building Envelope | Decorative Finishes | Maintenance + Renovation | Coatings Technology | Good Technical Practice |
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Thursday, September 1, 2016
AEPA Purchasing Cooperative and RCI.
Friends:
This is another example of a fake "Line Item' bid scheme. Fill out 55 pages of "Line Items", just so they can pick a single favorable line item for their "Preferred Vendor".
Let me make a prediction: AEPA will choose one of the following: Tremco, or Garland. They're the only ones who perpetrate in such heinous abuse of taxpayers.
I want RCI to "Stand Up", and tell AEPA : NO LINE ITEM BIDDING. No estimator in this country (or anywhere else) can determine the price of a roof from a "list". There are just too many variables in figuring these projects, and NO LIST on earth can produce a hard bid. Can't do it.
What their "list" says is the exact opposite of how any roofing professional estimates are done.
This is another example of a fake "Line Item' bid scheme. Fill out 55 pages of "Line Items", just so they can pick a single favorable line item for their "Preferred Vendor".
Let me make a prediction: AEPA will choose one of the following: Tremco, or Garland. They're the only ones who perpetrate in such heinous abuse of taxpayers.
I want RCI to "Stand Up", and tell AEPA : NO LINE ITEM BIDDING. No estimator in this country (or anywhere else) can determine the price of a roof from a "list". There are just too many variables in figuring these projects, and NO LIST on earth can produce a hard bid. Can't do it.
What their "list" says is the exact opposite of how any roofing professional estimates are done.
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AEPA
Pre-bid Conference Call
Registration - Today | |||||||
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Thursday, May 26, 2016
U. S. Communities LIES about ROOFING!!
Friends:
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.
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:
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
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