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November 16, 2000 Rebid Pro Shop Contract Brings County Extra Funds
The efforts of Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside) and members of the Government Services Committee of the Nassau County Legislature, including Democratic Majority members Brian Muellers (D-Glen Cove), Michael Zapson (D-Long Beach), and Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin), paid off for the county in the form of an additional $37,000 return on the three year contract with Stick Sports as a result of a rebid for services in the pro shop at Cantiague Park. The Legislature approved the three year contract on Monday, November 13. Stick Sports, which has operated the pro shop on a month-to-month basis since January, responded in early March to the county's request for bids by bidding $16,800 annually. Skate for Gold, a second firm, bid $25,000 a year and appeared to be the bid winner. Both firms submitted their bids using as a basis skate sharpening and skate rental fees of $3 and $5 respectively. However, on March 20, the Legislature acted to raise those rates to $4 and $6, thereby making the contract more lucrative for the pro shop operator, who - as part of the contract - keeps all of these fees. When the contract with Skate for Gold, which in effect undervalued the operation of the pro shop because it did not take into account the higher fees, came before the Government Services Committee on June 14, Chairman Toback informed the Department of Recreation and Parks and County Executive Thomas Gulotta that the contract would not be considered by the Committee until it had been rebid with the updated fees. The second time around Stick Sports bid $37,600 and this week was awarded the contract to operate the pro shop, bringing the county $12,600 more each year than would have been realized had the Committee moved ahead by approving the contract with Skate for Gold without going through the rebidding process. The three year contract, which is estimated will bring into the county about $115,000 in revenue, includes an escalator clause for inflation over the second and third year of the contract. That is approximately a $37,000 difference over the three years or about 50% more than the original Skate for Gold bid as a result of the Government Services Committee's efforts. Legislator Toback said, "As a result of our careful review and willingness to rebid this contract, the county will be receiving more in rent in three years from the Stick Sports contract than it would have received through four years with the first bidder. This is a good example of how we can work for the benefit of taxpayers in Nassau County. At this time of budgetary stress in the county, every little bit helps." |