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Volume 2 Issue 2February 1998

California Multiple Awards Schedule (CMAS) Fax Vendor Options

Paul Stark
Analyst, Libraries and Learning Resources Programs, CCCCO

The 1997-98 State Budget Act contained $18.0 million for ex-penditure on the Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Program (TTIP). One focus of that expenditure was for the library and learning resources technology and electronic resources initiative. This initiative provides faculty and students access to the resources in the California Community College systems' libraries and learning resources programs. The 1997-98 State Budget Act allocated approximately $3.9 million for the initial phase of the project.

Of the five minimum information technology standards adopted for the California Community Colleges for use with telecommunications funds, the two required for this year’s funding are:

1. MARC Conversion - That community colleges convert no less that 75% of their college library collection to U.S. MARC cataloging standard, and

2. A fax machine in the library of Group III or higher (revised 1/98).

CMAS Vendors
Although no special arrangements have been made to negotiate a state rate or group purchase for these items, the California Community Colleges have the opportunity to purchase telecommunications equipment for the libraries through the California Multiple Awards Schedule (CMAS). There are four CMAS participating fax vendors listed below who submitted an interest in providing the equipment. Instructions to use the CMAS are as follows:

• Contact individual vendors directly at the phone numbers listed below
• Identify your organization and that you are participating in the CMAS
• Refer vendor to their specific CMAS contract number (shown below).
• Vendors will provide you with CMAS prices

Be sure to ask about installation, maintenance, and local technical support. There are several models available within each product line including options/upgrades to the equipment. Be sure you are ordering equipment that meets the library technology requirements.

Omnifax
CMAS contract #: 4-95-58-0003A
contact person: Michael O'Rourke
phone number: 1-800-933-3053
fax number: (916) 366-1183

Sharp
CMAS contract #: 4-95-58-0004A
contact person: Mike McCarthy
phone number: (916) 944-2210
fax number: (916) 944-2621

Stringer
CMAS contract #: 4-95-58-0009A
contact person: Frank Dalimonte
phone number: (916) 448-6666
fax number: (916) 928-2704

RICOH
CMAS contract #: 4-95-36-0010A
contact person: Kathleen W. Carr
phone number: (415)468-3460 x 117
fax number: (415) 467-5858

Advantages and Disadvantages
The following points outline the benefits of using the California Multiple Awards Schedule.

Advantage: The CMAS program provides client agencies with an easy and value effective procurement vehicle, for both information technology and commodity products and services. California state and local government agencies have the flexibility to choose a product or service according to their business needs, such as price, warranty, supplier performance or brand name.

Advantage: The CMAS Unit establishes agreements with those manufacturers/suppliers that offer products and/or services which are currently on an existing multiple award schedule with the Federal General Services Administration (GSA) or other approved multiple award contract.

Advantage: Cities, counties, districts, or other local governmental bodies or corporations empowered to expend public funds are NOT subject to the CMAS Maximum Order Limit. Each local agency should make its own determination whether the CMAS program is consistent with their procurement policies and regulations, including ordering limits. A CMAS contractor DOES NOT have to hold a Federal GSA multiple award schedule contract.

Disadvantage: When using any CMAS Vendor a fee will be charged to State and local government agencies. DGS Procurement Division will directly bill each California Community College or District for use of CMAS contracts, equal to 1.21% of the value of each order. The 1.21% fee should NOT be included in the order total, or remitted before a bill is received from the Procurement Division.

Source:
Systems Advancement and Resource Development Chancellor's Office, California Community Colleges

If you have any questions please call Carolyn F. Norman at (916)322-6290.