Department: Resource Management
Staff Contact: Emily Baker/Amy Tharnish
Subject: Acceptance of bid and consideration of award of contract to FE Technologies for the purchase of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) equipment for the new Indian Creek Library.
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Item Description:
title
Acceptance of bid and consideration of award of contract to FE Technologies for the purchase of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) equipment for the new Indian Creek Library.
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Summary:
These devices will be utilized in the new Indian Creek Library for the purpose of being able to remotely, and in realtime, check-in and -out library materials. By the devices having remote abilites to check-in and -out books, this will allow for the staff to reach a broader customer base than was previously attainable. This would include places such as retirement communities, schools, and hosipitals. Additionally, FE Technologies is a partner of Lyngsoe systems, from whom we recently purchased our Automated Handling System. With this partnership, there is an ease of integration and compatibility with existing equipment and allows for more compatibility in other functions within the library. The improved functionality and efficiency is in their unique offering of a centeralized administration console. FE Technologies is the only vendor that offers the ability for patrons to check out their own items in the stacks through their mobile device and to alert the RFID system to not trigger the gates when they exit with the items which is a benefit of their centralized administration console. It also allows for staff to check out items and perform other Library functions using a tablet or smart phone.
FE Technology was also half the cost of their competitors without a loss to quality or service.
Staff recommends award to FE Technologies.
No Olathe vendors offer this type of service.
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Financial Impact:
Estimated expenditure will be $79,000 to be paid from the Library Technology Equipment budget from the Indian Creek Library Project.
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Action Needed:
Award of contract to FE Technologies for the purchase of a laptop vending unit.
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Attachment(s):
A. Competition Exception Report
B. Quote