FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2020

County Executive Day Signs “Best Value” Local Law
Saving Taxpayer Dollars and Improving Rockland Economy

New City, NY, - Rockland County Executive Ed Day signed the Local Law authorizing the use of “Best Value Award Methodology” for purchase contracts on Monday, December 21, 2020, with Risa Hoag, President of the Rockland Business Women’s Network in attendance. The Rockland County Legislature passed the Law during their Tuesday, December 15, 2020, meeting.

“I am glad that the Legislative Majority finally held a Public Hearing and actually held a vote on this Local Law. I have filed numerous versions of this law, the first in 2015 with this version submitted in 2018, and its passage is long overdue,” said County Executive Day. "My thanks to County Legislators Hon. Lon M. Hofstein, Hon. Vincent D. Tyer, Hon. Christopher J. Carey, Hon. Charles J. Falciglia, Hon. Douglas J. Jobson and Hon. Laurie Santulli for sponsoring my version. Also, thanks to County Legislators Hon. James J. Foley and Hon. John W. McGowan for supporting my version when they ran for County Legislator last year.”

The use of the Best Value Award Methodology does not replace low bid awards. However, when appropriate, it will give the County the ability to consider other factors besides cost when awarding competitively bid contracts and will provide two important benefits.

The first benefit allows the County to consider a bidder’s status as a local, Minority or Woman Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) when determining contract awards. Most MWBE firms are also small local businesses, so increasing contract awards to these companies helps the local economy.

“As a resident and small business owner in Rockland, a certified NYS WBE, and as the President of the Rockland Business Women’s Network, I am pleased that the County Legislature and our County Executive came together to pass what should be a significant piece of legislation that will directly support businesses in Rockland. Best Value Purchasing ensures that the County will look at more than just the lowest price when it comes to procurement, and place value on service, quality, timely performance, and even knowledge of the County. Ultimately this legislation should lead to more money remaining in Rockland to support business owners and their employees, and that benefits everyone,” said Risa Hoag, President of GMG Public Relations, Inc.

“The Best Value Local Law will truly assist local businesses, all while saving taxpayer dollars. However, the Chairman of the County Legislature Alden H. Wolfe insisted on adding a ‘Sunset Clause’ which will cause this Law to expire automatically in three years. It is unfortunate that the Chairman would put an expiration date on a Law that will assist local, women, and minority owned businesses but we will show him the clear savings and economic benefits of making the use of Best Value permanent,” said County Executive Day.

The second benefit allows the County to purchase from National Cooperative Contracts, that have also been awarded by Best Value. Currently, the County cannot purchase equipment, supplies and services, over the statutory bid limit, from National Cooperative Contracts. These National Cooperatives utilize their larger purchasing power to negotiate better pricing for governments across the country. National Cooperatives such as NASPO-Valuepoint, OMNIA Partners and Sourcewell provide contracts for equipment, supplies and services used regularly by local governments, at competitive prices.

Contracts for the necessary completion of a public works contract covered by the Prevailing Wage provisions of Article 8 of the Labor Law, such as building construction and renovation are excluded from Best Value and will continue to be awarded by low bid.

The decision to award a contract on the basis of Best Value shall include a cost-benefit analysis. In evaluating and determining to accept a higher-priced offer, the Purchasing Division and County Department shall use this cost-benefit analysis to show quantifiable value or savings from non-price factors that offset the price differential of the other offers.

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