MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

MAYOR HENRY SUPPORTS INDIANA-PREFERENCE COUNCIL ORDINANCE

Companies on state’s list could receive preference for purchasing contracts, RFPs

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Last month, I announced my support for the proposed City Council ordinance that could give Indiana companies preference for the City’s requests for proposal and commodities and supplies contracts.

The ordinance, which was introduced to Council June 23, will use the Indiana Department of Administration certification of an Indiana business. The state certification requires a substantial economic investment and presence in Indiana. Councilwoman Karen Goldner and Councilman Tom Didier are co-sponsors.

The City of Fort Wayne needs to balance our efforts to keep tax dollars here in our community and making sure we serve our taxpayers by getting a competitive price for services and products we purchase. This ordinance as drafted minimizes the administrative burden yet gives companies that pay taxes and invest in Fort Wayne or Indiana an edge over many of their out-of-state competitors.

The preference ordinance applies to specific City purchases of goods and services by allowing the City to select a company or service provider from Indiana who may not have the lowest bid over an out-of-state competitor if the other state has a preference law. It applies to contracts of $25,000 or more.

For example, if an out-of-state company has a bid for $100,000 and a Fort Wayne company comes in between $100,001 and $105,000 the Fort Wayne company would be selected if the other state has a preference ordinance. The ordinance spells out the margins for the preference.

Councilwoman Goldner said she is pleased that I recognize the importance of purchasing from local companies, and she is quite pleased that we have been able to come to a compromise Indiana-preference ordinance which they now support.

Not only does the registration process simplify the process for the City, it also makes Fort Wayne companies eligible to bid on state contracts and does not affect the City’s joint purchasing efforts with other entities.

Councilman Tom Didier was also very happy to be co-sponsoring this bill. He said he believes as a community we need to stay focused on Fort Wayne workers and the state as a whole whenever possible. And Didier is confident with this bill in place it will help to keep us pointed in the right direction.

The Purchasing staff and I do not expect the ordinance to cost the City significantly more for its contracts and purchases. Most companies with whom the City does business have a Fort Wayne presence currently. This ordinance only gives Indiana companies an edge when competing with out-of-state entities. Thirty-six states have preference laws including Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.

Business owners or managers can register their companies as an Indiana business at: www.in.gov/idoa/2464.htm. The same link is also available on the City’s website under Purchasing.

With Council approval, the ordinance becomes effective with my signature.