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Sunday, August 17, 2008

Wicomico Taxpayer's Dollars Being Used To Purchase Alcoholic Beverage Containers.

We're not making this up folks!

http://www.wicomicocounty.org/purchase/SEALED%20BIDS/Wine%20Festival%20Bid.htm

WICOMICO COUNTY PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
P. O. BOX 870
SALISBURY, MARYLAND 21803

(X ) INVITATION FOR BID

( ) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

PROJECT: WINE FESTIVAL

DEPARTMENT: WICOMICO COUNTY TOURISM

VENDOR
NAME:
ADDRESS:
BID OPENING:

DATE: September 8, 2008

TIME: 2:00 P.M.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Submission of Bids: Bids should be submitted on the bid form provided in the solicitation. The bid form shall be signed and submitted in a sealed envelope clearly identified on the outside with the name of the project and date and time of the scheduled bid opening as indicated in the advertisement. Failure to respond to the solicitation with a formal bid or a “No Bid” will be cause for removal from the bidder’s list.

Delivery of Bids: Bids should be mailed or hand carried in order to be received in the office of the Purchasing Agent prior to the announced bid opening. Bids received after said time will be returned to the bidder unopened. It is fully the responsibility of the bidder to insure that the bid is received on time. The County will not speculate as to reasonableness of the postmark, nor comment on the apparent failure of a public carrier to have made prompt delivery of the bid.

Exceptions: Any exceptions to the specifications requested should be listed on a separate sheet of paper attached to the bid. An exception to the specifications may not necessarily disqualify the bid. The County will determine if the exception is an essential deviation or a minor item. In the case of a minor deviation, the County maintains the option to award to that bidder if it determines the performance is not adversely affected by the exception.

Award of Bid: The Purchasing Agent shall award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder complying with the provisions of the Invitation for Bid. The Purchasing Agent reserves the right to award a contract by individual items, in aggregate, or in combination thereof as deemed necessary to fulfill the anticipated requirements of the County. If some characteristic of the bid requires that the bid must be reviewed by the County Council, the award can be expected within 30 days.

Multi-Year Contracts: It should be noted that multi-year contracts may be continued each fiscal year only after funding appropriations and program approval have been granted by the Wicomico County Council. In the event that the Council does not grant necessary funding appropriation/program approval, then the affected multi-year contract becomes null and void effective July 1 of the fiscal year for which such approvals have been denied.

Insurance: If required by the Special Conditions of the Invitation for Bid, the bidder shall provide the County with Certificates of Insurance within ten (10) days of bid award notification evidencing the required coverage. Bidder must provide Certificates of Insurance before commencing work in connection with the contract.

Right to Reject: The Wicomico County Council reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids or to waive any technicality it deems in the best interest of the County.
INVITATION FOR BID

Quantity of Wine Glasses: 5000

Size Needed:

6.5 oz Citation wine glass with the Autumn Wine Festival logo satin etched on one side of the glass. – no date on them

TERM OF CONTRACT:

Need to know price per glass;

Need to know if there is a screening charge;

Need to know if there is a paper proof charge; and

Need to know the delivery charge and method of delivery for the glasses to the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center at 500 Glen Ave., Salisbury, MD.

CONTACT PERSON:

Please contact Linda Rickard at 410-548-4914 with Wicomico County Tourism if you need additional information or our website wicomicocounty.org under Bids and Proposals.

Submission of Bid:

To be submitted in a sealed envelope to Wicomico County Purchasing Department, 125 N. Division Street, Room 303 Government Office Building, Salisbury, MD 21801 no later than 2:00 p.m. on September 8, 2008. Please submit your bid on the “Bid Form” which is attached. Please enter your price per trip in the space provided after each trip.

BID FORM

TO:
Wicomico County Purchasing Department
Room 303, Government Office Building
125 North Division Street
Salisbury, MD 21801

Total Price of Glasses: ___________________

Total Price for Screening: ___________________

Total Price for Proof: ___________________

Total Price for Pick up & Delivery: ___________________

I have read, understood, and agreed to the terms and conditions of all contents of this BID. The undersigned agrees to furnish the commodity or service stipulated in this BID as stated above.

SIGNATURE: __________________________________

NAME: _________________________________

COMPANY: __________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________

TELEPHONE:__________________________________

DATE: __________________________________

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought the Deed Restriction at the Civic Center prohibited anything to do with Alcohol.

Look at where the bid solicitation is going to . . . none other than the Civic Center.

Nothing surprises me anymore from our elected official. . . especially when it comes to spending other peoples money.

Anonymous said...

The Winefest is one of the nicest events put on by the Tourism Dept. There is an entrance fee and the glasses are tokens for attending. This is a small cost for putting on this fine event for the residents and it is attended by people from all of the Mid Atlantic area. And no I am not a county employee but a taxpayer who has attended the event and realizes the benefits it provides for Wicomico's economy.

Anonymous said...

TO ANON 8:59

Bro. . alcohol is alcohol. The County shouldn't be paying one iota for these glasses.

Have you lost your marbles? Next it will be training bras, or mens underwear. Where do you draw the line.

1.Wicomico has passed surcharges on ticket sales for the Civic Center.

2. Wicomico charges 1% room tax on all hotels/motels in Wicomico.

3. Wicomico charges exorbitant fees for use of the Civic Center.

4. Wicomico subsidizes capital improvements for the Civic Center and even botches up the bookkeeping by charging the Wicomico County Tourist Office -(taxpayers money) - for rental of their offices in the Civic Center and then shows this as INCOME FOR THE CIVIC CENTER.

5. NOW WINE GLASSES!

Anonymous said...

They recoup their money on the wine glasses. The glasses are given to all ticket holders and anyone paying at the gate. At $15 per person to walk around the park they more than make their money back. Then there is the booth fee of what used to be $175 for a 10 x 10 booth per vendor around the perimeter, on top of the food vendor fees. I'm sure the wineries pay an exhorbitant amount of money to set up there and sell their wares.

Want to talk about a waste of money. Lets talk about the VIP tent where they have cases of wine and a chef back there preparing food for anyone considered a VIP and it's all FREE OF CHARGE. Who are these VIP's? Your local politicos, tourism employees and anyone they choose to wine and dine, FREE OF CHARGE.

The wine glass money is recouped, the VIP expense IS NOT.

Anonymous said...

Money is money and the government is always crying 'poor mouth,' that they can't meet their needs. When I see shit like this it always takes me back to PAC 14 and the council meetings where they never have enough money. Now you know why there isn't enough because there is no end to what they find to spend money on. I am tired of everybody justifying every extreme spending situation. Eventually, people will think it's okay for the taxpayers to pay everyone's vet bills because healthy animals make happier homes. It's bullshit and I am tired as a taxpayer (who doesn't even drink--or personally own etched wine glasses) to pay for something so frivolous. Glasses w/ an etched rim---that's bull shit. Just like the 'Shore Transit' busses all over the road driving without anyone on them to make that one run to frickin timbucktoo to carry that one person to Walmart. I'm telling you people, you need to wake up. This county, this state, this country is falling back and it's our own self indulgent fault. I personally try to stay out of this spin zone, but this wine glass story blew me away.

Anonymous said...

I thought NO ALCOHOL meant NO ALCOHOL.
How is this being explained?

Anonymous said...

Could someone please tell me what is the alcohol content of a "wine glass". I put a bunch of wine glasses in my blender with some ice, blended very well, consumed 1/2 gallon of the stuff and waited for the alcohol to give me a buzz.


I'm still waiting!

Anonymous said...

Anybody heard of the cost of doing business? The wine festival makes money for the county; the cost of the glasses is one of the expenses for putting this fine event. They recoup the cost of the glasses many times over, and I applaud the fact that they do not put a date on the glasses so that any that are left over can be used the next year.

6:59 AM: use your head. Should the glasses be delivered to Pemberton Park so the county can pay them for storage? The event is not held at the Civic Center. I don't think there's anything that says they can't have wine glasses (that would be empty ones)held at the Civic center.

Anon 8:59: Alcohol is alcohol, you're right. And empty glasses are...empty glasses! Same to you, 9:55. The event is not held at the Civic Center.

Sheesh, the county finds a way to make money and give people a good time, and you're still not happy.

Anonymous said...

Yet another Wicomico County bullshit event - (Wicomico Wine Festival).

I'm glad someone alerted me to the $15/fee. I'll gladly use my hard earned money elsewhere.

And for 8:59 AM posting:

If it is such a nice event, then maybe you ought to consider purchasing the wine glasses yourself and then donate them for Wicomico County's use. As for our taxpayers, I want mine -(taxpayers money)- in my own hip pocket.

There is an awful lot of corruption in Wicomico County. It seems like it around every corner.

Anonymous said...

This event is held at Pemberton Park not the Civic Center. Don't be a nay sayer when this is a wonderful event with or without tasting wine.

Anonymous said...

Ok people lets put our thinking caps on here.

Why are the glasses delivered to the Civic Center?

Because this is where Gary Mackes office is located and he is head of Tourism. The Civic Center has storage space. Where would you expect them to store these glasses at Pemberton Park until the event?

Anonymous said...

I think they do abuse the wording in the agreement with the late Mr. Woodcock (hope I got that name right). I believe it is worded that "no alcohol will be sold," as long as the wine is free it's not much different than New Year's Eve when they allow BYOB at the Civic Center.

Nowhere do the agreements say that alcohol can't be consumed, rather worded "sold." So they bend the agreement when it's advantageous to them.

Anonymous said...

WOW, talk about uninformed people. Now do some research before you say things that make you look like an a$$.
I can’t believe the out pouring of discontent about some wine glasses that are not costing the residents of the County one dime. They are not filled with wine, they are empty. They have to be stored until used. The Civic Center has the space plus it is where the main offices are for Parks and Recreation. Just like the hotel rooms and food at the restaurants that is going to be used and consumed by the people that attend the Wine Festival, they are the ones paying for the glasses. It’s a cost of doing business, Grow Up.
Check and see how much the County was subsidizing the Civic Center 5 or 6 years ago. They would have been just about self sufficient two years ago, but the County changed a budget item and pushed that expense on to the Civic Center. The County is not paying for the repairs and upkeep either. The Civic Center is old and should be replaced. If it was, they could provide larger venues and bring in more money to the County.
Gary Mackes, his Staff and the volunteers that help in Recreation and Tourism are doing one hell of a job for Wicomico County and its residents. Stop B!@#$ing and help out.

Anonymous said...

REF: 1:55 PM

You are out-of-touch. Most people would be sent to jail for keeping the kind of books the way the Civic Center does.

Everyone that is informed knows full well that the recently formed Civic Center Enterprise is nothing more than off-line bookkeeping. It is also deceptive in masking losses. You are either a County employee on the public dole and a beneficiary of the system.

You've just been blogged.

Anonymous said...

Please note - the bid is for the Tourism Dept. - not the civic center. The tourism dept does not receive taxpayers money - they are funded thru room taxes. They put on great events for the community with the Pork in the Park festival and the Autumn Wine Festival. They are requesting bids for glasses - not alcohol. They will be given away at the Wine festival at Pemberton Park - not the civic center. It's a great event for the area - perhaps you should attend and see for yourself!

Anonymous said...

I must partially agree with 9:54, we know and talk about our local issues and problems, while our whole country continues to become further divided in a dire time for unity.

Here again is government in competition with free enterprise just like the liquor dispensary issue. Be it the wine glasses or the wine itself, politicians say one thing and do another.

Are the vendors (each vendor) required to purchase a one day alcohol license which would be the case if it were private enterprise or non profit organizations like the Moose, Elks and many others that contribute to our community already? Even Fire Department functions must obtain a one day license for a Casino night or other event where they may serve alcohol.

The county has already gained back the revenue that was once being transported to another business for these peoples own personal gain. That should provide plenty of wiggle room considering how long it took to figure this problem out. Employee theft is a big problem everywhere, why would you think it doesn't happen in government? I really don't want to see the insurance company pay off for this negligence, we should demand restitution. Relying on insurance only makes our insurance higher for the taxpayers rather than hold the criminals accountable and bleed them of their ill gotten gains.

No wonder it's a thieves paradise these days, we make it that easy for them and then depend on insurance to cover for the negligence of our own government.

Anonymous said...

LOOKS LIKE ALOT OF PAPER WORK JUST FOR SOME GLASSES, HELL! CLEAR PLASTIC CUPS WOULD DO THE SAME THING AFTER A FEW CUPS OF THE WINE WHO THE HELL CARES ABOUT HOW FANCY THE POISON HOLDER IS ! JUST DRINK AND ENJOY

Anonymous said...

ppl for goodness sake lets hope these wine glasses are not $23.00 each! if so joe holloways gray hair will turn red.

Anonymous said...

4:24
I feel great being blogged by one of the least informed people in the County. There's a bridge in New York you can buy, I hear it's a good investment. You only know what your friends complain about and what the Daily Times tells you.
Get some info then get a life.
Now you've been blogged