Agenda Item
viii. Contract ~ Award and Contract Spend Limit Increase ~ Sole Source ~ General Service Administration (GSA) Contract No. 47QTCA21D0098 ~ Rauland-Borg Corporation with Southwestern Communications, Inc. (SWC) as a Sole Source Distributor ~ Parts, Installation and Repair of Equipment, Instrumentation and Controls (Not to Collectively Exceed $5,750,000)
Summary: Presented by: Mr. Darrell Stallings, Chief of Capital Improvements, Division of Capital Improvements
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education (“the Board”) approve the following:
The use of the General Services Administration (GSA) Contract No. 47QTCA21D0098 with Southwestern Communications, Inc. for the continued purchase, installation, maintenance, and repair of Rauland-Borg Corporation communication systems district-wide for a one (1) year term effective September 15, 2026, through September 14, 2027, not to exceed amount of $3,750,000.
An increase in the spend limit of General Services Administration (GSA) Contract No. 47QTCA21D0098 with Southwestern Communications, Inc., for the current renewal period (#4), expiring September 14, 2026, in the not- to- exceed amount of $2,000,000.
Why: Approval of the new contract through General Services Administration (GSA) ensures continuity of services with no disruption to critical life safety and communication systems, addresses immediate and ongoing district-wide needs for system upgrades, repairs, and replacements, and allows the DCSD to continue leveraging pre-negotiated GSA pricing and economies of scale, and maintain compliance with the existing contractual framework and approved scope of services under the current supplemental agreement.
The current DCSD Supplemental Agreement under GSA Contract No. 47QTCA21D0098 is approaching its expiration in September 2026. The previously Board-approved, not-to-exceed amount has been fully encumbered, while several time-sensitive and critical communication system projects remain outstanding and requires immediate execution prior to utilizing the new contract through General Services Administration (GSA) Contract No. 47QTCA21D0098, therefore additional funding is also requested for the current renewal period (#4) to address the current funding shortfall.
Details: The contract with Southwestern Communications, Inc., sole source provider, supports the installation, upgrade, and maintenance of Rauland-Borg communication systems, including intercom systems, clocks, and associated infrastructure across multiple facilities.
The agreement was initially executed with a defined term including renewal options, subject to Board approval. Currently, GSA has renewed the contract with Southwestern Communications, Inc., however, it has not provided the executed documentation. Our acceptance of use as a new contract is contingent on receipt of this document.
The new contract will extend services through the next term period while maintaining the same contractual structure, scope, and pricing methodology established under the GSA contract.
The Spend Limit Increase request is necessary for the current and final renewal to address the current funding shortfall and bridge the gap through acceptance of the new contract that GSA has with Southwestern Communications.
Financial impact: The contract is a total not to exceed $5,750,000.
Funds will be allocated from the General Fund Budget, Deferred Maintenance (100.2600.543013.00011.7520.9990.8013.040.0000)
Any single purchase which exceeds $100,000 will be presented to the Board for approval in accordance with Board Policy DJE.
Contact: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations
Mr. Keith L. Ball, Executive Director Capital Improvements & Facilities, Division of Operations, 404.234.6985
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Pending Approval by the Office of Legal Affairs
May 19, 2025
Dekalb County School District
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
RE: Dekalb County School District Authorized Dealer
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
This letter will certify that the following company is the sole Authorized Distributor of
Rauland Education Products for Dekalb County School District in Stone Mountain Georgia.
South Western Communications
70 Crestridge Drive, Suite 100
Suwanee, GA 30024
GSA- General Services Administration
Contract Number 47QTCA21D0098
May 10, 2021 through May 9, 2026
Current Price List Through Modifications #A815, dated May 11, 2021
As a sole authorized and certified Rauland Education Distributor in this market area, South
Western Communications – Atlanta may represent itself as such, and is entitled to supply,
install, service, maintain, and support our Telecenter products and related Rauland
Accessories.
If you have any questions concerning our distribution policies, please contact us at our
Corporate office in Mount Prospect, Illinois, USA.
Sincerely,
Tony Hackett
Tony Hackett
Regional Manager
Rauland
PH: 847-212-5694
Tony.hackett@ametek.com
1802 West Central Road | Mount Prospect, IL 60056 U.S.A. | Phone: +1 847-590-7100 or 800-752-7725 (U.S.A. only)
| www.rauland.com |