May 16, 2009
Hon. Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive
Hall of Records, Room 405
465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Newark, NJ, 07102
Re: OPRA Request
Resolution #31
Embroidered/Silk Screen T-Shirts
Dear Mr. DiVincenzo:
As you will please recall, Resolution #31 of the agenda of the May 13, 2009 public Board Meeting of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded a contract in the amount not to exceed $150,000.00 to Metuchen Center Inc., Garden State Apparel Team Sports located within New Brunswick, New Jersey to “The (sic) addresses the County’s need for purchasing a variety of printed embroidered and silk screen t-shirts.” The reason stated within the resolution for the necessity of purchasing the t-shirts was that “T-shirts are needed for County events, concerts and facilities information”. Regarding the source of the funding of the purchase of these t-shirts, the resolution states “funds for the contract are available through the operating account numbers of various departments.”
The Bid Document Contents form within the resolution states “15. BUY AMERICAN - Only manufactured and farm products of the United States, wherever available, shall be used under this contract, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A: 11-18. However, the decision of the Board of Freeholders will be paramount where the price discrepancy favors the foreign goods or products and said decision does not conflict with the law.”
As you will please recall, CWA Local 1081 in the relatively recent past submitted a query to the administration of the County of Essex requesting to be appraised of the source of the funding the administration utilized to purchase the slew of lapel pins prominently adorning the garb of the members of the administration including the County’s department and division directors and other designated County personnel. Inasmuch as the logo of “Putting Essex County First” was affixed to front of the lapel pins, our Union took understandable umbrage with the fact that the lapel pins were stamped on the back of each that they had been manufactured within China.
Attached, please find a copy of the Open Public Records Request (OPRA) form CWA Local 1081 has submitted this day to the County of Essex requesting the following documentation regarding Resolution #31:
- All documents delineating from what specific County departments’ operating accounts will the $150,000.00 total expenditure for the purchase of the t-shirts originate, and in what specific respective monetary amounts?
- All documents delineating which of the County’s departments shall respectively receive which amount and type (embroidered or silk screened) of t-shirts.
- All documents delineating the countries of origin, other than the United States, of the County-ordered t-shirts if the resolution’s buy American requirement is not honored by the vendor contracted to supply the County the t-shirts.
- If the “decision of the Board of Freeholders will be paramount where the price discrepancy favors the foreign goods or products and said decision does not conflict with the law”, and if the ordered t-shirts are not to be American made, all documents supporting the assertion that the price discrepancy favored the foreign goods or products.
- All documents delineating the apparent discrepancy between the stated purpose of this resolution’s contract with this vendor, which is to “The (sic) addresses the County’s need for purchasing a variety of printed embroidered and silk screen t-shirts.”, and the perceptible point that in addition to t-shirts this contractual agreement between the County of Essex and Metuchen Center Inc., Garden State Apparel Team Sports also includes one or more of the following:
- Pull over Polo Shirts costing $10.95 apiece.
- Vermont parkas costing $61.95 apiece.
- Knock Around Jackets costing $39.95 apiece.
- Golf shirts, with collars, costing $22.95 apiece.
- Cotton pique sport short sleeve shirts for men costing $14.95 apiece.
- Cotton pique sport short sleeve shirts for women costing $14.95 apiece.
- Log sleeve polo shirts costing $19.95 apiece.
- 12 Female Staff Short (Polo) embroidered with left chest County logo short sleeve w/director & department name embroidered on left sleeve costing $21.95 apiece.
- 11 male Staff Short (Polo) embroidered with left chest County logo short sleeve w/director & department name embroidered on left sleeve costing $21.95 apiece.
- Ladies Oxford Light Blue Long Sleeve Shirt embroidered with Left Chest County Logo costing $22.95 apiece.
- Men Oxford Light Blue Long Sleeve Shirt embroidered with Left Chest County Logo costing $22.95 apiece.
- Short or Long Sleeve 100% Cotton Pique Sport Shirt-Men embroidered costing $18.99 apiece.
- Short or Long Sleeve 100% Cotton Pique Sport Shirt-Women embroidered costing $18.99 apiece.
- Men 60/40 Long Sleeve Wrinkle Resistant Oxford, Button Down collar, Chest Pocket embroidered costing $23.05 apiece.
- Women 60/40 Long Sleeve Wrinkle Resistant Oxford Short embroidered costing $22.95 apiece.
- Men 100% Cotton Denim Shirt, Button Down collar, Chest pocket embroidered costing $17.95 apiece.
- Women 100% Cotton Denim Shirt embroidered costing $17.95 apiece.
- Hooded Sweatshirt full zip, silk screened 60/40 spun combed cotton/poly, front slash pockets costing $24.96 apiece.
- Short Sleeve Polo Shirt 100% Pique Cotton, embroidered 100% pre-shrunk double-needle stitching costing $19.95 apiece.
- Short Sleeve Polo Shirt 100% Pique Cotton, silk Screened 100% pre-shrunk double- needle stitching costing $19.95 apiece.
- Short Sleeve Polo Shirt 100% Pique Cotton, embroidered 100% pre-shrunk double-needle stitching (tall) costing $21.95 apiece.
- Short Sleeve Polo Shirt 100% Pique Cotton, silk screened (tall) 100% pre-shrunk double- needle stitching costing $21.95 apiece.
- Denim long sleeve shirts authentic apparel classic 100% cotton, logo embroidered costing $19.95 apiece.
- Crew neck sweatshirts ultimate cotton higher content of cotton 10 oz 90/10 cotton/poly print pro XP fleece, fully cover seamed spandex in collar, cuffs and waistband set in sleeve, logo embroidered costing $19.95 apiece.
- Polo shirt 7.1 oz Peruvian combed cotton stone wash 50% cotton and 50% polyester enzyme washed for softness inside neck tape, embossed logo buttons, double needle hemmed bottom with logo embroidered costing $21.95 apiece.
- Cool Mesh sport shirt with tipping stripe trim, mesh knitting spun combed cotton, garment washed double needle stitched, side vents, 3 button placket, with horn tone buttons logo embroidered costing $24.95 apiece.
- Gold knit golf shirts with County Logo 50% cotton / 50% polyester, logo embroidered costing $12.95 apiece.
- Ring spun mock turtle necks Embroidered with logo costing $15.95 apiece.
- Interlock knit turtleneck cotton with touch of spandex, 6 oz 100% ring spun combed cotton, spandex in collar & cuffs, stretch shoulder seams, double needle bottom hem, logo embroidered costing $21.95 apiece.
- Ladies short sleeve pima square pique point pinstriped knit collar, hemmed sleeves, short square-v placket with reinforced box, hail’ moon back yoke, double needle construction, straight tail hem with side vents, 100% pima cotton, logo embroidered costing $24.95 apiece.
- Crewneck shirt embroidered on the left chest, ring spun mock turtle neck logo costing $15.95 apiece.
- 100% tipped trim ladies pique sport shirts, 6.8 oz embed cotton, four button contrasting reverse placket, tipped contrasting collar & cuffs, side vents logo embroidered costing $21.95 apiece.
- Ladies short sleeve Jenny collar pique polo, Jenny collar v-neck, rib knit collar and cuff with tipping stripe, straight tall hem with side vents, double needle construction, 60% ring spun combed cotton 40% polyester logo embroidered costing $24.95 apiece.
- Ladies 3 season jacket 11111 Zip front with Velcro storm flap, fleece lined, zip through tunnel collar, ladies fit with and adjustable cinch waist, front zipper pockets, adjustable Velcro cuffs, water repellent 100% nylon shell, body lined with heavyweight anti-pill fleece, sleeves lined with quilted nylon with heavyweight polyester fill, logo embroidered costing $38.95 apiece.
- 3 Season jacket men, heavy nylon ill-zip front with inside storm flap, fleece lined, sip through tunnel collar, front zipper pockets, inside chest pocket with Velcro closure, contrasting rib knit nylon cuffs and waistband raglan sleeves, water repellent 100% nylon shell body lined with heavy weight polyester fill, logo embroidered costing $39.95 apiece.
- Ladies double pique knit staff with fashion collar, logo embroidered costing $21.95 apiece.
- 100% tipped trim pique sport shirt, 6.8 oz combed cotton, three button contrasting placket tipped contrasting collar & cuffs, side vents logo embroidered costing $19.95 apiece,
- Wind shirts, indoor, outdoor wet, dry, spring & fall, 100% polyester micro fiber fabric is lightweight and soft, durable resilient and resistant to wrinkling, water and pilling, cross over v neck and ribbed cuffs, collar and waist ban, nylon lining and side pockets, micro fiber logo embroidered costing $29.95 apiece.
- 100% Men cotton deluxe super heavy weight mock turtle neck, 7.1 at ribbed sleeve cuffs, double needle neck and bottom hem logo embroidered costing $15.95 apiece.
- 100% Ladies cotton deluxe super heavy weight mock turtle neck, 7.1 at ribbed sleeve cuffs, double needle neck and bottom hem logo embroidered costing $15.95 apiece.
- Men double pique knit staff with fashion collar, embroidered logo costing $22.95 apiece.
- Full zip sweat shirt 9 oz 60/40 ring spun
- combed cotton/poly, filly cover seamed rib knit cuffs & waistband, set in sleeves, front slash pocket, antique brass finished zipper, nickel finished zipper logo embroidered costing $22.95 apiece.
- Fleece lined jackets, 100% nylon shell protects 74% polyester, 15% cotton, 11% rayon fleece lining, drawstring hood and waist with bell tips include concealed front zipper and welt pockets logo embroidered costing $28.95 apiece.
- All season jackets, waterproof with soft micro fleece lining contrast sleeve design port pocket, 100% waterproof taslan nylon shell with critical seam sealing for additional protection adjustable bottom hem with thaw cord and toggles 2 front pockets and a sleeve pocket with Velcro closures embroidered costing $47.99 apiece.
- Men cougar flat jacket 100% nylon hydroplus, windproof and water repellent packable into chest pocket, hidden hood with draw cord zip pocket, open bottom with elastic draw cord hem, elastic cuffs, fbi! front zip to the top of collar vented embroidered costing $41.95 apiece.
- Fleece jacket long sleeve hill zipper polyester 14 oz heavy duty nylon zipper, two front zipper pockets 1” elastic cuffs and waistband, logo embroidered costing $40.95 apiece,
- Taslan jacket 34 length 100% taslan jacket, 100% taslan nylon, 2/3 mesh and 1/3 nylon lining, contrast yoke and sleeve, hidden hood in collar, full zipper front with snap storm flap, wind and water resistant, right interior pocket, inside elastic draw cord waist with barrel stopper, elastic cuffs, four front zipper pockets, logo embroidered costing $36.95 apiece.
- Fleeced lined jacket Embroidered PW logo, Nylon shell, drawstring hood & waist with bell types, cancelled front zipper & welt pockets embroidered costing $35.95 apiece.
- Explorer jacket, oxford nylon and fleece, warm and water repellent, inner nylon lining, lycra trim cuff, 13 oz fleece with nylon lining and oxford nylon, capped shoulders, locker loop, lower slash pockets, bottom hem with draw cord and toggle locks on the side seams, interior zip close chest pocket unisex logo embroidered costing $41.95 apiece.
- Quarter-zip pullover fleece jacket, 14 oz polyester fleece with non-pilling face, heavy duty nylon zipper, two side seam pockets, elastic cuffs and waistband embroidered costing $40.95 apiece.
- Fleece jacket embroidered for Cherry Blossom run costing $29.95 apiece.
- Double piping sandwich bill caps/fabric colors/various double piping and stitching accented on bill 100% cotton washed twill, 6 panel construction unstructured low profile, self fabric sweat band double piping on bill and back closure, sewn eyelets, self fabric overlapping Velcro closure and Lashing curved bill, logo with lion on back embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Baseball safety cap safety, 100% fluorescent colored polyester 6-panel construction, lightly structured, mid profile, coolmax sweatband, Velcro closure and side panel eyelets, reflective taping in sandwich, on top of bill, back of crown and on thee closure (all hats with logo embroidered, lion on back) costing $10.95 apiece.
- Racing check panel caps-checker flag panel and bill details with an embroidery edge, 100% cotton brushed twill, 6-panel construction, lightly structured, mid profile Velcro closure, stitched eyelets and a fashion curved bill, logo with lion on back embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Unit caps-bit cap 100% acrylic large folded cuff of approx. 3” for embroidering logos (one size fit all) embroidered costing $9.95 apiece.
- Beanie cap constructed from 100% acrylic with contrasting trim (one size fits all) with logo embroidered costing $9.95 apiece.
- Knit beanie cap with contrasting stripe, six panel acrylic knit beanie 9” length, logo embroidered costing (9.95 apiece.
- Safety cap 100% fluorescent colored polyester 6- pane] construction, lightly structured mid profile, coolmax sweatband, Velcro closure and side panel eyelets, reflective taping in sandwich on top of bill back of crown and on the closure, logo with lion on back embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Racing check panel cap checker flag panel and bill details w/embroidered edge, 100% cotton brushed twill 6-panel construction lightly structured, mid profile, Velcro closure, stitched, eyelets & a fashion curved bill, logo with lion on back embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Double piping sandwich bill cap, cotton washed twill with double piping and stitching accents cm the bill 100% cotton, 6-panel construction unstructured, low profile, self-fabric sweatband double piping on bill and back closure, sewn eyelets, self-fabric overlapping, Velcro closure & fashion-curved bill, logo with lion on back embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Vertical-stripe beanie hats 2x2 gauge thin rib knit, 2 off-center contrasting vertical stripes on size fit all, logo embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Double-stripe beanie 60% cotton, 40% acrylic-blend fabric on size fits all, logo embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Six panel mid profile brushed twill raceway caps, structured front panel, wrap-around checkered flag embroidery on visor & crown, white checks gradually fade from grey on side of cap to black on back of cap, matching fabric padded sweatband, matching fabric overlap Velcro strap back, pre-curved bill on size fits all, logo with lion on back embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Six panel low profiled twill hunting cap, 100% cotton, constructed front panel with butham backing, adjustable plastic snap back, eight rows of bill stitching, logo with lion on back embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
- Six panel low profile twill mossy oak camouflage cap, ultra violet protection, matching adjustable fabric strap with Velcro closure, lightly backed front panel, eight rows of bill stitching logo with lion on back embroidered costing $10.95 apiece.
Sincerely,
David H. Weiner, President
CWA Local 1081