Department
Library
Requested Action (Identify appropriate Action or Motion, purpose, cost, timeframe, etc.)
title
Request approval to use Beltline TAD funds for the purchase of AMH (Automatic Handling) Systems to be distributed at six (6) library locations. The cost of the purchase is not to exceed; $1,100,000.00. (APPROVED)
body
Requirement for Board Action (Cite specific Board policy, statute or code requirement)
Agenda Item 05-1497 authorizing Fulton County participation in the Beltline Tax Allocation District; Intergovernmental Agreement between Fulton County and the City of Atlanta effective December 31, 2005, providing payments in lieu of taxes to be returned to Fulton County from the TAD for Library capital expenditures; and in accordance with Purchasing Code Section 102-373, all competitive sealed bids of more than $49,999.99 shall be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for approval.
Strategic Priority Area related to this item (If yes, note strategic priority area below)
Arts and Libraries
Commission Districts Affected
All Districts ☒
District 1 ☐
District 2 ☐
District 3 ☐
District 4 ☐
District 5 ☐
District 6 ☐
Is this a purchasing item?
No
Summary & Background
The current smartSort 100 AMH Systems were installed in 2014-2015. Despite the vendor being able to provide service and maintenance, the cost of repairs is steadily increasing, and parts are becoming scarce. The price to purchase the units is also increasing due to potential tariffs. The quote used for this purpose does not include a tariff markup. The impacted branches are the Metropolitan, Milton, Northwest, South Fulton, Wolf Creek and Alpharetta library. The price quoted for the units is $961,838 but the library is requesting $1,100,000 to ensure the library has enough funding for the purchase if tariffs impact vendor pricing.
AMH Systems is the book drop and sorting system which saves a tremendous amount of time when considering staff hours. The use of this unit limits the need for additional staffing at the library due to the sorting capabilities and the reduction of workload. The library has two bin sorters which range in size from 5 to 7 sorters.
Scope of Work: The library will purchase six (6) AMH Systems for various library branches. These systems include a FLEX AMH and Book drop. This solicitation will be processed as a sole source to maintain compatibility with current systems and maintenance agreements already in place.
Community Impact: The AMH systems creates savings in man hours as it pertains to checkouts and returns. If these sorters were out of service for repairs staff has to manually perform time consuming tasks that would bring staff off of the front line.
Department Recommendation: The library system recommends purchase of the units.
Project Implications: The cost of maintenance will continue to increase overtime and the system runs the risk of having units down for extended periods of time due to scarcity of parts.
Community Issues/Concerns: There are no community issues/concerns.
Department Issues/Concerns: There are no department issues.
Fiscal Impact / Funding Source
Funding Line 1:
TBD