$36,000 No Bid Contract for Promethean Bulbs

On April 15, 2010, the MCPS Board of Education will approve (without discussion) the expenditure of $36,000 for Promethean Board replacement bulbs. The contract is being awarded to one company, without any bids from other suppliers.  $36,000 would pay for around 65 to 150 bulbs depending on the unit price.


Recall that 2,600 of the Promethean Boards aren't even paid for yet. They were purchased on a 4 year lease plan. Also note that MCPS is $1.4 million short on funds to make the Year 4 Lease payment. 

It is unknown how many total Promethean Boards exist in MCPS today. Last the public knew there were over 3,300 Boards. Payment information only exists on the 2,600 Promethean Boards, the others arrived in MCPS without public disclosure.


Meanwhile, the Promethean Boards that are here need bulbs to function or they are useless.


Is there only one company that supplies replacement bulbs? No.   


Replacement bulb prices range from $235 to $550. MCPS will need to replace all 3,300+ bulbs in the next year or two based on the average life of a projector bulb. That's over $1 million in bulb purchases that will need to be funded. 


How much is MCPS paying per bulb in this no bid contract?


Don't even ask. Our elected officials aren't a bit concerned. Montgomery County is flush with funds!